#mason mount fanfictions

[ladymarycrawley]

Forbidden but delightful - Mason Mount

Request: I actually had a imagine request for Mason Mount…where the reader works for him and they’ve always been fond of one another and one day she comes in wearing a guys jumper, it doesn’t fit her properly and it smells like a man. So Mason feels himself becoming jealous, when in reality it’s just her brothers jumper that she ended up wearing because she fell asleep at his babysitting his kids + @anon that asked me sth based on Mase's Nike shooting that got out out in august/september

Warning: none

Tag list: @prideofpd , @johnstonesfc , @chelsealover , @masonxomount , @masterclassbaby

(gif credits to @bracedes)

A thing Mason promised himself he would have never done in his life was falling in love with someone that worked for him or that simply happened to cross his path for business reasons: he knew it would have been unprofessional but, most of all, he feared he would have ended up as the wronged party.

Another thing he knew deep down his heart was that promises are sometimes meant to be broken and the aforementioned one was one of those.

Since Y/N took on the role of his personal stylist she became the ever so present object of his thoughts as she charmed him since day one, when that shy smile of hers made him blush and ask for more, more moments of him in her company. 

He knew she had something special but didn't know what that was, he only knew it was something that made him feel relaxed, at peace with the world around him. It was as if she held an aura of calmness that was never enough for him as his engaged lifestyle required a lot of it.

Needless to say they got along instantly and, as he was one of the most appreciated footballers on the planet, she soon became one of the most envied women for spending so much time with him. That time they would spend together wasn’t related to fashion matters only but quickly spread to their spare time too: after their work for a magazine, Mason invited her over to his house to celebrate their first job together.

In the meanwhile, on her part, a small sentence he said to her like “I’d like you to always feel at ease when you’re around me, we don’t have to be friends if you don’t want to but I’d like you to be totally yourself” was what made her like him as soon as his brother Lewis introduced him to her. What he expressed was quite an easy concept not to be taken for granted as a lot of famous people would likely treat their employees as servants, making their business life miserable but that wasn't his case.

Everyone loved Mason for being a down to earth guy, a family guy that always had the most beautiful smile painted across his lips and that smile was the second thing that made her weak to her knees: it could light up a dark room faster than artificial light and warm her heart at the same speed.

The second time it was her turn so she asked him to join her in going to a club in the centre of Manchester. It was just the prelude of their game of looks, subtle and unintended touches, sweet words. All of that happened without them even realising it as it felt so spontaneous, so right.

The crucial moment in their professional as well as personal career was when the Red Devils player was asked to feature in the next Nike Underwear campaign as one of their latest posterboys.

“That’s huge, I can't believe it” She kept on saying in disbelief as he was in a delighted mood too. That was probably the biggest job she got until then and they were both buzzing.

“I’m sure all the girlies will love me even more after this shooting” You joked, alluding to the shirtless pictures of Mason that would soon reach every corner of planet Earth through the worldwide coverage they would have had.

He blushed a little and chuckled. “Yep and they’ll probably hate you a little too cause you’re stealing their place”

“Me?? I’m just doing what I’ve been hired for and just got you the biggest shooting to date”

“Yeah but don’t flatter yourself sweetheart”

Sweetheart? Y/N would have never thought of hearing that nickname coming from his mouth and above all, addressed to her. The shade of bright pink that painted her cheeks after that exchange of words, matched her geranium skirt and that combination didn’t go unnoticed to her client who smirked, quite pleased with what his sentence ignited in her.

They both gave each other knowing looks, a look that made Mason’s heart beat faster and Y/N’s legs shake.

The stylist cleared her throat with a fit of coughing before looking at the time on her phone screen, deciding it was time for her to go home before things would have gone out of your hands.

“Are you already going home?”

“Yes, I have erm - a friend over for dinner, yeah” She nodded as if she was trying to convince herself to buy her own lie. 

“Do I know her? Oh wait, is it your best friend?” The Englishman didn’t really care about her guest, he only wanted to spend a couple more minutes with her and make sure she wasn’t seeing any guy he would have to compete with.

“No no, you don’t know her…” She said dismissively, putting her bag on her shoulder.

“Is this mysterious friend a guy you haven’t told me about?” He said, crossing his hands and trying to sound as chilled as possible.

“Please! Not interested in any guy right now” Yeah, in any guy that wasn’t called Mason Mount. “Really have to go now, my house is a mess and she will be there in less than an hour… see you tomorrow, Mount, don’t be late cause we’ll check your Nike’s outfits out!”

“Don’t worry, I won’t…have fun tonight”

“Yep…thanks”

They almost whispered their goodbyes with a hint of sadness and delusion in their voices, as though neither of them wanted to leave each other nor wanted the other one to be left alone but the positions they were in forbid any kind of romantic relationship: it would have been too complicated and too risky.

The very risky thing though was the task she had to undertake the next day: some Nike people met Mason and Y/N at the sportswear brand’s headquarter in London and shared a quick chat to get to know each other better, before skipping to the part where they would explain the shooting they had in mind for Mason to be featured in.

She gulped the moment they showed them the underwear models they could have chosen among.

Y/N’s mind soon got crowded with not safe for work images, as the sight of the Manchester United player’s toned body covered only in a pair of tight boxers, smiling at her began getting more and more vivid.

She shook her head when the Mason in her mind bit on his lower lip and seductively brought his hands to his sides to take off the tiny piece of clothing covering his lower body.

“Are you okay?”

“Me? Oh yes, yes I’m so excited for this you have no idea” She laughed.

The people working with them smiled and left the room to do God’s knew what, leaving her and Mason alone.

He chuckled, lowering himself to her level so that his lips were close to her ear and whispered “Bet you’re more aroused than excited for this job”

You widen your eyes and hit him on the shoulder.

“I’m fully focused on my work, wasn’t thinking about anything vile”

“Even if you’re thinking about it that would be nothing wrong with it…I won’t tell anyone about your secret crush for me”

“Stop it! How old are you? 15??”

Mason giggled and swiftly pecked her cheek. “I love it when you get annoyed at me”

If someone would have seen that scene they would have thought they were a couple, a cute couple but sadly it wasn’t the truth and maybe would have never been…

Y/N arrived at work the day of the Nike shooting some minutes late and she entered the venue out of breath.

“Hi! Sorry everyone, stuck in traffic and it was horrible” She justified herself panting. What she just said was a white lie because she had nothing to do with London’s traffic: the night before her elder brother asked her to babysit his children because he had planned a night out with his wife and forgot to call someone to look after those two rascals that spent all the night shouting and running around the house.

She tried to say no when he asked her that favour, as she had a big day coming on but he said he really needed her help.

So she fell asleep on the sofa, after battling to put her nephews to bed, waking up just in time to go back home in a rush, begging her brother to give her a lift, and put on some knee-high boots that would have complimented that oversized grey jumper she borrowed from him to fight the coldness of the night.

Mason raised his eyebrows when he saw her, recognising immediately what she was wearing was a man’s jumper.

She styled it as if it was a dress and she looked so hot in his eyes but couldn’t stop thinking she must have spent the night with some man, that’s the reason why she was late.

The shooting went as planned: Mason looked genuinely flawless and sexy in that underwear, smiling at the camera and she kept on biting her lips as she couldn’t help thirsting over him as he looked nothing but hot ... that infatuation for him would have been the death of her.

She thanked that one person that asked for a little break because she needed a giant cup of coffee and some fresh air.

“You look good” Those were the first words she said to Mason that day.

“You too”

“No way, I look hideous as I’ve barely slept and arrived late on what’s the most important day in my career” She blurted annoyed at that, something unforgivable from her point of view.

The footballer started biting on his nails as he was clearly nervous and maybe needed some fresh air as well as she did.

“This…” The strong smell that tickled his nostrils interrupted him “...this smell, where does it come from?”

“Oh I think it’s my jumper” Y/N admitted shyly, referring to the garment that looked huge on her.

What Mason noticed made her blush, as if he caught her red-handed while doing something inappropriate and he glanced at her sideways, as if that inappropriate thing she did disappointed him somehow.

“It still smells like him...” She said under her breath but he still heard her and couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock: in his head they’re perfect together, smiling and laughing every day, even subtly flirting so he thought she was single and he could go on courting her but now she’s wearing another man’s clothes? The poor man was confused to say the least.

“You told me you weren’t interested in any man…”

“And I’m not”

He raised his head and smiled quite relieved with the real explanation behind all of that.

“So why are you wearing another man’s jumper?”

“Oh god Mase, are you jealous?? This is my brother’s. He asked me to babysit his kids last night and took this because I was cold and in a rush so it was literally the first decent thing I’ve found”

“Oh well…I was ready to mock you for your walk of shame actually”

“No dear, you’re dying for me to tell you I haven't slept with anyone last night and now you’re joking only because you didn’t get angry” You giggled, offering him a cup of hot coffee.

“Can I take you out tonight?”

“Mason I- I don’t think that’d be a good idea, I mean we’re working together”

“I know that but I’ll do my best to keep things separated, I promise” He gave you puppy eyes, making you giggle.

“If you wanna try…”

“You don’t wanna try?”

Of course she wanted to, she'd been dying too…and she'd been dying to know what his lips tasted of too: she quickly glanced around to make sure all the people involved in the shooting were still out and unexpectedly kissed him, the coffee flavour on his lips mixing with her nude lipstick.

“Now go on posing, nothing happened!”

Nothing could swipe Mason’s smirk off his face as he brushed his thumb over his lips that now tasted like her.

“Yeah...nothing happened”

Mixing work and private life wasn’t something they were willing to do but sometimes breaking the rules has that forbidden charm that brings to one’s soul the highest of delights and that’s a risk worth taking.

[mountttmase]

When You Know - Part 1

Note - happy birthday masey 🥺 we’ve made it another year 🩷 thank you to the anon who requested this I know it was meant to be Christmas but I hope you like it for his birthday too 🤭 feedback would be appreciated as always and I’ve been plotting some other parts for this if you like it 😏

Pairing - Mason Mount × Reader

Word count - 2.5k

Warnings - fluffy

‘Night everyone, see you in the morning’ you heard Mason calling down the hall. You could just about hear the rest of his family reply as they made their way into their respective rooms and you knew soon enough it would just be you and Mason.

You’d been waiting for this moment all day but now it was finally here you were more nervous than you’d ever been before. Slipping yourself under the covers as he undressed himself down to his boxers and slipped off into the bathroom to get himself ready for bed.

‘I’ve been waiting for them to go to bed for hours’ he called as he was finishing up and when he appeared in the doorway your heart stuttered in your chest. ‘Need my time with my girl’

He was so handsome. His bright smile seemed to take over his whole face and you could see it in his warm brown eyes how happy he was when he finally slid in next to you.

Hopefully he’d still be smiling in five minutes' time.

His hands were on you in an instant. Gripping your bum and thighs as he pulled you towards his body and all you could do was grip his shoulders and kiss him back as his lips finally touched yours. A sigh of relief falling from the both of you but you tried not to get too lost in him as you wanted to stick to your plan.

‘Hey Mase?’ You asked as you tried to pull away but he was quick to capture your lips again as he pulled you in even closer and tangled your legs beneath the sheets.

‘Yes baby?’ He asked against your lips before peppering kisses along your jaw and down your neck. He was making everything so difficult and you were only a second away from ditching your plan and letting him have you but you’d worked too hard and had built yourself up for hours to get to this point so you reluctantly pulled away from him.

‘I was thinking, since it’s officially your birthday now then maybe I could give you a little present? You know while it’s just the two of us?’ You asked, both your breathing a little laboured from how you were feeling but you saw the cheeky glint in his eye immediately.

‘Oh yeah?’ He hummed suggestively. The hand that was on your hip traveling slightly so he could squeeze your bum and the feel of it made you jump. ‘I think I’d like that a lot’ he told you. His voice low and commanding as he tried to pin you down to the mattress but your giggles were making it hard for him to kiss you.

‘Down boy’ you laughed. Pressing one final kiss to his lips in hopes he’d calm down a bit. ‘I didn’t mean it like that. Just sit up a bit, I’ve got a card for you to open’

‘Fine’ he sighed. Pulling himself away from you so he could sit up and you were glad he was going along with it. This wasn’t something you wanted to explain to him beforehand so as soon as he was comfortable you handed over the white envelope with a shaky hand.

You watched him closely, tearing the envelope open before reaching inside to pull the card out and you felt the world stop spinning as he did. Your eyes solely focused on his face as he read over the words on the front and you knew he didn’t understand. Repeatedly going over the with his eyebrows bunched together and you thought his confusion was adorable.

It wasn’t until he opened it and the words I’m pregnant were staring him back in the face that he truly understood. His eyes as wide as you’d ever seen them as they flashed between the card and your face before they finally stopped on you.

‘Are you being serious?’ He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. ‘We’re having a baby?’

‘We’re having a baby’ you repeated back to him tearily. Reaching into your bedside drawer to pluck out a test you’d taken earlier that day and the words pregnant were still etched onto it clearly.

Truth be told you’d been suspicious for a while and decided to take a test a few days ago but kept it to yourself. It wasn’t that you thought Mason wouldn’t be thrilled with the news but you wanted to process it on your own and think of a special way to tell him. His birthday being a few days seemed like an obvious choice and as you watched his face transform into one of shock to then pure happiness, you knew you’d picked the right time.

He was bundling you into his arms shortly after. His ragged breaths seemed uncontrollable at first but you held him tightly and stroked the back of his head just how he liked until he was calmer and his vice like grip had loosened a touch.

‘I love you so fucking much’ he sniffed, pulling back to hold you face in between his hands so he could look into your eyes but his were hazy with tears. A joyful look on his face no matter how much he was crying and it only took one look at him to set you off. ‘Are you really being serious?’

‘I am’ you laughed. Placing your hands on his arms as you sat as close as you could and when a few tears escaped he was quick to wipe them away. ‘I took a test a couple of days ago but I wanted to surprise you’

‘Well you did a bloody good job, I had no idea’ he laughed, pulling you closer into his lap until you couldn't go any further. ‘Do you know how far along you are or anything?’

‘I took one of those tests that give you a date and it was saying six weeks but I’m really not sure. I’ve got to make a doctors appointment to confirm it and check everything’s okay but I wanted to wait until you knew so you can come with me’

‘I’ll be there no matter what, okay?’ He reassured you and as happy as he was you knew what you were about to say he wouldn’t be a fan of.

‘Thank you, but listen we have to keep this a secret though, Mase. Just for a few more weeks until after the 12 week scan’ you told him carefully and just as you thought his face dropped.

‘What? Why?’

‘Cause that’s what you’re supposed to do, you know just in case something goes wrong. It’s still such early days Mase’

‘Nothing will go wrong, baby. I’ll make sure of it’ he told you pointedly but you saw his face switch as he took in how worried you were. ‘But if it’s what you want then we can keep it between us for now’

‘Thank you’ you gulped. Reaching over to give him a quick peck but he held you closer and deepened it ever so slightly. ‘It gives us a chance of finding a nice way to tell our families too. I've seen loads of cute ideas and I was thinking we could get everyone together and tell them all at the same time?’

‘Yeah okay, I like that’ he nodded before you both started grinning uncontrollably. ‘Fuck’ he breathed. ‘I’m gonna be a dad’

‘You are’ you grinned, laughing along with him as he couldn’t hold it in any longer. ‘And I’m gonna be a mum’

‘Best mummy in the world’ he whispered sincerely before dropping another kiss on your lips. ‘I love you so much’

‘I love you too’

‘How did you find out? Are you feeling okay?’ He asked. More questions coming to the forefront as the news sunk in but you squeezed his shoulders as you were excited to talk about everything with him after holding it all in for days.

‘I’m fine I promise’ you nodded. ‘I’ve just been a bit sick and then I missed my period for the second time’ you huffed. ‘Missing it once means nothing to me but with everything else I just thought I better check’

‘I’m here okay? Whatever you need’ he nodded and you knew he was serious. Ready to be the rock you needed as you navigated this new journey together.

‘Thank you’ you sniffed, overcome with emotion at how well this had gone. ‘This is gonna sound awful but I wasn’t sure how you were going to react’

‘Why not?’ He giggled, laying down as he brought you with him and once you were settled you couldn’t help but notice the way he left his hand on your tummy.

‘We’ve never really spoken about kids, I wasn't sure how you’d take it. I know you’re so amazing with the girls but having our own will be completely different’

‘I know, and I’m ready’ he grinned. ‘I’ve always wanted a family of my own and I’ve known for ages I wanted it to be with you’ he told you earnestly. ‘I know we’re not married and haven’t been together as long as some but when you know you know, right? And I’ve always known we’d have everything and more. Maybe having a kid wasn’t first on the list but fuck it, you make me so happy and I just feel like this will make us even stronger’

‘I think so too’ you whispered. In awe of the sweet words he’d just whispered to you and you knew you’d never love a man like this ever again.

You spent the next hour or so exchanging sweet words and kisses until you couldn’t keep your eyes open. Explaining to Mason you’d never been so tired in your life and he was quick to get you comfy on his chest so you could go to sleep as he stroked your hair and kissed your head repeatedly.

It was chaos the next morning. Everyone in the living room as Summer and Mila demanded that Mason open his presents from them now and as much as you were excited for Mason's special day, your morning sickness was as worse as it had ever been. Rolling through you like a tidal wave that just kept coming back and no matter how many deep breaths you took it wasn’t going away.

Mason was on fine form, even happier than usual but he was able to play it off by saying he was just excited to have everyone around for his birthday. You knew Debbie knew something was up as her eyes were glued to the pair of you. Mason couldn’t seem to do enough for you and when Summer threw a present over to Mason he was quick to shield your body in case it hit you.

‘This is so hard’ he laughed quietly in your ear when everyone else was focused on something else for a minute and you squeezed his thigh in agreement. ‘I just wanna tell everyone’

‘Now you know how I felt trying to keep it from you’

‘Just think, in a few years time our little one will be running around and joining in’ he grinned as he watched the girls run around in excitement. ‘I can’t wait’

‘Me too’ you giggled, his joy infectious but you could feel another wave of sickness coming that was worse that all the others combined and you began to panic. ‘I’m just getting a drink’

‘Let me-‘

‘Honestly Mase, it’s fine. I need a breather’ you explained quietly. Squeezing his thigh before he helped you up and you quickly made your way into the kitchen to grab a cold glass of water.

You’d researched what to do to help it, grabbing a ginger biscuit from the cupboard to nibble on as that was meant to help and also reaching for the mint tea to make a cup but the kettle had barely boiled and Mason had come to check on you.

‘You okay in here, gorgeous?’

‘Sorry, I’m just a bit sick’ you explained with a pout and the sympathetic look in Mason's eye made yours sting. He was over to you in a flash though and was quick to turn you in his arms so your back was against his chest and you melted at the way he was slowly stroking his thumbs over your tummy. ‘You giving mummy a hard time in there, bubba?’

‘I knew it’ you suddenly heard. Both your heads snapping up to see Debbie stood in the doorway with an excited look on her face.

‘Fuck’ Mason breathed, moving his hands to you hips as he pulled away slightly and you wondered what Mason was going to say next. ‘W-what do you know?’

‘Don’t play dumb, Mason. The mint tea? The ginger biscuits? The way you won’t let anyone get close to her and you, little miss’ she smiled, her finger now pointing at you. ‘You’re as white as a sheet and you turned down one of my famous sausage sandwiches this morning. That never happens’

‘Listen, mum, I don’t know what you think you know-‘

‘Mase it’s okay’ you laughed. Turning to face him to let him know everything was fine and that he didn’t have to lie to her.

‘But you said-‘

‘I know, but she’s figured it out and maybe it’s a good thing. We could probably do with an adults help’

‘We are adults’ he laughed before you were both looking back at Debbie who was looking back at you with a giant smile. ‘Okay fine, but it’s early days and we’re keeping it quiet until we’ve had the scan’

No other words were spoken. Debbie crossing the kitchen to pull you both onto a hug and you felt a weight lifted as you all stood there holding each other.

‘Mums the word okay? I won’t tell a soul and when you finally tell everyone I’ll act surprised I swear’ she told you, tears filling her eyes as he held both your faces. ‘But if you need anything I’m here okay? I’m so happy for you, I can’t wait’

‘Thanks mum’

‘What a birthday treat, eh’ she giggled. ‘I’ll leave you be but come find me if you need anything’

‘Will do, thanks Debbie’ you smiled and before you knew it you were alone with Mason once more.

‘Sorry baby, so much for keeping it between us’ he laughed as he pulled you into a hug but you didn’t mind. ‘I couldn’t even do it for half a day’

‘It’s okay, I actually think it’s for the best’ you told him, watching him nod along as his face softened. ‘Happy birthday, Masey. I promise I’ve got you an actual gift, not just this’

‘I wouldn’t care if you never got me anything again, this is the best thing I could have ever asked for’ he told you. ‘I can’t believe I’m gonna be a dad, I can’t get over it. I love you so much’

‘I love you too’ you grinned, excited for what the future held for you and your growing family.

[rafeandonlyrafe]

unexpected consequences

words: 700

warnings: 18+ only!, smut, p in v sex, condoms breaking, pregnancy/breeding talk, unprotected p in v sex, established relationship, mention of marriage

“oh fuck, yeah.” you moan out, fingers gripping rafes shoulders. “right-right there.”

your moans are extra loud today, having been apart from rafe for nearly a week after he had business out of the country. rafe is just as pent up as you, thrusting harshly into your cunt to the chorus of his grunts.

“close.” rafe warns, but you could tell anyways by the swelling of his cock that he wouldn’t last long.

“oh my god, yes.” you moan out, back arching off the bed as your release pushes through your body, cumming with a final shout of your boyfriends name.

rafe drops his head into your neck as he cums inside of you, pushing as deeply as he can as your cunt pulses around him. you wrap your arms around his shoulders and press soft kisses to his head while rafe pants through his orgasm, until you shift slightly and feel it inside of you.

“rafe, pull out.” you shove at his shoulder, causing him to look up in concern, but he slips his softening cock out.

“what is it baby?” rafe asks. you look down at the condom he always wears, where theres always a bit of white cum gathered at the tip, but this time it looks practically empty, like he just rolled it on.

“rafe.” you hit his shoulder, causing him to flinch and look down.

“wha-” rafe suddenly realizes the issue, rolling himself off the bed as he walks into the bathroom, no doubt to inspect the condom and tell you what you already know is true.

“it broke.” rafe says when he comes out a moment later.

“i know.” you admit, shifting your hips from side to side again. “i can tell.”

“im so sorry baby.” rafe says with a sigh, laying on the bed next to you but not pulling you into his arms, not sure if you want to be touched.

“its okay.” you hum softly, mind still reeling. “you didn’t know.”

“what are we gonna do?” rafe asks, knowing you’re not on birth control due to affecting other medication you’re on.

“well, i can take a plan b in the morning…” you say quietly. 

“or.” rafe encourages you to continue, able to tell that you aren’t finished.

“or we could wait and see. i mean i probably won’t get pregnant just from one time, right?” you shrug.

“what about if it does take? and you’re pregnant?” rafe asks, looking at your tummy.

as if you’re thinking the same thing, you lay your hand over your stomach, knowing that even if you are pregnant there is nothing in there yet, but the thought alone has you rubbing gently over your skin. “i don’t know.” you admit.

“i want to keep it.” rafe blurts out. “if-if you are pregnant.” rafe can’t take not touching you any longer, pulling you close to him and tangling your limbs together.

“are you sure?” you raise your eyebrows. you think rafe would be an amazing father, knowing how protective he is of you, and how he strives every day to take even better care of you. “we are so young.”

“i love you. i want to be with you, i want a family with you. why not start now?” rafe questions. he won’t admit it to you yet, but he’s been thinking about taking the next step, having even gone ring shopping to see his options. “besides-” rafe smiles, “why are you trying to talk me out of it? you’ve always wanted kids.”

you grin back at him. “i know.” you let a giggle free, feeling giddy about the possibility. you’ve always wanted to become a mom, especially because you have so many younger siblings. “so, are we doing this?”

“yes.” rafe says definitively, pulling you in for a kiss, a comforting one that you truly need.

“oh my god, im so excited.” you break the kiss to mumble against his lips.

rafe nods in agreement, lowering a hand between your bodies to touch your stomach. “probably too early to start talking to your tummy, huh?” 

“definitely. i mean, we don’t even know if i’m pregnant, it may take a couple tries…” you trail off, hoping rafe gets your intention.

“well, i will just have to keep cumming inside you.” rafe shrugs. “in fact, we shouldn’t take any chances and i should fill you up again right now.”

rafes hand lowers from your stomach to your thigh as he grabs your flesh and pulls your leg over his hip, spreading your thighs for him as your cunt rubs up against his quickly hardening cock.

“rafe!” you shout with a laugh, but don’t stop him as he begins to grind his cock into your core.

taglist: @drewstarkeyslut @forstarkey @f4ll-for-you @dilvcv @drudyslut @jjmaybankswifes-blog @rafescokenostril @jjsmarijuana @jjmaybankisbae @seeingstarks @angelofcigs @cece45450 @babygorewhore @vanessa-rafesgirl @michelleisheres-blog @outerbankspov @drewstarkeyswifehoe @cutielando @kamninaries @buckyswhxre @rafeinterlude @bellbottombaby @deeaardiary @rubixgsworld @emma77645 @wearemadeofstardust0 @leighbronk @starkeysheart

[oraltraditionfiction]

We listen and we don’t judge | MM7

Mason Mount x f! reader (fluff)

Summary: you and Mason do the 'we listen and we don't judge' challenge

Word Count: 370 word, short little blurb <3

Authors Note: tbh not tiktok people but we thought this was a cute prompt. this is my first fic ever, pls enjoy! -🦷

You set your phone up on the bathroom counter while Mason adjusts his hair in the mirror.

“What are we doing again,” he mumbles, distracted by a patch of spiky hair. 

“The we listen and we don’t judge thing,” you say as you adjust the phone, “people have been requesting it in my comments for weeks.” He nods, turning to kiss your cheek as you press record. 

“We listen and we don’t judge,” You clasp your hands together. “Mase, we have to say it together!”

He throws his hands up, breaking into a small smile. You turn back to the camera, “Okay, I’ll go first.” 

You turn to the camera and whisper conspiratorially, “Sometimes, when you’re at physio, I let the puppy on the couch.” He breaks into laughter, the two of you just barely managing to choke out “We listen and we don’t judge.”

Mason clears his throat and tries to supress a smile, “Sometimes instead of separating the laundry, I throw it all in at once.”

“Is that why my socks are pink?” You say in fake indignation. 

“We listen and we don’t judge,” the two of you chorus. Trying to remain composed, you choke out, “Sometimes when you talk about golf, I think about what we’re eating for dinner instead.” 

He turns to you with an overexaggerated pout, pausing to think for a moment. He turns away from you sheepishly, “One time while I was putting the dishes away, I broke two of your wine glasses and never told you.” 

Your eyes widen and you turn towards him, “You told me they were at the back of the cabinet!” 

“I’ll replace them eventually!” He protests, trying to wrap an arm around you. Looking at him with fake annoyance, you spit out, “Sometimes I eat in the bed when you aren’t home.”

At this, he looks at you horrified, “Babe, that’s disgusting…” You turn and hide your face. He takes this chance to say, “Sometimes after I put on my shoes and I forget something, I walk through the house with them on.” You whip your head around, your jaw dropped, “Mase!” 

The two of you break out laughing, his arms wrapping around you, the video long forgotten.

[msnmnt]

Midnight Comfort

Summary: Just a short something inspired by Mase’s little injury at the weekend. Set during early stages of a relationship, lots of (debatable) banter and just fluff really. 🥹🩶

The sound of your front door buzzing in sync with your phone startled you, the book you had once been engrossed in slipping from your fingers and down onto your bed.

You scrunched up your face in confusion, placing your book to the side as you hurriedly pulled your phone off charge from your bedside table, quickly tapping the notification that told you someone was at the front door of your flat.

You pondered who it could be, after all, it was getting on for midnight on a Sunday night. Anxiety hit you as the live feed of your security camera loaded up on your phone. Your heart hammered in your chest and you let out a heavy breath seeing Mason stood there, absent mindingly looking around the corridor as he waited on your door step.

You hurried out from the blanket you had been tucked under, winding down for the evening. You frantically searched for your hairbrush, tugging it through your messy locks as you did your best to somewhat tame it. You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and cursed under your breath for having already taken your makeup off.

You hadn’t been living in Manchester for very long, but you had had your first meeting with Mason not long after you’d moved in. He had held the door open for you when you were both heading out at the same time one day, and from then on out you seemed to bump into him and his dreamy chocolate eyes every time you left your flat.

After numerous encounters of catching the other taking cheeky glances in the lift, passing in the hallway, walking to your cars. Mason had finally begun to make small talk and one evening when he had returned from having drinks with the boys, the alcohol had gave him the push he needed to pluck up the courage to ask you out.

It was still the early stages of your relationship, but you were absolutely smitten with him. Your dates so far had been kept casual: grabbing a drink at a local coffee shop, spending the afternoon on a dog walk and a Saturday spent having a game of crazy golf before indulging in a picnic. Mason had been the perfect gentleman; opening his car door for you, always complementing how you looked and never making you pay for a thing. He truly made you feel like a princess.

You had enjoyed your time getting to know him and were looking forward to your next date during the week at some fancy restaurant Mason often frequented. You weren’t ashamed to say the prospect of seeing him all dressed up for the first time made you feel a little giddy.

As much as you adored his company, you couldn’t help but be a little concerned as to what he could possibly be doing outside your flat at this time, and so you slipped your feet into your slippers and padded over to the front door.

You looked out of the eye hole, almost as if to check you hadn’t imagined what you had seen on your camera, before you cautiously opened the door.

His arms were folded across his big hoodie that made him look extra soft and cuddly. His hair appeared slightly damp and his face was a little paler than usual, wide brown eyes immediately meeting yours and making you melt as they always did.

“Y/n! Hi, how’re you?” He babbled out, tucking his hands into the pockets of his jogging bottoms, finding himself uncharacteristically nervous.

“Umm, I’m fine, are you - is everything okay, Mason?” You asked, confusion clear in your voice.

“Yeah, yeah everything’s fine.” He quickly spoke, not wanting to worry you. “I just, um-“ He rambled on, not sure how to word himself. “I had a bit of an accident at the game today, I smacked my head up pretty bad.” He turned around briefly, showing you the fresh stitches which made you wince in sympathy.

“They told me I’ll be fine but it might be a good idea to have someone around, you know, just incase anything was to happen.”

You felt your chest tighten and your throat go dry. He wanted you to look after him?

“I remembered you said you had a few days off work and I just thought -“ Mason stopped himself, suddenly realising how much he was asking from you. After all, you weren’t his girlfriend. Hell, he hadn’t even asked you to be exclusive yet. But when the doctor told him he might want to have someone with him for the night, the only person he wanted to be with was you.

“You can say no, I mean - you probably have plans tomorrow, I shouldn’t have came round at this time, I just - God, I’m sorry.” Mason continued, a little overcome with emotions from the injury that added to his worry you were going to say no.

“Mason, of course you can come in.”

He dipped his head up, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards.

“Really?”

You nodded, opening the door and beckoning him inside.

Mason wandered in and you closed the door behind him, leading him through to the living room. You flicked the light switch on and Mason felt a pang of guilt that you had clearly been settled down for the evening.

“I’m sorry, were you asleep?” He glanced over at your body, taking in the plaid pair of pyjama bottoms and little strappy top you had on.

You shook your head. “I was just reading.”

“Another one of your spooky books?”

You couldn’t help but grin knowing he had remembered how much you loved your horror books, something you had mentioned to him on your first date.

You nodded and Mason smiled before pressing a little more for the details of his book. You knew he had no real interest in them, but the fact he was willing to listen to you go on about it made you so happy.

When the conversation died down a little, you took the opportunity to turn the TV on. You left it on whatever channel you had been watching most recently, just wanting a bit of background noise to help break the tension and make you feel a little more comfortable at the new setting you had found yourself in.

“So, what happened?” You asked and Mason couldn’t help but feel a little gutted that you hadn’t been watching the game.

He did his best to explain, showing off his stitches once more which just made you more concerned for him. He reassured you he was fine and there should be no after affects apart from a sore head for a few days.

“Shall I make us some hot chocolates?” You suggested and Mason’s eyes lit up. “It might do you good to get some sugar in you.”

“That would be nice.” Mason grinned.

You fixed up two mugs in the kitchen before returning to your living room to find Mason sat up straight on the sofa, his arms tucked in his lap. He looked almost as though he was a school boy waiting to be told what he could and couldn’t do.

You chuckled softly making Mason jump as you appeared around the corner. You walked over to him and he quietly thanked you as you handed him the mug.

“Cute slippers.” You looked down at your feet, your face warming as you took in your fluffy and totally seasonably inappropriate reindeer slippers that you had popped on to answer the door in.

“Well I wasn’t exactly expecting company at this time.” You pouted in an effort to defend yourself, but you immediately regretted it when you noticed Mason tense up, clearly feeling bad again.

“You can make yourself at home, Mase.” You settled yourself next to him on the sofa, trying to relax him. Mason’s heart jumped at you using his nickname for the first time, feeling a little more as ease.

He wiggled around on the sofa, repositioning himself as he lent back, taking a sip of the warm coco before placing it on a coaster on your coffee table.

“I’m sorry, I do feel bad for just turning up.” He murmed and you just wanted to make him feel better, loving the fact that you were the person he wanted to be with him.

“Honestly, don’t worry, Mason. I would’ve been up for another couple of hours reading anyway.” You lied, knowing full well you were dropping off to sleep in your book. You didn’t want him to feel guilty and besides, you’d have stayed up all night if that was what he wanted.

The pair of you made small talk about your days, Mason telling you about the rest of the game before his incident. You finished your hot chocolates and it wasn’t long before you felt your eyes threatening to close. You stifled a yawn with your hand, blinking in an attempt to keep your eyes open.

“You’re sleepy, I’m sorry -“ Mason stood up, fully prepared to leave till you jumped up to stop him.

“Why don’t we go relax in my bed?”

Your own words took you by surprise and Mason’s eyes lit up hearing you talk about your bed, for a brief moment completely forgetting about his injury.

Mason nodded at your suggestion. “If that’s okay with you, I mean, if it isn’t I can sleep on the sofa?”

You shook your head. “And how am I supposed to keep an eye on you if you’re in a different room to me?” You asked playfully, extending your hand out for him to grab. “Come on.”

Mason’s heart twinged as he followed you into your bedroom. Your duvet was pulled back on your side and your book was led open, upside down on your bedside table to save your page.

He made his way round to the other side of the bed, standing there hesitantly as he waited for you to pull the duvet back for him.

You giggled at how apprehensive he was. “There’s no need to be nervous, Mase. I won’t bite.” You chuckled, gladly slipping your legs under the duvet before playfully tapping the empty space next to you.

Mason felt silly as his cheeks heated up, internally telling himself to get a grip.

You gestured for him to come lay his head on your chest as he got himself cosy next to you. He begun to lean down onto you but as his head came into contact with your chest, he groaned in pain, having put too much pressure on the back of his head.

“Fuck.” Mason cursed. He immediately sat up and you followed him, your heart hammering in your chest.

“Shit, sorry, I - I shouldn’t have got you to do that, I wasn’t thinking.” You apologised, feeling awful.

Mason was clutching his head with one hand, reaching out with his other to intertwine his fingers with yours, letting you know he was okay. He took a few moments till the initial shock and pain had passed before he squeezed your hand.

Your eyes were glazed over as you watched on, not wanting to do anything that could potentially make the pain any worse. Mason noticed your bleary eyes, giving your hand another tight squeeze. “Hey, don’t be silly, baby. I should’ve known better than to put pressure on it. It’s not your fault.”

You huffed. I’m not doing a very good job of looking after you.” You bowed your head slightly. “You must be in so much pain, it looked like you hit it so hard.”

You were confused when a smirk appeared on Mason’s face, suddenly looking very smug.

“What?”

Mason chuckled. “I thought you didn’t watch the game?” He teased knowingly, enjoying watching as you squirmed knowing you had been caught out.

You didn’t want to come across as too keen, and admitting you had been sat at home on your own that evening, watching some football game you couldn’t care less about just to see his pretty face? That wasn’t something you were wanting to admit to.

You were greatful for the minimal lighting your lamp was providing, hoping Mason wouldn’t catch on to how embarrassed you were.

“I might have caught a little bit.” You admitted sheepishly. “I just wanted to see how you were getting on so I knew what kind of mood you’d be in for our date.”

Mason raised his eyebrows. “Date?”

“Oh, I , er-“ You stuttered, scrambling for words. Is that not what it was?

You began to panic, only breathing a sigh of relief when Mason sniggered.

“I’m just kidding, angel.” All was forgotten when the pet name left his lips, your insides bubbling up and giving you a sickly sweet feeling in your tummy.

You tried not to let it show how happy one simple word had made you.

“You’re well enough to still behave like a little shit, then.” You rolled your eyes and Mason chuckled.

“I’m very much looking forward to it, our date.” He confirmed. “Our fourth date, actually.”

You gave him a soft smile, heart beaming that he had been keeping track.

“I’d still really like a cuddle.” He jutted out his bottom lip, his big brown eyes looking up at you like butter wouldn’t melt.

“If you lay on your side I can, um, I can cuddle up to you.” You shyly offered.

“Yeah?” He asked and you nodded.

“Just be careful laying down this time, okay?” You were stern, not wanting to see him in any more pain.

Mason slowly settled himself down in the bed, turning sideways so he wasn’t putting any pressure on the back of his head.

You were quick to join him, carefully laying behind him and tucking your body as close to his as you could. You wrapped your arm around his torso, repositioning your body so it was slightly higher up the bed and you could tuck your face into Mason’s neck, gently planting a singular soft kiss there.

“That okay?” You asked, suddenly feeling nervous about what you had just done.

Mason mumbled a content ‘yes’, the feel of your breath on his neck making his eyes fall shut, and the pain in his head somehow subsiding as he settled into your arms. His hand went to intertwine his fingers with yours, your arm still holding him closely to you.

“Mhm, think I could get used to this.” Mason shamelessly admitted, loving having you snuggled up behind him and holding him.

You tangled your legs with Mason’s, tucking your feet in between the fabric of his trousers to keep them warm. You just hoped Mason couldn’t feel the way your heart was hammering in your chest at being so close to him for the first time.

You hummed, feeling yourself get sleepy, completely relaxed. “No, this is special treatment for today only.” You told him. “I’m definitely being little spoon next time.”

[someonegoood]

MY WHOLE LIFE pt. 1 ✫ mason mount

part 1, part 2, final part.

in which you have a fat crush on your brother’s best friend, without getting much success. (brother’s best friends troop).

CONTAINS: brother’s best friend troop, angst & fluff ! age gap, arguments...

AUTHOR'S NOTE: this is my first work here but anyways i hope you guys like it ! maybe I'll do a part 2...

You watch proudly in his shirt as you clap in the game's first minutes, chanting while taking pictures of him.

The first half was pretty equal, with some shots from both teams but neither could score. You could see that Mason was getting nervous. He stopped his movements abruptly when the referee called for a corner and looked at the crowd, his eyes sparkling with tenseness.

He gazed down at where his family (and therefore also yours) was and licked his lips. You couldn't help but wonder what would your brother think of your little —huge— crush on his childhood best friend.

In the 34th minute, he passed the defenders and tried to score with a pass from Ben Chilwell, making the goalkeeper lose his balance and thus scoring.

You celebrated the goal screaming it to your brother's face and he couldn’t help but smile at you, happy that you were having a good time. Your cheeks were red after Mason approached the stands and celebrated the goal, dedicating a kiss to where you were.

And that was the effect that Mason Mount had on people, especially you.

Mason was your brother's best friend, you had known him for years. It was a stupid crush that all your friends grew out of but not you. You had to keep drooling every time he was near you, that being almost every day because your brother had him over to dinner nearly every night.

You remember the day the Mount family moved next to your house, a loud and proud British family— Debbie and Tony, Stacey, Lewis and Mason. The day after they had moved in, Debbie and Tony turned up outside your door, asking if your older brother was interested in playing football with Mason.

It didn’t take long for your brother to become close to Mason, both at the cusp of boyhood. Their friendship only bloomed from there.

After spending almost every weekend watching your brother and Mason training, to spending most afternoons around the Mount house playing, you felt like family.

You always found yourself drawn to the boy next door although he was away a lot of the time, playing different matches and training. Mason’s natural affinity and talent for the game, ensured the quality of his skills.

He was slightly older so no doubt he found you childish and would always moan when his parents made him spend time with you.

—Mom, not again! I don't want to play with her, she's boring! —Mason exclaimed with an expression of obvious annoyance on his face.

Mason's mother was the first to figure out your crush on the boy. She first noticed it when you joined the Mounts at a family dinner when you were around thirteen.

Both families were playing football, as usual, while the adults were preparing supper. When you had the ball you felt your body lean way too far back and Mason tried to act on impulse, stretching his body to catch you in time.

—Hold on to me! —Mason exclaimed, extending his arms towards you. However, the weight of the fall was too much, and in an instant, they were both on the grass, in some sort of mess.

—Mase, God, I'm so sorry! I dragged you with me! —you apologized, feeling the blood rise to your cheeks, turning them crimson red.

He brushed the grass off his jacket with an angry expression. —Well done. First minutes into the game and you're already annoying.

—Thanks for trying! —you laughed, shyly. When there was a long silence, you realized that Mason was not joking and was serious. —Sorry, I…

Debbie looked from afar at the little girl carefully while she kept her eyes glued to her son's. She watched her cute little cheeks tinted red as Mason scoffed and begged you to stay away from him.

Debbie would soon get used to it as she watched you fall in love with her son over the next few years.

Until your first boyfriend. An age difference of three years was not a big deal since it was a common factor among your friend's partners. You had recently turned sixteen years old and you thought that you had met the boy who could take you out of the charm that had her wrapped around Mase.

Lyon was older, he was eighteen years old, like Mason. You had met him at school on a spring afternoon. You walked through the school hallways, books clutched to your chest. A gust of wind caused some of the books to fly out of your hands, scattering them across the hallway floor.

Lyon was passing by and noticed the scene. He approached you with a smile and that is how the story started.

Your brother didn't approve of your new boyfriend. He knew that her sister just wanted to show his best friend that the age difference wasn't that important.

Being with Lyon was great at first. You knew that he was not the love of your life, but for the moment he seemed to play the role quite well, so that was fine with you. It was a Friday night and you and your brother were at a party at the house of one of your brother's friends.

You were downstairs in the kitchen while your friends watched you drink alcohol like there was no tomorrow. They realized something was bothering you, but decided not to mention it.

—Where is the lover boy anyway? —Spoke one of your friends.

Your lack of response was when they realized that Lyon was the reason for the sadness that was painted on their best friend's face. He abandoned you, once again. This seems routine, they thought.

You slammed your empty red glass against the kitchen counter, wiping the drip from your chin as you decided that was enough.

—I'll go look for him.

From the corner of the room, your brother wished you good luck and with courage, you stumbled through the party. The house was huge. Enormous windows covered the entire house. From the kitchen window you could see the river of lights going down to the beach.

And there he sat, on the stairs leading to the illuminated outdoor pool, Lyon. A thin blonde girl was sitting on his lap, probably older than you. She took the cigarette from Lyon's lips and placed it on top of her painted red lips.

Tears welled in your eyes as you returned to the house with your heels in hand. With all the bad luck in the world, as you returned, you heard in the background:

—Baby, relax. —You ignored your boyfriend's call as you made your way through the crowd to return to the kitchen, hoping that your brother was still there.

You made it to the kitchen before your boyfriend grabbed you by the back of your arm and pushed you against the kitchen island.

—Come on, I didn't even do anything—

—She was on your lap.

—It's not that serious, okay?—

—It's a big problem! I'm humiliated! —You shouted back, creating a scene you desperately wanted to avoid. Lyon's grip tightened around your arm as he tried to wriggle out of your grasp.

—Let go of me, you're hurting me. —That only made his grip tighten around your arms.

—Let her go, mate. —Your vision was too blurry to focus on what happened next, but you felt Lyon back away.

—Oh yeah?… and what are you going to do about it, Mount? —That's when the punches were thrown and Lyon was left hunched over holding his split lip. Your now ex-boyfriend was grabbed by someone else before he could lunge at who you assumed was your brother, but when you turned your head you saw Mason shaking your hand out of pain.

His knuckles were red and his eyes were darker than what you were used to.

—Let's go to the car. —Said Mason, you nodding your head. —Get in the car. —He said. His tone was strong, not what she was used to.

Still, the ride to your house was silent, you sitting in the front with Mase, while your brother passed out in the back seat. Faint English music played on the radio as Mason's eyes were firmly fixed on the road.

Mason finally spoke. —You really don't know how to choose them, don’t you? — You could only sob again, unable to answer him mainly because he was right and you were ashamed. When the car stopped, he unbuckled his seat belt and murmured that he would walk you to your door.

Mase rocked on his heels as he watched the moonlight highlight the tear-stained cheeks of his best friend's sister. He thought you looked beautiful that night even though you had been crying for the last half hour, your hair hadn't been brushed, and you were digging through your purse like crazy.

Although he would never admit it.

—I got them! —You laughed, waving your keys in the air before bumping your nose with the keychain. You paused as you pushed the key into the door, turning to look Mason in the eye for the first time since the party.

—Thank you. —Mason didn't want to hear it. You were just her best friend’s sister.

—It's no big deal. —

—No… really thank you, Mason. —you smiled and Mason listened too, mainly because it was probably the first time you had called him Mason and not Mase.

After a moment, you dropped your bag to the floor and wrapped your arms around the boy's waist, your head resting on his chest as he quickly moved his hand and rubbed your back.

—Just... make sure the next one isn't a complete idiot, yeah? —he whispered, his chin resting on the top of your head.

That sentence broke your poor little heart.

[carlottawllms]

Say Nothing Is Over

Mason Mount x Reader Angst / Fluff

There’s not much to say about this other than buckle up and trust the process. It’s worth it! 🤞🏼

Enjoy 🩷 As always, feedback is very much appreciated.

When Jaz and Sam had chosen you as Summer's godmother, no one had expected that there would come a time when you were no longer part of the family.

You’d been there for what felt like forever. First as Mason’s best friend and then later as his girlfriend. It had never been you or Mason, but you and Mason. Like two peas in a pod or attached at the hip, you’d always appeared as a pair.

In the beginning Mason had always had his arm around your shoulders and then later, once you’d eventually figured out you were actually in love with each other, he’d switched to holding your hand at all times.

It had been your perfect little world. The best person in the entire universe had been by your side, ready to fight anything and anyone just to make sure you were okay. Mason had been your everything, your greatest love and the one person you’d wanted to have in your life forever.

But then things had somehow gone downhill. Constant arguments about the stupidest things, nagging, stress and a lack of togetherness had been daily companions, causing both of your patience levels to constantly run at an all-time low.

You couldn’t even tell when it had started or why exactly, but at some point, you’d developed the feeling that Mason was no longer interested in you at all and that his thoughts were constantly set on football. But when you’d tried to tell him, he’d jumped straight into defence mode, claiming you weren’t supportive anymore and only cared about yourself.

Instead of talking to one another properly, the arguments had become louder, the words more hurtful by the day and at some point, you’d even been sleeping in separate rooms.

And that had been the point of no return for you. One morning, when you’d woken up in that bloody guest room again, you’d decided that things couldn’t go on like this. You’d reached a fork in the road: either break up or give it another chance and because neither of you had been ready to let the other go, you’d decided to take a break.

You’d moved out, so both of you would have some space and could think everything through, but the problem was that the break had been going on for almost six months now and while you had had reached out to him, Mason had simply ignored you.

It wasn’t exactly looking promising, but despite that, the thought of your relationship not being fixable had never crossed your mind.

At least not until today.

It was Summer’s birthday and although you and Mason were on weird terms right now, there was no way you’d disappoint your favourite mini human by missing her birthday. 

“y/n, hi.” Jaz pulled you into a hug right after she’d opened the door. “Oh, it’s so lovely to see you. We’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. How is the tiny devil treating you?”

The first weeks after Mila was born had been difficult for the small family. She’d been a bit of a cry-baby, basically screaming through the night unless she was placed in the same bed as her parents and Jaz and Sam had had a difficult time juggling the needs of both of their girls.

“Way better, thank the heavens and the earth.”, Jaz laughed. “I think she’s finally accepted that she’s not in her mummy’s tummy anymore and has to face the real world now.”

“Yeah, yeah, the world is a scary place.”, you chuckled.

“C’mon in, the birthday girl is already impatiently waiting for her favourite auntie.”

Truth be told, you were a little nervous as you followed Jaz inside. Today would be the first time since taking a break that you’d see Mason. At least you expected him to make an appearance as so far, he’d never missed his god-daughter’s birthday, and whilst you’d spent the last days preparing yourself for every possible outcome of today, the thought of seeing him made you feel a little sick.

You didn’t know what to expect after he’d practically ghosted you and you were terrified, that he’d found closure and didn’t even think about your paused relationship anymore, whilst all you wanted was to talk to him and win him back. You couldn’t imagine a life without him, and you desperately hoped he felt the same.

The second you stepped foot into the hallway though, all your worries fell from the back of your mind as Summer already shot around the corner.

“Auntie y/n!”, she screeched, the wide smile on her face making the dimples in her cheeks pop. You knew you were biased, but in your opinion, Summer was the cutest little munchkin ever. “You made it!”

You didn’t hesitate to squad down to her height and when she eventually reached you on her small legs, she fell straight into your arms.

“Of course, I did, Sums.”, you hummed, hugging her close to your body. “Happy birthday, princess.” Pulling away slightly, you smooched both her cheeks before reaching behind to hand her the presents you’d got her.

The little girl jumped up and down excitedly at the sight of the small pile of wrapped things, eyes growing even bigger when she noticed the Peppa Pig wrapping paper.

“Thank you, auntie y/n.”

“Take them over to the others please, Summer. We’ll open them later.”

The small pout on her lips didn’t go unnoticed by you or her mother, but Jaz was strict when it came to certain structures and when she didn’t budge, Summer trotted into the living room and put your presents into the living room to the others she’d already received. Ready to be opened later.

Just like every other family, the Mount’s had their traditions and one of them was the way birthdays were celebrated: First was spending time with the guests, then came cutting the birthday cake and only after everyone had a slice of cake and was sat together, the birthday girl or boy got to unwrap the presents.

It had been Debbie’s and Tony’s way of teaching their kids to be grateful for the time they got to spend with their family and friends rather than focussing only on the presents and Jaz and Sam had been happy to take over that tradition.

“I’ll have to check in on Mila for a second. You’ll be fine?”

“Yeah, sure I’ll just see if I can find your mum.”, you smiled, a little unsure if you wanted to enter the scene all by yourself. What if he was the first you came face to face with? What if-

“He’s not here yet.”, Jaz said softly.

“Thank you.”, you breathed. “It’s silly, I know, it’s just…I haven’t seen him since erm…never mind. You go make sure Mila is alright and I’ll look for Debbie.”

Jaz looked like she was going to say something else, but eventually decided against it and nodded. “Talk to you in a bit.”

Now that the paralysing weight of facing Mason straight away was taken off your shoulders, you quickly made your way inside, greeting Summer’s old and young party guests until you found Debbie in the kitchen.

“Even at your granddaughter's birthday party, you can't help it, can you?”, you laughed as you caught her slicing some apples on the counter.

“You know me too well, don’t you?” Debbie was quick in pulling you in for a hug before settling her hands on your shoulders, holding you an armlength away. The bright smile on her face told you all about how happy she was to have you here and you hoped that your expression mirrored hers. “It’s so good to have you here, y/n. How have you been?”

“Good. I’ve been good.”, you nodded, hoping you’d been somewhat convincing, but when she raised her eyebrows at you, and you noticed the attempt had failed, you sighed. “I’ve been better, to be honest, but I’ll be fine. You know what they say, bad weeds grow tall.”  

“Oh, y/n.”, she smiled sympathetically. “We don’t understand what’s going on either. Jaz tried to talk to him, and I think Lewis gave him a bit of a talking to and we thought it had worked, but then from one day to the next, he’d shut down completely.”

You knew they all only meant well, but Mason was still their son and brother, and it didn't feel right for them to take sides with you like that.

“I appreciate it a lot, but please don’t get too involved, Debs. This is between me and Mason and no matter what happens, I’ll be alright. Okay?”

“Of course, it’s just…if you need to talk, we’re here for you.” Debbie pulled you in for another hug and when you felt her kissing the top of your head and your eyes welled up, you had to bite the insides of your cheeks to keep it together.

A little while later, you and Debbie joined Tony outside. He was busy preparing the barbecue for later, but when he noticed you by his wife’s side, he quickly let go of the tool and pulled you in for a hug.

“Long time no see.”, he smiled, patting you on the shoulder. “You’re alright?”

The three of you had a little chat, simply catching up with each other and you were grateful that neither of them mentioned your unclear relationship status again. In fact, Tony’s easy-going nature and his jokes had made you forget about your worries altogether and you almost felt as if you could actually enjoy the party, but then Jaz hurried into the garden.

There was this apologetic look in her eyes when they met yours, leaving you a little confused. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know…I just…it’s…y/n, I didn’t know, I’m so sorry.”  

You were about to ask what had happened, but before you could, Mason walked through the door. With his hand clasped around someone else’s.

Your heart dropped to your stomach at the sight of him with another woman; a sick feeling taking over almost immediately and the longer you looked at them, the more you felt like you were about to throw up any second now.

She was beautiful. Tall and leggy, with shiny hair and a pretty smile and she was dressed as if she came straight out of Vogue magazine. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she was everything you weren’t.

The burning feeling in your chest increased the longer you stood there, paralysed and rooted to the spot and as much as you hated yourself for it, you could already feel the tears burning behind your eyes, scarily close to spilling over.

You hadn’t known you were actually over.

“Mase erm…that’s a surprise.”, Debbie said and even in your state you could tell that she was trying her best to be nice about it, but the disappointment in her youngest son was more than obvious. “We didn’t know you’d bring someone.”

“Yeah, well, it was a spontaneous decision.”, Mason explained flatly, his gaze just about skimming yours as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “This is Maya.”

Someone wrapped their arm around your shoulder, and you suspected it was Tony, but you couldn’t muster up the strength to look at him as all sounds around you blurred into a dull hum, whilst your own heartbeat was threatening to burst your eardrums.

��Sorry, I erm…can’t…I have to…I can’t do this.”

Regardless of what it looked like, you pulled away from Tony's grip and hurried towards the patio door. The tears you’d managed to hold back when he’d arrived were streaming down your cheeks now and you angrily wiped them away as you passed Mason and his model.

You felt humiliated and betrayed. For months, you’d hoped that he missed you too and that you could somehow make things work again, but very obviously you’d been fooling yourself.

Once in the safety of Jaz's guest room, you were finally able to let go of everything. The second you curled up in bed, the sobs you had been able to hold back downstairs started to wreck your body. With your hands flat over your mouth, you tried to make as little sounds as possible, but the thought of Mason being downstairs with her made it difficult to keep it together.

It hurt. It hurt so much you didn’t think anything before had ever been this painful. It was a slap across the face, and you weren’t sure you could ever recover from that.

The image of his hand around hers was burned into your brain and you didn't think you could ever forget it.

Him holding your hand had been one of your favourite things in your relationship. The way yours was so much smaller and entirely engulfed by his had always given you a feeling of safety and because Mason had known that there had barely been a situation in which he hadn’t reached for your hand to hold it.

You missed it. You missed him. And you weren’t sure how to survive now that it was obviously over.

-

The moment you left, it became dead quiet in the garden. Everyone seemed to try and get their head around what had just happened. Jaz had to pull herself together not to smack her little brother, Lewis tried his best not to explode in front of everyone and Debbie and Tony simply looked at each other, flabbergasted and unable to say something.

You were a like a family member to the Mounts; a little sister to Lewis and Jaz, so it didn’t come as a surprise that they were just as protective of you as they were of their biological siblings.

"Wow, fucking fantastic, Mason," Jaz hissed. "I'll go check on her."

Mason's gaze switched back and forth between his parents and his brother as he wondered what had just happened. He felt like he was in some sort of film and people had forgotten to hand him the script, so no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make sense of the situation.

“You and me, kitchen. Now.”, Lewis growled as he grabbed Mason’s arm and pulled him inside rather harshly. The latter stumbled a little, having trouble keeping up with Lewis, but it wasn’t long until the two of them reached the kitchen and the door fell closed behind them with a rather loud bang.

“What’s going on?” With his innocent question Mason unintentionally made his brother even more furious and he only realised it when Lewis’ hard eyes met his own.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? Huh?”, he asked. “What made you think that showing up with some woman is a good idea when you knew exactly that y/n would be here? Is there even anything going on in that brain of yours?”

“Why would I not bring someone? You’re making it sound as if I’ve murdered someone or something.”

“Did you hit your head or something?” Lewis shoved his little brother against the counter, trying to knock some sense into him. He’d never thought Mason, the one who talked the world of you, would be capable of doing this, of hurting you like this.

“I don’t get why this is such a big deal now, Lew. It’s not like she-“

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Mason? You've seen how y/n is doing and you're here now acting like this isn't a problem. Apart from the fact that your goddaughter's birthday is anything but the right time to introduce your latest addition to us, don't you think you should at least have had the decency to speak to y/n and be honest with her?”

The more Lewis spoke, the angrier Mason became. Yeah maybe it hadn’t been the most thought-through decision and it certainly hadn’t been tactful either, but after what he’d been told two weeks ago, he’d been petty enough to go through with it all.

“Being honest with her? Look, I know you all love her and consider her family, but that doesn’t mean that she can’t do wrong, you know?”, Mason hissed.

“This is not about her, Mason. This is about the fact that that you brought a woman before ending things with her. I don’t know what happened between you two because she didn’t want to go behind your back and you refused to talk to us, but you were on a break, Mason, a fucking break.”

Lewis ran his hand through his hair in desperation as he didn’t recognise his own brother anymore. “This is not who you are. What’s going on, Mase?”

“I just think it’s unfair that what she did is okay, but I am portrayed as the worst person in the world because I bring Maya.”

Mason watched how Lewis’ furious expression changed into a confused frown. “What she did? Mason what the hell happened? A few days ago she told me that she hopes you’ll figure it out together and-“

“Oh, she did, yeah? Then why would she go on a date with someone, huh?” Mason hated how only the thought of it made his tummy churn uncomfortably. “Two weeks ago, Woody saw her in one of those fancy restaurants in Manchester. Black dress, hair put up nicely in a bun and opposite of her a man. Dark blonde hair and apparently looking like he came straight out of GQ or something.”

“And you really think she’d do that when you’re not officially over?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think, Lew. Woody saw her. It’s facts.”

“No, it’s not Mason.”, Lewis exclaimed, baffled that his brother thought you could do something like that after all these years he’d spent with you. “She’s upstairs crying her little heart out because you brought someone else? Why the fuck would she do that if she didn’t care about you anymore? If she didn’t love you anymore?”

“Then why would she-“

“The guy she went out with? It was James, for God’s sake.”, he interrupted Mason. “You remember? The guy who requested an interview with you not too long ago? The guy who wants to write about ‘Together for short lives’? He was only in Manchester for the day and because I was with you, shooting that Nike campaign, I asked y/n to go and coordinate everything with him. She knows the business and only wants the best for you, so obviously she went. That’s all. It wasn’t a date or whatever Woody told you. It was a business meeting.”

Mason could literally feel his heart dropping into his stomach. A business dinner? For him? He felt cold all over, his heart thundering in his chest and he had to grab the edge of the kitchen counter to keep himself from falling over.

What had he done?

“Fuck.”, he whispered as an ice-cold shiver rolled down his spine. “I didn’t know, I…Lew I…fuck.”

Desperately, he ran his hands through his hair and over his face. He felt sick, really really sick, and as he looked into his brother's disappointed face, Mason eventually truly realised what had happened. What he’d done.

He’d broken your heart. In the most cruel way anyone ever could.

“I need to talk to her. I-“

“That won’t happen now.” Lewis was quick in reaching out and holding his little brother back from exiting the kitchen. “You need to talk to her, yes, but not today. The damage is done and trust me, she’s too hurt right now to have this conversation.”

-

You had no idea how much time had passed, but it felt like an eternity when you eventually came back into the living room. Summer’s family was talking and having fun like before and it gave you hope that no one had noticed the little slip up.

After Jaz had held you and calmed you down as best as she could, you felt a little better now. Obviously, you were still incredibly hurt and despite Jaz’ attempts to reassure you that everything would be okay, you were unsure if it would ever be okay again.

Until today, the hope that you and Mason would get out of this whole and back together had been there and kept you going, but now that bubble had been popped and you felt devastated.

You let your eyes wander around the room for a moment, your heart beating fast in fear of seeing her again – you didn’t even remember her name – but she wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Neither was Mason though and it made you wonder if they’d left, but before you could decide whether or not to be happy about it, he emerged with Lewis from the kitchen.

He looked rattled, maybe even devastated and you couldn’t help but wonder what they’d spoken about.

You were a little rooted to the spot ever since he’d reappeared, unsure of where to go and suddenly his eyes were on yours. Those eyes you’d fallen in love with all those years ago; that usually held so much warmth and comfort, but right now all they did was making your heart sink, so you dropped your gaze to the floor.

“Oh y/n.”, Debbie sighed as she pulled you into her side. “She left. She realised quite quickly that she had done some damage and after Tony and I spoke to her, she left. If you’d rather go back to the hotel though, it’s fine. I’ll explain to Summer that you weren’t feeling well and had to leave. She’ll understand.”

“That’s sweet, thank you, Debs.”, you smiled sincerely, leaning your head against her shoulder. “And it really hurt me, but it's Summer's birthday and I didn't come here from Manchester to hole up in a hotel because of hurt feelings. The little munchkin deserves a great birthday, and I won’t ruin that for her.”

The rest of the day then passed without further incident. Mason didn't try to talk to you, but every now and then you could feel his eyes on you, and it made you wonder what he thought.

Was he sorry? Or did he care so little about you that he didn’t mind his own actions at all? Was he just annoyed that his new girlfriend had left?

Somehow you managed to pull yourself together for the rest of the day. You weren't really having fun anymore, for Summer you were more than willing to force a smile on your face though.

But once you were in the safety of your hotel room a couple of hours later, the brave face you’d put on crumbled. It was as if the moment you were all on your own, everything hit you with full force and caused the waterworks to start straight away.

Sobs wrecked your already worn-out body and whilst you tried to at least remove your make-up and change into more comfortable clothes, it wasn’t long until you collapsed onto the bed as your legs gave way.

Everything hurt. Your head, your tummy, but mostly your heart.

Mason had been your everything. He still was and knowing that you weren’t the same to him broke your heart in the worst way possible. He’d stabbed you and twisted the knife, making sure the pain would stay for a very long time.

You loved him like you’d never loved anyone before and although you were still young and had a long life ahead of you, you knew you’d never love anyone as much as him. He’d been your forever, the one and only you wanted to spend your whole life with.

He was the love of your life. And now he was gone, and you had no idea how to keep going.

Those last month’s you’d survived on the hope that he missed you too and would come back to make up and get back together. It had kept you from losing it, but now that you’d lost even that tiny straw of hope, you had no idea of what to hold onto.

Having lost all sense of time, you had no idea for how long you’d been lying in bed, crying your silly little heart out, but at some point there were no tears to cry left and that’s when it got worse. It left you lying in bed, staring at the wall wondering if you’d ever feel okay again.

Throughout your whole life Mason had been by your side so facing being without him made you feel sick to the stomach. He’d been your rock, a shoulder to cry on, the person who’d made you laugh when you felt like crying. He’d been your number one supporter in everything and you had no idea how to tackle life without his protective arm around your shoulders.  

Your phone had buzzed what felt like 100 times already and you’d ignored it just as often, but the dull noise it made on the small wooden table was starting to drive you mad, so you somehow heaved yourself off the bed and picked it up from the table.

The bright display was blinding, causing you to squeeze your eyes shut in discomfort. 87 unanswered calls. All from Mason. Just like the dozens of messages in your notifications. As a new call came through, you were quick in switching the phone off, thinking peace and quiet would finally settle over the small room, but as you made your way back to the bed, a knock on the door had your heart stopping in your chest.

You wanted nothing more than to ignore it as you were in no state to answer the door to anyone, but whoever it was, was persistent and you began to think it had to be something important. Maybe a staff member?

When you opened the door though, there was no staff member. Just the last person on earth you wanted to see right now.

“y/n, I-“

“No.”, you breathed, tears already brimming in your eyes again at the sight of him and you shut the door. Luckily you’d been quick enough and Mason hadn’t had the chance to put his foot in between to keep it open, but much to your dismay, it didn’t stop him from knocking again.

“y/n, please let me in. I need to talk to you, it’s…it wasn’t what it looked like. I…I’m sorry, y/n. I know it’s not enough, but I really am sorry. I shouldn’t have…it was just…y/n, please baby. Let me in and explain, I just…Lewis talked to me and told me what really happened and…I’m an idiot, okay? I-“

You were met with his big brown eyes when you opened the door again. A surprised look on his face as he hadn’t expected you to give in that quickly, but before he could start talking again, you shook your head.

“You’re disturbing the other guests, Mason.” It physically hurt to call him that instead of one of the pet names you had for him and you could see the same thing in his eyes. “Please leave.”

You tried to close the door again, but this time Mason was prepared and stopped it from falling shut.

“No, please wait. Can’t we just talk? Please?”

“I don’t want to.”, you shook your head, eyes welling up again at the thought of the situation he wanted to explain. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Then let me do the talking. Please, y/n.”, Mason begged. It hurt him to see you like this, especially as he’d caused it. Your beautiful eyes were filled with unshed tears, red-rimmed and so incredibly sad, it made him feel sick to the stomach. “Please, let me in. Please y/n.”

For a while you simply looked at him. He was begging you to let him in and explain and whilst you really didn’t want to, his pleading expression was slowly breaking your walls down. Maybe his explanation would help you to find closure?

Eventually you turned around, leaving him standing there, but as you didn’t close the door on him again, Mason carefully slipped into the room.  

An oppressive silence filled the room as you sat down on the edge of the bed, hands in your lap and fiddling with your fingers. He wanted to come in and talk, not you…But Mason simply stood there, awkwardly running his hand over his face as he tried to get the words to come out.

Your heart was beating out of your chest. You had no idea what to expect and you were still unsure if you even wanted him to explain why he’d not ended things with you before bringing someone else into the picture, but your heart hurt so much and it wasn’t long before it all broke out.

“I’ve waited for you, Mason.”, you whispered. “I thought you’d come back and choose me, but very obviously I was wrong.”

Mason’s heart broke at the way you sounded so hurt. Your words cut right through him and while he’d already known that he’d royally fucked up, it was only now that he realised the implications of the whole situation.

He’d made it look as if he’d chosen someone else over you and the fact that the two of you hadn’t been officially over, made it all even worse. He could only imagine how much it must’ve hurt to see him with Maya and he hated how much pain he’d caused you.

“I am so sorry y/n. I know it looks like the exact opposite right now, but I’ve not chosen her over you.”

You laughed hollowly. “Yeah sure, that’s why you brought her to Summer’s birthday, right? You held her fucking hand, Mason. You brought her as your plus-one to your niece’s birthday. If that’s not choosing her over me, then I don’t know what is.”

Mason sighed quietly. His heart was thundering in his chest as the thought of having caused too much damage to fix it crossed his mind.

“Two weeks ago, you went to dinner with James.”, he began quietly, thinking it was best to explain everything in order. “I know now that it was a business dinner because of that interview he wants to do with me. Lew told me this afternoon. Thing is, Woody saw you and called me that evening. He asked me if we’d actually broken up because he knew I’d wanted to talk to you and get you back for the longest time and when I said no, he told me that you’d been out for dinner with a guy, dressed up and all happy.”

Mason ran his hand over his face. He knew what it looked like and he hated himself for jumping to conclusions so quickly instead of reaching out and talking to you.

“I know what this sounds like and I really am sorry for not talking to you first.”, he mumbled. “Those last four months have been incredibly difficult for me. At United nothing is going my way and I know I’m a mentally strong person, but lately everything became a little too much. The pressure, the hate, the loneliness…everything really. I missed you so much and was close to messaging you a couple of times, but because of how down I was, I convinced myself that you were better off without me and when Woody told me that night, it hurt so much. I felt betrayed and I know I should’ve called, but I was blinded by the pain and my overall shit situation and…I am so sorry, y/n. I don’t mean this as an excuse, I know there is none, but I feel like it explains how everything just unfolded.”

You didn’t know when you’d started crying during his monologue and you only realised as the tears dropped into your hands. Despite everything that had gone wrong and how much he’d hurt you today, you still cared a lot for him and hearing that he’d been sad and lonely and in such a dark hole for months hurt you even more.  

Mason fell to his knees right in front of you as he noticed your tears and the small sobs shaking your body. His own eyes were filled to the brim and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold the tears at bay, but he didn’t care.

“I’m so sorry, y/n. You have to believe me. I wish I could undo it. Everything those last months. I wanted to fight for you, I really did, y/n and I’m such an idiot for not doing the right thing.”

A little hesitant, he placed his hands on your thighs and when you didn’t push him away, he gently pried your hands away from your face. His heart squeezed in his chest as you immediately held onto his fingers tightly.

“I haven’t chosen her over you. I understand it looked like it, but I haven’t. I only brou-“

“Who is she to you?”

“She’s a good friend of Luke’s wife. I met her when I went to see Luke and we just got along well, that’s all. “, Mason explained quietly. His thumbs slowly caressing the soft skin of your fingers. “She’s not even someone I’d call a friend. It sounds shit, I know, but I brought her today because I knew it would hurt you as much as you going out with that guy hurt me. It was petty and childish and stupid, but I wanted to get back at you for that. She didn’t even know about you and when you’d gone upstairs, she talked to mum and apologised, saying she didn’t mean to cause any of that and then she left.”

You became silent for an agonisingly long while, simply staring at your joined hands and Mason was dying to say more, but he knew better. It had been a lot, not just right now or even today, but all of those last months ever since your break.

He’d made it look as if he didn’t care anymore, he’d even brought someone new out of sheer pettiness and as difficult as it was, he had to give you the time to process it.

“Did you sleep with her?”, you eventually asked hesitantly, unsure if you wanted to know the answer as anything but a no would probably pull the rug out from under your feet, but then again not knowing it felt even worse.

“No.”, Mason answered quickly. “No, I didn’t. I promise you, y/n, I didn’t kiss her or sleep with her or anything like that. We spoke a couple of times, but nothing more. I could never do that to you, y/n.”

His hands squeezed yours in an attempt to reassure you that little bit more and then you finally raised your head a little and locked your teary eyes on his.

“So she doesn’t mean-“

“She doesn’t mean anything to me.”, Mason interrupted you straight away; already knowing where you were heading with your question. “I promise you, y/n, she doesn’t mean anything to me. I never had any intention of taking her acquaintance on another level and I’m truly sorry I made it look like that.”

You were still incredibly hurt and had no idea where you stood with him, but after everything you’d said, your heart felt a little lighter. You’d spent enough time with him to know that he meant what he’d just said and it didn’t make it any better, but you got where he was coming from.

“I erm…my head’s spinning a little. I have to lay down.”, you mumbled. All the crying you’d done had caused a headache to form a while ago and Mason laying it all out for you wasn’t helping the pain at all.

“Of course, yes.” He was quick in pulling his hands from yours and moving away from you, giving you the space you needed, but as he watched you getting into bed, he wondered what that meant for him.

Did you want him to leave? Or just take a seat and keep talking?

“Can you…I don’t know lay down too or something? It feels weird having you stand there like that.” The fear of rejection was eating you alive, so you kept your gaze firmly on the wall opposite of you, thinking that not looking at him would keep down the disappointment of him saying no.

“Oh.”, he breathed surprised. “I erm…yes, sure, I’ll just uhm take the other side.”

Mason quickly got rid of his jumper before lifting the sheets and shuffling into a comfortable position. You had your back to him and he’d left a deliberate space between you two, but you could still feel the warmth radiating off of him.

“I felt like shit.”, you suddenly admitted, catching Mason by surprise. “When you came into the garden with her…I don’t think I’ve ever felt that shit before. The way you had your hand wrapped around hers…I just…all I could think of was that it should…should be me.”

“I am so sorry.”, Mason choked, unable to hold back his own overwhelming emotions any longer and before he knew it, he’d wrapped his arms around your body and pulled you into him. Your back flush against his front. “I am so sorry, y/n. I never meant for this to happen…I’m so sorry for how I treated before the break and for everything that happened afterwards. I should’ve called and messaged; I should’ve tried everything to get you back. I’m sorry I’ve been such an idiot, y/n. There’s nothing I can say that could make up for all the shit and pain I’ve caused, but I am so sorry, y/n.”

You could feel his heart thundering where his chest was pressed up against your back, but yours wasn’t doing any better. It was threatening to burst your ribcage from how fast it was beating and your mind was going crazy as well. Hundreds of thoughts were rushing through your head, trying to make sense of the whole situation and to find a solution for this mess.

You had no idea where to go from here. Mason had hurt you so much and you felt like you’d gone through hell and back, but you couldn’t deny how good it felt to be back in his arms. It felt like home; like the safest place on earth.

Hesitantly, you reached for one of his hands, laced your fingers with his and pulled your joined hands up to your chest.

“Do you think you can forgive me at some point?”

His voice was quiet and a little shaky and you didn’t miss the way he hid away in your neck slightly, probably just as afraid as you were, but this wasn’t a conversation you could have whilst hiding from each other, so you slowly turned around until you were facing him.

Softly, you wiped your thumb over his wet cheek as you smiled sympathetically at the sight of him. You didn’t think you’d ever seen him this dejected before. His big brown eyes bore into yours with a sad expression, the bridge of his nose was flushed and his freckled cheeks all blotchy.

“We’ve both made mistakes that led to the break. I wasn’t just you.”, you said quietly as you grabbed his hand and pushed your fingers between his. “What happened today hurt me a lot and I can’t say it’s okay because you apologised, because it’s not, but with some time to heal I think I can forgive you at some point.”

Mason nodded slowly, understanding where you were coming from and that you needed some time to process it all, but it also made him feel as if there was still hope left for the two of you. That he’d not fucked it up beyond repair.

He squeezed your hand and smiled at you softly.

“That’s okay. You can take all the time you need and…it would be difficult, but if you realise that you can't forgive me, then I’d understand. There is no excuse for what I did and I know that I hurt you and there might not be an us again and-“

“Do you still love me?”, you interrupted his rant softly with your gaze firmly set on his.

“Yes.”, he answered straight away. “The answer will always be yes because there’s no doubt that you’re my person. I will always love you, no matter what.”

“Mase.”, you sniffled as your emotions were getting the best of you again after his words. For months you’d been wondering if he still loved you. You’d tortured yourself with this question day after day, week after week and month after month and when you’d seen him today with her you’d been convinced you finally had your answer…

And you'd never been happier about being wrong than today. The relief rushing through you caused the tears to spill from your eyes again, but this time they were happy tears and Mason was quick in brushing them away with his thumbs.

“I mean it, y/n. You’re the only person I want, and I really hope that even after all this shit, you still want me too. I know it will take some time but-“

“I love you, too, Mason. So, so much, you have no idea.”

And maybe it was too soon, and you should’ve given yourself time to process everything properly and make a rational decision afterwards, but in that moment, you were just so relieved to have your Mason back, that you closed the gap between you two and kissed him.

And for the first time in six months, you felt complete again.

—————

I genuinely hope you enjoyed reading this. You would make my day if you left a little feedback so I can see what you liked and what I can improve on 🩷

[yoursselo]

Counting the days until Christmas

a/n: hi everyone! i couldn’t get the little advent calendar concept out of my mind so i decided to write a little something. this is my first ever fic (idk if i’ll ever write something again haha) so please be kind. i hope you guys enjoy it. love you lotsssss 🩷

word count: around 1k

warnings: none tbh but maybe some suggestive content

It was the most wonderful time of the year—Christmas. Ever since you were a child, you had loved the holiday season. Hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies, Christmas markets, and, of course, the advent calendars. Growing up, you always had one. You loved opening a door each day, feeling so excited about the little treat inside. Each day’s surprise only made you more eager for what was to come. The anticipation built with every door, and you could hardly wait to open the last one.

This tradition stayed with you through the years. Even now, getting an advent calendar was one of the things you looked forward to most during Christmas. Mason knew about your passion for it. Ever since your first Christmas together, the two of you had made each other small advent calendars. They were never extravagant—just simple and sweet, filled with things that reminded you of each other. Most of the time, they were sentimental, but this year, you decided to be a bit bolder and change things up.

You had been planning Mason’s advent calendar for weeks, and after putting in extra effort, it was finally ready. It took more time than usual, but you managed to finish it. The calendar sat on the coffee table next to the one Mason had made for you. Each door was carefully numbered and adorned with festive snowflakes and tiny golden stars. To Mason, it looked like any other advent calendar, but he had no idea what surprises lay behind the doors.

On the morning of December 1st, you rushed downstairs to open the first door of your advent calendar. Inside, Mason had placed a small heart-shaped heating pad. It made you smile because he knew how you were always cold and if he couldn’t warm you up himself, he wanted you to have something that reminded you of him. Hugging him, you kissed his cheek and said, “Thank you, babe. I’ll keep it in my pocket all the time.”

He kissed you back, a boyish grin spreading across his face. “Is this for me?” he asked, poking at the little calendar you’d made.

“Yes, but you have to promise me to open just one door a day. I worked really hard on this,” you said, trying to sound casual despite your fluttering heart.

Mason groaned dramatically. “Babe, I’m not a child. I have self-control.”

“Of course you do,” you teased, biting back a laugh. “Now, come on. It’s your turn. Open the first door.”

Rubbing his hands together with excitement, he carefully peeled open the first package labeled with the number one. Inside was a small packet of M&Ms—his favourite—wrapped neatly in festive foil.

“Yesss! Thank you, babe. These are my favourite!” He kissed your nose before opening the bag to eat his treat.

As you watched him, you couldn’t help but smile, waiting for him to discover his extra treat. He was so focused on the sweets that he almost didn’t notice the hidden Polaroid tucked inside. But as he went to set the calendar down, something caught his eye.

“Wait… what’s this?” he asked, his brow furrowing in curiosity.

Your stomach did a little flip as you watched his expression shift. Mason pulled out the Polaroid, his eyes widening and his cheeks turning red. The picture wasn’t overly scandalous, but it was far cheekier than your usual photos. You were wearing his hoodie, leaning against the kitchen counter with a smirk. The hoodie barely covered your bum, leaving plenty to the imagination.

“Baby…” he whispered. He looked up at you, his face a mix of awe and disbelief. “What’s this?”

You glanced at him out of the corner of your eye. “Oh, that? Just a little extra treat for you. Do you like it?”

A sheepish grin spread across his face, his dimples appearing. “Like it? Are you kidding? I love it.” He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck as his cheeks flushed deeper.

“Well, there’s one in every door,” you said, sheepishly. “I wanted to do something extra special this year.”

Mason blinked, trying to process your words. Then it hit him. His eyes widened, and before you could stop him, he lunged for the calendar.

“Wait, Mase! No—”

“I need to see the others!” he exclaimed.

You snatched the calendar away, holding it behind your back. “Nope. The point is to wait until Christmas. You need some self-control. Weren’t you the ‘master of your body’ last year during No Nut November?” you teased.

Mason groaned dramatically, slumping back onto the couch. “But how am I supposed to wait?”

“You’ll figure it out,” you replied with a smirk and kissed him on the cheek.

By day twelve, Mason’s patience was wearing thin. That day’s door held his favorite chocolate bar, but he barely glanced at it before pulling out the Polaroid. It showed you lying on the bed in a lacy black bralette and matching panties, your tousled hair making it look as though you’d just woken up.

Mason froze, his jaw dropping. “Do you like it?” you asked, fluttering your eyelashes innocently.

“Babe, please let me open just one more door. Please,” he begged, practically trembling with excitement.

Laughing, you shook your head. “Nope. Patience, Masey.”

By Christmas Eve, Mason was climbing the walls. He had barely made it through 23 days without breaking the rules. When he opened the final door on Christmas morning, his reaction was everything you’d hoped for and more.

Inside was your boldest Polaroid yet—a picture of you wearing nothing but a red Santa hat.

For a moment, Mason just stared, completely speechless. Then, without warning, he grabbed your hand and pulled you toward the bedroom.

“Mason, what are you—”

“Merry Christmas to me,” he muttered, kicking the door shut behind you with a grin that made you laugh.

The end. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it as much as i enjoyed writiring the story. 🩷

[mmountseb]

Your Shirt

Warnings: fluff, mentions of sex

Notes: haven’t wrote one in so long and decided to finally give it a go hope you like it

Your Shirt - Mason Mount fluff

As Mason lays beside Y/N in his bed, his heart swelled with a potent mixture of desire and pride as he gazed upon her wearing nothing but his England shirt, with his name proudly displayed on her back.

As much as she was from a different country she still felt the need to wear his country shirt with his name on her back

The fabric draped over her curves in a tantalizing display, accentuating her beauty and igniting a fierce sense of possessiveness within him.

He wanted her in a way they hadn’t been intimate yet

With each glance at her, Mason felt a surge of desire well up inside him, knowing that she had chosen to wear his shirt, a symbol of their connection and intimacy.

The sight of her wearing it filled him with a sense of validation and belonging, as if she had willingly wrapped herself in his identity, embracing all that he was.

It was the deeper, more profound sense of intimacy and trust that it represented.

In that moment, as they lay together in the quiet intimacy of their shared space, Mason felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the woman beside him, for her unwavering support and love.

As he reached out to trace the letters of his name on her back, Mason couldn't help but feel a surge of desire course through him, the warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips sparking a fire within him that burned with a fierce intensity.

Their bodies pressed together in the quiet intimacy of their shared space, as much as he was supposed to be paying attention to the film she had picked he couldn’t help himself but letting his mind wander to how would it feel to have her ride him while wearing his name on her back

His mind was travelling to forbidden territory, fueled by the intoxicating sight of her wearing nothing but his England shirt.

With each gentle movement she made, the fabric of the shirt shifted against her skin, accentuating her curves and igniting a primal desire within him.

As he watched her, a vivid image began to form in his mind—a fantasy of Y/N pleasuring him while still wearing his shirt.

The thought alone sent a shiver of anticipation down his spine, his body responding instinctively to the imagined sensation of her hands roaming his skin beneath the fabric.

Lost in the intensity of his desire, Mason couldn't help but hug her from behind while hiding his face on the curve of her neck and pulling her even closer enough to let her know that he was turned on

Y/N's innocent apology cut through Mason’s reverie, snapping him back to the present moment with a jolt.

He blinked, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the realization of where his thoughts had taken him.

Y/N: "I'm sorry, Mase. I didn't mean to... you know, make you feel... turned on."

Her words were tentative, laced with a hint of uncertainty as she glanced at him, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush.

Mason: "No babe it's not your fault. You have nothing to apologize for."

His voice came out a little too hastily, a touch of awkwardness coloring his tone as he tried to reassure her.

Mason: "I mean, it's just... you look really good in my shirt, and... well, I couldn't help but let my mind wander a bit."

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise at his candid admission, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she processed his words.

Y/N: "Oh, um... thank you. I guess I didn't realize the effect it would have on you." She said turning around to face him on his embrace

Mason: "Yeah, well... you have that effect on me, Y/N. You always have."

His words came out softer than he had intended, tinged with a vulnerability he hadn't planned on revealing.

But as he looked into Y/N's eyes, he knew that he couldn't hide the truth from her—that she had always held a power over him, a power that transcended words and boundaries.

Y/N's smile widened at his admission, a warmth spreading through her at the depth of his feelings

She felt bravely enough to bite her lips and take her hands to his hair.

Not before taking his hands further down on her body earning a gently tugging on her soft but cheek

Y/N: "You have that effect on me too”

In that moment, as they shared a knowing glance, Mason felt a sense of connection and understanding wash over him

He felt the need to pull her even closer even if it wasn’t physically possible anymore

As their eyes locked in a shared moment of understanding and vulnerability, the air between them crackled with unspoken tension. In a surge of longing and desire, Mason leaned in closer, his lips hovering just inches from Y/N's.

With a whispered exhale, Y/N closed the remaining distance, her lips meeting his in a kiss that ignited a firestorm of passion between them.

Their mouths moved together with a fervent hunger, each touch sending sparks of electricity coursing through their veins.

His hands found their way to Y/N's waist, under the shirt, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss, their bodies melding together in a primal dance of desire.

Y/N responded eagerly, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pressed herself against him, her heart racing with the intensity of their connection.

Their kiss was filled with an urgency born of longing and need, each touch a silent plea for more.

They lost themselves in the heat of the moment, the world falling away as they surrendered to the raw, unbridled passion that consumed them.

In that fleeting moment, as their lips met in a fervent embrace. There was no turning back anymore now

Lost in the intensity of the moment, they surrendered to the fire that burned between them, their kisses growing more urgent and desperate with each passing second.

Time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other, consumed by the raw passion that ignited their souls

Mason reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from Y/N's face as he searched her eyes for any sign of regret or hesitation after pulling away from the kiss

Mason: "Are you okay? I didn't mean to... I mean, I hope I didn't..."

Y/N silenced him with a soft kiss, her lips meeting his in a tender embrace that spoke volumes more than words ever could.

Y/N: "I'm more than okay, Mase. I've never felt more alive than I do in this moment."

Mason felt a surge of relief wash over him at her words, his fears and doubts melting away in the warmth of her embrace.

Mason: "Good. Because I... I don't want to stop kissing you. Ever."

Their laughter mingled with the soft sounds of their shared breaths, filling the air with a sense of joy and contentment that seemed to transcend time and space.

Y/N: "Then don't. Kiss me again."

And with that simple invitation, Mason leaned in, capturing Y/N's lips in another electrifying kiss

[agiiiiiiiiiiiii]

Ace

Hey, hope this one makes you smile!

mason mount x reader

Theme: fluff

Words: 1157

—————————————————————————

You had only been dating Mason for a couple of months when he casually mentioned he’d been thinking about getting a dog. At the time, it was more of an offhand comment during a walk in the park, where he pointed out someone’s German shepherd and said, “I’ve always wanted a dog like that—loyal, smart, just... a proper companion, you know?”

You’d nodded, smiling at the thought of him with a dog, but you hadn’t realized how serious he was about it. So, when you walked into his flat one evening after work and were immediately greeted by a massive, fluffy German shepherd bounding toward you, you froze in your tracks.

“Oh my god,” you exclaimed, stumbling back a step as the dog stopped in front of you, tail wagging furiously and eyes bright with curiosity. “Mason?”

From somewhere in the kitchen, Mason called out, “Don’t worry, he’s friendly!” He appeared a moment later, drying his hands on a towel and grinning as he saw you frozen in the doorway. “Meet Ace.”

Your jaw dropped. “You got a dog? When?”

“This morning,” he said, crouching down to ruffle Ace’s ears. The dog wagged his tail even harder, leaning into Mason’s touch before glancing back at you, as if inviting you to join.

“You just—" you paused, still processing. “You just went out and got a dog?”

Mason laughed, standing up and walking over to you. “Okay, it’s not as impulsive as it sounds. I’ve been talking to a breeder for a few weeks. He’s a rescue, actually. They were looking for the right home for him, and I couldn’t say no when I met him.”

You looked down at Ace, who was now sitting patiently, staring up at you with the most soulful brown eyes. “He’s gorgeous,” you said softly, reaching out a hand.

Ace sniffed your fingers, then gave them a big lick, making you laugh. Mason grinned. “He likes you. That’s a good sign.”

————————————

It didn’t take long for you to fall in love with Ace. Over the next few weeks, you and Mason worked together to settle him into his new home. You helped pick out toys, spent hours playing fetch in the park, and even stayed over a few nights to keep him company while Mason was out for late practices.

Before long, Ace decided you were his favorite. Every time you came over, he’d greet you at the door, his tail wagging so hard it looked like it might fly off. He’d bring you his favorite toy and rest his head on your lap while you sat on the couch, his big, warm eyes melting your heart.

One weekend, Mason had to leave for an away game, and he didn’t hesitate to ask if you’d stay with Ace. “He’d miss you more than me, anyway,” he joked, handing you the spare key.

By the time Mason got back, Ace had firmly cemented his spot as your biggest fan. Mason teased you endlessly about it.

“I don’t get it,” he said one evening, watching Ace follow you around the kitchen while you cooked. “I’m the one who feeds him, walks him, gives him treats, and he’s still obsessed with you.”

You shrugged, smirking. “Maybe he just has good taste.”

Mason rolled his eyes, but the smile on his face told you he didn’t mind sharing Ace’s affection. If anything, he seemed happy that the two of you got along so well.

Eventually, Ace became a symbol of your growing relationship with Mason—loyal, loving, and always ready to greet you with a wagging tail and a warm presence. And you couldn’t imagine life without either of them.

————————————

Months turned into a year, and Ace had fully integrated himself into your relationship with Mason. He was always there—whether it was snuggling between you during movie nights, joining you for long walks on lazy Sundays, or sitting attentively by the table during dinner, hoping for scraps.

You and Mason often joked that Ace was the third member of your little family, but in a way, it felt true. He was always the first to greet you when you came over, and whenever Mason wrapped an arm around you on the couch, Ace would nudge his way in, settling his big head on your lap as if to say, Don’t forget about me.

One evening, Mason came home from training to find you and Ace sprawled out on the floor, playing with one of his new toys—a plush sheep that was already missing one ear.

“Having fun without me, are we?” Mason teased, leaning against the doorway with a smirk.

You looked up, grinning. “He’s very competitive. We’ve been playing tug-of-war for twenty minutes, and I think he’s winning.”

Mason walked over and plopped down beside you, scratching Ace behind the ears. “You spoil him, you know. He’s supposed to listen to me, but you’ve turned him into a softie.”

“You’re just jealous because he loves me more,” you teased, sticking out your tongue.

Mason laughed, pulling you into his side. “Yeah, yeah. But let’s not forget who picked him out in the first place.”

Ace barked as if in agreement, then flopped down with his head on Mason’s leg, his tail wagging lazily.

————————————

Things only grew more serious between you and Mason over time, and Ace seemed to sense it. Whenever Mason wasn’t around, he’d stay glued to your side, almost like he was keeping you company in Mason’s absence.

One night, while Mason was away for an overnight match, you curled up on the couch with Ace, a blanket wrapped around you and a cup of tea in hand. The flat felt quieter without Mason’s usual energy, but Ace’s steady presence kept you grounded.

As you scratched behind his ears, you found yourself talking to him like he could understand every word. “You know,” you murmured, “if it weren’t for you, I’m not sure I’d have stayed over so often in the beginning. You made this place feel like home.”

Ace tilted his head, his big eyes meeting yours like he was trying to understand.

“And now,” you continued, your voice softer, “I can’t imagine my life without you—or Mason.”

When Mason returned the next day, you told him about your late-night confession to Ace, and he laughed, pulling you into a hug. “Well, that’s good,” he said, his voice warm. “Because Ace and I? We can’t imagine life without you, either.”

From that moment on, it felt like the three of you were building something real—something solid. Ace might have started as Mason’s dog, but over time, he became your dog too, a constant reminder of how much your life had changed since Mason walked into it. And every time Ace greeted you at the door, his tail wagging and his eyes bright, you knew you’d found something special—not just with Mason, but with the little family the three of you had created together.

[joekeeryswife]

plz could you write something about mase looking after you when you’ve had a rough day with the baby!!

stress - m.m

a/n: hello angel! thank you for your request. omg i love it so much, kinda changed it a little if that’s okay! (dad! imagines own my heart!!!!). idk how to feel about this one so lmk what you guys think! anyways, let’s get on with the imagine, enjoy reading 🫶

mason mount taglist: @noturbabe22 @luvvtrent @peterparkerbae

four weeks, it had only been four weeks since you’d had your baby and you were already feeling like you’d failed her.

you knew becoming a mum would be difficult but you didn’t realise just how hard it was going to be. it was like everything you did was wrong.

Mason had gone back to work only a week after Margot was born and that was one of the worst thing to ever happen. you felt like you didn’t have support even though he would get up with her during the night and as soon as he got back from work he would take over looking after her. what was funny was whenever Mason got back from football she was never crying, it was like she could sense he was coming home.

Margot loved Mason. whenever he had her she hardly cried, she’d watch his face with such concentration and coo at him all the time. but when she was with you, she’d scream and cry no matter what you did.

you felt useless.

you felt like the worst mum in the entire world, not understanding what was wrong with her as she cried just hurt your heart. you just wanted to be in the ‘baby bubble’ everyone spoke about.

you wanted to feel like your friends did when they had their kids. they were always smiling, always happy when they were with their babies who hardly cried when they were with them, it was like you were broken.

today was like no other. it started out okay, Margot was actually happy this morning when you woke up, Mason had given her a bath and put her in the cutest outfit but then as soon as he said his goodbyes to the two of you and he drove out of the driveway, all hell broke loose.

she was just sobbing and it hurt you to hear those cries. “oh Margot, what’s the matter my angel. please don’t cry sweetheart. are you hungry? is that what it is?”

you quickly balanced her with one arm as you tried to lift up your pyjama top so you could breastfeed her but every time you tried to get her to latch she would turn her head away and sob louder.

you had realised that Margot would hardly ever latch when you tried to breastfeed her. it was very rare that she would allow you to breast feed her so you had decided to start pumping your milk and give it to her in a bottle instead and most of the time she would drink it from the bottle.

“how about we get you a bottle instead hmm? would that make you feel better?” you knew she wouldn’t reply to you but it was nice to speak to her. you got up from the sofa after fixing your top and warmed up the milk.

her sobs grew louder as you rocked her. waiting for the microwave to ‘ding’ felt like hours. “i know sweet girl, not long now” you poured the milk once it was warm enough into the bottle and went to sit back down on the sofa. you tried a few times before she finally started drinking the milk, her sobs died down but her eyes were still filled with tears and the tear stains on her cheeks broke your heart.

she was hiccuping slightly as she drank her milk but her eyes were fluttering masa img she was trying her best to not fall asleep. “you rest angel, mummy isn’t going anywhere. and i’m sorry i can’t understand you like your dad does, i promise i’m trying my best”

with that, her eyes closed and it was finally silent in the house. you just hoped today would be a lot better than the rest.

-♡-

Mason was back home a little later than expected tonight, he had been asked to stay back to speak to ten Hag which he forgot to tell you about but he knew you had it all okay at home. you always had Margot in a good-ish mood when he would come home and it was always nice to come home to a quiet house after training or a football match. he would hear shouting all day and coming home was just perfect.

you didn’t want Mason to know you were struggling, to you it felt like the worst thing i’m the world. you were meant to be a good mum as soon as you gave birth but you just felt like all you did was struggle. you had no idea what you were doing and you didn’t want Mason to be disappointed in you.

however, tonight Margot would not stop crying. after her bottle this morning she napped for maybe 30 minutes before her sobs started again and that continued for the entire day. you didn’t know what to do and you felt like you had failed as a mother. you had no idea what was wrong with her and you hated that you couldn’t understand what she was crying for. you felt like she hated you.

as Mason entered the house he could hear the wails coming from Margot, he had never ever heard her sound like this before and or worried him. he could hear you, speaking to her softly over her cries, you sounded just as upset as her. “i’m so sorry angel, i don’t understand why you’re crying. i’ve fed you, cuddled you, changed you, i don’t know what else i can do. i’m sorry i’m failing you”

his heart broke. he walked into the living room and saw you holding Margot in your chest with tears streaming down your face. you looked so defeated and he hated it. “hey, what’s going on? are you okay?” he questioned as he slowly walked towards you.

you hadn’t heard the front door close so hearing him made you jump. you didn’t want him ti see you like this so you quickly wiped your eyes and showed him your best convincing smile. “oh yeah i’m fine, she’s just, i don’t know what’s the matter. i think she just might be tired” you lied, of course you weren’t okay.

“do you want me to take her?” he held is arms out so he could take Margo from you so you quickly passed her to him and he gently started rocking her which no i’m surprise stopped her cries. you felt your heart break. was it really that easy?

your eyes filled with tears, jealousy and frustration taking over your body as you saw how easy it was for him to calm her down. “look, go upstairs and have a shower, i’ll take care of Margot and you just have a break okay?we can talk after if you want to” he watched your shoulders drop slightly and your chin quiver as you tried to hold in your tears, something was definitely wrong and he was going to figure out what.

once he heard the bathroom door close he sat down on the sofa with Margot. he watched her huge brown eyes dart across his face. “what’s happened angel? you giving mama a hard time?” she cooed at him, a small smile on her face which looked exactly like yours. “you can’t give mama a hard time honey, mama’s with you all day” she squealed, obviously not understanding him.

“i’m sure you tired, if you’ve been crying like that all day i’m surprised you’re up right now” he decided to grab a bottle and try get her to nap so he could speak to you. he had never seen you like that before.

he warmed up the bottle and went upstairs to her nursery and sat in the rocking chair. he started feeding Margot and immediately her eyes started to close, he honestly wished that he was able to stay off work with you when Margot was first born. he had only gotten a week off work before he had to go back and he felt awful but ten Hag wouldn’t give him anymore time off.

once Margot finished her bottle he turned on the white noise machine and put her down into her crib. he quickly exited her bedroom to leave her to nap and went to your shared bedroom. he wanted to talk to you, you barely speak to each other now and he wanted to spend time with you.

after waiting for a while you finally came out the bathroom in new pyjamas and your hair was wrapped in a towel. your eyes were red, it was obvious you had been crying. “hey” you said, noticing him on the bed. he opened his arms and waited for you to sit on the bed next to him so he could hug you.

you quickly got onto the bed and cuddled into him. “we haven’t cuddled in ages, we haven’t spoke in ages. i want to know what’s bothering you sweetheart. i’ve never seen you look so upset” he kissed your forehead.

“i just, i feel like i’m not a good mum. like everyday all she does as soon as you leave is scream and cry and i’m trying my best to understand what’s wrong with her and i’m struggling. i’m struggling a lot” you felt your eyes well up with new tears. Mason felt his heart break. he was annoyed with himself for not noticing sooner.

“it feels like she hates me. and i just feel stupid because as soon as she’s with you, you calm her down. she even smiles at you. i’m feeling so lonely and i feel like a terrible mum.” your tears started flowing down your cheeks. you were quietly sobbing as Mason pulled you in closer and ran his hand up and down your back.

“i’m so sorry sweetheart, i really am. i’m sorry i haven’t been here to support you, i’m sorry you’ve had to do it all on your own. it’s not fair at all. and i’m sorry you think that you’re a bad mum because you aren’t. you are the most incredible mum” he heard your sniffles, guilt eating him alive.

“if you weren’t a good mum you wouldn’t do half the shit you do now. she doesn’t hate you angel, she loves you. you don’t know what she tells me when i come home” he joked which made you giggle through tears.

“i know it is tough right now, but i promise it’ll get better.” you looked up at him with uncertainty. “it will, stop giving me that look” he gave you a sympathetic smile. he hated that you were feeling this way, he wanted you to enjoy being a mum.

“you stay here for a bit, i need to go do something. don’t come downstairs until i say alright? just watch some tv and i’ll be back” he gave you a few pecks before he left you in the bedroom, confusion filling your body. but nevertheless you grabbed the remote and turned on the tv, trying to finally relax.

-♡-

it had been over an hour since Mason asked you to stay upstairs and all you could hear downstairs was Mason’s footsteps. you had absolutely no idea what he was doing and you were nervous to even go back downstairs.

“y/n sweetheart you can come down now” you heard him shout up to you so you quickly turned off the tv and made your way downstairs. whilst you were upstairs Mason did come to get Margot who had awoken from her nap about thirty minutes into him leaving you upstairs.

you had gone to get her out of her nursery but Mason quickly shooed you away back to the bedroom so he could take care of her. you were grateful he went to help Margot, he knew how stressed you were and he was trying to make you feel better so he took Margot downstairs with him.

you walked down the stairs and into the living room and saw blankets and pillows covering the sofa with your favourite food on the coffee table and your favourite movie ready to play on the tv. Mason was holding a now very aware Margot who actually reached out for you.

“i know it’s not much but i thought maybe we could spend time together for once?” Mason handed Margot over to you and kissed you passionately. “i’d love to” you kissed him one more time before you both made your way to get under the covers on the sofa.

Mason pulled you into his hold and kissed your forehead. “i know this doesn’t make up for what’s been happening these past few weeks but i do want you to know me and Margot appreciate everything you do” you felt a smile form on your face as he spoke, he had a way with words which always made you feel special.

“i have also spoken to ten Hag and told him that i’m gonna take a few weeks time off to look after you both. i don’t want you to feel alone, ever, because i am here for you” you looked up at him, it was the first time he’d seen you smile in ages.

“i know you are, you didn’t need to take a few weeks off. will he not get angry at you?” you kissed his cheek and he shook his head. “i didn’t get to take the time of when she was first born so i i don’t care if he’s mad. i have a family to look after” he lent down to kiss you again.

you didn’t know why you were so anxious to tell Mason how you were feeling, you knew he would help you and you appreciated him. “thank you mase, i love you” he smiled at you “i love you more”.

[ladymarycrawley]

Wet celebration - Mason Mount

Not requested but I was struck by the inspiration, after a long time, to write sth for our star boy so enjoy 💫

Warning: smutty, very smutty (and I said to myself it shouldn't have been lmao)

Tag list: @prideofpd, @chelsealover, @johnstonesfc, @masterclassbaby, @masonxomount

Mason going back to training after having missed some of the first games of the season together with the England camp was definitely something worthy of being celebrated.

Before he could go back you had in mind to have your intimate party which consisted of a candle lit bubble bath and champagne glasses to have a toast.

Everything had to be ready for when he came back home after his last session at the physio, the one that would have officially sealed his coming back on the pitch.

You were waiting for him kind of impatiently, both to have him all to yourself (romantically speaking) and to hear the good news of him getting the green light to go back doing the thing he loved the most.

He entered your shared house with the biggest grin ever, his trademark, and with his arms wide open.

“Guess who can go back to playing football?”

“Mhh let me guess…” You accepted playing his game, assuming a fake thoughtful expression as you walked towards him, between his arms. "Is that you?"

He nodded gloatingly, securing his grip around your body.

“I can go back playing” He hummed, sounding like a happy boy who just finished his homeworks and can go having fun.

“I knew it, I’m so proud of you” You whispered while cupping his perfect face in your hands. “And you deserve a reward”

Mason lifted his eyebrows in an enquiring look, waiting to have some explanations.

You smiled and took his hand in yours to lead him upstairs, where your romantic surprise was waiting for you.

When you stopped at the entrance of your big bathroom he saw the shadow of candlelights and smiled knowingly, walking in to look at the tub brimming with soap bubbles, the two glasses of champagne and the massaging oil on the ceramic surface waiting for you.

He wiggled his eyebrows and started unzipping his hoodie to throw it mercilessly on the floor.

“We need to hurry before the water cools down” His voice assumed an husky tone, the one he would usually get when lust was making its way inside his body and also the one that would make you wet.

You followed his advice by slowly discarding all the clothes that were covering your body, letting them fall on the floor. The only thing that didn’t leave your body was your powerful eye contact: you couldn’t look away from each other, you were a feast for each other’s eyes.

When you were both naked Mason offered his hand to help you step inside the tub as you thanked him silently with a smile.

You sat there, waiting for him to join you and to adopt your favourite posture which was laying your back against his chest and letting him do everything he had in mind to do to your body.

Before relaxing against his toned chest you stretched out your right arm to grab the two glasses and handed him his.

“What are we drinking to?”

 “To you being back at training and to me being always proud of you”

Mason smirked and raised his glass.

“I’d also like to drink to my gorgeous girlfriend who had this great idea…been missing some good bath tub sex”

“Mase!” You turned crimson as you nonchalantly sipped your wine.

“Oh come on, I know you’re no angel and your aim has always been this, since the beginning that little mind of yours started thinking about all of this”

You rolled your eyes and drank up the liquid in your glass, leaving some at the bottom of it to dip your index finger in and bring it closer to your boyfriend’s lips. He smirked as he didn’t doubt not even for a second about what was your plan for the night and swirled his tongue around your finger before sucking it. You had far better things to do than going on having some good wine, so you skipped to the main course.

A mischievous smirk appeared on your lips to match the one plastered on Mason’s face.

He took in your naked body, soaking your breast with some lazy strokes that gave him the chance to finally touch you. His thumb rubbed your nipple gently, soon adding the tip of his tongue to it.

Some sweet but forbidden cuddles were the things you missed the most during these days of pain and you weren’t the only one needing them so you moved your hand across his abdomen to place it in the tip of his dick coming out of water. The look you gave to it was obviously a luxurious one, you couldn’t wait to taste it.

You started by brushing your thumb pad left and right, adding a light pressure to it.

Mason sat on the step your bath tub had so you could give him his reward more easily.

The sight of his big cock twitching made you even more eager to have it so you moved closer, placing your palms on his inner thighs to let your mouth do the work you both were looking forward to: you spit on his member to make the movement of your lips smoother. Relaxed, cute moans started filling the room as he placed his hand in your tied up hair to spur you on.

“Oh good god..”

His eyes were closed and his head back against the wall: you succeeded in making him relax but you didn’t want him to get too relaxed as you needed something too, for being a good supportive girlfriend. When his precum started touching your lips you stopped, giving him doe eyes.

He opened his eyes and when he saw the way you were looking at him, knelt down in front of him all needy, he lost it: he needed to have you right there and then.

Mason’s brown eyes got covered in lust as he got back in the water and placed his hands on your hips to lift you on the step where he was sitting earlier.

He spread your legs open so he could start devouring your pussy as if his life depended on it. His tongue sucked, his teeth nibbled at your lips and his lips left small kisses all around: it was perfect.

“Oh yes Mase…I missed you” You whined, pushing your hips against his mouth. 

He let out a satisfied moan as he was pleased to give you such a good time. His tongue stopped licking your skin the moment he shifted it inside of you.

"Yes baby yes…fuck me”

The way he ate you out was about to give you your first orgasm but he did the same you did to him: as soon as he felt your juices down his chin he stopped and broke away.

“Mase -”

Mason lifted his weight on his arms to reach your height and whisper a little something to your lips.

“What goes around comes around”

He was too much to take: he was there making fun of you, looking hotter than ever and driving you crazy by being a tease.

Mason sat back in the tub as you straddled him, tangling your arms around his neck and bending your knees so that your feet were resting near his bottom. 

“You’re being a tease, that’s not fair” You cooed in his ear, biting on his earlobe in a playful yet horny.

“You’ve been a tease too and it was a pity I had to stop cause your cum tasted so good…”

A louder desperate groan left your lips, made it even more desperate by the feeling of his fingers dangerously close to your pussy.

The way he was there, looking irresistible, urged you to kiss him feverishly, a messy kiss that left nothing to the imagination.

During your open mothed kiss, Mason pressed his thumb on your clitoris, making you roll your eyes at the back of your head because of the pleasure he was capable of giving you.

Then he wrapped his arms around your waist seconds before entering you.

Your O shaped mouth gave echo to a deep moan, letting him know you were fully ready to feel him inside of you. 

He started rocking his pelvis against yours in a slow but passionate motion. That position was perfect because you could get lost in each other’s eyes while fucking your brains out. Your thrusts were bringing heaven to each one. The hot breath of his panting against your neck and your heavy sighs in his ear made you feel so close, resulting in both of you reaching the climax at the same time. It was a mess but quite a sexy one.

The sex you just had was perfect, so perfect Mason kept his cock inside of you a little more, basking in the pleasurable feeling of laukewarm water as well as the one of your walls still clenched around him.

“Can we do this again after my next game?

“Yeah but in the shower this time…” You groaned, looking at the mess you caused as all the bathroom floor was covered in water. “We made quite a mess”

"Not so fast baby girl" He stopped your attempt of getting out of there, tempting you with the oil massage you put there as he shook the bottle before your eyes "we still have to try this"

[mountttmase]

What I Need

Note - the longest fic I’ve ever written 😭 I’ve added a little ‘break’ halfway through so if you did want to stop and come back to read the rest later it’s easier to see where you’ve left off but if you want to read it all in one go feel free 🩷 thank you @carlottawllms for the initial request and I’m sorry it took so long to get to 😭 and thank you to all my besties for your help with this, I couldn’t do it without you 🩷 I know it’s long but feedback would be appreciated immensely and I promise to never write a fic this long again 😌

Pairing - Mason Mount × Reader

Word count - 20.5k

Warnings - angst and fluff

Just once you thought you might be treated to a well deserved lie in this Saturday but unfortunately the universe had other plans for you, just like always.

Your phone had been vibrating for a few minutes on the nightstand and you knew it was someone trying to call you before a barrage of texts were sent your way. Letting them fly in before you picked your phone up to see who it was and what they wanted even though you knew exactly who it was and why they were pestering you at this ungodly hour.

You already make it feel like it’s not worth living you thought, but before you could think about anything else his photo flashed up on your screen as he tried to call you again and you begrudgingly hit accept before you were permanently etched into his bad books.

‘Hello?’

‘About bloody time y/n, what the hell have you been doing?’ He scolded you. His voice hushed but you could tell he wanted to shout at you for not picking up and you rolled your eyes at his stupid attitude that you didn’t need this time of the morning.

‘Sleeping, Mason. You know what probably most of the uk population is doing right now since it’s stupid o’clock on a bloody Saturday’

‘Well I don’t give a shit, I need you. How fast do you think you can get here?’

‘I don’t know, Mase-‘ you started, not ready to leave the comfort of your bed just yet but he was cutting you off as soon as he realised what you were about to say.

‘No, y/n don’t do this. Did you not see my message? Code red yeah, that means I need you here now’

‘I’m sure it’s not that bad, you big girls blouse’

‘She’s offering to make me breakfast. Pancakes if you please’ he told you, his voice an octave higher as if he couldn’t believe what he was saying to you and you had to hold in a giggle at how ridiculous he sounded.

‘You love pancakes’

‘No I love your pancakes, there's a difference. I don’t know what she puts in hers she could drug me for all I know. Or make the whole wheat ones like a maniac’

‘I mean it’s hard to fuck up pancakes im sure they’re-‘

‘Can we forget about the bloody pancakes, how long till you’re here?’ He demanded, but you were already up and pulling a hoodie on before stuffing yourself into your shoes.

‘I’ll be five minutes’ you sighed, grabbing your keys and walking out the door as Mason repeatedly told you to hurry up until you had to hang up as you began to drive.

How it became the routine of you bailing him out of these situations was a long story.

Mason had been your best friend since you were little. Your dad being one of his first football coaches and even though you went to separate primary schools you still saw him most weekends when you helped out and sometimes joined in with the games. Mason teaching you how to kick the ball properly and you knew when you scored your first goal he let you win.

You eventually stopped going to practice, not seeing Mason at all for a year or so until you both wound up going to the same secondary school and it’s like you picked up where you left off.

You watched each other grow from awkward little teenagers to full grown adults and as much as you tried to keep your friendship the same you knew it would never be normal.

You went the usual route; college, uni, big office job in a fancy company while Mason lived his dreams and changed right before your eyes. Subtle changes that came over time meaning you never really caught onto them but the shy polite boy you once knew was gone.

He was cocky and sure of himself. Cheeky in a way that all the girls loved and he used it to his advantage to get exactly what he wanted. You weren’t blind, you know he was handsome but the way he threw his money and looks about just to get into some poor girls knickers made you sick sometimes but you stuck by him through it all. Feeling like you were the only person who had his best interest at heart most of the time.

Mason didn’t have friends, he had yes men. People to tell him he looked good and that it didn’t matter what he did or what he said to people because they’d clear it up for him afterwards. Leaving his picture perfect image intact so the world still thought he was a good boy even though he was anything but.

You didn’t know when, but you too had fallen into that category. Running around after him like he was a toddler that had just learned to walk, trying to protect him from crashing into things he shouldn’t be and picking up all of his mess after him for little to no thanks. You didn’t even know why you did it at this point. A sense of loyalty maybe? Or wanting to keep him away from certain people that you knew only used him. You knew he was a grown man at the end of the day and he was old enough to look after himself but still you carried on.

Even the routine of helping him kick girls out of his house was a mystery to you. The first time was a mistake when you’d turned up heartbroken on his doorstep after a failed exam and the girl he’d managed to score that night made a swift exit much to his satisfaction. Telling you he’d been trying to get rid of her for an hour but she wouldn’t budge and you were the perfect solution.

When he called you up and asked if you could do something similar for him the next week you refused at first. Thinking it was weird and you were worried about the girls feelings but he wore you down like he always did until the next thing you knew you were fake crying on his door mat as he ushered a pretty blonde girl out the door with the fake promise of calling her back later that day.

You must have helped him throw at least 30 girls out now. A catalogue of excuses at your disposal and even though you knew it was weird, it had merged itself in as just another part of your friendship and soon enough you were pulling onto his drive and housing yourself out of your car.

You rang the doorbell to make it look more realistic, the door opening a few moments later to Mason who looked more than relieved to see you and you quickly made your way inside to start the act.

‘What do you want? Dead relative, dog or something worse?’ You asked him, pinching your cheeks so they looked pinker before squirming yourself in the eyes with your water bottle. You’d tried and tested the lot but the sports cap you found was the best at making it look like actual tears.

‘Dogs fine, she’s been yapping on about hers all morning and showing me pictures so-‘

‘You’re so cruel, Mason’ you remarked, hoping to make him feel a little bit bad about what he was doing but you knew it was all in vain. He never did.

‘Just start crying before I make you, yeah?’ He laughed so you took the opportunity to get him back and wailed out the loudest fake cry you could muster right in his ear. The sound making him jump before he bounded you into his arms so you could cry into his neck and before you knew it, the sound of a very concerned but sweet sounding woman could be heard in the hallway.

‘Mason? Is everything okay?’

‘No really no’ he told her, the fake worry in his voice making you roll your eyes but you carried on sniffling to help him out. ‘This is my best friend and she’s had some awful news this morning’ he told her, walking you towards the living room so he could sit you on the sofa. ‘I’m really sorry to do this, her dogs just died and she needs me’

‘Oh my god’

‘Yeah she’s really not in a good way’ he confirmed, pulling you in closer and your cries went up in volume and you felt him pinch your side gently as if to tell you to tone it down.

‘Well can I help at all?’ She offered and you actually felt a little sorry for her. She seemed too sweet and you wondered how Mason had got his grubby little claws into her but you’d seen him on nights out and knew how he trapped women under his spell. You were just thankful that you were immune to his powers as if someone treated you like this you’d swing for them.

‘I think it’s best I just stay with her for now, but I’ll text you yeah? I’ve got your number saved?’

‘Oh, yeah okay then’ she uttered before the pair of them fled upstairs to get her things and within a few minutes he was with her at the door. Hearing the talk in hushed tones before he shut the door behind her but you let your cries continue.

‘Alright you can stop that now, sound makes my brain ache’ he groaned as she flopped down onto the sofa next to you and you laughed as you unhid your face from the cushion.

‘You’re welcome, by the way’ you told him. Bumping your shoulder into his as you sat up but he just rolled his eyes. You knew he was thankful even if he didn’t say it exactly but it would be nice to hear it sometime.

‘You fancy some breakfast? I’m in the mood for pancakes’ he winked but you just rolled your eyes at him. Pancakes sounded good to you too but you knew you’d be stuck making them.

‘Where’s Ace? He’s the only reason I’m here’ you asked, deflecting his question as you knew what he was asking and by the look he was giving you he wasn’t too happy about it.

‘Charming’ he scoffed before whistling and the sound of bounding paws made you smile until Ace was running in and jumping into your lap.

‘Hi baby’ you cooed, scratching over his head and trying to avoid the face licks he was sending your way but Mason was just looking at you like he was waiting for something.

‘So… what’s happening with the pancakes?’

‘Ace, your daddy is a very silly man, did you know that?’ You babbled but you could tell Mason was offended with what you’d said.

‘Don’t turn my son against me’

‘Do you want some pancakes, acey? Mumma will make you some’ you babbled too him, knowing there was no way for him to answer but from the look on his face you could that’s what he wanted.

‘Since when are you his mum’ Mason commented, trying to reach over to pet him but you wouldn’t let him. Jumping up so Ace could follow you and he just sighed and rolled his eyes.

‘Since I’m one of the only stable females in his life, okay? Don’t confuse him now’

You left Mason in the living room so you could make some pancakes. Your own belly rubbing as you hadn’t had a chance to think about breakfast this morning but thankfully he had everything in and as soon as he smelt them you heard him walking in to grab some.

‘Why are you making little ones?’ He questioned, grabbing some juice from the fridge and a couple of glasses.

‘They’re for ace’ you shrugged. Plating them up in his little doggy bowl and letting him tuck in before sorting yours and Masons out.

‘So he gets preferential treatment’

‘Do you ever have a day off?’ You muttered, wanting him to just give things a rest for five minutes but you could tell by his laugh he wouldn’t be letting up anytime soon.

‘Shut up, you love me’ he teased, poking you in the sides as he grabbed his plate and the feel of it angered you. He knew you hated being poked and prodded but he just carried on as he loved getting under your skin.

‘Not when you’re like this I don’t’ you sighed and even though you were half joking you had realised over the last few times you’d hung out that being around him was a chore sometimes. His usual playful comments had more venum behind them and now you couldn’t actually work out if he still liked you or not. Being around him never felt as good as it used to but whenever you got upset about it he’d tell you he was playing so you tried to think nothing more of it. Wondering if you were just hormonal or had forgotten how to take a joke.

Halfway through breakfast your thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell ringing. His eyes looking at you pleadingly as if he wanted you to go and get it but you remained firm and stared back at him.

‘Please, y/n. If it’s her she’ll have me talking for another half an hour. Just make her go away please’

‘Fine’ you huffed, getting up and storming to the door and you knew he was smiling from where he sat behind you. ‘I’m not doing the washing up though’

‘Hey, you make the mess you tidy it away’

‘Oh get lost’ you muttered under your breath, opening the door to what you expected to me the girl from earlier but thankfully it was just an Amazon delivery guy and you took the parcel with a smile before bidding him goodbye. ‘Mase? Its just an Amazon parcel you’re safe’

‘Ah amazing, can you open it for me? Should be just a charging cable’ he nodded as he stacked your plates and took them to the dishwasher, leaving you on your own to tear the box open but once you were in you wanted to vanish into thin air.

What you weren’t expecting was the red box that was sitting under the packing paper. The words thin feel jumping out at you first and you groaned loudly as he walked back over to you with a confused expression.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘You’re gross, I swear to god. Why did you make me open this?’ You huffed as you threw the box of condoms his way and he caught it with one hand before looking down with a smile.

‘Ah i forgot about these, got the ribbed ones this time to see if they make a difference’ he winked but you just made fake gagging noises as you walked out of the kitchen and back into the living room where he followed you in shortly after. Thankfully hiding the box out of sight from you.

‘What you doing next Friday? It’s Woody’s birthday so we’re going out and he asked me to ask if you wanna come’ he suddenly piped up with as you turned the tv on and the question took you by surprise.

‘Why didn’t he ask me himself?’

‘Cause he thinks you’re scary’ he winked ‘I’m kidding, he was pretty out of it last night when we made plans and he knew I’d probably see this morning’

‘So now it’s just standard that I kick the girls out your house for you? And all your friends know about it’

‘Pretty much. I’ve given you excellent reviews so if you get calls for similar from the others you can thank me later’ he teased but you weren’t in the mood to argue with him anymore. Huffing as you relaxed back into the sofa but he was soon poking your leg with his finger. ‘You coming next week or what? We’ve got a section booked so there won’t hundreds of people and you don’t know I’ll pay for you’

‘I’m not worried about paying, Mase’ you told him even though in the back of your mind you were a little bit. Mason like to go to the most expensive places and drink the most expensive things and you couldnt keep up with him half the time so the offer of him playing always settled your nerves when it was nights out like this. ‘Can I bring Olivia?’

‘Who’s Olivia?’

‘That new girl from work I was telling you about the other day? The one that’s just moved here and doesn't know anyone’ you told him before realising he probably hadn’t been listening the whole time you were talking about her before.

‘Is she hot?’

‘Mason-‘

‘Im kidding, I’m kidding, You can bring the pope for all I care’ he shrugged but you knew even if you asked him not to go near her he still would.

‘Mason I'm serious, I don’t want you anywhere near her okay? you’ll make things awkward at work and she wouldn’t touch you with with a barge pole anyway’

‘Wow y/n, I’m bruised’ he told you, hand on his heart to make it look like he was hurt but you could tell from the tone of his voice he didn’t care.

‘She’s got something going on with someone at work and if you ruin it I’ll kill you’ you threatened but he just held his hands up in mock surrender. ‘Who else is gonna be there?’

‘Oh the usual’ he told you. Reeling off some names you knew plus a few guys you don’t know and you knew what that meant. Mason wanted to try and set you up with someone he knew and even though you appreciate the sentiment you couldn’t think of anything worse.

At this point you thought he just felt sorry for you and was trying his hardest to find you anyone. You’d never had a boyfriend, never been in a real relationship or even been on that many dates. Any you did happen to go on always ended in the same way with that same awful message. I see you more as a friend than a girlfriend but I’d love to stay in touch and you didn’t know what was wrong with you. Even though Mason sometimes tried to help, you didn’t want to attract boys like him and his friends so any new boy he was suggesting you almost always never gave a proper chance.

‘I was thinking maybe I could put some feelers out? You know put a good word in with a few of the lads and see if any are interested-‘

‘I’d rather eat my own eyeballs than date one of your friends’ you told him, looking up to his horrified face and just like usual you kept poking the bear. ‘I only hang out with you cause you’re practically my brother, but the ones that choose to be your friends? I have serious questions for them’

‘And yet here you are, spending your morning with me. The main culprit’

‘Not for much longer, I’m meeting the guys at level up for lunch’ you smiled and he rolled his eyes in annoyance at you.

‘So you used me for my flour and eggs, that’s what I’m getting from this’

‘I wouldn’t even be here if you could just keep it in your pants for five seconds’ you reminded him, giving Ace a quick scratch between the ears before you stood up so you could get going but Mason being Mason had to get a few more digs in.

‘Oh whatever you big dork. Go play with your silly little puzzles then while I fend for myself’

Level Up was a gaming cafe in town and you met up with some friends from uni once a month to catch up and play some games but you mostly went there for the puzzles. There was something you loved about starting with a big pile of nothing and ending with something beautiful. It calmed you but almost made your brain feel alive at the same time so it was worth the teasing from Mason's end even if he did think it made you really uncool.

‘Whatever, Mase’ you mumbled, gathering your stuff up and making your way to the door before he could say anything else to upset you but you already felt like he’d ruined your day.

You managed to forget about him by the time you’d made it to Level Up. Catching up with your friends from uni, forgetting all that had happened that morning and getting lost in what you loved before making your way back home in the early afternoon. Feeling a lot better about yourself than you had that morning.

Your week at work flew by and soon enough it was Friday and you were at your flat with Olivia getting ready for your night out. Thankfully she’s said yes to coming and it had given you something to bond over that week. She too had moved to Manchester from down south after uni and was finding the transition a bit strange so you’d taken her under your wing in hopes you could make some more friends around here besides Mason. As much as you loved him you couldn’t stand to be around him for long periods of time anymore and wanted someone else to hang out with who didn’t make you feel so awful about yourself.

Once the pair of you were ready you set out for a cocktail bar first. Getting a few fancy pre drinks in whilst you chatted over some office gossip and just as you were leaving you posted a few stories to instagram. Seeing straight away that Mason had viewed them and almost as if by magic he was calling you.

‘Is that really what you’re wearing?’ He asked, the question making your heart drop as you looked down at your out outfit. Admittedly it was your usual but you wanted to be a bit comfortable and it was an outfit you’d always felt good in. His comments deflating you immediately and you felt like turning around and going home.

‘What’s wrong with it?’ You asked in a small voice. Wrapping your jacket around you a little bit further and Olivia looked at you with curious eyes but you just gave her a reassuring smile and carried on listening to Mason.

‘I mean it’s fine but like… well that’s it. It’s fine’ he admitted causing you to gulp back the frog in your throat so you didn’t burst into tears. ‘Look I’m trying my hardest here to help you get some but you need to start showing a bit of skin. Like if I’m interested in a girl I wanna see a bit more yeah? You need to advertise what you’ve got on offer or you’ll never get any business.’

‘I’m not looking for business and I certainly don’t want to look like someone you’re interested in’ you hit back, trying to make him hurt a little bit but you knew it was useless. Your comments were like water off a ducks back to him. ‘When I find the right guy he’ll love how I dress’

‘I’m a guy, y/n. We’re all the same’

‘Yeah well I’ve just about had enough of you tonight. I think I’d rather join a nunnery at this point’ you huffed, feeling Olivia tug on your arm as you made it to the door of the club. ‘Were just outside I’ll see you in a sec’

‘Your names on the door, they should just let you through’ he confirmed and once you’d said goodbye you were let in by the doorman who led you over to your section. meeting Mason's eyes almost immediately but his were soon on Olivia and you knew it was about to be a long night. ‘You gonna introduce me then?’

‘Hi to you too’ you quipped, watching him roll his eyes as he pulled you into his side for a quick hug but it was over before you knew it as his eyes settled on Olivia’s legs. ‘Mason this is Olivia, Olivia this is Mason’

‘Hi Olivia, y/n’s told me a lot about you’ he smiled and you knew that smile anywhere. He was about to flirt his little bum off even after you’d told him not too. ‘It's nice to finally meet you’

‘You too, thanks for letting me come’ she smiled sweetly, trying to be polite but you’d already warned her about Mason and his antics and you were hoping she could see right through him.

‘Oh you’re invited anytime’ he winked. ‘Can I get you a drink?’

‘Oh um… yeah sure, y/n-‘

‘’It’s alright I know her order off by heart’ he winked before nodding her over to the bar where she followed him after giving you a quick wave.

You took this time to go and say happy birthday to Woody, one of Mason's friends you actually liked as he’d been around almost as long as you had but just like you had fallen into the trap of letting him get away with things he probably shouldn’t.

‘What’s wrong?’ He asked, noticing your disgruntled expression fairly quickly but you just sighed before rubbing your head.

‘I explicitly told Mason not to flirt with her but he’s all over her, I can't stand that boy sometimes’ you huffed, motioning over to where he was standing with Olivia. His hand on her back and his eyes on her chest and you heard Woody sigh next to you.

‘You know what he’s like, sees a pair of boobs and forgets all logic’ he tried to joke but you weren’t in the mood.

You could see Olivia looking for you, your eyes meeting after a few seconds where she gave you the ‘help me’ look and you made your way straight over to get her. Gripping Mason's shoulder as you popped yourself in between them and even though you weren’t looking at him you could feel the annoyance radiating off of him.

‘Thanks for the drink Mase, we’re gonna go have a dance’ you interrupted, not missing the way he rolled his eyes at you as he tried to speak again but you’d already pulled Olivia away and onto the dance floor where you were both giggling as you got lost in the crowd.

‘Corr he’s a right flirt, you weren’t joking we’re you’

‘Honestly he should come with a warning label’ you groaned. ‘I’m really sorry, I did tell him to keep it in his pants’

‘Don’t worry about it, it’s quite flattering’ she giggled before wrapping an arm around your shoulders. ‘Let’s just keep it between us, by the looks of things he’s already moved on’ she told you and once you looked around you could see him chatting up some other girl and you decided to leave him to it. Rolling your eyes before you and Olivia got lost in the crowd and danced your little socks off.

When Olivia needed the loo, you let her know you’d go and get the pair of you some more drinks and once at the bar you were ambushed by the man you’d been trying to avoid for the last hour.

‘Thanks for that earlier, you jumped in at the wrong time just as usual’ Mason exclaimed but you just turned to smile at him sweetly and the action caught him off guard.

‘No thank you, for completely ignoring me when I asked you not to flirt with her as she’s seeing someone and I didn’t want to make things awkward at work’ you reminded him but you noticed how he shut his eyes before looking back at you with a smirk and you knew he was about to get nasty.

‘So let me get this straight, Olivia’s been working with you for what, three weeks?’ He commented and his comment surprised you as you didn’t think he’d been listening to you that well whenever you spoke about her but clearly he had.

‘Just about, yeah’

‘And she’s already seeing someone?’

‘I mean it’s not official but-‘

‘So she can find someone… but you’ve been there years and-‘

‘Oh get fucked Mase’ you spat, your blood boiling at what he was trying to say and you had to restrain yourself from throwing the drinks that had just been placed infront of you in his face. Mason had just put them on his tab though and you didn’t want to have to pay for your own so you just balled your fists up and tried to let it wash over you. ‘Are you getting a kick out of being an arsehole to me tonight or something?’

‘I’m just pointing out-‘

‘Well don’t, keep your big nose out of my business’ you told him, cutting him off mid sentence but you knew your comments hadn’t hurt him. Nothing ever did.

‘Low blow, y/n. Low blow. You’re lucky I’m not self conscious about it as I know it comes in handy’ he teased. Licking his lips to insinuate something sexual and you felt the disgust roll through you. ‘Come on, let’s go sit. We’ve barely spoken all night’

‘No, I don’t want to’

‘Hey, don’t be like that’ he frowned, but you were done talking to him tonight and you’d have been quite happy to have a few days' break from him after tonight’s interactions.

‘I’m not being like anything’ you huffed, seeing Olivia coming back out from the loo and you used this as your opportunity to get away from him. ‘Olivia’s back, I need to go’ you told him but you didn’t wait for a reaction. Picking up your drinks and making your way over to her but you weren’t in the mood to be happy anymore.

You found a quiet corner with Olivia so you could sit and bitch for a bit, mostly about Mason but you moved onto the topic of people you didn’t like at work until she opened up about Joe from the IT department who she’d got the eyes for. Apparently they’d hit it off from the first day when he handed her her laptop and she’d been falling for him ever since. Sometimes making up issues and submitting tickets for non-existent problems so they could talk and even though you thought it was cute and you were happy for her, Mason's words from before were playing in your mind.

Why did things like this never happen to you? Why could everyone else find someone but you were forever stuck on the sidelines waiting to be picked. You were used to it now and you told yourself you were over it but there were moments like now when it stung and you didn’t want to think about anything anymore.

If truth be told you didn’t want to even be in this club anymore and when Olivia had to make a call you used the time to your advantage to try and find Mason to let him know you were going. Not that it would have made much difference to him as you’d barely spoken all night but when you made your way back to your section you knew something was off.

‘What’s everyone laughing at?’ You asked as you approached Woody and a few of the other boys. Woody's appearing awkward but you could see all the other boys were loving whatever was happening. ‘Where’s Mason?’

‘Trust me, you don’t wanna know’ one of the guys laughed but you were just confused as to what was happening.

‘What?’ You asked, turning towards Woody in hopes he’d give you a bit more of an answer but you could tell he didn’t want to. An embarrassed and guilty look on his face as you raised your brows at him until he eventually spoke.

‘He’s um, he’s in the loo’ Woody gulped but you didn’t understand what the issue was.

‘Okay?’

‘He’s not alone in there’ he whispered and the realisation hit you like a truck.

‘You’re joking? Please tell me you’re joking’ you whispered back, eyes flying around the room to see if anyone else had caught on but thankfully it was just his little gaggle of yes men that were in on it.

‘Well he didn’t exactly hide it’ Woody told you but before you could say anything else there was movement from the corner of your eye and you could see he was emerging from the disabled loo with a stupid smirk on his face and you felt sick to your stomach.

The boys were laughing louder immediately but all you felt was embarrassment. Embarrassed that he was your friend and he thought this was okay, embarrassed for whatever poor girl he’d taken in there and embarrassed that clearly everyone knew what was going on and he was just fine with it.

You watched him talk to security before coming back over to your section. The boys slapping his back before he tried to wrap an arm around your shoulder but you just shrugged him off as soon as he touched you. Not even bothering to look up at his disgruntled face as your eyes were trained on the where he’d just come from and before long the girl emerged.

You watched her walk over to the man Mason had just spoken to, Mason clearly telling her he’d put her name in the list for your section but you doubt he even knew her name in the first place and you felt awful as she looked around for Mason to let her in. You were on the edge of marching over there yourself and telling them to let her through but you didn’t want to cause more of a scene so you just turned to Mason who was looking at you with an amused grin.

‘Seriously, Mason? I know you clearly don’t give a shit but that’s such an awful thing to do’

‘Oh stop getting your knickers in a twist, it’s not like I fucked her’ he told you matter of factly an you gasped at the way he’d just spoken to you.

‘What?’

‘I mean I’ll spare you the details but let’s just say she took very good care of me’

‘Oh fuck off, I don’t wanna know that’ you told him, wrapping your arms around yourself as if you were trying to block him out but he kept laughing at you like he found the whole thing hilarious.

‘Oh y/n don’t be such a grump’ he laughed. ‘Maybe you should think about getting yourself a bit, hopefully they might be able to pull that stick out your arse’

Mason words cut you deep, and you knew he’d only said it as he was playing on your biggest insecurity but that made it worse somehow. You’d opened up to Mason a few times about how unlucky in love you felt you were, how you never seemed to grab anyone’s attention. You knew he tried to help on nights out sometimes but nothing ever worked and you weren’t as on board with one night stands as Mason so clearly was. You were the definition of a wallflower and as much as you knew you had a lot of love to give the right person you grew more worried day by day that it would never be a reality for you.

You knew your face had dropped, Mason’s too once he’d realised what he’d said and that he’d taken it too far but you refused to show how upset you were, not just by what he’d said but everything that had happened tonight.

‘You’re a right dick sometimes’ you told him quietly, picking your bag up and storming out. You could hear the faint sound of him scoffing behind you but you didn’t have the energy to turn around and berate him anymore. Your eyes already stinging and the sadness rippled over you but you held it together so you could get out the door and sort yourself an Uber out.

You wondered if he might have followed you outside to come and apologise right away but you knew that would never happen. As long as Mason was happy in Mason land he didn’t care what he did or said to anyone else and even though you thought you might have been the exception, that clearly wasn’t the case anymore.

‘Y/n? What are you doing out here?’ You heard, Turing to see Olivia walking over to you with a concerned expression but you just blinked the tears away and gave her a half hearted smile.

‘Just getting some air’ you smiled. ‘Listen, I’m so sorry about tonight. I didn’t realise he was gonna be such an arse’ you apologised but you could see from her face it was all fine and she didn't care.

‘It’s not your fault, yeah? You’re not responsible for him’ she told you and you felt lighter at her words until she gave you a look you couldn't quite place. ‘But please don’t hate me, I’ve just been on the phone to Joe and he’s invited me over. You don’t mind if I go, do you?’ She asked and even though it stung slightly you couldn't blame her. Not when you were on your way home too now.

‘Of course not, don't be silly’ you reassured her, thinking that might be the end of it but the sympathetic smile she gave you made you feel worse somehow.

‘Are you going back in?’

‘I think I might just head home, I’ve had enough of him tonight’ you joked but she knew she could tell there was an air of truth behind it.

‘Don’t let him ruin your night, why don’t you come with me?’ She offered but you just looked back at her in confusion.

‘What? To hang out with you and Joe? I don’t think he’ll be too happy with that’

‘Oh no he’s at a party at his friends house not too far from here, there’s a load of people there and a few from work so you’ll know a load of them’ she explained and the idea of it being more than just the two of them sweetened the deal a bit.

‘I don’t know’

‘Pleeeeeeease. Don’t let that horrible boy upset you, plus I’m not done hanging out with you yet. Mason aside I’ve had fun tonight’ she pouted and you felt your resolve slipping. ‘Come on, I’ll pay for the Uber and everything’

‘Okay fine’ you laughed. Jumping into the car with her when it turned up and you were only ten minutes into being there once you realised what a good choice you’d made. You never hung out with your colleagues outside of work but you had a lot of fun and even made some new friends. The whole experience teaching you that there was more to life than Mason and you made a promise to yourself to take a step back from him for your own sake.

You made it home at around 3am in a taxi with a friend of Joes who’d promised to get you home safely. You’d been talking for most of the night and it was a complete 180 from being with Mason. He made you feel important and heard and when he kissed you cheek at your front door you felt your knees wobble. You blamed it on the drink and being so touch starved but once your were inside you realised how much of a good time you’d had without Mason once more.

The constant fear of what he was going to say or do next, the need to clean up his mess that inevitably always came and the growing embarrassment that came from being around him was getting you down. All you could think about was a break from him and If truth be told you needed a break from everything at this point so made a mental note to book some time off of work for a little break now the weather was getting nicer to go and see your auntie in Spain as a little something to look forward too.

You’d seen Mason had text you a few hours ago. Wondering where you’d gone and to text him back but you left it. Not wanting to talk to him right now so you got undressed and got into bed so you could wait for the inevitable hangover in the morning.

It was 8am when you woke up and knew your phone was going off every few minutes but you ignored it, not in the mood for whoever it was and when you hadn’t received a text for a while you had a quick Look I see they were all from Mason.

You didn’t believe his empty threats, ignoring everything he’d written and rolling over onto your other side so you could get back to sleep and thankfully it came easily as you were still so exhausted. He could work things out for himself for one morning surely?

You were expecting your head to be pounding when you next woke up, but you’d never felt it like this before. Never heard it in your ears so intensely or heard your name being called over and over until you realised it wasn’t what you thought and when you recognised Mason's voice you groaned into your pillow.

‘Y/n! Are you in there?’ You heard him call. Hoping you could just ignore him and he’d go away but Mason being Mason didn’t let up. ‘Right I’ve not heard or seen you since last night, I don’t know where you are or what you’re doing so I’m calling the police’

‘Oh fuck off’ you huffed, storming out of bed in just your underwear and a tiny T-shirt so you could tell him off, watching Masons head snap up when you opened the door and you didn’t miss the way his eyes trailed all over you.

‘What the fuck are you doing?’ You spat, pulling him inside and slamming the door shut before turning to face him with a furious glare. He was looking straight back at you the same way though and you’d never seen him so mad in all the years you’d known him.

‘Are you kidding me? What the fuck are you doing? Why are you ignoring me?’

‘Are you being serious right now?

‘Completely. And can you go and get dressed you freaking me out’ he remarked but you just placed your hands on your hips and made him look at you.

‘No I can’t’ you told him and you knew he wasn't comfortable with you standing there in next to nothing so you used it to your advantage. ‘You were awful to me last night Mason, I mean you’ve not been nice for a while but last night tipped me over the edge’

‘What did I do?’

‘What didn’t you do!’ You exploded, seeing him visibly jump as he wasn’t expecting it but you just kept going, releasing all the pent up aggression and anger he’d made you feel lately and you could feel the tears stinging behind your eyes. ‘You’re so rude about me, about the way I dress and just how I am. I told you specifically not to go near Olivia and you did. Not to mention that poor girl you used in the toilet, I take it she wasn’t the same girl you took home last?’

‘Well no but-‘

‘I just, I don’t like what you’re turning into and I’m not gonna sit by and watch it happen anymore so if you still want me around you need to fix up and fix up fast’

‘You can’t tell me what to do’ he scoffed, the playfulness he usually spoke at you with now completely vanished and you had a feeling deep in your tummy that this wasn’t going to end well yet you carried on.

‘Well if you carry on like this then I’m out Mason. I don’t wanna surround myself with you and the people you hang out with anymore’

‘Oh you thought… oh that’s hilarious’ he laughed, clutching his tummy like you’d just told him the funniest joke in the world. ‘You actually think I care if you don't wanna talk to me anymore? That I’d care if I upset you? You really think telling me that is gonna make me change? Get real y/n, we’re not 13 anymore’

‘What?’ you breathed, his words feeling like a punch in the gut as he stared down at you and as much as you were trying to be the bigger person in this and make him see how awful he was being, you felt awfully small.

‘Well let’s face it, it’s not like we’re even from the same universe at this point and everything I do you take the wrong way’ he told you and you could feel yourself shrinking as he turned the tables. Bracing yourself to feel his full wrath as you knew he didn’t like being told off ‘You’re so uptight, y/n and is it any wonder why?’

‘You don’t have to get so personal all the time’

‘But you’re allowed to? You’re allowed to have a go at me cause I fuck around a bit and actually enjoy my life rather than play kids games and and make out I’m holier than thou? Just cause no one’s ever found you attractive doesn’t mean anyone else isn’t allowed any fun’

You never thought he could be this mean. His words from last night paled into comparison from what he was saying now and you unconsciously wrapped your arms around yourself as he tore you to shreds.

‘You know I tried to be a good friend, I tried my hardest to find you someone but you throw it back in my face everytime. Not that I think it would have mattered anyway cause they all tell me you’re too stuck up for your own good. No ones ever gonna want you y/n, cause you make it fucking impossible’

‘I've never been good enough for you have I?’ You whispered, watching the muscle in his jaw flex as a single tear rolled down your cheek, but his face remained hard as you tried to let him know how you felt no matter how heartbroken you were. ‘You know I always thought it was a bit of fun and teasing, you calling me a nerd or whatever but actually don’t like me, do you? But I’m good enough when you need me, I’m good enough to come over and kick out whatever girl you need kicking out. Good enough to cook for you and get you everything you need’ ’

‘Oh fuck off, y/n’ he spat, looking away from you and trying to make his way to the door. ‘You think I need you that much? Have a laugh, I only kept you around cause you came in handy sometimes’ he laughed, trying his hardest to hurt you and even though it was working you could see in his eyes he didn’t mean it. ‘People leave me all the time, why should I give a shit if you do too?’

‘Mase-‘

‘Nah it’s fine, I’ll go. Sorry for giving a shit about you, I know not to do that again. Don’t worry I won’t be back’

You knew exactly what he was doing. He was being defensive because you were upset with him and he wanted to make you feel bad too. You knew he could be mean but never like this and when he slammed your door in your face you stood there for a few moments just taking it all in. Replaying all the awful things he’d said to you before walking like a zombie back to bed and hiding under the covers so you could let a few tears out but not many came. Too in shock at hurt about what he’d said to form any real emotions but as the days went on you felt worse and worse about yourself.

Three weeks went by and you didn’t hear a peep from him. Wondering if maybe you should message him first but after a day you realised he was the one that messed up and you didn’t want to be running after him. He’d completely disappeared from online and you’d even had a cheeky look on some of his update accounts to see if he’d been spotted anywhere but it was just the usual training pictures and nothing more.

It was difficult, getting angrier as the days went by before sadness took its place. He was your best friend and had been for years but you hated everything he’d become and you weren't about to push your boundaries to accommodate him anymore. Not after all the awful things he’d said to you either that wouldn’t stop plaguing your mind.

You’d never felt as ugly as you did right now. His words had hit home as it was things you’d always thought about yourself but to hear them actually vocalised from the person who you thought you meant a lot to stung in a way nothing else ever had. Realising maybe you would be on your own for a long time as there clearly was something wrong with you and as the days passed the harder you cried.

Cried for the friendship you once had, cried for the words he’d spat in your face and cried for how awful you felt about yourself and how lonely you were night after night as you rarely spoke to anyone in fear of your emotions taking over now.

You tried to let it go, carrying on as normal but you could tell Olivia knew something was up. Letting you know she was there for you when you needed but for now you just wanted to wallow a little.

You were sat at home getting lost in a new true crime documentary when you felt your phone ring. Glancing down to see Mason's picture filling up your screen and you instantly froze. Too panicked to answer as you didn’t know what you’d say to him right now so you just stared down at the screen until the call ended. Anxious to see if he would call you back at all but he didn’t and you presumed it was a mistake until the next day when a text came through from him on your lunch break.

What did he want?

You presumed it was to apologise but at this point you didn’t want to hear it. He’d done and said enough and you were still getting over most of it so to have him back in your life seemed counter intuitive.

So you left him on read and forgot about him. Spending your lunch break with Olivia and Joe but by the time you were back at your desk he was all you could think about. His text had left a weird feeling in your tummy and you felt a little bad about knowing he wanted to presumably apologise but you wouldn't let him but what you’d said was true. You really weren’t ready just yet.

Sandra was a person you considered your work mum. A slightly older woman who worked on reception and was the smiling face that always greeted you every morning but she was also the woman you went to for advice and to have a moan to. She’s never judged you or told you what to do but it was nice getting an opinion from someone so wise so knowing you were going to see her filled you with a calmness you hadn’t felt in a while.

‘They’ve not got your favourite left, but I got you a kitkat’ you smiled as you approached the reception desk, noticing Sandra was looking back at you with an awkward smile that confused you until you looked to your left and were met with the brown eyed boy you’d been avoiding. ‘Mason? How did you even get in here?’

‘I let him in’ Sandra smiled, looking over at Mason with a wink and you could see him send her an appreciative smile as he made his way closer to you. Only then clicking the giant bunch of pink and white tulips in his arms and your chest felt tight at the sight of them.

‘You shouldn’t have done that’ you told her lowly, hoping he wouldn’t be able to hear but Sandra had other ideas and brought him into the conversation.

‘Oh come on y/n, how can you say no to that face’ she pouted, tilting her head over to him and once you looked back at Mason his usual cheeky smile adorned his lips as he playfully batted his eyelashes at you. ‘You need to talk to him anyway’

‘No I don’t, what’s he told you?’ you argued back. You purposefully hadn't told Sandra anything about what was going on with Mason as you were embarrassed and wanted to deal with it on your own but you should have known she’d find out eventually. Mothers always do.

‘That you won’t talk to him and that he wants to tell you how sorry he is’

‘Well he can tell me that himself’ you huffed, crossing your arms over your chest before you heard him not so subtly coughing. Looking up to find him glancing between the pair of you like he was reminding you he was still there.

‘I would if you gave me a chance’ he laughed before shyly nodding over to the sofa where guests usually waited. Silently asking you to come with him so you could talk a bit more privately and you reluctantly walked over after a beat. Watching Mason pluck a flower from the bouquet in his arms to give to Sandra as a thank you and you almost cracked a smile at how she blushed when she took it. The pair of them whispering a little before he turned to face you and he walked over like a naughty school boy.

‘Do we have to do this now?’ You asked. Not wanting to have this conversation with him here and now but since you’d been avoiding him you hadn’t given him many other options and you could tell from the way he was looking at you he was determined to speak with you.

‘Yes, we do. You’re ignoring me and left me no choice’

‘Can you just be quick?’ You asked, not wanting to air your dirty laundry in the reception where Sandra could quite easily hear everything and even though you felt bad he’d put the effort in to come and see you, you were practically turning him away.

‘Y/n-

‘Please, Mase. I’m at work’

‘Fine, I’ll go’ he huffed and the heartbroken look on his face made your tummy churn. ‘Only if you agree I can come over later and apologise properly’ he told you but you didn’t agree straight away and you could see he was getting desperate. ‘Y/n please’

‘Okay fine’ you sighed, nodding your head as you knew it would have to be done sooner or later and since he was making the effort you thought you should cut him some slack. His face softened immediately before his eyes fell to the flowers in his hands that he passed to you in with a shy smile

‘These are for you, your favourite’

‘Thank you’ you whispered, taking them carefully and you knew your face was turning red as you held them to your chest. This was the first bunch of flowers anyone had ever bought you and you could feel your eyes welling up at the fact he’d remembered your favourite ones.

‘Well it’s the least you deserve’ he nodded but you didn’t know what to say to him, standing there awkwardly until he coughed. ‘What time will you be home?’

‘Around six’

‘Okay well, maybe I could bring us some food over and we’ll talk’

‘Okay’ you whispered, nodding gently before looking down as you were so overwhelmed with emotions.

He didn’t say anything after that, just touched your arm and planted a quick kiss on your forehead before walking back over to Sandra so he could sign out of the visors book. His action confused you as he never showed you signs of affection aside from the occasional hug so the kiss only made you blush even more. Giving yourself a few seconds to calm down before eventually joining them at the desk.

‘Leaving so soon? Sandra pouted as Mason approached her and you couldn’t help but roll your eyes at the way she was so clearly wrapped around his finger already.

‘Yeah, this one wants me gone’ he teased, signing his name in the box but Sandra just threw you a disappointed look and you felt awful instantly.

‘Oh y/n’ she tutted before looking back at Mason with doe eyes. ‘If it were up to me I’d let you stay’

‘And that’s why you're my number one girl’ he told her. Flashing her his killer smile and sending her wink before turning back to you. ‘I’ll see you later, okay?’

You didn’t answer, just nodded before he left with a sad smile and as soon as he was out the door you felt Sandra’s eyes burning holes into the side of your head.

‘I tell you what, if I was 30 years younger that boy would be in serious trouble’ she told you, fanning herself with a sheet of paper from her notebook and you felt your resolve crack instantly.

‘God sake Sandra’ you laughed. It was clear that Mason was a hit with the ladies but you didn’t know he’d have this hold over someone like Sandra.

‘What’s he done? Is it really that bad or are you just making him sweat?’ She asked casually, the need to spill your guts to her was as overwhelming as ever but something was telling you to keep it under wraps until things with him were sorted so you didn’t say anything you might regret.

‘He’s not been the best for a while but we had a massive argument a few weeks back after he pushed everything a bit too far so we’ve not spoken in a while’

‘I’d just kiss and make up if I were you, he’s too pretty to be mad at’ she teased and you knew you were blushing again. This time out of sheer awkwardness.

‘It’s not like that, Sandra. He’s my best friend, nothing more, okay? No kissing or whatever else you think might be going on’

‘I’m not sure about that’ she mused ‘He doesn’t look at you like a friend’

‘That’s cause he’s trying to get on my good side probably’

‘Hmmm, we’ll see’ she winked but you didn’t want to listen anymore. Quickly making your way back to your desk so she couldn’t try and marry you off to your best friend but you could feel everyone’s eyes on you as you walked through with your flowers. Even Olivia sent you a curious look but you motioned that you’d text her later to explain.

You couldn’t focus for the rest of the afternoon. Mason's flowers that were sitting on your desk were a constant reminder that you’d have to see him later and you weren’t sure if you were ready to forgive him yet, if ever. Everything he’d said to you and the way he’d made you feel was still fresh in your mind and you knew they would take a while to recover from.

You were sick and tired of forgiving him for the cycle to start over again but you couldn’t deny you missed him. Yes things had gotten way out of control but you missed your movie nights and catch ups. You even missed making breakfast together after you’d kicked another girl out for him but you knew it all had to stop. He was a man now and able to look after himself and that’s what you wanted to tell him.

You weren’t expecting him to be on time, he never usually was, but at quarter past six there was a knock on your door. He was earlier than you thought he’d be and when you answered he stood there looking as guilty as ever with a few pizza boxes in his hands and you sent him a small smile before nodding him in.

‘Come in, you whispered, walking him into your living room so he could set the pizza down on the coffee table and take a seat but the only choice you had was to sit next to him as you could only fit a small sofa in here. Your flat wasn’t the biggest in the world and Mason always told you he’d pay for you to live somewhere nicer but it was time like these you were glad he didn’t. Not knowing what might happen if things went up in smoke.

‘Can I talk first? I’ve just been thinking about what I wanna say for days and I don’t wanna mess it up’ he asked you but you just nodded. Not sure what you wanted to say yourself yet so you figured you’d sit and listen to what he wanted to say first.

‘That’s fine’ you whispered, watching him get settled in his seat before launching into his monologue.

‘Okay well, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for everything’ he gulped ‘I know I’ve been the biggest dick and I’ve hurt you but I really am sorry and I’m gonna prove it to you if you’ll let me’ he confirmed and you felt his words swimming through your veins. Never once had you heard him like before let alone hear the words I’m sorry come out of his mouth and look like he meant it.

‘Last time I saw you, when I went off on one, I was just hurt that you’d called me out and I wanted to get you back for it. I know that’s childish and stupid but you hit home with everything you said and I couldn’t take it’ he told you. Clasping his hands together as some form of distraction as he spoke and you knew he was trying his best to hold it together.

‘You’ve always been there for me, you know? You’ve always done things for me that you shouldn’t have and you’ve stuck up for me when you didn’t need to but I’ve surrounded myself with the complete wrong people who don’t care about me. They’re looking for a good time and never tell me no so I thought it was great, but not having you around has just made me realise they’re not the sort of people I need in my life, yeah? You’re what I need’

His strangled voice was pulling at your heartstrings but no matter what he was saying you didn’t want to jump right in and accept his apology. There was so much you wanted to say and that you needed him to know about how he’d treated you. You could see he was sorry and it was evident that he was hurt but if you didn’t want to let him off easy, you wanted him to understand exactly how you were feeling and leave nothing unsaid so you could move away from it and hopefully move on.

‘Please say something’ he gulped, wanting to hear something from you straight away but you knew as soon as you started you wouldn't be able to stop.

‘Thank you for apologising, it really does mean a lot to me that you came here but i'm really hurt Mase and I’m not really sure what to say’ you told him. Your voice sounding thick no matter how hard you tried to hold the tears in and you watched the heartbreak on his face as he saw you get upset.

‘It just sucked, I guess. To feel like you only ever called me when you needed me, like to get rid of someone or if I fit into your plans. Just felt like you didn’t give a damn about me ever. I’ve never said anything or judged you about the way you acted, not until recently at least, cause we’re friends but maybe I should have. Like just told you no a couple of times but I just felt so small to you and that it wouldn’t make a difference’

You could tell he wanted to speak, to let you know that it was all untrue and that he cared about you more than anything but he didn’t butt in. He let you speak and gave you your time to get everything out you needed to and it was more therapeutic than you thought it would be.

‘You know I remember the last time I knew I couldn’t count on you anymore. It was my last year at uni and I had an evening class so I could present my final project but all the trains were messed up and I had to walk there in the end through the rain’ you sniffed and when you looked at him you knew he knew what night you were talking about. ‘It took me just under an hour and I was late in the end so I got docked points and had to make it up with some extra credit but I called you. I called you and you said you were sorry but you were stuck in an important meeting and you couldn’t get out of it’ you hiccuped and it’s like he didn’t want to hear any more. His hands covering his eyes as he shook his head from side to side but you kept going. ‘But then when I got home and I just wanted someone to talk to and rant to there were pictures of you plastered online with some random girl in your lap and I knew you’d lied to me’

‘I’m sorry’ he blubbed, looking up at you with red eyes and a wobbly bottom lip but even that didn’t stop you from carrying on. The words pouring out from your mouth like a waterfall as years of hurt made their way to the surface.

‘You made me feel so worthless when I’ve stuck around since day dot. You always spout about his family is everything to you but I thought that included me? And I felt like I never meant a thing’

‘You did- you do. You mean everything to me I swear. Please please don’t say that it kills me’ he sobbed before finally reaching for you. Pulling you into his body and you let yourself hide in his neck as the tears fell from your eyes. ‘I was a dick for no reason and you’re the last person I should have taken anything out on. You’re right, I was disgusting and I didn’t care about anyone else and you were the first person I actually cared about who told me no and I couldn't take it’

‘You really hurt me’

‘I know I did and I can't tell you how sorry I am’ he cried. ‘I know I’m not easy to be around or easy to keep up with but you’ve always been there and I took you for granted. I honestly didn’t see what I was doing wrong cause no one ever told me, like everyone just let me do what I wanted but I get it now, I really do. I was just so caught up in having a good time and not thinking about the consequences so I took things too far. I know I’m probably out of second chances but I need to ask again cause I can’t lose you’

Your silence was deafening for him and you knew he wanted some sort of answer from you. Eventually sitting up and making you look at him and even though he looked panicked his voice was calm as he carried on speaking.

‘I’m a fuck up okay? I know I am and I know the last thing you probably want or need is me coming back into your life to cause you more stress again but this massive fuck up has misssd you so so much’

You couldn’t stop the little chuckle that fell from your lips. The sound making him smile too before he took your hands in his.

‘I’m sorry for embarrassing you, I’m sorry for all the lies I’ve told and all the horrible shit I’ve said about you and I’m sorry for the constant 8am wakeup calls on a Saturday cause I can’t control myself. I know how to behave and I know what I need to do so I’ll just do it yeah? No more calling you up to kick girls out for me cause they won’t be there in the first place. You need me and I’ll do whatever I can to get there for you and do exactly what you do for me everyday. These few weeks without you have been awful and I’m sorry it took us getting to this point to make me see but I’d rather get rid of everyone in my circle if it meant I got to keep you’ he confirmed as he squeezed your hands a bit tighter. ‘What do you say, huh? Do you think we could work something out?’

‘I mean, you’re right. It probably is the last thing I need’ you started, watching his head sink as his eyes fell to his lap but you just considered it a tiny bit of payback for now. ‘But I can’t lie and say that I haven’t missed you too,’ you told him. Voice wobbling at the end as your emotions took over and you could see he was also finding it hard to take. ‘But I miss the old Mason, I miss my friend’

‘I’m still here I promise. Just give me a chance and I’ll show you I’m still in here’

‘Please don’t make me regret it’ you whispered but you didn’t have a chance to say anything else. Mason bundling you into his arms and the feeling of his arms around you settled you more than anything else had and when he pulled back to smile at you, you felt your heart flutter in your chest. ‘Just because you’ve apologised doesn’t mean things can go back to the way they were. I might need some time’

‘I know, I don’t want that either. I’m gonna prove to you how much I’ve changed and we’ll go at your pace. I just needed to apologise and that’s whether you accepted it or not, but I really would love it if you did’

‘I do’ you told him, your face crumpling once again but he was quick to wrap you up and comfort you once again.

Over the next few weeks he was an angel, giving you the space you needed but also checking in when he could. Things felt normal but so different at the same time and the relief of having your friend back was overwhelming. It was two weeks later when you next saw him in person though, Mason messaging you early Friday evening to see what you were up to the next day but you weren’t expecting his response.

The fact he was offering to drive was tempting. You hated lugging heavy bags on the train and the fact the prospect of food was involved was even more appealing but you hadn’t hung out like this in a long time even before your big fight. Mostly because he was always busy but also because you’d just silently grown apart in that way. Mason liked getting his own way and him doing things for other people didn’t fall into that category.

You had a lot to do and the last thing you needed was him getting bored and rushing you round before spending an afternoon with him trying to annoy you. You knew it was mean but you wanted to put him off a little bit so you could shop in peace but you didn’t want him to think you were still mad at him and didn’t want to hang out.

His message made your heart sink. He really was trying and you knew he wanted more opportunities to prove himself but before you could think about it anymore he was messaging you again to try and convince you even more and you couldn’t deny him this time.

When 9 rolled around the next morning he was there. Standing by his car as he opened the door for you after a quick hug and you promised yourself you’d try and be positive about today and give him a chance to prove himself if that’s what he really wanted.

‘You eaten?’ He asked as you got bucked in, knowing how hungry you got in the mornings but you always prioritised sleep over eating. You had a little bit of extra time today though so you nodded your head at him but didn’t miss how his face dropped slightly.

‘I had some toast’

‘Oh okay, I um… I picked you up one of those juices you like and a pastry but if you don’t want it that’s fine’ he mumbled, looking slightly embarrassed and you felt your heart race at how thoughtful he’d been.

‘Oh… oh no I’ll have it. You know what I’m like, always starving’ you laughed, accepting the little bag and juice he’d picked you up with a smile and you could see how shy he looked. An expression he didn’t usually wear and his soft smile made your heart flutter in your chest. ‘Thank you, Mase’

‘It’s okay’ he whispered, starting the car so he could look away from you and even though the drive was fairly silent with just the low sound of his music playing, you didn’t feel awkward.

‘You coming then?’ You asked as he finished parking, watching his smile light up his face knowing you weren’t going to leave him to sit in the car on his own before he nodded enthusiastically at you.

‘So this trip, is it the usual?’ He asked as you made your way into the main shopping centre and you knew he was referring to where you were going as you visited your auntie in Spain every year.

‘Yeah, it’s just for a few days this time but I really need the break’ you explained and he nodded at you knowingly.

You went to Boots first, Mason holding the basket for you as he followed behind and you filled it with everything you needed. You were about halfway round the shop when you realised something was different, Mason not questioning why you needed everything you put in the basket or making stupid jokes. If anything he was more than helpful, reaching the higher shelves for you and manoeuvring you around the busy aisles by your waist as he knew you hated the crowds.

When it came time to pay, he scanned everything for you while you packed the bag and when you were done he picked it up without any questions so you didn’t have to carry it.

Next on your list was clothes. Wanting to try a few different things on to your usual so you could mix it up a bit and when you had an armful of things to try you turned to Mason with a smile.

‘Will you come into the changing room with me?’

‘What?’ He choked, his eyes going wide immediately as the question sunk in but you just rolled your eyes as you tugged on his wrist.

‘Yeah I need your opinion and I can’t be bothered to keep walking out here every time. I’ll go to one of the family ones so my arse isn’t shoved in your face, don't worry’ you laughed, pushing him inside with you so he didn’t have a choice but you could see the awkwardness on his face. Eventually shifting his eyes to the floor until you bundled him into a cubicle and made him sit on the seat in the corner.

‘I um… what do I-i um’ he mumbled as he set the bags down and you couldn’t help but giggle at his awkwardness. A side of him you hadn’t seen in a while.

‘Oh come on, it’s not like you’ve never seen me in my underwear before’ you laughed thinking back to when you were growing up and to even more recent times like when he showed up at your door and on nights out when he had to put you to bed after one too many but you could see he wasn’t feeling a bit strange so you hung the dresses up on the rail and smiled at him reassuringly. ‘Shut your eyes until I tell you to open them, yeah?’

‘Okay’ he whispered. Shutting his eyes and covering them with his hands as you turned away and picked up the first dress.

It was nothing like you usually wore. Tight and short with a fully cut out back meaning you had to quickly take your bra off to try it on and the thought of wearing it outside these four walls terrified you but you were determined to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

‘You can open them now, what do you think?’ You asked him, watching his eyes adjust to the light for a second before an unreadable emotion took over his face.

‘Oh it’s um… it’s different’ he told you and you couldn't tell if he liked it or not.

‘Well I’ve been thinking about what you said and even though I was pissed at the time and you could have probably worded it nicer I think you were right’ you told him, hands brushing over the short skirt and even though you felt different in it you didn’t feel too uncomfortable. ‘I need to show a bit more skin, you know?’

‘Wait-‘

‘What do boys like more? Bum or boobs? Like what do I need to-‘

‘Wait, stop’ he interrupted, the tone of his voice making you stop in your tracks and turn to him and when he held his hand out to you, you took it carefully. Letting him pull you in between your legs slowly so he could talk to you better but when you felt his fingertips on the backs of your bare thighs your legs turned to jelly.

You didn’t know what it was, that weird feeling pulsating through you at just a simple touch from Mason of all people and the sensation made it feel like you couldn’t get your breath out properly. In the end you had to rest your hands on his chest so you didn’t crumple to the floor and it was like the atmosphere changed within a heartbeat.

His big brown eyes looked dark as he peered up at you through his lashes, the bridge of his nose a deep red and his pouty lips had parted slightly as he tried to control his breathing but it’s like you blinked and the moment was gone. His eyes moving to look at your shoulder now and you moved your hands away from his chest to cross them over your body.

‘Sit down, yeah?’ He whispered, nodding his head to his leg and you sat on his thigh as he caged you in his arms. His face serious as you wondered what he might be about to say to you and you could feel your cheeks getting warm as he looked at you in a way he never had before. ‘You don’t… you don’t need to change the way you look or dress, okay? I was a dick and I shouldn’t have said all that before. It was crap of me and it wasn’t true anyway’

‘But-‘

‘But nothing’ he whispered, cutting you off and you felt your eyes sting as he smiled sweetly at you. ‘You deserve the world, you know that? And you deserve a man who doesn’t care about how much skin you’ve got on show or what your body looks like in what you’ve got on. You want a man who cares about what’s going on in here’ he whispered, tapping your temple lightly before doing the same to the top of your chest. ‘And in here. And yeah it might be a wait but you’ll get there. You don’t have to sell yourself short to dickheads like me who don’t have what you need, okay?’

‘It just gets hard sometimes’ you sniffed, his words hitting you deep in your tummy and you couldn’t stop the tears spilling from your eyes before you felt him pulling you into his body for a cuddle. Your head nestled into his neck as you held onto him for dear life but the feel of his hand stroking up and down your back bare soothed you ever so slightly.

‘I know it does’

‘What’s wrong with me?’ You hiccuped, barely able to hold yourself together at this point but his gentle touches really were helping. You felt safe with him for the first time in a long time and you knew you could tell him anything and it wouldn’t matter. He’d listen and reassure you like best friends are supposed to.

‘Nothing, I promise. Absolutely nothing, you’re perfect okay’ he told you. Speaking the words directly into ear and he sounded so determined and sure of himself that the sound made you shiver. ‘You’re too perfect, maybe that’s the problem. It's dicks like me that have got something wrong with us yeah’ he laughed and you let out a little chuckle before pulling back so you could wipe your eyes. ‘Does everything you picked out look like that?’

‘Yeah’ you laughed, smiling as he caught the tears you missed.

‘Okay well let me go and look for you, I saw a few bits that are more you but just a bit different. You can try those on and see what you think, yeah?’

‘Okay’ you sniffed, not sure about this idea but you were willing to entertain him at this point and when he came back with a few bits you were actually surprised at how much you loved them. Still your style but just a little different and you couldn’t help but give Mason a massive hug at the end.

Once you’d paid, Mason offered to take all the bags back to the car whilst you popped into Primark for underwear and socks and once you were done you met him outside. Your tummy grumbling as it approached lunchtime and he let you pick wherever you wanted to go but you settled on Nando’s as you knew that’s secretly what he wanted and since he’d been good to you that morning you figured you’d be good to him.

You were back at his just after one, leaving your bags in the car but you noticed he’d taken in a white paper bag that you hadn’t seen him with all day and after the pair of you got yourselves a drink and settled on the sofa, he turned to you with a shy smile.

‘Hey, so I got you something’ he told you nervously, producing the white paper bag from earlier from the side of the sofa and you took it from him with a confused grin.

You didn’t ask what it was, just reached in to grab hold of the box and when you finally pulled it out you almost lost your breath. The brightly coloured picture of the northern lights making you smile immediately before you looked up to his nervous face.

‘I wanted to get you one we could maybe do together? I know it’s probably not as big or complicated as you’re used to but I thought we could start me off easy’ he laughed but you were too overcome with emotion to think of anything to say. Never in a million years did you think he’d want to do a puzzle with you let alone buy you one with a picture of the place you’d always wanted to visit the most on it.

‘Can we do it now?’ You asked excitedly. Knowing you had the whole afternoon together to finish it and when his face mirrored yours you felt like jumping up and down.

‘Of course’ he grinned. ‘I’ll clear the coffee table and we can do it there if that’s alright?’

‘That's perfect’ you nodded, hugging the box to your chest as you stood up before touching his arm gently so he’d look at you. ‘Do you mind if I borrow something to wear? I like to be comfy when I’m getting my puzzle on’ you laughed but he just smiled before motioning to follow you to his room. Picking you out a few things to choose from and you settled on a pair of his grey shorts and an oversized T-shirt of his before taking a hoodie down with you just in case you got cold.

Mason got changed too just after you before running into the kitchen to get you both some snacks and drinks whilst you cleared the table and soon enough you were tipping the contense of the box onto the table so you could get started.

‘Right what do we do?’ Mason questioned, the large pile of tiny pieces daunting him quite clearly but you just giggled as you took a seat opposite him.

‘Well I’ll tell you how I do it, so we need to find the corner pieces first, then the edges then we’ll sort the leftovers out by colour and go from there. That sound good?’

‘Okay’ he nodded and you gave him the task of the corners and edges whilst you organised the rest. Only realising then how much of a difficult one this one might be. He was right in saying it was less pieces than you were used to but the picture was complicated and once he’d got all his pieces sorted he looked at you with a confused smile.

‘You realise this is gonna be difficult? And we could be here for a while’ You told him, watching him gulp nervously before looking back at all the pieces.

‘Really? But it’s only 500 pieces. The ones you do are thousands’

‘Yeah but the picture here is complicated, it's just all random colours like there’s no buildings or anything to work from’

‘Oh, shit sorry’ he laughed before shrugging at you. ‘I just know you’ve always wanted to go so I thought you’d like it’

‘No don’t be sorry, I do like it. Love it, in fact. I just don’t want you to get bored or frustrated with it if it takes a while’

‘No it’s okay, I can do it’ he told you. The same determined look you’d seen in his eyes countless times before important games and finals and it made you smile that he was applying the same fight for this.

You let him put some background music on as you worked away. Talking lightly about some plans you both had coming up but it was difficult for Mason to multitask. You could see he was trying his best and had done a lot of work in one of the corners but he couldn’t puzzle and talk like you could and you thought his concentrated face was cute. Often finding yourself just watching him for a few moments until he caught you and sent you a lopsided smile as he blushed.

You ordered food in when the time came. Taking a small break so you could reevaluate how much you’d done before jumping back in and it was approaching 9pm when you finally finished. Mason giving you the last piece to place in as he knew it was your favourite bit before you cheered and wrapped your arms around his shoulders.

‘Not bad for something dorks do, huh?’ You giggled but it was like he was frozen. His gaze all over your face before a look of guilt washed over his.

‘You know I never thought you were a dork’ he gulped, wrapping his arms around you tighter and pulling you further into his lap.

‘Mase it’s fine-‘

‘No, cause it’s not’ he shrugged. ‘I never meant it in a malicious way but even playing it’s still not nice so I’m sorry’

‘Thank you’ whispered and after he gave you a quick smile he was looking down at his lap shly again.

‘It’s kinda late, do you maybe wanna stay over? We can have a sleepover like we used to’ he winked and while the idea sounded fun you were also a little unsure.

‘I don’t wanna sleep in your sex bed’ you laughed and the shocked expression on his face made you giggle.

‘Hey, you think I let just anyone go in there? He laughed. ‘I don’t take random girls in there, I take them to the loft room. Well I did at least, I haven’t done that in a while’

‘Why not?’

‘Dunno, just not in the mood? Been too busy begging for your forgiveness’ he teased before his eyes were boring into yours. ‘Please stay’

‘Okay’ you whispered, slightly thankful he’d asked as you didn’t fancy the drive home this late. You were already sleepy and when he tucked you in next to him after he’d put a movie on it didn’t take you long to fall asleep.

The pair of you joked the next morning about who he would call to come and kick you out and you hadn’t felt this normal with him in years. Your Mason was back and you couldn’t be more thankful but again over the next few weeks his behaviour began to change.

It seemed to be going the opposite way though, Mason swapping his devil horns for angel wings and it was like he was getting sweeter by the second.

Every morning you woke up to a good morning text, and every evening he’d text you goodnight. Messaging you throughout the day when he could and even though it was always silly conversations it was like he’d made it his mission to make you smile whenever he could. He was being the best friend he could be and so much more but it was like he was changing his whole life for the better. No more random nights out so he could trap a girl and take her home, no more mean jokes at your expense and you hadn’t heard about his gaggle of yes men in weeks.

You spent all of your free time together. No matter what you were doing or how boring you thought he might have found it he wanted to be there doing it with you.

You knew Mason was always touchy with everyone but he’d never been the same with you. A hand on your shoulder maybe but that was it, however now he couldn’t seem to keep his hands away from you now. Always standing next to you when he could, his hands on your waist or you back or his fingers threaded through yours as you sat and watched tv.

You could feel things changing but you weren’t sure what it was. Wondering if he was just happy you were back but you needed an explanation for the puppy eyes he was sending your way every five seconds that you didn’t understand.

You waited until you’d been to his for dinner one night, letting him load the dishwasher as you got comfortable on the sofa and once he was done he flopped down with his head in your lap as a content hum fell from his lips.

‘What’s gotten into you lately?’ You laughed, massaging his head slightly as he nestled into your lap even further but the action just made you laugh until he was rolling onto his back and looking up at you with a smile that made his eyes crease.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well I know I said I wanted the old Mason back but this is something else’ you winked and you could see his cheeks flush as you called him out for his actions.

‘Well I want you to like me’ he shrugged, sitting up and taking your hand in his and even though he was shy you kept pressing him in hope of some answers.

‘You’re my best friend Mason, of course I like you’

‘What if I more than like you?’ He whispered, so quietly you thought you hadn’t heard it but when your eyes met his you knew he’d said what you thought he had.

‘I don’t understand’

‘I don’t either really’ he laughed, sitting up taller so he could face you and you felt your heart race at what he might be saying. ‘All I know is that things have changed for me and I feel like I need you to know how I feel. It’s fine if you don’t feel it too but I’ve just been feeling these things for you for a few weeks and you’re the person I tell everything to so I feel like I’ve got to tell you now’

‘What things are you feeling?’ You asked. Wondering if you’d maybe got the wrong end of the stick but his next sentence took the breath out of your lungs.

‘Im feeling like I wanna kiss you’ he whispered, barely able to hear him but you knew what he’d said.

What?

You couldn’t speak, and by the looks of it Mason knew he had to keep speaking so you let him squeeze you hand as he word vomited everything he’d been holding in.

‘I just keep having these moments with you, like time stops and I’m in this trance and all I can focus on you and wanting you in a way I’ve never done before. Remember when we did that puzzle? You put that last piece in and you were just so happy like I swear to god all I wanted to was kiss your face off’ he laughed but you couldn’t believe what he was saying. Not sure how to react as no one had ever said anything like this to you let alone your best friend.

‘Mase I- I don’t think I-‘

‘It’s okay’ he smiled. ‘I said it’s fine if you don’t’ he smiled and even though him saying it made you feel better, you could tell he was a little embarrassed. Wondering if you should make a joke to ease the tension and as he looked away you began to speak without even thinking.

‘I know you said you weren’t in the mood for girls but you must be really desperate if you’re thinking about kissing me’ you laughed, trying to ease the tension slightly but he just smiled at you and shrugged.

‘I wouldn't go that far. But it’s honestly fine, we’ve been spending a lot of time together and I’ve probably got all mixed up. I’m sure it’s just a phase and it’ll pass’ he laughed. ‘Just forget it, it’s fine and I don’t want things to be weird’

But how could you forget?

No one in your entire existence had ever admitted having feelings for you. It was something you never thought would happen yet here was your best friend telling you he felt like he wanted to kiss you.

It was like a switch had suddenly gone off in your brain, over the coming weeks finding yourself daydreaming about kissing him too and what it might be like to be his girl. Thinking about how his hand would feel clasped in your own, his fingers linked in between yours or just how his touch would feel anywhere and everywhere on your body.

You shook yourself out of it at first, like you were waking yourself up from a nightmare and you couldn’t comprehend how your brain had conjured up such a strange image but as the days went on you basked in it. Giggling as you dreamed about all the things you could do together and how happy you could be.

The pair of you had always been platonic, and whilst lately the lines maybe had become a bit blurred as he became touchier with you with the added time you spent together, your thoughts about him lately were anything but platonic.

Everytime you shut your eyes all you could see was his soft smile and the way his eyes creased at the sides so adorably. The dimple on his cheek made your heart race and all you could think about was taking him up on his offer and planting your lips on his. It wasn’t just his smile though, it was everything. His chocolate chip eyes you wanted to drown in, his smell that made you feel like home and his arms that made you feel safer than anything else.

Everything seemed to be hitting you like a truck and you felt ridiculous. Waiting for his name to pop up on your phone constantly and the butterflies only intensified with each new message. Finding yourself sat giggling in anticipation of what he was going to say next and going to bed with a huge smile on your face every night.

You never meant to fall for him, much like he probably never meant to fall for you, but it had happened and you didn’t know what to do with yourself. Feeling like a schoolgirl with your first crush and the fact you knew it was reciprocated somewhat excited you and filled you with dread at the same time.

The more you thought about him, the sillier you started to feel. He never offered to be your boyfriend, never said anything about dates or anything extra. He’d said he wanted to kiss you, and that was it.

The words just a phase rang through your ears constantly and as the days went by you realised you didn’t want to be just a phase to him. Disappointment flooding you at him trying his best to curb his feelings whilst yours only grew for him.

You’d noticed he’d pulled back from you a little bit, trying his hardest not to talk to you every minute of the day but you didn’t let him ignore you for too long. Now you were in your feels all you could think about was him and when you might next get to see him. Not wanting to look too eager and alert him to the fact anything had changed but when he text you one evening you felt your excitement levels rise.

You decided to wear one of the dresses he’d picked out for you for your holiday and gave yourself enough time to do your makeup nicely and straighten your hair. You didn't know why you wanted to, or maybe you did, but it was the first night out where he wasn’t trying to set you up with one of his friends and you felt more relaxed about it. That was until he text you that he was on his way and you felt like throwing up.

It's like the words were stuck in his throat as soon as he saw you, frozen to the spot as you locked your door behind you and you could see him visibly gulp as he tried to shake it off and say hello to you properly.

It was one of the weirdest nights out you’d ever been on, the pair of you turning up together and he led you to your section by your hand. Once he’d found you both seats next to each other he was off to the bar to get you a drink with his eyes not leaving you for me more a few moments before he was back with you.

Things only got weirder though as he paid no attention to any of the girls looking his way, not even engaging in conversation with most of the girls the boys would introduce to him and when you tried to question him about it he just shrugged and said he wasn’t in the mood.

‘Hey y/n, have you met Ethan?’ Woody asked as he nodded someone over. A tall guy with dark hair and bright blue eyes making his way over to you and you rolled your eyes at his clear attempt to set you up with another one of his friends after you’d told him to stop but the feeling of Mason dropping your hand from under the table that made you turn away to look back at him.

He didn’t say anything, just gave you what looked like a sad smile before you had to turn back to say hello to Ethan. Woody banging on about how he came from Portsmouth just like you and Mason and how they’d gone to primary school together but now Ethan was in the Navy hence why you’d never seen him but he was back for a little while to visit.

You didn’t know what possessed you to do it, but you felt weird now Mason's hand wasn’t in yours. Looking down to see it was resting on his thigh so as carefully and as sneakily as you could you laced your fingers back through his and squeezed it gently. Not acknowledging him in any way but you could see his head snap up to look at you from the corner of your eye before his other hand fell over your clasped ones. Fiddling with your rings as the others spoke and you tried not to smile at how adorable he was being.

All the thoughts you’d had about having more with Mason that week, he was making a reality tonight. Giving you glimpses of what it might be like to to be his and how he might treat you but you were still so unsure as to what he wanted as he told you he was just a phase he was getting over so you played dumb for little.

‘You wanna dance?’ You asked him, tugging on his hand gently but he just scrunched his face up slightly.

‘I’m good, you go I’ll watch you’ he smiled and whilst the thought of him watching you dance thrilled you a little bit, you also could tell he wasn’t on his a game and looked like he didn’t even want to be there at all anymore.

‘Are you okay? You don’t seem as into it as usual’

‘I’m fine’ he shrugged ‘Dunno just not in the mood to be around loads of people i guess’

‘We can leave if you want? I mean it’s way past my bedtime anyway’

‘We can, but I’ve got one condition’ he told you with a smile, leaning closer so he could talk right in your ear and you felt every hair in your body stand to attention.

‘What’s that?’

‘Come stay at mine?’ He whispered and his offer made you freeze. ‘I’ll make you breakfast in the morning’

‘Okay’ you whispered, letting him take your hand and lead you out but you were surprised he didn’t want to say goodbye to anyone first. Only giving Woody a quick wave who gave the pair of you a look you couldn't quite make out before you were jumping in a cab back to his.

Part of you was happy he wanted to get home earlier than usual, it had been a long week and once you were changed into an oversized T-shirt of his you got settled on your side of his bed. Hazily watching him slip under the covers in just a pair of boxers as you tried to hide a smile and thankfully he didn’t catch it.

‘Go to sleep love, you look exhausted’ he laughed, tucking the duvet around you a little more tightly. ‘I’ve just got a few emails to look through okay but I’ll be quite’

‘That’s fine, Night Mase’

‘Night love’ he whispered and you turned onto your side away from him so you could get comfy and hopefully drift off soon.

Your whole body felt like a dead weight, your eyes feeling like they’d been stuck together with glue but your mind wouldn’t shut off and you knew you would be thinking about Mason and replaying most of the night you’d just spent together. Remembering the way he held your hand, held your waist and spoke directly into your ear like you were his made your spine tingle. But the memories were soon becoming warped and disfigured as your brain became tired and you eventually let the sleep take you.

You hadn't been asleep long, but the feeling of Mason's arm sliding around your waist as he cuddled up to you woke you slightly. Not enough to wake you up fully and the warmth of his body pressed against yours was already sending you back to sleep so you just went with it and let him hold you. Revelling in the soft kisses he was pressing to your shoulder as you tried not to smile but you definitely weren't ready for what was about to happen next.

‘What am I gonna do with you, eh?’ He whispered, only just loud enough for you to hear but you knew you shouldn’t be. He obviously thought you were still asleep and couldn’t hear him so you stayed as still as you could and kept your breathing steady in hopes he’d carry on. ‘I’d do absolutely anything for you, you know that? And I’m really trying to get over you but you make it so difficult’

I don’t want you to get over me was the first thought in your head but you didn’t vocalise it. You wanted him to keep talking, to see what else he could admit to your semi unconscious state and luckily enough for you he kept going.

‘I know I said it was just a phase but I’m not so sure it is now. You’re the only person who knows the real me and wants what’s best for me. I can’t get you out of my head’

You waited for more, but it never came. Soon enough his soft snores filled the room and you knew he was asleep but his admissions were enough for you. You knew how he felt, and you were pretty sure you felt the same now but you weren’t sure if you had the balls to do anything about it right now so you followed his lead and shut your eyes so you could let the sleep take you again.

Mason was still asleep when you awoke. The pair of you facing each other as you’d turned in your sleep and you used the time he was asleep just to look at him. His pouty lips and pink cheeks made your tummy flutter and after what you’d heard last night all you could think about is what to say to him this morning.

He didn’t give you too much longer to think about it though and you felt your heart thump as he stirred awake. His eyes opening softly as they latched onto yours but his expression remained unchanged asides from a small smile. Just looking back at you as you did the same to him and a sense of peace washed over you.

The pair of you were both on the edge of your own respective pillows, as close as you could be without touching one another but the moment felt intimate and you could see the love in his eyes for you as you watched each other bathed in the early morning sun. The light bringing out the golden tones in his hair and the honey hues in his eyes, it hitting you right there that your best friend was probably the most gorgeous boy you’d ever laid eyes on.

You both didn’t move for a while. Content with just looking at the person in front of you and thinking how thankful you were that you got a chance to wake up next to them and you knew this was only ending one way. You were nervous to say the least, but after everything you’d heard last night you were pretty sure you were on the same page and he’d welcome what you were about to give him.

It was you that made the first move. Not even sure as to why you did it but you lent forward slowly, watching how his body mirrored your own as you kept going and both your eyes snapped away from one another. Focusing on the others lips now and just as your hand reached out to touch his chest for a bit of support, your lips finally locked and his hand cupped your jaw immediately.

It wasn’t a soft kiss like you thought it might be, Mason stole the breath from your lungs as soon as it hit him what was happening. Pushing himself forward so he could hover over you and control the kiss a bit more but you moved your hand to the back of his head so he wouldn’t part from you.

Your tummy was erupting with butterflies, your chest heaving as he slipped his tongue in your mouth and you couldn’t help but press yourself into him further. Letting him grip your thigh as he hitched it up his body and you were quite happy to get lost in him but it was Mason that pulled back. Kissing over your cheeks until you were giggling and when he eventually pulled back his smile made your heart melt.

He was quick to settle back down next to you. Pulling your body right up against his and keeping your thigh wrapped around his waist before you felt his hand on your lower back so he could tickle your skin lightly.

‘Sorry’ you whispered, suddenly feeling embarrassed about what you’d done but his gentle smile relaxed you.

‘Don’t be, I don’t mind’ he smiled. Pecking your lips again softly and you knew you were blushing. ‘You know I’ve been wanting to kiss for a while but I didn’t wanna push things too far’ he smiled ‘and it’s not that I don’t want to ever, but I don’t want you to regret anything right now’

‘I wouldn’t have’ you whispered, watching his face soften slightly but deep down you knew it was for the best. You still didn’t know what any of this meant and it was clearly obvious to Mason you were worried as he brushed some strands of hair out of your face and gave you a sympathetic smile.

‘What is it, love? What’s on your mind’

‘I just… I’m not sure, like what does all of this mean?’ You breathed. Watching his eyes light up as you finally spoke your mind. ‘Your my best friend Mason, I don’t want to lose you’

‘You won’t’

‘But I need to know what you want. Is it just a kiss? Like are we done now?’ You laughed, trying to keep it light as it was a pretty serious conversation but the smile on his face relaxed you.

‘No, I’m definitely not done with you’ he told you sincerely. ‘I get us being friends complicates things a little bit but I’m not the guy you think I am, not anymore at least anyway and definitely not when it comes to you’

‘I feel like I’m not enough for you’ you whispered, finally addressing the elephant in the room and you could tell your words had upset him a little bit. The frown on his face was adorable but you wanted him to know how you felt no matter how awful it sounded.

‘Don’t say that’ he huffed, kissing your jaw gently. ‘Tell me why so I can tell you it’s rubbish’

‘No because what if I can’t give you everything those other girls have?’ You laughed even though you were trying to be serious. ‘Like I don't wanna be a dick but you’ve always said you’d never be a one woman guy so what’s changed. What if your eyes wander somewhere else? What do I do then?’

You didn’t mean for it to come out so abruptly but Mason knew you never minced your words and didn’t take it too badly. He knew his past and he owned it but he also knew it was his feelings for you that had changed him and he was willing to say whatever he could to get you on board.

‘Remember the day we did the puzzle together, and I said I hadn’t slept with anyone in a while cause I wasn’t in the mood? Well that wasn’t the reason. I didn't know it then fully but I hadn’t because all I wanted was you and the thought of being with anyone else made me feel weird’ he told you. His fingers delicately tracing patterns on your back as he spoke and you knew you were hanging off his every word. ‘At first I thought it was because I missed us being together and I wanted to spend more time with you, but then I wanted to spend all my time with you. My eyes aren’t gonna wander okay? They haven’t in months and why would they when you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen’

‘You’re just saying that’ you whispered, not used to compliments like that coming from him and your instincts were to think he was lying but you could see in his eyes something had changed.

‘Don’t tell me what I think’ he teased, squeezing your sides gently. ‘I’ve always thought you were pretty, why do you think I could never understand that you were single?’

‘Mase I’ve never… I’ve never done any of this. You’re the first boy who’s ever admitted to feeling anything more than friendship with me. I don’t know what to do’

‘You don’t have to do anything, we don’t have to do anything okay? Nothing has to change. I just wanna hold you more, kiss you more maybe if that’s something you’d want’

‘I’ve never had sex’ you blurted and the confession made him chuckle. Clearly he knew this already but you just wanted him to be certain of what he was getting himself into.

‘That’s fine’ he whispered, pulling you in a little closer. ‘I know you’re scared, okay? This is different for me too. I’ve never had a proper girlfriend before, I mean I’ve dated girls and been exclusive with a couple but never got to the official stage. I’ve never wanted that from anyone but I want it from you. If that’s what you want’

‘I think I do, I’m just…’

‘What?’ He whispered, a look of love and reassurance on his face and you felt your eyes sting at how safe you felt with him.

‘I’m fucking terrified’ you laughed. ‘I know I’ve been trying to find someone but I never thought it would be you’

‘Well I didn’t think I’d fall for you either’ he winked before placing a soft kiss to your lips that made you melt into the sheets. ‘We don’t have to stick a big label on it or anything, we can just hang out like we have been and see what comes natural to us okay? And if it’s sex your worried about then I don’t care about waiting’

‘I don’t wanna be bad for you’

‘You won’t be, not when you’ve got me for a teacher anyway’ he joked and you rolled your eyes before his face got serious. ‘I know you’re scared but you know you can trust me don't you? I wanna be the one to show you, to make you feel good. I wanna be the one you trust to show you how good it can be’ he whispered and you felt your skin tingle all over at his words. ‘But we’ll wait until you’re ready cause there’s a million things we need to do before we get there’

‘So I’m not just a phase then?’

‘Not at all’ he laughed, ‘and I never thought you were. I could just tell you didn’t feel the same when I told you how I felt and I was trying to make you feel better’ He’d explained. ‘I couldn't go three weeks without you, gorgeous. And I knew I’d fucked up the next day but I was too much of a dick to do anything about it until I couldn’t cope without you anymore’

‘So.. you’re looking for a relationship then?’ You asked, wanting everything out on the table so you could both be certain about what was going on and you watched his face soften at you as he bit his lip nervously.

‘I wasn’t, you know I’ve never cared about that stuff but you’ve made me care. I want to do all that stuff with you. I’m done messing people around okay I just want you’

‘I want you too’ you whispered, finally admitting it out loud and you felt the weight of the world lift off of you.

‘Yeah? I thought you didn’t’

‘So did I, but ever since you told me how you felt I haven’t been able to stop thinking about us. Its like you tapped into this weird part of my brain that thinks about you in ways I never have before’

‘You’ve finally fallen victim to my mind control’ he teased and you only had a second to smile before his lips were on yours again. Hot and heavy as you wrapped yourselves around each other and you realised kissing Mason was better than you ever imagined. You just hoped you could somehow make him feel the same one day but when Mason pulled back and rested his forehead on yours, his eyes told you all you needed to know.

‘So if you’ve never had sex and never had a boyfriend, was that your first kiss?’ He asked quizzically, a spark of hope in his eyes that he could kiss you like no one else had but unfortunately you had to burst his bubble just a tiny bit.

‘You’d think it would be but no it wasn’t’ you giggled and he looked at you in deep confusion. ‘You remember Scott from school? Scott Grey?’ You asked and he nodded his head in confusion. ‘Well technically he was my first kiss’

‘You what?’

‘Oh yeah’ you laughed, laying on your back as he pushed you back slightly and you could see the jealousy written all over his face. 'He took me round the back of the science building after school once to show me his new tamagotchi. Asked if I’d liked to be its mum before planting one on me and then never spoke to me again’

‘Why didn’t you tell me? I would have kicked his dick off’ he told you, brows pinched as you could tell how annoyed he was with him but you were quick to hold his face and kiss his nose.

‘First of all, no you wouldn’t have. He was twice your size and his dad was on the school board so you could have been kicked out. And secondly I never told you cause you’ve never asked’

‘I’ve been pretty rubbish haven’t I’ he huffed, it suddenly hitting him that he simultaneously knew everything about you but also nothing at all but the way you stroked his cheek let him know everything was okay.

‘If it makes you feel any better, you were my first proper kiss. I’ve never kissed anyone like that before’

‘That does make me feel better’ he chuckled. Getting himself settled next to you again before he pulled you into his chest. ‘What about dates?’

‘I’ve been on a couple’

‘When was the last one?’

‘Like two months ago? A few days after we had our big argument’

‘What?’ He laughed, tickling your sides until you giggled but you fought him off eventually.

‘After I called you a dick and left the club that night, Olivia took me to a party at some guys from works house. I got talking to one of his friends and we went out on a date a few days after but it was actually me that wasn’t feeling it and I told him I didn't see things going anywhere’

‘What was wrong with him?’ He asked quietly but that was the issue. There was nothing wrong with him at all.

‘Just didn’t feel what I thought I should have felt you know?’ You whispered and you saw Mason nod gently with a smile on his lips. ‘I know I’ve never been in that situation or felt those things before but I told myself when I did eventually find someone I wouldn’t settle for just anyone. I want fireworks and warmth and all those things you read about’

‘Do you feel it now?’ He whispered, his eyes searching your face erratically almost as if he was scared of your answer but little did he know he had no reason to be.

‘I do, yeah’

The relieved breath that fell from Mason's lips made you smile wider than you had in a while. His own face mirroring yours just as he planted another heavy kiss on your lips before trailing his kissed down your jaw and neck and you knew you had to try and distract him before you both ended up in a compromised position.

‘Mason?’ You gasped, hearing him chuckle against your skin and even though he stopped his attack with his lips you felt him nestle into you with a content hum that made you pull him in closer.

‘Yes love?’ He spoke against your neck, the vibrations travelling over every inch of your skin and you had to hold in your gasp at the feel of it.

‘You promised me breakfast’ you whispered and that was all it took for him to pull up and look at you with his usual cheeky smile.

‘I did, didn't I’ he laughed. Gently brushing a few strands of hair out of your face. ‘How do pancakes sound?’

‘It sounds like you want me to make breakfast’ you pouted, watching him nod at you enthusiastically before he was trying his hardest to pull you away from the warmth and safety of the duvet.

‘I love how you get me. Come on, I’ll assist you’ he confirmed and you didn’t have it in you to argue. Letting him pull you up so you could stand in front of him and when you felt his hands dangerously low on your back you smiled up at him cheekily. ‘Thank you for giving me a shot, I know I don’t deserve one’

‘You better make it worth my while then, Mount’ you teased but no more words needed to be said. You could see it in his eyes he was ready to make things as good for the pair of you as he could so you let him lead you downstairs by the hand to start the next part of your journey together.

Well done if you made it 🤭 thank you so so much for reading and I’d love some feedback if you fancy it 😘 xxx

[89pedri]

Leaves in the River | Mason Mount

Pairing: Mason Mount x Reader

Summary: Mason meets a girl on Halloween. She was drunk and he was lost.

Warnings: None? Alcohol?

Word count: 4.7k+

Note: Hi everyone, it's been over a year, I think, since I last posted something here. I'm still out here reading and liking fics, so I thought I'd post this!

Hope you like it!!!

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                                            ‧₊ *:･ﾟ彡       ◌                 ☽︎       ◌

            ◌                                 ✩彡 ･ﾟ *:                                     

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It was a chilly Halloween night, with the wind whistling through the streets and carrying the crisp scent of fallen leaves. Inside an old mansion on the outskirts of Manchester, dim candle light flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The grand, creaky rooms were filled with the chatter of unfamiliar faces, their costumes ranging from the elaborate to the absurd. Music thumped through the wooden floors, and costumed revelers were lost in a sea of laughter and dancing.

But Mason, still recovering from a series of injuries, felt strangely detached from it all. At a party he didn’t really want to attend, his teammates had insisted he come along, hoping to lift his spirits. They had been buoyant and energetic at first, eager to immerse themselves in the festivities, but as the night wore on, Mason found himself drifting away from them. Despite their good intentions, he felt more isolated than ever.

While everyone mingled and danced, their laughter and easy conversations seemed to belong to a world that was just out of his reach. Mason had retreated to a quiet corner of the room, nursing a drink as he watched the scene unfold around him. The contrast between their vibrant enjoyment and his own muted existence was jarring. He felt like an outsider, a ghost drifting among the living, disconnected from the energy and warmth that surrounded him.

In all honesty, he was profoundly sad, unable to escape the weight of his unfulfilled potential. Despite his high-profile transfer, his injuries had kept him from truly proving his worth on the field. Each missed match and postponed comeback only deepened his frustration. What he had envisioned as a triumphant return to the top seemed increasingly out of reach. Instead, he found himself sidelined, grappling with feelings of inadequacy and the fear that his time to shine might slip away.

In the midst of his spiraling thoughts, his gaze inadvertently fell upon her.

She stood near the back door, her angel costume strikingly detailed. Her white wings, delicate and meticulously crafted with sparkles, seemed to catch every glimmer of the low light, casting a soft glow. Her flowing dress, made of gauzy fabric, draped around her, creating a shimmering effect as she swayed to the music. Her dark hair fell in loose, damp waves around her shoulders.

Mason had noticed her from the corner of his eye earlier in the evening. At first, she had been a quiet, almost unnoticed presence among the more boisterous guests. As the night wore on, though, she had gradually come into focus. He saw her exchanging friendly nods and small, genuine smiles with those around her, her interactions marked by a warmth that contrasted sharply with the chaotic energy of the party.

Her demeanor was calm and poised, as if she was naturally attuned to the subtle rhythms of social grace. Despite the lively crowd, she seemed to float through the room with an effortless ease. Her presence an oasis of serenity that Mason envied.

In stark contrast, he felt like a mere caricature in his hastily assembled devil costume. The red horns were crooked, and the tail hung limply, clearly a last-minute addition rather than a deliberate choice. 

He wanted to break free from the shadows and join her in the light. Mason's longing to connect with her was intertwined with his deeper yearning for escape from the burdens that plagued him. He wanted to share in the grace she embodied, but he was caught in his own tumultuous reality, unable to bridge the chasm that separated their worlds.

He took a deep swig of his drink, the warmth of the alcohol offering a fleeting sense of courage. Gathering his resolve, he pushed through the sea of revelers and approached her cautiously, each step heavy with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. When he was close enough, he cleared his throat, trying to sound casual.

 “Hey,” he said, aiming for a nonchalant tone. “You okay?”

She looked up, momentarily surprised to see him. Her deep, soulful brown eyes revealed a trace of sadness he hadn’t noticed before, but she greeted him with a cheeky smile. 

“Yeah,” she replied softly, her voice laced with playful mischief. “I’m just not really feeling the vibe tonight. It’s funny, though—feels like a devil’s been watching me all night. I guess I’m just not in the mood for the attention.” Her gaze lingered on him, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Mason couldn’t help but smile at her playful comment. “Well, I promise not to be too devilish. How about I get you another drink first? Maybe something strong enough to fend off any lingering devils.” He gestured towards the drinks table, his tone light and inviting. “Then, if you’re up for it, we can get out of here for a bit. A walk might be just what we both need.”

Her eyes brightened at the offer, and she gave him a warm, grateful smile. “That sounds perfect. I’d love a drink. Thanks.” She glanced towards the drinks table, then back at him, curiosity evident as she awaited his return.

Mason nodded and headed to the drinks table, grabbing two shot glasses filled with vodka. He returned to her, offering one of the shots with a smile. “Here you go,” he said. “A little liquid courage before we head out.”

She accepted the glass and, with a playful glint in her eye, raised it in a toast. “To escaping the chaos,” she said, her voice light but sincere.

Mason clinked his glass against hers. “To a change of scenery,” he replied, and they both took their shots simultaneously.

Without missing a beat, she tilted the glass to her lips and downed the liquor in one swift motion. The strong, burning sensation seemed to clear her head, and she let out a small, satisfied breath as she set the empty glass down.

“Much better,” she said with a hint of relief in her voice.

Mason followed suit, feeling the warmth of the vodka spread through him. “Glad you think so. Ready for that walk?” he asked, gesturing toward the door.

As they stepped out of the mansion into the cool night air, Mason noticed her shivering slightly, her costume offering little protection against the chill. Without hesitation, he removed his jacket and held it out to her.

 “Here,” he said, his voice warm against the night. “You look like you could use this.”

She looked at the jacket, then up at him with a grateful smile. “Thank you,” she said softly, accepting the garment. She slipped it around her shoulders with a sigh of relief. The jacket, slightly too big for her, enveloped her in its warmth, the fabric soft and comforting against the evening’s cold.

With the jacket now draped over her, they began to walk down the empty streets. The dim street lights cast long, eerie shadows on the wet pavement, and the quiet was a stark contrast to the noisy party they had left behind. The crisp night air felt refreshing, and the occasional rustle of leaves underfoot added a gentle rhythm to their steps. The transition from the raucous indoor atmosphere to the serene garden path was a welcome change, and the soft crunch of leaves beneath their feet provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation as they walked side by side.

The rain began almost immediately, starting as a gentle drizzle that caressed their skin and soon growing into a steady shower. Mason glanced over at her, intrigued by how she seemed to blend effortlessly with the night, moving with a fluid grace as if the rain and deserted streets were part of her natural element. Her presence felt both refreshing and enigmatic. The steady shower created a quiet cocoon around them, offering a brief respite from his struggles.

Mason looked at her with a playful smile. “As much as I'd love to call you my angel,” he said with a chuckle, “I’d really like to know your real name.”

Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and she offered a warm, inviting smile. “It’s Y/N,” she replied.

“Well, Y/N,” Mason continued, trying to keep the conversation light, “what brings you to this part of town on Halloween?”

She paused, her gaze momentarily flicking to him before drifting away, as if searching for the right words. “My friend works for Man U,” she began, her voice soft and thoughtful. “She’s a PR assistant and dragged me along tonight because she thought it would be fun. I didn’t really want to come, but she insisted. Said it would be good for me to get out. Plus,” she added with a grin, gesturing to her costume, “it gave me an excuse to finally wear this. It’s been collecting dust in my closet for a while, waiting for the right occasion.”

Mason felt a flush of warmth mixed with a tinge of embarrassment at the mention of his new team, unsure if she had recognized him. “So,” he began, striving for a casual tone, “do you follow football at all, are you familiar with the team?” His curiosity got the better of him.

Her eyes sparkled as she met his gaze. “Oh, I definitely know who you are, Mason, if that’s what you’re asking,” she replied with a warm, teasing tone. “I recognized you and your friends the moment you walked in. My old friend was a huge fan of Chelsea—we used to watch your matches together all the time. I figured it was better to keep it cool around you, though.”

Mason chuckled, finding her candor refreshing. “And how’s that ‘cool’ act working out for you?” he asked with a teasing grin, feeling a rare sense of ease as their conversation flowed.

Y/N laughed, her laughter mingling with the rhythmic patter of the rain. “Not too badly, I’d say. Although,” she added with a playful smirk, “I must say it’s quite hard to stay cool when the devil is walking beside me.” 

Mason smiled. “Well, I’d hate to think I’m ruining your ‘cool’ vibe,” he said, his tone playful. “But if it helps, I promise I’m actually pretty cool and down-to-earth once you get to know me.”

He glanced sideways at her, his expression softening. “Besides,” he added with a hint of sincerity, “it’s nice to have a break from the usual football talk. It’s refreshing to just be… well, me, for a change.”

They continued walking, the rain soaking through their clothes, but neither seemed to mind. The slick, soft leaves beneath their feet created a gentle, almost soothing sound as they moved. Aside from the steady rhythm of the rain, the only other sound was the rustling of foliage, adding to the serene atmosphere. Mason felt an unusual sense of tranquility, as if the weight of his worries had momentarily lifted. He glanced at Y/N, growing more intrigued by her presence by the minute.

“Well, since you know what I do,” Mason said with a grin, “it’s only fair you share what you’re up to.”

Y/N continued with a hint of excitement. “I’ve been freelancing in PR, primarily for healthcare and sports clinics lately. I’m also currently studying for my Master’s in Marketing, focusing on how to build and enhance brand identities. This visit to Manchester is, well, a chance to rediscover the city and see if it could be the right place for me. I’m hoping to find a role where I can blend my PR skills with marketing work.”

Mason’s gaze lingered on her, clearly impressed. “So, pretty and smart.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming on her lips. “How often do you use that line?”

“Only when I’m talking to pretty and smart girls,” Mason replied with a playful grin.

Mason’s curiosity about Y/N’s ambitions grew. “Do you think you’d want to work in football, like your friend, eventually?” he asked, genuinely interested.

Y/N considered the question for a moment, her eyes catching the soft glow of the streetlights. “I hadn’t really thought about it seriously,” she admitted. “I’ve always had a passion for sports, and working in sports PR does sound intriguing. However, I’m more focused on helping organizations craft their public image in impactful ways. Still, if a compelling opportunity in sports came along, I wouldn’t completely rule it out.”

Mason nodded thoughtfully, taking in her words. “It sounds like you’re open to possibilities, which is a great mindset to have. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from unexpected places. Plus, having a passion for what you do makes all the difference.”

Y/N smiled, her expression thoughtful and appreciative. “Thanks, Mason. I guess we’ll see where my journey takes me. For now, I’m enjoying the chance to explore Manchester and see what the future holds. And, who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll find myself working on campaigns for someone like you.”

Mason threw his head back in laughter, the sound genuine and warm. “I’d be lucky to have someone as talented as you working on my brand,” he said with a grin.

He paused, his expression turning serious but sincere. “You know, if you’re really considering a move up North, I could put in a good word for you. I know people in Manchester, a little nudge from someone in the industry might be just what you need.”

Y/N’s eyes widened slightly, touched by the offer. “That’s incredibly kind of you, Mason. I really appreciate it.”

Mason gave her a reassuring smile. “Of course. Sometimes, a bit of support can make all the difference.”

They walked in companionable silence, the steady rhythm of the rain creating a soothing backdrop. Y/N eventually slowed her pace, her gaze shifting as she took in her surroundings, her expression thoughtful. After a moment, she pointed to a small, unassuming brick house a little further down the street. “I grew up there,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. “I haven’t been back in years.”

Mason glanced at the house. It stood quietly, the darkness of the night making its features almost indistinguishable. The windows were dark and empty, and the front yard, strewn with fallen leaves. Despite its wear, there was a subtle warmth to it, a sense of memories lingering in the chilly night air.

Mason noticed the wistful look on Y/N’s face and felt a surge of empathy. “Do you want to stop for a bit? Maybe stand by the porch before the new owners notice?” he asked gently, his tone reflecting his understanding of the significance of the moment.

She nodded, her eyes lingering on the house as if trying to piece together fragments of her past. They paused on the sidewalk, the rain continuing to fall softly around them. Mason stood beside her, offering her the space to take in the familiar yet distant sight, allowing the moment to be hers.

Y/N led him to the front steps, then took a seat on the pavement, patting the space beside her in a silent invitation. Mason, understanding her unspoken offer, settled down next to her. They sat together in the rain, the steady downpour creating a private, intimate cocoon around them. The coolness of the night contrasted with the warmth of their shared presence, as they both took solace in the quiet moment.

Mason noticed a handprint in the cement of the stairs leading to the door beside where he was sitting, weathered and faded with time. Y/N spotted it at the same moment and leaned forward to trace it with her fingers, her touch light and contemplative. As she moved closer, their proximity became more apparent, and she suddenly seemed aware of the compromising position they were in. With a soft, almost shy smile, she pulled back slightly, her cheeks flushing from both the rain and the closeness they had unexpectedly shared.

“This is where I used to live until I went off to university,” she said quietly, her voice nearly drowned out by the rain. “My parents moved back to their home country a few years ago and sold the house. I haven’t been back since. This place holds so many memories.”

She hesitated, grappling with the vulnerability of their newfound closeness. “Remember the old friend I mentioned, the one who used to watch your games with me?” Mason nodded. “He was my ex,” she continued, her voice wavering. “He was—still is—a huge Chelsea fan. We spent so much time here during high school. We were young, I thought we’d be together forever but at a certain point it became obvious it wouldn’t work out between us. We stayed in that relationship far too long, but It’s strange, really. I’m over him but being here, I guess it brings back all these memories. It’s odd to see how much has changed.”

Y/N looked down, her expression clouded with a mix of nostalgia and sadness. “Coming back here makes me realize how much has shifted in my life. It’s like I’m caught between who I thought I’d become and where I actually am. I was so full of dreams back then, but now it feels like things are less figured out than I’d hoped. It’s a reminder of how much can change, and how you can end up somewhere you never expected, I guess.”

Mason listened intently, his own sense of vulnerability rising to the surface. The rain mingled with his thoughts as he took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. “I get that,” he said, his tone thoughtful. “I’ve been dealing with similar feelings, sort of. My injuries and missed games have left me feeling adrift, as if my dreams and reality are worlds apart. I envisioned this triumphant return, a chance to prove myself and silence the critics. But with every setback, that vision seems to slip further away. It’s like I’m stuck between who I was and who I want to become, and finding that balance has been incredibly challenging.”

He paused, searching for the right words. “Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get back to where I was or if I need to chart a new path altogether. It’s hard to come to terms with feeling disconnected from what once defined you.”

Y/N looked at him with a warm, encouraging smile. “You know,” she said softly, before settling her hand on his knee, “it’s really admirable how you’re facing all of this. I believe in you and I’m confident that your comeback will be amazing. I suppose that sometimes, we have to go through these tough times before we can truly appreciate the good times.”

Mason’s lips curled into a half-smile, comforted by her words. Her eyes were filled with genuine sincerity as she continued, “Even if things seem out of reach right now, remember there are people who believe in you and are rooting for your success.”

He paused, letting her words settle in. “Thank you, Y/N,” he said sincerely. “Hearing that means more than I can say, especially right now. It’s so easy to get lost in setbacks and forget why I’m here.”

He glanced around at the rain-soaked streets, then turned his gaze back to her. “Coming back to familiar places can bring up old memories, but it also offers a chance to see how far we’ve come. It’s like reconnecting with the past while looking forward to the future.”

Y/N chuckled, raising an eyebrow playfully. “Quite the philosopher are you?” she teased, letting his words resonate.

Mason gave her a playful smirk. “And quite the conversationalist yourself. Do you normally open up so much to someone you’ve just met, or is it the rain that’s making us more candid than usual?”

Y/N glanced up, a gentle blush rising to her cheeks as she looked away, nervously adjusting the hem of his damp jacket. “I don’t usually open up like this, especially to someone I’ve just met,” she admitted, her voice soft. “I suppose the drinks have loosened my tongue quite a bit more than I intended.”

Mason’s gaze softened, and he smiled warmly. “Don’t be shy. I find it quite endearing,” he said gently. 

She met his gaze, her eyes reflecting a mix of apology and vulnerability. “I guess tonight’s been a bit more revealing than I planned,” she said, her voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to unload all of this on you.”

Mason’s smile was warm and understanding as he responded with a gentle chuckle. “It’s okay,” he reassured her. “Sometimes, talking to someone you don’t know well— yet,” he added carefully— “can make it easier to share. And as much as I’ve enjoyed hearing about your past… if you end up spending more time here and need someone to help you make new memories in Manchester—or just to distract you from the old ones—I’m around.”

Y/N’s laughter was soft, her blush deepening but her demeanor relaxing as she looked at him with newfound ease. Her hand slipped into Mason’s, her fingers cold against his skin, but the touch was reassuring, grounding them both.

“Come on,” she said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s getting late. Would you walk me back to my friend’s flat?”

Mason smiled warmly and nodded. “Absolutely.”

Before they stood up, Y/N leaned in close, her breath warm against Mason’s ear. “And hey,” she whispered with a playful tone, “I promise you a kiss as soon as we get there.”

Mason’s heart skipped a beat at her words, and he chuckled softly. “I’m looking forward to it,” he replied, squeezing her hand gently as they rose to their feet.

As they wandered through the quiet, rain-soaked streets, Mason found himself increasingly captivated by Y/N. Her lightheartedness and playful energy were a welcome change from the weight of his recent struggles. Despite her costume clinging damply to her frame, she seemed utterly carefree, her spirit untainted by the rain. Mason laughed more freely than he had in weeks, their conversation flowing effortlessly.

Suddenly, Y/N let go of his hand and darted ahead, twirling around with a joyous grin. Her laughter echoed through the empty streets, and Mason felt a warmth spread through him. Her exuberance was contagious, lifting him out of his own concerns.

“Hurry up, slowpoke!” she called over her shoulder, her voice vibrant with challenge.

Mason quickened his pace, his grin widening. “Why should I hurry?” he teased.

Y/N’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Because if you don’t, I might just have to reconsider that kiss I promised.”

Determined not to miss out, Mason quickened his pace, closing the distance between them. As he reached Y/N, he wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands resting lightly against the small of her back and pulling her close. He buried his face in her damp hair for a moment, breathing in her scent, feeling the warmth of her body even through the soaked fabric.

As they stood there, Mason looked down at Y/N with a contented smile. His arms still encircled her waist, holding her close despite the chill of the rain. He took a deep breath, savoring the closeness and the warmth she radiated. “You know,” he said softly, his voice carrying a blend of amusement and affection, “I know you promised me a kiss when we got there, but this moment feels pretty perfect too.”

Y/N looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a mix of surprise and delight. “Oh, really?” she teased, her lips curling into a playful smile.

Mason nodded, his gaze steady and earnest. “Yeah, I think this moment is as good as any other.”

Before she could reply, Mason gently tilted her chin up with a tender touch. His fingers lingered for a moment, brushing against her skin with warmth and reverence. Their eyes locked, and for a suspended instant, the world seemed to pause. The steady rain created a soft, rhythmic backdrop that blurred their surroundings, making their shared space feel intimate and isolated.

Mason leaned in slowly, his breath mingling with hers as the distance between them closed. The cool droplets of rain kissed their faces, but it was the warmth of their connection that captured their full attention. When their lips finally met, the kiss was tender and deliberate, a gentle exploration that deepened as they became more attuned to each other. It was both soothing and electrifying, a beautiful contrast to the chill of the rain that clung to their clothes.

Y/N looked up at Mason, her smile still glowing from their shared kiss. “Let’s keep walking,” she said softly, slipping her hand back into his.

Mason nodded with a warm smile. “Okay,” he replied, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

As they continued their stroll toward the flat, Y/N glanced over at Mason, a playful smile on her lips. “Tonight’s been quite the adventure,” she said, her tone light and cheerful. 

Mason chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with genuine amusement. “I know what you mean.”

As they arrive to the flat, their eyes exchanged more than words ever could, conveying a silent understanding and connection that spoke volumes.

“Before we part ways,” Mason said with a playful glint in his eye, pulling out his phone and opening the contacts app, “I’d like to make sure I can stay in touch with my favourite angel.”

He typed “Angel I Met on Halloween” into the contact name field with a coy smile and handed the phone to Y/N. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she took it from him, her smile widening.

“Alright,” she replied, her tone warm as she began typing her number into the phone. Her fingers moved gracefully across the screen, and she glanced up at him with a mix of curiosity and enjoyment.

Once she finished, she handed the phone back to Mason, who gave her a satisfied nod. “Perfect,” he said, saving the contact. “I wanted to make sure I could keep you updated on how my injury recovery is going,” he added with a hint of playfulness.

Y/N smiled softly. “Sounds good to me.”

“And if you’re up for it,” Mason continued with a shy smile, “maybe I could even arrange a spot for you in a box when I’m back on the pitch.”

Y/N’s eyes lit up. “That sounds like a plan.”

Mason nodded, his smile broadening. “Great. I’ll be sure to reach out.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

As Y/N turned toward the flat, Mason gently touched her arm, his expression a mix of anticipation and coyness.

“You know,” he said, his voice light and teasing, “you did promise me a kiss as soon as we got here, remember?”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. “Well, aren’t you the greedy one?” she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Mason’s grin widened, his gaze sincere. “I think it’s only fair,” he replied, his tone warm.

With a soft laugh, Y/N leaned in, her eyes meeting his with a playful glint. Their lips brushed in a brief but sweet kiss, leaving a lingering warmth. She pulled back, her smile soft and genuine.

“There you go,” she said, her voice filled with affectionate playfulness. “Until next time, Devil.”

“Goodnight, Y/N,” Mason called softly as she turned to head inside.

“Goodnight, Mason,” she replied over her shoulder, her voice carrying a hint of warmth.

Mason watched her enter the flat, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks.

 ◌                             ◌                                       ◌           

                                            ‧₊ *:･ﾟ彡       ◌                 ☽︎       ◌

            ◌                                 ✩彡 ･ﾟ *:                                     

                                ◌                                        ◌

Please give me your thoughts and request any ideas you have because I loveeee to write based on a concept!!!! :")

[oraltraditionfiction]

"I wanted to keep dating her" | MM7

Mason Mount x f! reader (fluff)

Summary: you and Mason have a disagreement about how to cut sandwiches

Word Count: 358 words

Authors Note: inspired by this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODATQFxkk9Y. I had a lot of fun with this one, please enjoy! -🦷

You were lying on the couch, tucked under a blanket scrolling through social media, when a video of Mason caught your eye. It appeared to be an official Premier League video reposted by a fan account. Clicking on the caption, you smile softly as you read, he is soooo adorable talking about his gf <3333. The video restarts and you pay attention to the question being asked: “How would you cut a sandwich?”

Mason blinks and pauses for a moment, “Well… personally, I don’t mind eating it whole. I’ve never really understand the controversy. My girlfriend has strong opinions though.”

He pauses with a laugh, eyes crinkling, “I remember when we first started dating, I made her a sandwich, and I watched her cut it into triangles before she ate it. I was so confused, and then she looked up at me and told me that sandwiches always need to be cut into triangles. I just agreed because I wanted to keep dating her, but now if I don’t cut her sandwich into triangles, it becomes a whole conversation about sandwich shapes.” 

You hold back a laugh before calling for him, “Mase!”

A few moments later he pokes his head in, mild confusion written on his face. An eyebrow furrowed, you hold yourself back from going to kiss his cheek. “What’s this about sandwich shapes, I hear?” you ask, humor in your voice. 

His face flushes slightly, “Babe, that was months ago.” He moves towards you, pulling you into his chest. You squirm slightly, holding back laughter. 

“I refuse to be dating a man who won’t admit that triangles are the best sandwich shape!” you say, your voice muffled by his sweatshirt. You feel his chest shake slightly as he holds back a laugh. 

“What difference does it make?! It’s all a sandwich,” he jokingly remarks. You raise your head looking at him with an exaggerated expression of sadness. 

“Alright, alright…” he concedes, “How about this, we can each ask our followers what they think and whoever wins is correct.”

Your face breaks into a smile, and he grins down at you, leaning in for a soft kiss. 

[msnmnt]

The Very First Night

Notes: Happy New Year’s Eve Eve!

I think this is my longest fic yet so I really hope you enjoy. Feedback is very much welcomed as always 🥰

Summary: On New Year's Eve, Mason’s car breaks down, leaving you both stranded in the middle of nowhere. With no choice but to find shelter till you can be rescued in the morning, you stumble upon a little B&B where you end up sharing a bed for the night. Lots of fluff as you navigate the uncertainty and awkwardness of unexpectedly being so close early on in your relationship. 🩶

You tried your best to keep your smile at bay as you looked out of the passenger window of Mason’s car. The soft sound of the radio played in the background, enjoying an otherwise comfortable silence as Mason navigated the winding country roads that looped around the lakes, guiding the two of you home.

Your fingers absent mindingly traced at the edge of the map you’d been following throughout the day, spending hours in quaint cafes, visiting quirky shops as you enjoyed some time together away from the non stop festivities.

The day had been nothing short of perfect - just the two of you away from everything with no real direction as you let the day unfold as it pleased.

After meeting at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, Mason had taken you on a few dates with each one topping the last, but you knew this one would be even tougher to beat.

The sun had began to dip beneath the horizon when a jarring sound suddenly interrupted the quiet of the car. A loud thump was followed by a scraping noise and Mason’s eyes darted to the mirror as the car veered slightly to one side.

“Shit," he muttered, slowing the car as he led it to the side of the road. "I think we’ve got a flat tyre.”

Your heart skipped in your chest as you turned to him, your voice light with worry. “Seriously?”

Mason let out a soft laugh in disbelief this was actually happening, running a hand through his hair. “Unfortunately I think so, angel.”

Your heart fluttered in your chest once more, this time at the nickname Mason had recently given you.

Mason managed to get the car into a lay by, parking it up as close to the side as possible. The evening was growing darker by the minute and all that was on Mason’s mind was how he could keep you as safe as possible.

“Wait here, I’ll go check what the damage is.” You watched on from the comfort of your heated seat as he scrunched up his brows, his tongue darting out as he inspected the tyre. After a few more moments of him shining the torch light from his phone to inspect the damage, Mason signalled it wasn't good news as he shook his head, his disappointed eyes meeting yours.

You unbuckled your seatbelt before stepping out of the car and joining Mason, straight away noticing the sharp nail that had somehow ended up impaling your transportation home.

You glanced around, tugging your bottom lip between you teeth as you thought about what you were doing to do. It was New Year’s Eve, you were quite literally in the middle of nowhere and the nearest town, or even a shop, felt miles away.

“What do we do now?” you asked, uncertainty creeping into your voice.

Mason walked around the car, inspecting the flat tyre again, He shook his head, his expression half-amused and half-annoyed. “Well, it's New Year's Eve so everyone’s probably at least half cut by now.” He signed. “And the wait for recovery is bound to be hours.”

You swallowed, trying to push down the nervousness that bubbled in your chest. "So… what, we’re just stuck here?"

Mason looked back at you with a soft smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he tried to comfort you, sensing your apprehension at being stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Mason took your hand in his and suddenly everything felt like it would be okay.

The quiet of the countryside was broken only by the distant rustle of wind through the trees and the occasional car driving by in the distance, too far to flag down to ask for any kind of help.

“We passed a bed and breakfast not long ago, it’s just back up the road.”

You nodded, thankful to have somewhere where the two of you could feel safer than the roadside till someone was sober enough to come to your rescue in the morning.

Mason tightly gripped your hand as he spun you around so he was walking closest to the road offer he led you back in the direction you had came from. Luckily after around just 10 minutes later, you arrived at the cozy, ivy-covered inn that Mason had spotted earlier. The B&B had an old-world charm, bright lights from the windows gleaming in the early evening gloom.

You let your body embrace the warm as soon as you walked in, leaving Mason to do all the explaining to the old woman behind the desk. Luckily she was sweet and accommodating, gushing at how cold and worried you must've been.

“You're in luck, we have one room left,” she explained, her voice raspy but kind. “It’s got a large bed, so you two should be fine."

Mason glanced across to you, his heart suddenly thudding harder than it had all day. Your eyes flicked up to his, equally unsure of what to say. You'd been on a few dates, but the pair of you had agreed to take things slow.

And sharing a bed?

That was new ground entirely.

“Is that okay?” Mason asked, trying to sound casual but failing a little as he snapped you from your thoughts.

You hesitated at first but quickly nodded when you realised, offering the lady a thankful smile. “I think we’ll manage."

The room was small but charming, a warm looking quilt covering the bed and lace curtains blowing gently in the cool breeze that came from the window which was slightly ajar.

The light from a single lamp cast a soft glow over the room, and you felt your nerves spike, unsure of how you were going to handle this unexpected first night together.

A self proclaimed control freak, a B&B in the middle of nowhere was not how you had invisioned your first night with Mason.

He put the few belongings he did have down onto the small wooden desk, consisting of a phone charger and a small toiletries bag that he was grateful he always kept in the boot of his car.

“I hope she didn’t think this was a one night stand.” Mason spoke, the idea of the sweet old lady thinking he had bought a one night stand to her small and clearly family run B&B making him feel a little guilty.

You mockingly gasped, your jaw dropping open and eyes widening. “Excuse me, do I look like a one night stand kind of girl?” You thought your voice was clear with sarcasm, but Mason’s jaw tensed slightly as he became overcome with worry that he had offended you. Mason knew your relationship was still in its early days, and he daren't put even a foot wrong to mess up what he was sure was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Mason internally cursed himself for his comment, looking like a deer in the headlights as he tried to explain himself. “No! No, not at all, I just meant because we have literally like almost no belongings between us, I didn’t mean it like th-“

Your lips turned upwards as a giggle fell from your lips, a sound Mason was sure was one of the sweetest to have ever graced his ears. A wave of relief washed over Mason as he realised you were only playing around.

“Did you, um, would you want my shirt? To sleep in, I mean.” His eyes dropped down to take in your attire, a long sleeved knitted dress with a bulky cardigan over the top. “Dresses aren’t the most comfortable to sleep in.”

You raised your eyebrows. “And do you have much experience sleeping in dresses, Mr Mount?”

Mason’s cheeks reddened as he struggled to come up with a response, and you begun to feel a little bad at your relentless teasing. As much as you loved seeing him getting flustered, you felt a little guilty and didn’t want to end up accidentally pissing him off, especially when you were stranded in the middle of nowhere with no means of getting home.

You bowed your head slightly, unable to look at him. “I’m sorry, sarcasm is my defence mechanism when I’m nervous.” You mumbled out, offering a shy, apologetic smile.

“Why’re you nervous, angel?” He stepped forwards, reaching out a hand to cradle your face. It was your turn to blush this time, his long fingers cupped perfectly around your burning cheek, which did wonders to settle his own nerves. “There’s nothing to worry about, it’s just me.”

Your heart jumped in your chest as his dark orbs stared so intensely down at you. “Sharing a bed with a pretty boy is a little nerve wracking.” You admitted sheepishly.

A grin plastered across his face at your words. “Just imagine how nervous I feel with how gorgeous you are then.” He booped your nose with his thumb and you couldn't fight a big smile from forming on your face, perfectly matching his.

“I’d like it. Your shirt, if that’s still okay.”

Straight away Mason nodded. “Of course.” he took a step back and pulled at the collar of his white tee, stripping it off his body and over his head.

He muddled with the shirt, attempting to fold it up before walking over to the queen size bed and placing it on top of the duvet. Your eyes raked over his body, your heart booming as you stared at his perfectly defined back, blood rushing straight to your head as he turned to face you and you took in his bare chest for the first time.

His heart soared as your eyes became fixated on his abs, scanning over the ridges of his muscles, the light sprinkling of hair on his chest. You were completely and utterly enamoured with him.

You knew you had been caught by the smirk that was spread across Mason’s face, but he was more than happy to let you indulge in his body all you liked, deciding not to risk potentially embarrassing you by drawing attention to it.

“I’ll go to the bathroom, give you some time to get changed, okay?”

You just nodded, words escaping you as your gaze moved to his slight smile, being unable to look him in the eyes.

As soon as you heard the bathroom door click shut, you let out the breath you didn’t realise you had been holding in.

You wandered over to the small mirror that was above an old fashioned wooden desk, tousling your hair between your fingers before rubbing at the smudged eyeliner under your eyes, trying your best to rub away the mess.

You removed your cardigan, carefully placing it over the chair underneath the desk. It looked equally as ancient as the rest of the furniture in the room, and you definitely didn’t want to break anything.

You slipped off your dress, cursing yourself for not wearing matching underwear. You frowned at your boring baby pink bralette and white knickers. You couldn’t never preempted that this was the way the day was going to end.

Walking over to the end of the bed, you picked up Mason’s top and pulled it over your head, the familiar smell of his aftershave enveloping you. The shirt just about covered your bum, hitting the top of your thighs.

“Am I okay to come out?

You jumped at the sound of Mason’s voice from behind the en-suite door, taking one last look in the mirror before quickly making your way over to the bed.

“Yeah.”

If he was at home, Mason would never go to bed in anything more than a pair of boxers. But he didn’t want to risk giving you the wrong idea or making you feel uncomfortable, and so he decided to keep his jogging bottoms from the day on.

Right on queue, Mason walked in to you flopping onto the bed, stifling a laugh when the bed made an almighty creak as you settled atop it. You frowned, sitting yourself up and cringing as the bed squeaked further at your every move.

“So minimal movements throughout the night, got it.” Mason laughed, climbing onto the bed himself.

He finally turned to you, a sickly sweet feeling swarming in his tummy as he took in the sight of you in his shirt. You begun to feel nervous as you felt his eyes taking in your body, feeling a little self conscious, repositioning to enable you to tug the duvet up and wrap it over your lower body.

Mason joined you under the duvet, quickly extending his arm and beckoning for you to come snuggle up to him. You gladly obliged, tucking your head under his arm and wrapping your arm around his bare chest. The warmth of his skin against the side of your face made your mind feel hazy, the new position adding an element of intimacy to your relationship which you hadn’t been expecting to come so soon, but now it was here, you were glad to welcome it.

The clock on the wall seemed to tick louder than it had before. The quiet, steady rhythm of its hands echoed in the stillness of the room as the pair of you laid intertwined, barely moving as you just enjoyed the intimacy of the situation you had ended up in, your legs tangling together as you listened to Mason’s steady heartbeat.

The warmth from the bed had settled between you, but it was the quiet energy in the air that made it feel like time itself had slowed. You were close - closer than you had ever been before, and despite the nerves you couldn't deny how right it felt to be held in Mason's arms.

Outside, the faint sound of fireworks popped in the distance, echoing through the dark and signaling the approach of the new year. You looked back over at the ticking clock on the wall before glancing at Mason, your breath catching when you realised how close to midnight it was.

"Ten minutes to go," you murmured, voice quiet, barely above a whisper.

Mason nodded, flicking between you and the clock, then back to your face. You lifted your head slightly, still comfortably in his arms, his eyes dark and warm in the low light. They quickly locked on your lips for a brief moment before he pulled his stare back to your eyes, but the look hadn't gone unnoticed.

There it was again - the pull, the undeniable magnetic force. You felt it more now than ever.

“So, you got any resolutions?” Mason asked, his voice cracking slightly as he tried to shake the nerves. He shifted a little, the arm you weren't laying on coming down to rest on your shoulder, his thumb brushing gentle strokes on your bare skin.

You felt shivers go up your spine, your cheeks warming as he held you so tightly to his chest. Your lips twitched into a smile. “Maybe… to stop feeling so nervous around you." You paused, then added with a teasing glint in your eyes, “And to learn how to stop blushing whenever you look at me.”

Mason laughed, low and soft, but his eyes softened when they met yours. “I don’t think you can stop blushing. I mean… it’s cute."

Your heart skipped again, and you couldn’t help the way your face warmed, despite your attempts to play it cool.

You gave in, hiding your face into his chest which vibrated as he chuckled at seeing you flustered.

You gathered the courage to raise your hand up to his bare chest, gently tracing little shapes with your finger tip. A low laugh hit your ears and you swallowed at the feel of being so close to Mason for the first time. You loved his warm skin on yours, his heart now thudding loudly away under your touch.

“Tickles, baby.” Mason mumbled and you smiled, secretly rather pleased with yourself, switching to use your nails to drag random patterns over his abs. The sensation made Mason tighten his grip on your waist making goosebumps form on your body.

You let out a satisfied hum, rather pleased with yourself before stopping and twitching slightly to nuzzle further into Mason’s grip.

You cuddled back into his chest and Mason was quick to wrap his arm tightly around you once more. You laid there in complete content, not being able to stop your eyes from fluttering closed.

Mason smiled to himself, happy you felt comfortable around him.

“You sleepy, angel?” He murmed, and you barely managing to mumble back a yes.

“I wasn’t but you’re warm and cosy.”

He chuckled at that, his heart warming.

Mason lent down and gently placed a tender kiss to your head, his lips barely brushing your forehead before caressing the bare skin of your arm with the pads of his fingers.

The sound of fireworks echoed through the room, the familiar tone of the new year ringing out across the quiet, making the moment feel all the more real. Your pulse quickened, and for a moment, the world outside - the fireworks, the noise, the time - it all faded.

The pair of you were only aware of each other.

You turned your head up to Mason just as the last chime rang out. He glanced at you lovingly, taking in the moment. You swallowed, your heart beating louder in your chest. His gentle movements, the way he held you as the clock struck midnight. You knew you were right where you needed to be.

"Happy New Year, y/n." He whispered.

Before you could respond, his hand gently cupped your cheek. He leaned in slowly, his eyes never leaving yours, searching for something, permission, maybe, but you didn’t want to wait anymore. You tilted your head slightly, feeling your breath catch in your throat as you closed the distance.

The kiss was tentative at first, a soft meeting of your lips that lingered longer than either of you expected. A simple touch, almost shy, yet full of everything you were yet to say. Mason's lips were warm, his hand brushing a lock of hair behind your ear as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Your hand found its way back to his chest, feeling the drum of his heartbeat beneath your palm. When he pulled back, just a fraction, your foreheads met, and for a long, lingering moment, neither of you moved.

“I didn’t think we'd end up here tonight.” Mason whispered, his voice rougher than before. “I mean, in bed with each other.”

You smiled, lips tingling from the softness of the kiss. “Me neither.” Your fingers gently traced the edge of his jaw, your gaze locked with his. “But I’m glad we did.”

“Me too,” he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. He shifted closer, the warmth of his body against yours sending an electric thrill through your veins.

You both knew it was more than just a kiss. It wasn’t just about the timing or the situation shared between you. It was the feeling - the way everything about today now felt like it was leading to this exact moment. A kiss shared in the quiet of an unexpected new year, both of you uncertain and shy but so completely, undeniably there in the moment.

For a moment, you just stayed close, breathing each other in. The fireworks were lighter now and through the light curtains you could see bursts of bright colours against the dark sky. But inside the room, it was just the two of you. Silent, content, and intertwined in a way neither had imagined would happen yet.

Mason didn't want to push his luck, completely respectful of your boundaries and not wanting to risk making you feel uncomfortable. But when he saw your eyes fixated on his again, following them down as they flickered towards his lips, he gently brushed his lips against yours once again, this time allowing himself to deepen the kiss as he slipped his tongue past your slightly parted lips. The moment was still soft and tender, both of you basking in the intimacy.

When you finally pulled away, it was slowly, as if neither of you wanted to fully break the spell.

You looked at Mason, cheeks flushed, a soft smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "Happy New Year, Mason."

He returned your smile, his eyes shining bright with excitement for what was to come in the year ahead for the pair of you. “Happy New Year, y/n.”