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yelenasbraid · 2 months ago

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good enough — joe burrow

summary — ‘we’re not good enough’ is starting to sound and feel like ‘i’m not good enough’ for joe

warnings — fem!reader, whole lotta angst, mentions of panic/not feeling great, takes place after the game against the eagles, lots of italics so sorry, maybe some ooc joe?? halfway proofread so don’t come for me.

note — i listened to the song j’s lullaby (darlin’ i’d wait for you) by delaney bailey and whewww it fueled the angst

ANOTHER FUMBLE RECOVERY. another turnover. another at-home loss. he couldn’t fight this game anymore, he couldn’t fight the refs, he couldn’t deny the very blatant fact that they weren’t good enough.

so he sat, watching jake perform the last moments of the game. he watched as they lost, the score 37-17. he knew the stakes coming into the game. the eagles were a prominent team, a good opponent. he was expecting a good game out of it, not a blowout.

the post-game press conference was going to be a nightmare.

what kept him sane as he walked in the tunnel wasn’t a thing or an event, it was a person. you. he knew you watched the entire thing, he knew you’d be upset, as was he. he also knew that if one person said the wrong thing he’d snap.

he just needed to see you. just for one second.

he walked into the tunnel, his head hanging as cameras flashed. he clenched his fists; they wanted a picture of this?

“joe,” he picked up his to the sound of your voice, and if he didn’t know better, he would have collapsed right then and there. he walked up to you, putting the rest of the energy he had into his getting to you. he gently wrapped his arms around you, inhaling your perfume, reveling in your warmth.

you pulled apart from him like gum from the concrete; he didn’t want to let you go. he didn’t want to go to the press conference and face the failures, his failures.

“don’t you dare go there,” you gently warned, your voice like a cool stream over a sore wound. your hands held his clenched fists, which eventually opened to envelop yours. you were right, but it was too late; he was already there.

“i’ll see you at home,” he swallowed. his eyes twitched, the glass beneath them shattering as he made eye contact with you. he took a breath; he was not going to lose it.

“i love you,” you reminded him, letting go of his hands.

“i love you,” he hummed, mustering up some energy to offer you a smile. to you, it just looked like a more relaxed expression. he trailed off, being whisked away by staffers. he gave you one last look before he disappeared to the locker rooms.

—

his drive home was silent. his hands wrung the steering wheel as the conference played over in his mind.

“we’re not good enough, we’re not good enough. we gotta get better,”

“we gotta take responsibility for how we’re playing individually,”

“i don’t think anybody was good enough today,”

the underlying message that the reporters didn’t catch, thankfully, was that he wasn’t good enough. he should have been better. it was all his fault.

you’d catch it though. he knew you saw through him the moment you saw him. he loved it about you, that he didn’t have to say anything for you to get him. it wasn’t always the case, but it was this time.

he pulled into the driveway, throwing the car into park and sitting there for a moment. he stared at the wall of the garage, losing himself in the defeat and disappointment of the night. he blinked, throwing himself out of whatever funk he was in, and shut the car off. his body ached, his head was heavy, and all he wanted to do was sleep. it was only 6 pm; going to bed now wouldn’t hurt right?

he grabbed his bag and walked up into the house. he opened the door to the smell of vanilla and woodsmoke, his eyes directed to a candle that was lit in the kitchen. he didn’t see you in the living room or the kitchen, and for a second he thought you’d left. he swallowed, nerves bubbling in his gut as he kicked his shoes off by the door.

“babe?” he called, his voice hoarse and scratchy. his expression relaxed as he heard you pad down the stairs, seeing you in sweats and a t-shirt.

“hey,” you smiled, coming off the stairs. you crossed your arms over your chest, watching as joe stood there. he didn’t know what to do, clearly this game proved that. he just wasn’t good enough. the voices from past recruiters filled his mind as he zoned out again, whispering sweet lies to him about his performance.

he’d never be good enough.

there’s always someone better.

he wasn’t even good enough for you.

his breath hitched as he focused on you, the world around him coming back into focus.

“what?” he cleared his throat, seeing the confused expression on your face.

“i asked if you were hungry,” you repeated. seeing him this dazed worried you, especially given the circumstances.

“don’t really have an appetite,” he responded, moving past you and towards the stairs. his emotions were a sour cocktail, and he was tired of it being the only thing settling in his stomach. he wanted you told hold him, to comfort him, but he also needed to figure out what exactly happened out there. his brain was leaning towards finding a solution, even if there was no use in the state he was in.

“i figured,” you hummed, letting him stroll past you up the stairs, “i’ll be here when you’re ready,” you added. you’d wait for him, all day every day. you’d let him go through his process, do his routine, and he’d come back to you. he always did.

joe paused on the stairs, something stopping him. he didn’t know what it was, maybe it was your voice in his head breaking through the noise, telling him to not shut you out. maybe it was your divine-like patience. you always made time for his moods and his failures. did he make time for you? amidst his struggles, did he ever take a second to make time for your moods and your struggles? was he being a good boyfriend?

“baby?”

“why are you still here?” he asked you, his tone sharp, despite him meaning to sound that way.

“what?” his tone caught you off guard, making you rapidly blink to help you process.

“you should leave,” he continued, “you…” he was panicking. why was he pushing you away? he needed you.

“what are you talking about?” your fear struck you, but you still fought yourself. he couldn’t mean what you thought he meant, right? you swallowed, watching as he battled himself. watching as his eyes avoided yours, as his fists unclenched and then clenched again. he was shaking too.

“you’re always here for me, when have i ever been there for you?” he asked, “i’m not a good boyfriend, i’m not a good quarterback,”

“joe, stop,” your voice stopped him, a stern expression reminding him much of his mother. while you were serious, there was undoubtedly a kind warmth behind your eyes. he panted, his eyes filling with hot tears.

as silence sat between you, joe’s breathing lessened. he walked back down the stairs, dropping his bag at the foot of them. he stood there, deflated, as you approached him. you took his face in your hands, feeling warm tears hit your fingers. your thumbs whisked them away, trying to give joe some semblance of comfort during a time where there wasn’t much of it.

joe wrapped his arms around your waist, nuzzling his face into your neck. he pulled you in close, the weight on his chest lessening as he let you pull him in. he let your warmth take him over, spreading like a wildfire over his bones. he felt your fingers through his hair, your hands running down his back. you were the personification of comfort and safety, and he was trying so hard to drink it all in.

“you are not a bad boyfriend,” you hummed, and in response he squeezed you tighter, “you’re not a bad quarterback,” you added, running your hands down his back. he pulled away from you as tears fell from his eyes. he wiped them away with the palm of his hand.

“how?”

“do you remember that time i was followed by some guy? i called you, and without any hesitation you answered and came to help me,”

“that’s just what a boyfriend is supposed to do,”

“hold on, i’ve got more,” you patted his chest, “the time when my mom had a cancer scare. you left practice early every day to make sure not only that i was ok, but if i needed anything. the time i got promoted at work and you surprised me with my friends over for dinner. the time i was spiraling so badly after a bad encounter with someone at work you picked me up, made me a delicious dinner, and made sure i felt appreciated and loved,” you listed them off, and there were many more. you guys weren’t perfect, by any means, but he was enough. he’d always be enough.

“you’re a good quarterback. if you don’t want to look at the numbers, look at your heart. you have such a passion for these young guys, for the vets. you lead them well and confidently, you make sure they know they’re appreciated and give them their first game ball if necessary, like you did with andrei. but because none of us are perfect, we make mistakes, but it makes us better. it doesn’t define you as a person,” you continued. you watched the gears turn, and while it would take some time for joe to see that himself, he knew you were right. he knew what you were talking about, he saw what you saw, and it calmed the frayed nerves in his body.

“i don’t deserve you,” he whispered, “i really don’t,”

“you deserve the world, joe burrow,” you countered, giving him a soft smile. he gave you one back, sniffling.

“i’m sorry for telling you to leave, i just…i don’t know,”

“i know, just don’t push me away. i’m not here to make things worse for you, i hope you know that,” you allowed a laugh at your last words, making joe chuckle too.

“i know that,” he agreed.

“don’t push me away,” you repeat, resting your hand on his chest, it movie with the rise and fall of his chest.

“i won’t,”

“good,” you smiled, “now, i say it’s time for a comfort show,” you grinned, which made his face light up. the both of you walked over to the couch, sitting down on the plush white cushions. you settled a blanket across your lap, while joe grabbed a blanket of his own, laying his head in your lap.

“spongebob?” he turned his head up to look at you, a hopeful look in his eyes.

“sure thing, squidward,” you teased, kissing him on the nose. you turned it on, then nestling into your spot on the couch. you ran your fingers through joe’s hair, occasionally catching his neck before going back into his hair. joe melted into you, cuddling into your warmth and your safety. he watched the episode, giggling at a couple parts, but the most important thing is that he was with you. that you were the glue that held him together. the feeling of your hands in his hair sent prickles down his spine, and in a good and comforting way. every prickle sent warmth across his body, relaxing his taut muscles.

you bent down and kissed his temple.

“i love you, joe burrow,” you hummed.

“i love you more, y/n l/n,” he hummed back. it wasn’t too long before sleep bid him closer, and took over his body. he slumped into you, his soft breaths telling you he fell asleep. you kissed him again, smiling against his warm skin. he was safe and he was loved, and that’s all that mattered.

joey looked so sad after the game 🥺 hopefully this makes a bit better. ALSO! i do have a couple more fics lined up that might be released this week so STAY TUNED!! i just wanted to write an angsty fic ngl

tags: @wickedfun9 @joeyfranchise

#joe burrow #joe burrow x reader #joe burrow imagines #nfl imagine

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joeys-babe · 5 months ago

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Joey B Imagines: Simply Shady I*

Summary: The following events of Joe changing up his hair, along with both you and your fiance gearing up for the start of the season.

(Part 1 to - Part 2)

Warnings: Fluff, Smut (male receiving oral)

Pairing: Joe Burrow x reader

Imagine Universe: Misc.

August 1st, 2024 - First day of pads at camp

I was woken up in a way that I would usually love, but the fact that it was insanely early made me more annoyed than anything.

“Mph. Not now Joe.” - you mumbled

He didn't say anything in return, and the slow movements of his hips grinding into my behind kept going.

Joe’s body was pressed flesh against me. His chest to my back and his crotch to my ass. Because he was rubbing himself into me, I thought he was awake. But as I froze up in shock, I heard a snore leave Joe’s lips.

He's asleep. He’s asleep and grinding into me.

As Joe continued his movements in his sleep, my mind went wild. Throughout the dirty thoughts, I remembered a conversation that Joe and I had a couple of weeks ago.

Joe had asked me if I'd ever give him head while he was asleep, a different way to wake him up if I was comfortable doing it. I had said yes, that I would, but there was never a day where I woke up first since that conversation.

Today, though, was a perfect chance to try it out.

After deciding that I was going to suck him off while he was still sleeping, I slowly and quietly scooted away from him. Joe had always been a deep sleeper, so it was easy for me to pull the covers off of him and lightly shove him onto his back.

I couldn't help but sit there and admire him. Joe looked like a wet dream, and he was all mine. My personal 220 pounds of pure sexiness.

Joe was wearing nothing but his black boxers, and my mouth watered as I stared at his toned torso, sculpted chest, and perfect arms.

This off-season, one of Joe’s workout priorities was to gain weight to be bigger and stronger by the time football season came around.

He achieved that completely, and the outcome was one of the hottest states of his body that I had ever seen. Don’t get me wrong, as his partner, I've never not thought he was the most attractive man on the planet, but I love it when he beefs up.

I believe it’s because it reminds me of how he looked when I first fell in love with him, back when we were both freshmen at LSU.

——

Flashback - 2018 - LSU

“This date is awful! Please, please, please come pick me up?” - Lyla

After accepting a phone call from my best friend, she enlightened me that she was currently in the bathroom of the restaurant where she was on a date. She went on to say that her date was a weirdo and nothing like how he was over texts.

It was later in the evening, and I was studying in the library for my first big test of the semester, but I had to save my girl.

Still on the phone with her, I grabbed my laptop and textbooks super fast before darting out of the library.

Lyla was still ranting on the phone, telling me to please hurry, and I was focusing hard on not dropping my belongings. As I rounded the corner of the sidewalk, I looked over at the parking lot, trying to remember where I parked my car.

Since my eyes weren't on where I was walking, I gasped when I smacked into a hard body, dropping everything I was holding and my phone.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”

“No. No. I should be.” - you

I immediately lept down and started to grab my things, not paying attention to the person that I just ran into. It sounded like a man, and I didn't exactly have time to put up with a college male right now.

To my surprise, though, he crouched down as well, stacking up some of my books as I focused on making sure my laptop screen wasn't broken.

After seeing that it was fine, I finally looked up at the man crouched down next to me who was holding my stuff.

My mouth dropped open, and my eyes widened.

Joe Burrow.

He was the starting quarterback for the football team, and because he had just transferred from Ohio State, his name was known.

I had only seen a couple of blurry pictures of him before as I listened to a couple of my guy friends rant about the incoming QB. In pictures, I wasn't exactly attracted to him, but seeing him in front of me right now, I completely understood why girls all around campus were obsessed with him.

“Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.” - Joe chuckled

My cheeks turned red when I realized I had zoned out staring at him. This cannot be happening right now.

“I- I'm fine. I just wasn't expecting you.” - you

Joe cocked his head to the side, not exactly understanding. To him, he was a normal guy who just loved to play football. He didn't exactly love all of the publicity.

In the end, he shrugged and looked down at my books that were in his hands. Most of them were for classes, but a couple were for my personal reading.

“In Plain Sight? Do you believe in aliens?” - Joe

I nodded my head with a soft smile on my face, completely in shock that I was talking about aliens with Joe Burrow.

“That’s cool. I do, too. My friends all say that I'm crazy to believe in them. Oh, I’m Joe, by the way.” - Joe

Joe shifted my belongings into one arm before reaching out with his now free hand. I reached out, too, putting my hand in his and shaking it.

“I know who you are. I'm y/n.” - you

“That’s a pretty name. Only fitting for a pretty girl, though.” - Joe winked

My stomach dropped, and reality hit. He’s a jock college football player. Only one thing on his mind.

I stood up and recollected everything into my arms, and Joe immediately noticed my change in body language. When he handed me my books, I noticed that the pretty smile had dropped from his face, a disconcerted look left in its place.

“Did I say something wrong?” - Joe

“No. I just need to get out of here. Thanks for the help, it was lovely to meet you, Joe.” - you

I started speeding down the sidewalk once again, but Joe called out for me to wait. Oh, fuck this.

“You forgot your phone!” - Joe

Mentally cursing myself, I turned around and walked back up to Joe. He was fully standing up now, and he towered over me.

“Thanks..” - you

“You’re welcome. Maybe I'll see you around campus?” - Joe grinned

I looked up at the stupid smile on his face and wanted to claw my eyes out. Why is he so cute? He’s just wearing athletic shorts and a Looney Tunes sweatshirt, but he looks perfect.

“Mmm. Probably not. I'm more into school than all of the partying.” - you

“I’m not into partying either. I’m taking all online classes, so unless I'm at football practice or working out, I'm usually at my apartment.” - Joe

Why are his stupidly perfect lips still moving?

“Okay? Thanks again. Bye.” - you

I started walking off again, and this time he didn't stop me. Once I got into my car, I laid my head back against the headrest with a deep sigh. That did not just fucking happen.

Why was he being so oddly persistent?

Probably looking for a quick fuck.

“That’s what they all want.” - you whispered aloud

I was lost in my thoughts. The thoughts being the image of the pretty quarterback crouched down while examining my alien book, the skin at the corner of his eyes crinkling up when he smiled.

God he was so-

My train of thought abruptly stopped when I heard a quiet voice. I looked around, confused, before my eyes landed on my phone. The call with Lyla was very much still going.

I remembered why I was rushing in the first place, and my eyes went wide. After quickly grabbing my phone to my ear, I realized just how crazy I was about to sound.

“Lyla, you will never guess what just happened. It sounds crazy.” - you

“You can tell me after you fucking pick me up!! Come on!” - Lyla

——

Flashback - still 2018 - LSU

“Are you excited to watch your man play?” - Lyla squealed

I rolled my eyes at her words. We were currently sitting down in our seats for the first home game of the season.

My run-in with Joe was months ago, and I hadn’t seen him since then, not like I expected that I would, but Lyla swore up and down he was into me.

She hadn't let the interaction go, and when I perked up at the mention that she had an extra ticket for the game since her boyfriend bailed, it only made it worse.

“You know he's still single. Maybe he's waiting to see you again.” - Lyla bumped your shoulder

I stared at her for a few seconds, narrowing my eyes at her dumb assessment. There was no possible way that was true.

Joe and I were strangers. We only knew each other’s names and the fact that we both believed in aliens. To be frank, he's probably long forgotten about our encounter. There were girls constantly throwing themselves at him, so why would he pay attention to me?

Up til the team ran out, Lyla was talking about nothing but Joe.

“Lyla. He doesn't even know who I am. He's probably long forgotten about bumping into me. Even if I wanted to say something to him, which I don't.” - you

“Sure. We’ll see if that changes after you watch him play. Those football pants might do something to you.” - Lyla

“Stop saying things that make me roll my eyes. I'm gonna get a headache.” - you

“Or… stop fighting the fact that he was into you and one thousand percent recognize you if he saw you again. He called you pretty! And when you freaked out, he immediately got worried that he said something wrong.” - Lyla

Before I could say anything, the team ran out. Lyla immediately jumped up and yanked me up with her. I have to admit, the electricity running through Death Valley as everyone was on their feet cheering was an adrenaline rush. I couldn't help but jump and cheer as well.

My eyes landed on Joe fairly easily as he was leading the pack as QB1. And for a split second, he looked at me too. His eyes were scanning the crowd before looking away, but he did a double-take.

Unfortunately, Lyla noticed and shook my shoulder. We were in the bottom row of our section, so there was a chance he was looking at someone behind me. Right?

Joe’s POV - Same flashback

While running out with the team, I looked over at the crowd just to see how big it was. It was my first home game as a Tiger, and Death Valley already felt like home.

As I looked around, my eyes scanned over a familiar face. I looked away and realized, so I did a double take to make sure I wasn't seeing things or my mind was playing tricks on me.

It was her.

My eyes weren't deceiving me. It was y/n. The beautiful girl I had the lovely opportunity of gracing paths with. Quite literally.

When I first bumped into y/n, it felt like everything around me disappeared and that it was just us on that sidewalk, much like how it felt as our eyes met through the crowd.

I only knew this girl's name, but I’ll never forget how I felt crouched down on that sidewalk with her. Everything felt right. Like everything was still and at peace.

I never thought I’d see her again with how quickly she took off running after I called her pretty. Looking back, I could see why it freaked her out. Our personalities were meshing super well before I said that, and I know the reputation of college athletes. She probably thought I was trying to get in her pants, only to be gone by the morning.

I'd never been that kind of guy anyway. I had hooked up with a couple of girls while at Ohio State, but I got attached too easily and could never leave it as just a one-night stand.

Maybe I could talk to y/n more and show her that I wasn't the average college athlete fuckboy. That is if she'd even talk to me or even remember that we'd bumped into each other.

After Game - Same flashback

LSU won the game, and Joe was impressive, to say the least. Lyla nudged me after every good play he made, making sure to call him ‘my man’ when she was talking about him.

Everyone was filing out of the stadium, but Lyla and I stayed back to take a couple of pictures and wait for the crowd to die down.

We had our backs to the field, our noses buried in our phones as we looked at a few selfies we had taken.

“Okay, let me get a good pic of the field.” - Lyla

I wasn't exactly paying attention to her, but I noticed that she had turned around to take a picture of the stadium. When she did, though, she paused and gasped.

“Y/N… turn around.” - you

Sighing as I slipped my phone into my pocket, I turned around. My eyes went wide when I looked down and saw what - or who - was standing on the grass looking up at us.

“Hi.” - Joe smiled

Joe was in regular clothes now since the game had been over for about thirty minutes. He was all that was left on the field other than the training staff cleaning up and a few janitors.

“Hi?” - you smiled back

“Did you enjoy that game? I know you said you don't go out, so this must be a different environment for you.” - Joe

“It was so fun. You're crazy good, by the way. I'm impressed.” - you

Joe felt his cheeks heat up a little at the compliment, and it didn't go unnoticed by me. I saw the way his face turned a little pink.

“Thank you. It was awesome to see your pretty face again. That might be your queue to runaway, but that's how I feel.” - Joe smiled

My stomach filled with butterflies at him calling me pretty again, along with a feeling of slight embarrassment from his joke. Something about him making light of the situation gave me closure, though. He wasn't looking for a hookup.

“You’re pretty good-looking yourself.” - you grinned

“I’m glad you think so, y/n. But I didn't just walk over here to call you pretty again. I wanted to know if you'd like to have dinner with me tonight. I’d love to get to know you.” - Joe

I looked at Joe’s gorgeous face in shock before looking over at Lyla. She nodded and bumped my elbow with hers.

“I can get home just fine by myself. You get him, tiger.” - Lyle whispered

Looking back down at Joe, he looked up at me with hopeful eyes. His gaze shifted to Lyla, trying to read her expression before looking back at me.

“Sure. I'd love to have dinner tonight.” - you

Joe’s anxious expression broke into a huge smile, the nervous feeling in his stomach immediately going away. You said yes.

“Okay, great. Can I get your number? You know, so I can text you when I'm pulling around to pick you up.” - Joe

I nodded my head, the smile never leaving my face, and handed Joe my phone for him to put his number in. Once he was done, he handed me his phone to do the same.

After handing his phone back to him, Joe nervously rocked back and forth on his feet. Saying he was giddy was an understatement.

“So I’ll see you in a little bit?” - you

“Yup. It’s a date.” - Joe smiled

As soon as the words left his lips, he spun on the balls of his heels and walked back toward the tunnel. I slowly turned my head to Lyla, my eyes wide, and my jaw dropped.

“That did not just happen.” - you

“Oh, it so did! And he walked over to you. He initiated all of that. Not to mention, he just said that dinner with him tonight was a date. Y/N, that's your man!!” - Lyla

We both grabbed each other’s forearms, jumping up and down and giggling at the fact that Joe, a desirable starting college quarterback, just asked me on a date. Out of all of the girls who wanted him, Joe chose me, the girl he bumped into once.

——

Back to present day

Obviously, the first date went amazingly, and Joe and I have been together ever since. Joe always says that he knew I was the one when he first laid eyes on me, and the fact that his body immediately relaxed on that sidewalk was a sign of things to come. I was home to Joe, sometimes described as his everything.

Since the moment Joe and I started to get to know each other, he became my best friend. Well, I’d say that to everyone but Lyla. She would get a little salty if I told her that.

I remember thinking that Joe was cute the first time we crossed paths, but when he ran out of the tunnel that day, and we made eye contact, my insides melted. No other guy I had been with before was able to make me feel the way he did in that second.

Call it love at second sight.

For the rest of Joe’s time at LSU, before he graduated, we were stuck to each other at the hip, completely and utterly inseparable.

We had to do long distance for a year because I was still at LSU, and Joe got drafted by the Bengals. It was arguably the hardest year of my life.

As soon as Joe entered my life, he became the anchor that kept me grounded. I’d never been happier with someone, and we were together practically every moment that we could. So, to be living in completely different states was tough.

Once I graduated, though, I moved in with Joe. It was the house he bought with his rookie contract, and it was perfect for just the two of us. I ended up getting a marketing job in Cincinnati, just like I had planned when it was announced that Cincinnati had the first pick of the draft. Joe always told me that I didn't need a job since he was getting paid millions to play football, but I wanted to work. I didn't want to mooch off of my boyfriend.

But, a few months ago, I ended up calling it quits at that job. The workplace grew increasingly toxic under a recently hired new boss, and I found myself crumbling under the workload. Joe had been present for a few of my work-related breakdowns, and he finally put his foot down one day.

——

A few months ago

“I don't know if I can do it anymore, Joe. I feel like she's setting me up to fail.” - you

I was having yet another breakdown over work. Second time this week, and it was only Wednesday.

Joe was holding me as tight as he could, listening to every word that left my lips. We were lying on the couch, and I was cuddling on top of him, my face buried in his neck as I tried to calm down my crying. Joe had his arms wrapped around my waist, rubbing my back and kissing my head now and then. He hadn't said a word yet.

After my crying started to slow down, Joe abruptly rolled onto his side and unwrapped his arms from me. He stood up from the couch seconds later and grabbed my phone off of the end table.

“Joey? What’re you doing?” - you

“I can't do this anymore, y/n. This job is breaking you down, baby. I can't just sit here and hold you and then send you back just to have to do it again tomorrow. It hurts me to know you're hurting. I hate it.” - Joe

I stared at him dumbfounded. I knew he detested my job, but he respected my decision to go back every time.

“I’d be a terrible boyfriend to let you stay in that environment y/n.” - Joe

After sniffling a few more times and wiping my eyes and nose on the back of my sleeve, I finally spoke up.

“So what are you gonna do?” - you sniffled

“I’m calling your boss. I’ll try to remain calm, but when it comes to you, I can't control if I lose my shit. You’re the most important thing to me in the whole world, and to see you get treated like this is pissing me off.” - Joe

You could practically see steam coming out of Joe’s ears. I knew he was mad, but I didn't expect him to get this worked up. In another way, though, it made sense. I was the woman that Joe loved, and he took his responsibility of protecting me very seriously.

“What are you gonna say?” - you

“I’m telling her to put your two weeks in. Do you have two weeks of vacation days? I’m not letting you step foot in that office building.” - Joe

“You’re making me quit?? I need that job, Joe. How am I gonna pay for stuff?” - you

Joe did a massive eye roll before plopping down on the couch next to me. Here we go.

“That might just be the dumbest question you have ever asked. Baby, do you know how much money I make? It’d be stupid for you to keep that job that makes you feel like shit when your boyfriend is making millions to play football. No, you aren't mooching off of me, and I don't want to hear that. I want nothing more than to take care of you, y/n. You just have to let me.” - Joe

I stayed silent for a few moments, my anxiety and a feeling of guilt creeping in. My eyes welled up with tears again from Joe’s generosity and the fact that a bunch of fear came with it.

“I need a job, Joe.” - you mumbled

“Why? Why do you need one?” - Joe

It was gonna sound bad to say out loud, and the last thing I wanted was for Joe to think I had doubts about our relationship, but I was just being reasonable.

“What if things go south? I don't want to, and I don't think we will, but what if we break up? Then, I don't have anything to fall back on.” - you

“Are you being serious? We’re not gonna break up, baby. You’re it for me. Do I not make it obvious enough that I'm all in?” - Joe

“I know, it’s stupid. But I still worry.” - you

“You have no reason to. I'm not going anywhere, and that's a promise.” - Joe

——

Back to present day

So, that's when I finally agreed and decided to quit my job. Joe and I were able to spend a lot more time together, and we grew closer than ever before. I was putting full trust in him, and after a while, the thought wasn't scary.

I lay in bed for a while longer, just watching Joe as he slept peacefully. He just looked adorable.

My more innocent thoughts changed, though, as my eyes wandered over his perfect body once again. God, gaining weight was the best decision he's ever made.

Time to get down to business, I thought to myself.

I shoved the covers farther down the bed and gently spread Joe’s legs before kneeling in between them. After getting comfortable, I reached out for the waistband of his boxers and slowly pulled them down and over his perfect butt.

Joe stirred once he was fully exposed, probably feeling a draft but not fully waking up. Once he stopped moving around, I reached and wrapped my hand around his semi-erect cock. He always woke up a little hard, and right now, I was silently grateful for that.

Slowly pumping his length, I felt Joe harden and grow in my hand, and yet his face still showed zero tension. Once his erection leveled up to fully erect, I removed my hand from his length and slowly leaned down.

I wrapped my lips around his tip, watching his face the entire time I slowly inched my mouth down his dick. Joe let out a little whimper when his tip hit the back of my throat, but as I watched him, I noticed that he was still asleep.

After that, I doubled my efforts in hopes of drawing another sound from his lips while he was still out cold, and it was easier than expected. I sucked on his length as I bobbed my head, trying to give him the sloppiest head that I could conjure up. Joe would let out a little whimper or a quiet moan now and then, and I could tell he was close to waking up.

A minute later, with my eyes glued to Joe’s face, his mouth dropped open, and he moaned out. Louder than before. He’s awake.

Joe’s eyes fluttered open, and when he looked down to see my mouth around his cock, his eyes went wide, and he sat up straight. Joe’s cock got impossibly harder at the sight, and he buried a hand in my hair when I pulled off of him with a pop. I immediately wrapped my hand around him, stroking him fast with a grin on my face.

“Morning, Joey.” - you grinned

“Holy fuck, baby. I- I… fuck, I can't.” - Joe moaned

His raspy morning voice only made the experience hotter, so I took his length back into my mouth. Joe’s head was thrown back, and his grip on my hair got tighter. He's so close.

Joe continued to moan as I sucked him, his thoughts going crazy at the fact that he just woke up to me giving him head.

“So hot, baby. Oh god.” - Joe whimpered

A few moments later, Joe only started getting louder, his built chest heaving as he panted.

“Fuck, I'm cumming.” - Joe moaned

Joe held my head down and bucked his hips up, stilling as he exploded in my mouth.

“Fuck- fuck- fuck.” - Joe

It took a few minutes for Joe to gain his composure back, along with his breath, and I pulled off of his length. I rolled over back into my spot and cuddled up to Joe, pulling him into my chest.

I went to play with his hair before awkwardly stopping, remembering the fact that his curls were no longer there. Joe had recently changed up his hairstyle, and though it was hard to get used to at first, I loved it.

——

Flashback to a couple of months ago

“Hey.” - you

“Hi, baby.” - Joe

I was currently driving home from doing a few errands, including picking up dinner for Joe and me since he said we should just eat at home, though he didn't feel like cooking.

“Whatcha doing?” - you

“Nothing much. I'm looking at clothes for game day fits.” - Joe

“Sounds like fun!” - you enthused

Joe went silent for a couple of seconds before letting out a sigh, my eyes narrowing at his change of attitude.

“Sure. When are you gonna be home? I miss you, and I have a surprise for you.” - Joe

“You miss me? It’s only been a couple of hours, Joey. And I'm pulling onto our road right now. What'd you say about a surprise?” - you

“I have one for you.” - Joe

“Oooo. Am I gonna like it?” - you

Joe was freaking out just a little bit. Sure, what he did was what he wanted, but he was realizing now that it was a little impulsive, and he was worried about what you would think of it.

“Uh. Hopefully.” - Joe chuckled

We ended the call a few minutes later since I was literally in our garage. After grabbing all of the bags that I could, I walked into the kitchen through the mudroom. Joe was sitting at the counter, a grin forming on his lips when he saw me.

“Hey, gorgeous.” - Joe smiled

After placing the bags down and setting the food in front of Joe, I walked back around to the other end and up to him. Joe swiveled the barstool around, opening his arms for me once I stepped between his spread legs. He pulled me into a hug, and my head fell onto his shoulder, Joe’s arms wrapped tightly around my waist.

“Hi, handsome.” - you mumbled into his neck

Joe stayed silent for a few moments, rubbing his big hands over my back before pulling away and doing the same to my hips.

“Is there anything left in the car?” - Joe

“Just a couple more bags. I can get them, though.” - you

I went to turn around and head back for the mudroom, but Joe grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him.

“How about you get dinner out of the bags, and I’ll go get ‘em? - Joe

“Alright.” - you smiled

Joe pecked my lips before getting off the barstool. I watched him walk away till he disappeared from my sight, my eyes lingering on his ass for a few seconds before I looked away with a giggle.

Thirty minutes later, Joe and I had just finished dinner when I realized something. Ever since I got home, Joe’s been wearing a hat with his hood up over the top of it.

Joe cleared his throat to say something, looking over at me to see that I already had my eyes narrowed and staring at him.

“What?” - Joe chuckled

“Why do you have a hat on and your hood up? New questionable fashion choice?” - you

I giggled when he rolled his eyes, but his tone quickly switched back to serious.

“That’s what I was about to tell you. Close your eyes.” - Joe

“Is your hair my surprise?” - you

“Uhm. Basically.” - Joe

Please tell me he got the modern-ish-looking mullet that I've been begging him to do.

I closed my eyes, a grin on my face as I prepared myself. He's gonna look so hot.

Meanwhile, Joe’s heart was beating out of his chest. It was silly to be nervous about, but buzzing his hair, which he knew you loved, was almost a recipe for disaster.

Joe took his hood down before popping his Bengals hat off, running his hand over his spikey hair. He took one last deep breathe, mentally preparing himself for what you're reaction would be.

“Open.” - Joe

I opened my eyes, immediately jumping back with a scream. That’s not a mullet. He's fucking bald. Joe immediately started biting his cheeks and playing with his fingers.

“Is it that bad?” - Joe mumbled

“Joseph Lee. Your hair is gone. It’s gone.” - you

“Can you answer my question? I’m super scared right now.” - Joe

I stared at his head for a few more seconds, my eyes going between his practically bare head and his worried face. He looks so nervous.

Because I hadn't said anything yet, Joe dropped his head, unable to maintain eye contact with you because he was worried you weren't attracted to him.

“You hate it.” - he mumbled

My bottom lip stuck out in a pout as I pushed off of the barstool, wrapping my arms around Joe’s shoulder as his head ended up on my shoulder.

“Aww. Baby, I don't hate it. You know I love your hair, but there's so much more to look at than it. Look at me.” - you

I gently patted the back of Joe’s neck, and he leaned up. I cupped his cheeks, placing a kiss on his forehead before pulling back with a grin on my face.

“Your pretty face is the star of the show now. I can focus on your perfect nose, your baby blue eyes, and these perfect lips.” - you

When I mentioned Joe’s nose, I pecked the tip of it, rubbing my thumbs under his eyes when I mentioned them, and I pressed a kiss to his lips when I talked about them as well.

Joe’s cheeks turned pink at the overwhelming compliments, a cheeky grin forming on his lips before I returned his head to my shoulder.

“You’re so cute.” - you giggled

I rubbed his back as Joe giggled into my neck, his hot cheeks easily feelable on my neck.

“Hair or no hair, you're the hottest man I've ever seen.” - you grinned

—

Later that week - Same flashback

I was sitting on the couch when Joe got home from his workout. I was neck-deep in a conversation about Love Island USA with Lyla, so I didn't even look up when Joe loudly shut the mudroom door.

Truthfully, he shut the door loudly on purpose to try to get your attention. When you weren't already looking up at him when he entered the house, he attempted to slam the door so you'd look up, but you didn't.

“I’m homeeee.” - Joe

It was adorable how he drawled out the word, but I was too busy ranting about my least favorite person on the show to acknowledge Joe.

“Baby?” - Joe

“Hi, Joe.” - you

Joe walked into the house, dramatically dropping his bag on the floor before basically throwing himself down on the couch next to you. And yet you still hadn't looked up at him.

“Are you gonna ask me how my workout went..?” - Joe

“How’d your workout go?” - you sighed

He had to grin. He loved messing with you.

“Good. Can I have a kiss?” - Joe

All I did was pucker my lips, my eyes still not leaving my phone as I sent a frantic paragraph in response to something Lyla said.

Joe leaned over and craned his neck to give me a kiss, my eyes going wide when his head came into view. I immediately jumped back, our lips barely ever touching.

“Oh my god. You bleached it?” - you chuckled

I watched Joe move back to his seat so that he was comfortable and not straining his neck. He nodded with a grin, and my eyes were stuck on his bleached + buzzed head.

“What do ya think?” - Joe

I couldn't lie. As bizarre and silly as bleaching and buzzing his hair was… he looked hot as fuck.

“You look good. I kind of like this more. You look less intimidating.” - you giggled

With how bright his hair was, it brought out his blue eyes. One of my favorite features of his and something I could find myself getting lost in.

I moved over after setting my phone down, eventually straddling his lap as Joe’s hands found their place on my hips.

That hair made his perfect face the star of the show, and his built chest and sculpted arms were a sight. I was getting worked up, and he was just sitting here.

“I'm not gonna lie, you look hot.” - you

“Yeah?” - Joe

I nodded, my arms going around his neck as I slowly ground down onto his crotch. Joe groaned, leaning forward and smashing his lips into mine.

“Fuck.” - Joe groaned

After a few minutes of making out, I pulled away from his slick, reddened lips. God, he looks so hot right now.

“We should probably stop. We have to tour our possible wedding venue in less than two hours, and I need to go get ready.” - you

Oh yeah, Joe and I got engaged right after his trip to France! We were planning our wedding for the next off-season, and today we were going to tour a venue with both sets of our parents.

I grinned at Joe’s pout, sad that I was leaving him hanging because he was very hard. But he couldn't get too upset. Not when we were about to tour the place where we were possibly going to get married.

“Are you not excited?” - you chuckled

“No, I am. I just don't want to have to go take a cold shower. And alone.” - Joe

Chuckling as I crawled off of Joe’s lap, I couldn't help but bite my lip at the sight of the tent in his pants.

“Stop that!” - Joe

I only laughed louder before Joe got up from the couch, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“I'm excited to see the venue, though. It’ll make everything feel a lot more real.” - Joe

“Me too. The thought alone makes me giddy. I can't wait to marry you.” - you

“I can't wait to marry you more. I've been waiting for that moment since I bumped into you on that sidewalk.” - Joe grinned

I laughed at his over-the-top statement, finding it both endearing and silly.

“Okay, I think you need that cold shower now. You need some blood flow to go back to your head instead of your dick.” - you chuckled

“Why do you say that?” - Joe laughed

“You’re starting to say some questionable things.” - you

Joe cocked his head to the side, narrowing his eyes at me because he was confused.

“What have I said that's questionable?” - Joe

“Saying that you've been waiting for us to get married since we met.” - you

He rolled his eyes when I left his arms and gently started pushing him towards the stairs. Joe argued that he meant what he said our entire trip into our bathroom.

“Okay, okay! Get in the shower, goofball.” - you

I threw a towel at Joe before turning to the sink, going to grab my face wash before doing my makeup when a cloth fabric hit my face. I put the bottle down to pull the garment off of my head. Lo and behold, it was Joe’s boxers.

Turning around to glare at him, all I'm met with is the sight of Joe butt naked. The only thing he's wearing is a cheeky grin that makes the corner of his eyes crinkle up. If he wasn't so perfect, I’d slap him.

“Ya know… I’m still pretty horny from that make-out earlier…” - Joe

“Get in the shower.” - you

“Yes, ma'am.” - Joe sighed

I watched him climb into the shower with a smile on my face, shaking my head at his antics.

At least I know I'm marrying a man that always keeps me on my toes, I thought to myself.

“Baby, are you sure you don't want t-” - Joe

“Yes, Joe! Shower.” - you

Authors note: The next part will go back to present-day! Or August 1st. This part was just kind of setting the stage for the real stuff!!

Requests;

HOPE YOU ENJOYED!!! 💕

#joe burrow #joey b #joe burrow fluff #joe burrow fan fic #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow x reader #joe burrow smut

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jburrgf · 18 days ago

Text

About You I — The Love Trope Series.

“Do you think I have forgotten about you?”

◦pairing: ¡lsu! joe burrow x ¡ex situashionship! reader

◦summary: second change trope, college relationships, slow burn love, right person wrong time.

◦description: you and joe had a thing months before, but the things ended in a bad way. now, you see yourself stuck in something that requires you to be close to him every single day.

◦playlist: About You - The 1975, Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Golding, Like Real People Do - Hoozier, I Bet You Think About Me - Taylor Swift, Called You Again - Lizzy McAlpine, Tolerate It, ImGonnaGetYouBack, Clean - Taylor Swift

PART ONE: CLEAN.

There are certain moments in life that seem impossible to forget. The second I walked onto LSU’s campus, I knew my life was about to change. But not just because of the classes, the social scene, or the crazy football culture.

When I started in LSU, it was supposed to be a clean slate. A chance to focus on my career path and prove to myself that I could thrive in a bigger pond, surrounded by people just as driven as me. Advertising and Public Relations wasn’t just a degree—it was a strategy. A way to blend my creative instincts with a business-minded edge.

What I didn’t expect was LSU’s football program to be the centerpiece of everything.

LSU football wasn’t just a sport. It was culture, identity, and religion rolled into one. By my second semester, I was interning with the athletic department, brainstorming marketing campaigns and filming promos for the team. I was good at what I did—so good that I convinced myself it didn’t bother me when my work bled into my personal life.

Everything started to go wrong when I met him. Tall, blond, American aesthetic, and so, but so kind. That was Joe Burrow, the youngest transferred from Ohio State to the south. New just like me.

Joe was Joe —calm, collected, and infuriatingly charming. He wasn’t flashy like some of the other players, but the air shifted when he walked into a room. Everyone noticed him. And the first time we crossed paths, I did too.

We met my junior year at a party, back when he was just Joe—a talented quarterback with a quiet intensity and a way of looking at you like he could see straight through every mask you’d ever worn. I hadn’t planned on noticing him, but it was impossible not to.

And since then, I'm haunted by his face, his smile, his smell, his body. Every little thing that made him Joe, it was inside my head like a bad song that you can’t stop singing. I didn’t want that, not in the beginning.

And now, I'm running from him like the plague. Every place he might be, I'm not going. Every little encounter or party, or dinner, or what else, I wasn’t going.

It was a party I didn’t want to go to. Maddie had been bothering me for weeks to go to this party, and honestly, I didn't feel like going. Simply no desire.

"I'm serious, Y/N. You work too hard," Maddie, my best friend at LSU, said to me. We had just left one of our classes together, and were walking around the campus, heading towards Maddie's car. "You're missing the entire college experience."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’m here to build my career, not get drunk at frat houses.”

“Even Beyoncé has to relax,” she shot back. “I’m picking you up at eight, tomorro, no excuses. But now, we’re going to Malone’s.”

[…]

I didn’t want to be here.

Malone’s was Maddie’s favorite spot, a college-town bar where everyone gathered on weekends to drink, laugh, and pretend their responsibilities didn’t exist. It was the kind of place where the sticky floors were part of the charm, and you couldn’t walk two feet without bumping into someone you knew. Normally, I’d avoid it like the plague—especially on a night like tonight, when Maddie’s sole mission was to convince me to go to that stupid party tomorrow.

“You’re being dramatic,” Maddie said as I slid into the booth across from her, the sound of the bar’s chatter and faint music drowning out half her words. “It’s just one party. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I rolled my eyes, pulling my coat tighter around me despite the warmth of the bar. “You say that like you don’t know me. I don’t do frat parties, Maddie. I don’t want to spend my Saturday night elbow-to-elbow with drunk people I barely know.”

“That’s the fun of it,” she countered, her grin far too smug for my liking.

“You’re impossible,” I muttered, reaching for the drink she’d already ordered for me.

“I’m persistent,” she corrected. “And don’t think I didn't notice that you didn’t actually say no.”

I groaned, leaning back in the booth. Maddie had been trying to drag me to this party for days, claiming it was some can’t-miss event that would somehow make my life infinitely better. I wasn’t convinced, but I’d stopped arguing because, frankly, I didn’t have the energy.

I was checking on the bar from above my shoulders when It happened.

Joe Burrow.

The last person I ever expected to see here, especially tonight.

My chest tightened the moment I spotted him standing by the dartboard, his tall frame impossible to miss, his blond hair was slightly disheveled, and the faint scruff on his jaw made him look older than he had when we’d last spoken. Joe was dressed casually, jeans and a hoodie, looking like he didn’t have a care in the world, and was laughing at something one of his friends said, the sound cutting through the low hum of the bar like a knife.It wasn’t just the way he carried himself or the fact that he was Joe Burrow—LSU’s star quarterback—but the way my body reacted, as if it had its own memory of him.

I hadn’t seen him in months—not since we’d ended things without really ending them. And now, seeing him here, so casually present in my space, felt like a slap to the face. Work Out from J Cole was playing, and everything felt like a movie scene.

It wasn’t like we had history. At least not in the way most people assumed. We barely knew each other. But there had been that one night at a party a while back, and another one after a game, and another one at our friends house, and another one… and the tension between us had never fully died down. I could still remember the way his eyes had felt on me, like he was measuring me in some silent way I didn’t know how to interpret.

“Y/N.” Maddie’s voice snapped me out of my daze. She followed my line of sight and groaned. “Oh no.”

I shook my head, panic setting in. “I can’t do this.”

“You don’t even know if he saw you.”

“I’m not sticking around to find out,” I said, already sliding out of the booth.

“Y/N—”

But I was gone, weaving through the crowd toward the back hallway where the bathrooms were. I needed to breathe, to get away from the overwhelming weight of his presence.

The bathroom at Malone’s was about as glamorous as you’d expect—a narrow space with flickering fluorescent lights and graffiti scrawled across the stalls. I locked myself in one of the stalls, leaning back against the door as I tried to steady my breathing.

Of all the places to run into Joe, it had to be here.

It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought about him. I had—more than I cared to admit. But thinking about him was one thing. Seeing him, knowing he was just a few feet away, was something else entirely.

I couldn’t face him. Not now, not here.

The bathroom was quiet, the kind of eerie stillness that felt out of place in the chaos of Malone’s. I leaned against the sink, staring at my reflection in the smudged mirror.

“Get it together,” I whispered to myself, taking a deep breath.

I didn’t even know why I was reacting like this. It wasn’t like we were still together. We weren’t anything anymore. And yet, the sight of him had thrown me completely off balance, dredging up feelings I thought I’d buried a long time ago.

But I couldn’t stay in the bathroom forever, either.

I opened the bathroom door and nearly walked straight into him.

Joe was leaning against the wall opposite the bathroom, his arms crossed over his chest and his gaze fixed squarely on me.

I froze, my heart hammering in my chest.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice low and steady, a hint of amusement curling at the edges.

Nope.

Without a second thought, I ducked back into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I bit my lip to keep from screaming. What the hell was I supposed to do now?

I paced the small space, my mind racing. He’d seen me, which meant he was waiting for me. I couldn’t hide in here forever, but the thought of facing him felt impossible.

Eventually, I forced myself to take a deep breath and opened the door again.

Joe was gone.

Relief flooded through me as I stepped out into the hallway, my eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of him. But instead of Joe, my attention was drawn to a small slip of paper pinned to the corkboard on the wall next to the bathroom.

It wasn’t there before.

Curious, I stepped closer and pulled it free. The handwriting was unmistakable—slanted and bold, with a certain sharpness to the letters that felt uniquely him.

“Go to the party tomorrow. Please.”

I stared at the note, my heart pounding for an entirely different reason now.

My fingers tightened around the paper as Maddie appeared at the end of the hallway, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“What’s that?” she asked, gesturing to the note.

“Nothing,” I said quickly, shoving it into my pocket.

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. “Ready to head back? I don’t think Joe’s here anymore.”

I nodded, though my mind was miles away.

Maybe tomorrow. Maybe I would go. Maybe I wouldn’t.

But one thing was for sure: Joe Burrow had just made sure I wouldn’t forget this night.

——————————————

part 2: About You II (The Love Trope Series) — All Over Me.

hey guys! this is the beginning of my Love Tropes Series. The first part, About You, it’s going to be launched in four parts! stay tuned :)

#joe burrow #cincinnati bengals #joe burrow fan fic #joeburrow #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow fluff #joe burrow x reader #bengals #joe burrow angst #joeburrowtiktok #joe shiesty

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venic-bxtch · 1 month ago

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✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼ Meet-Cute ✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

✼Joe Burrow x Ambitious!reader✼

Based on this ask: Hi! Can I request a JB fic where the girl isn’t much interested in the NFL and really focused on work or maybe finding work and then meets Joe. Like their meet cute and him pining for her if that’s okay? Thank you

⭒❃.✮:▹ A/N: LOVEEEEE, this idea🫶🏾

Warnings: none…just fluff as fluffy as a marshmallow!!!

She wasn’t like the other people at the gym. Joe could tell that the second he spotted her on the treadmill, jogging like she was on a mission, earbuds firmly in, completely ignoring everything and everyone.

He wasn’t used to being ignored. People usually gave him a double-take or tried to sneak a photo. But she didn’t even glance his way, and for some reason, that made her more interesting.

Joe wiped his hands on his towel, telling himself to let it go. She probably didn’t want to be bothered. But when he saw her frowning at the screen on her treadmill like it had personally wronged her, he couldn’t help it. He wandered over, hopping onto the treadmill next to hers.

“Hey,” he said, pulling out one of his earbuds.

She startled, glancing at him briefly. “Uh, hi?”

“You’ve got a good pace going,” he said, throwing out the first thing that came to mind.

She snorted—an actual snort—and he liked her even more. “Sure, if the goal is ‘don’t collapse in public.’”

Joe chuckled, slowing his treadmill to match her pace. “That’s a solid goal.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled, and for a second, Joe forgot where he was. There was something about the way her face lit up that made him want to keep her smiling.

“I’m just trying to not freak out before this interview,” she admitted, pulling out her own earbuds.

“Big interview?” he asked, leaning a little closer.

“Sort of,” she said. “It’s my third one this week, and I’m trying to stay optimistic, but it’s been… rough.”

Joe nodded, genuinely interested. “What’s the job?”

“Marketing,” she said, grabbing her water bottle. “But everyone wants experience I don’t have.”

“That’s tough,” he said. “You’ll get there, though. Sounds like you’re hustling.”

Her lips twitched, like she wasn’t used to hearing that kind of encouragement. “Thanks. What about you? You here to blow off steam too?”

Joe hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. “Kinda. I’m here for football. Gotta stay in shape.”

Her eyebrows raised. “You play football?”

“Yeah,” he said. “For the Bengals.”

She blinked at him, expression unreadable. “Like… professionally?”

“Yeah.”

There it was. The moment people usually lit up or started asking questions. But she just nodded like he’d told her he worked at the post office.

“Cool,” she said. “Not really my thing, but that’s cool.”

He couldn’t believe it. “You’re not a football fan?”

“Not really,” she said, smiling apologetically. “I mean, I know the basics, but I couldn’t name more than, like, two players. Sorry.”

Joe laughed, shaking his head. “That’s actually kinda nice.”

“What is?”

“Talking to someone who doesn’t care about all that,” he said honestly.

Her smile widened a little, and he felt his chest tighten. She had no idea who he was, but she was still talking to him like he mattered. He wanted to keep her here, to keep the conversation going, to learn more about the determined, slightly frazzled woman in front of him.

But she checked her watch and groaned. “I gotta go. Thanks for the pep talk, though. Uh… sorry, what was your name again?”

“Joe,” he said, grinning.

“Right. Well, thanks, Joe. Good luck with… football.”

As she walked away, Joe watched her go, his heart sinking a little. He didn’t even get her name.

Still, he couldn’t help the stupid smile that stayed on his face the rest of the day. And when he showed up at the gym the next morning at the same time, it wasn’t just for the workout.

Taglist: @joeybsboo @heavyhitterheaux @inmyfeelingsgnocchi @ikeepitlight @iknowdatsrightbih

#michelle rants🌸#joe burrow #joe burrow x black reader #joe burrow x reader #joey burrow #joe burrow imagine #joeyb

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funnyjb · 6 months ago

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Look at the Stars

One of your twins is having a hard time sleeping one night. It was the night before one of joes games so some family was over. You guys were talking in the living room when Logan came down the stairs with his blankie and looks like he’s been crying.

“Mama?!”- Logan

He was crying

He ran up to you in the living room.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong.”- you

The burrow family counting both of joes siblings and their wife’s were sitting around waiting for Logan’s response

“I’m really scared. I heard a monster coming from the closet and noises in da walls.”- Logan

“Oh, baby. Those are just house noises. The air conditioning just turned on so that’s what’s causing the rumbling and I bet you something fell in the closet. There is a lot of junk in there.”- you said running your fingers through his hair

“I’m still really scared. I don’t want to go up there. It’s scary.”- Logan said putting his hand on your baby bump that has been growing these past 5 months

His head resting on your chest.

“Is mason still sleeping?”- you asked

Logan nodded his head.

You looked around the room and then at Joe.

He looked at you also trying to figure out what to do.

“Hey, I want to go show you something. I think it will make you feel much better.”- you smile

“Oktay.”- Logan

You got up slowly and then reached for Logan’s hand. He put his hand on top of yours and laced your fingers together.

“Let’s go.”- you whisper

You started walking to the glass sliding door that goes out to the backyard.

It was dark out. Some light illuminated the backyard from the house.

You both started walking further and into a big grassy area that looks out into the Cincinnati skyline from your house and a small river.

You picked Logan up and sawing him around you being careful of your bump.

“Look! You see those beautiful stars?”- you

“Yeah..”- Logan

“There are thousands of stars up in the night sky! Some of them even make funny shapes! Like, you see that one right there?”- you pointed a little bit towards the left

“That’s the Pegasus.”- you smile

Logan looked mesmerized

“These stars will protect you. They are up there so they can look out for you. Shining bright so you can see them. If you ever feel scared just look out the window or picture the stars in that wonderful brain of yours.”- you point at his head and laugh

Logan starts to laugh making your heart grow fonder.

“And know those stars will protect you. And also daddy and I are here to protect you too. We won’t let anything get you, ok? They aren’t real, they’re just made up in your mind.”- you smile trying to calm him down

“But why does ma mind do that?”- Logan

“Because your mind likes to play tricks on you, but you got to be the stronger person and say “it’s not real, it’s all made up.” And your mind will back off.”- you

“Okaty. Thank you, mommy.”- Logan

“Of course, baby. I’m always here for you, so is daddy and mason and even your sister.”- you

You give him a kiss on the cheek and decide to go back in. It was already 9:00.

You opened the door and walked in. Everyone was still sitting and talking.

“You ready to go to bed, Bubs?”- you

Logan nodded.

“Okay, let’s say goodnight.”- you

Logan started to wave his hand goodbye

“Bye Logan!”- Robin

“He is precious.”- Codi (joes sister in law)

You then walked over to Joe so he could say goodnight.

He got up and placed his hand on your arm and his other on Logan’s head and kissed him goodnight.

“Goodnight, my boy. Love you.”- Joe

He placed a soft kiss on Logan’s cheek then looked at you.

“You got him?”- joe

“Yeah, all good!”- you

“Good.”- joe

He then placed a peck on your lips.

You then walked up the stairs and into the boys room.

Mason was sleeping peacefully as you put Logan in his bed.

“Goodnight, baby. Love you to the moon and back.” - you

“Love you too, mommy”- Logan

You then placed a kiss on his forehead and got up. You moved from his bed to mason also placing a goodnight kiss on his cheek. Then exited the room slowly closing the door behind you.

You went back down stairs and into the family room.

“How is he?”- joe

“He’s ok now. He looked like he was going to fall right asleep when I put him down.”- you

You sat next to Joe on the couch. He put his arm around your shoulder and gave your head a kiss

“You are so good with them, y/n. It used to take forever to convince Joe that there was nothing there at night when he was younger.”- Robin laughed

“Hey, I just wanted to make sure everything was perfectly fine.”- joe

“He used to get scared of thunder and run into our bed too.”- Jimmy laughed

“Really guys? Ganging up on me?”- Joe

“Haha it’s ok, joe. I’ll protect you from thunder and scary monsters at night.”- you laughed

He looked down at you and started laughing and pulled you in closer.

“Thank you, baby.”- joe smiled

Joe was so grateful for you. He loved you ever since he laid eyes on you in college and now he gets to raise his kids with the love of his life. His heart was so full when he saw you take care of Logan tonight. He loved seeing you take on the mom role. He can’t imagine life without you and the boys.

#joe burrow #cincinnati bengals #joey burrow #writers on tumblr #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow bengals #joeyb

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joeybrr9 · 1 month ago

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Part 3 - Vogue

Summary: Aurora's dreams come true at vogue but she also get's a surprise visitor

Warnings: None

a/n: Do we like Ja'Marr and Aurora's friendship?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aurora spent the last couple days in the studio. She was trying to finish up one last song before the album would be ready to release. The record label wanted to release Espresso next week and Aurora had mixed feelings. She was ready to hop back into the music world but Aurora also felt the pressure to live up to what Midnights was. The label also had plans to release a second single. Aurora couldn’t decide if she wanted to release her song “Please Please Please” or “Don’t Smile.” She had to admit, “Don’t Smile” was her favorite out of the two. Aurora really took her time while writing that song and it felt so personal. “Please Please Please” was such a fun song about begging a man not to break her heart. Something Aurora was used to doing. She was lost in thought in her studio when Mark came in.

“Okay Rory, you have your fitting in 3 hours for Vogue. I’m not sure what they are gonna put you in yet so let's not wear a lot of makeup.”

“I still can’t believe they want ME to be in one of their fashion shows!” Aurora squealed. So many things had gone wrong for her in the last year but also she had been so blessed.

“You do realize how popular you are right? You aren’t just some singer. You’re right behind Taylor this year for streams on Spotify and Apple Music. You’re fucking killing the game.”

“I’m gonna blush Marky. Stop it.” Aurora giggled while taking off her headset and grabbing her phone. After her two disastrous interviews last week her phone has been on constant DND. The first person to call her was Sydney, asking when the fuck she started getting dicked down by Burrow. Taylor also called to reassure her that it would blow over and the worst fans could do is ship the quarterback and singer together. This didn’t seem to calm Aurora much because she had chewed off her acrylic nails and had to get them replaced.

She did notice that the infamous quarterback had taken time out of his day to follow her on Instagram, meaning he definitely saw that interview. Embarrassing. Maybe Ja’Marr just told Joe what happened, that’s what Aurora liked to tell herself.

Ja’Marr and Aurora had become close ever since her break up with Paul. She knew Ja’Marr from when she attended a Bengals game his rookie year in 2021. They exchanged numbers to stay in touch and eventually a friendship developed. A couple times Aurora wondered if something more would come out of it but they always stayed friends. Ja’Marr is one the sweetest people Aurora has ever met in her life, it was probably for the best that they stayed friends. She wouldn’t want to ruin something good like that.

“Alright, we should probably get going. It’s about a two hour drive and there might be traffic.” Mark started packing up Aurora’s bag. He was always so good about remembering everything she would need.

“I think I’m ready….okay let’s go.” Aurora opened up the door to feel the sun on her skin. When she moved to a different city she would miss the constant sun. Although, she does miss all four seasons. Aurora grew up in Ankeny, Iowa so she experienced every single season. Winter was her favorite time of the year. The way the wind was always blowing, the beautiful snowflakes, and the winter time outfits. Everything was perfect. Aurora needed some winter living her in life. Aurora took a step up into the car Mark had waiting for them; the anticipation in her was building up.

“What if they think I look bad in their outfits? I mean they could just say they don’t need me. That would be so embarrassing. Oh my gosh, you can’t let that happen Mark. I will cry. What if I-”

“Oh my god, will you stop. They personally called and asked for you. It’s gonna be fine.”

“But what if-”

“Nope I don’t want to hear any of it. They want you here. You have to stop acting like you’re a burden.” After giving Aurora a deep glare, Mark reached into his bag to dig out his AirPod Maxes. She turned to look out the window; this was gonna be a long car ride

~ ~ ~

“Hello beautiful lady, my name is Jules and this is Danny. We will be helping you out today. Follow us right this way.” Ever since Aurora arrived at her fitting she’s been in awe. The building was beautiful and everyone working for Vogue was stunning. “Alright, here is where we will be doing your fitting.” The room was an oval shape filled with mirrors. Everywhere Aurora looked she could see herself.

“This place is beautiful; none of this feels real.” She let out a little laugh.

“Just to let you know we do have two guys coming in later to get fitted also. They will probably show up while we are working on you. Is that alright?” Jules didn’t seem to think it was a big deal, continuing to rummage through the rack of dresses.

“Yeah, no, that’s no problem. I’m totally flexible. Whatever you guys need.”

“Way to not lay it on thick.” Mark whispered in her ear. Aurora smacked his stomach but all he did was laugh.

“Aurora, follow me this way. We are going to put you in this dress first. Come on out when you put it on.”

This is the first dress https://www.pinterest.com/pin/638385315960478493/

Aurora turned around in the dressing room to see herself. This dress flattered her in multiple ways. This was a surreal moment.

“You look beautiful in that. Okay Danny take the waist in a little and see if it looks a little better.” Jules ordered about 5 or 6 different people around while Aurora just watched. Eventually Aurora saw Jules standing behind her just observing the dress.

“The dress is beautiful and so are you, but I think we need to find something else. This one isn’t it.” Jules started to undo the dress and hand Aurora the next one. It was a stunning gold color. The bottom didn’t have a lot of material to it and she wondered if she could pull off a look like this. While Aurora was slipping her dress on she heard some commotion and more voices. I wonder if it’s a model or someone famous. Maybe it can be Michael B Jordan.

“Hey Jules, can you zip my dress up. I can’t reach this one. When Aurora peaked her head out she saw a tall white man talking with Mark. His back was facing her so she wasn’t sure who it was, she did know one thing for sure, it wasn’t Michael B Jordan.

“Alright girl, you’re all good to go. This dress is stunning on you, might even impress Mr.Burrow out there. Aurora felt all the color drain from her face. Mr.Burrow, as in Joe Burrow. No, no, no, no. I can’t go out there. Whats the chance I’m walking in the same show as Joe Burrow. Jules didn’t seem to understand that Joe being here wasn’t a good thing because she walked back out to the main room to resume their conversation.

Okay, I have to go out there at some point. Maybe he won’t even see me. Okay, deep breaths. I got this. Aurora decided it was now or never. He might not have even seen that stupid interview.

This is the second dress https://www.pinterest.com/pin/397583473371425396/

Aurora cautiously stepped out of her dressing room, trying not to draw all the attention to herself. Unfortunately, her wish wouldn’t come true.

“Rory, oh my god, I didn’t know you would be here. I missed you so much. You don’t call enough anymore.” In mere seconds she was being engulfed in a tight hug. She pulled back to get a look at the mystery man's face. It was none other than Ja’Marr Chase.

“Marr. I missed you so much! It’s been almost 6 months since I’ve seen you. How have you been?” Truthfully, Ja’Marr was one of Aurora’s favorite people on the planet. He was there for her after Paul broke her heart into a million pieces. He even opened his home up to her for a month when she needed to escape the flashing lights of LA.

“You know, I’ve been balling out. We have a little bit before the season starts though, Rory. If you ever want to come visit me. My home is open.” Ja’Marr had let Aurora out of her hug and she had made her way over to get fitted into her gold stunning dress.

“What are we thinking about this one Aurora? I love the bottom and how it shows you off more than the pink one.” Jules studied her body for a while. Aurora caught Ja’Marr’s eyes in the mirror and smiled. It was nice to see him again; she didn’t realize how much she missed his presence. “I have another one I want you to try on. I wouldn’t let just anyone try the next one on, but you’ll love stunning it.” Jules started to undo the shining gold dress when Aurora caught her first glance of Joe Burrow. He was getting fitted into a black suit with Danny. She saw Joe turn around to grab something out of his dressing room when the breath in her throat got caught. It’s backless.

“Here you go. Try this one.” Jules dropped a dark gold dress into her hands. This seems a little…skimpy.

“You need help in there, Rory?” Ja’Marr let out a laugh. She figured he was kidding but deep down she didn’t know. Ja’Marr was known for being a flirt with her but nothing had actually happened between them. Except for that one night while she was living with him, but that's besides the point.

“Don’t be a perv Marr. I’ll manage.” It took Aurora a couple minutes to figure out how to put this dress on. Once on, she saw how it complimented every part of her. Her boobs looked amazing and it made her hair glow. There was no way Jules didn’t think this was the dress. It did show a lot of skin; not much of her chest was covered. Is it too much?

This is dress three https://www.pinterest.com/pin/684828687122375381/

Aurora pulled the curtain of her dressing room back to see Joe standing next to Ja’Marr, deep in conversation.

“This is it. I can already tell. Danny, can you grab my tape measure?” Jules led Aurora up to the mirrors so she was on display for everyone to see. “I think all we need to do is shorten it but other than that, Aurora, it’s all good. This was made for you.” Jules displayed a huge grin.

“I second that. Rory, you are beautiful.” A slight blush graced her cheeks from Ja’Marr’s comments. He then reached forward to pick her up and spin her around in a circle. Aurora let out a mix between a squeal and a laugh.

“Marr put me down. I’m gonna have a wardrobe malfunction.” Ja’Marr gently set Aurora down when she locked eyes with Joe.

“Hey, I’m Joe Burrow.” He reached out to shake her hand; she was too busy staring into his baby blue eyes when Ja’Marr nudged her shoulder.

“Aurora Prince. Nice to meet you Joe. I’ve been to a couple Bengals games and I hope to be back again this year. If Marr will get me some tickets.” Aurora looked over at Ja’marr making a begging symbol with her hand. He laughed and lightly pushed her away.

“Don’t worry about it Aurora. Whenever you want to come just tell me, you’re always welcome to use my suite. More the better.” Aurora couldn’t tell if Joe was trying to flirt with her if he just was being a gentleman.

“Honestly, I might have to take you up on that offer. I love watching you guys play, I’m a huge fan.” Joe flashed a big grin at her; she couldn’t help but notice how perfect he was.

“Joe and Aurora, we would like to invite both of you to our fashion show in France in June. We would also like both of you to walk in it, together. Aurora you will wear the gold dress we picked out today and Joe you will wear the black backless suit. What do you say?” Jules handed Joe and Aurora a contract to sign after.

“Yes, 100 times, I will be there. Thank you guys so much.” Aurora didn’t have to think about her answer. This had been her dream forever, she would do anything for it.

“I’ll also be there. Thank you guys.” Joe then turned his attention towards Aurora. “So me and you, we are kinda teammates now.” He let out a little laugh and awkwardly grabbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, that was cringy. I’m glad we are walking together. I agree with Ja’Marr, you are beautiful.”

“Thank you Joe.” A deep blush was present on Aurora's face. Not only had she met her celebrity crush, he was now complimenting her.

“Well, I’m gonna get changed, but I hope to see you around Aurora.” Joe smiled and started to walk to his dressing room when Ja’Marr grabbed Aurora’s arm.

“Hey, we don’t fly out to Cincinnati for a couple of days, are you gonna free at all.”

“For you, I’m not sure.” Aurora smiled and leaned into Ja’Marr’s touch. He embraced her in a side hug.

“I missed you, homegirl. You still home shopping?” Aurora just nodded her head yes. “Well I hope you deeply consider cincinnati. I would love to have you close and you know, Joe only lives about 10 houses down from me.” Aurora laughed; so they had seen her interview.

“I’m thinking about it, Marr. I just need to get these singles out, maybe even the album, and then I can focus on moving.” Aurora knew she needed to get out of LA, it wasn’t bringing her happiness anymore; only a reminder of bad memories. “I should probably get changed, but I want to see you before you leave for Cincinnati. Is it just you and Joe?”

“Yeah, we fly out Sunday morning at 8am. So we will be here for another five days. Why?” Ja’Marr had let go of Aurora as she was heading into her dressing room.

“You’re more than welcome to come stay at my house. No point in paying for a hotel room when I have six empty rooms at my house.” Aurora had started to change out of her scandalous dress and back into her grey sweats and Nike hoodie. Once changed, Aurora came back out only to be met with Joe and Ja’Marr. “Seriously, cancel your hotel and come over to my place tonight. It will be nice to have people over.” She flashed a big grin at Joe. Honestly, she just wanted him to stay at her place forever, he was easy on the eyes. “What do you guys say?”

Ja’Marr and Joe shared a quick look and Ja’Marr shrugged, “You’re on.”

“Great! I have to get back in the studio for a while but feel free to make yourselves at home. I should be back around four or five. We can order takeout. See you guys later.” With that Aurora excused herself and walked back out to her car. Once out of Joe’s presence she was able to let a breath go that she didn’t realize she was holding in.

“I did something stupid Mike.” Aurora sighed and glanced over at Mike who still had his air pods on.

“Do I even want to know?”

#joe burrow imagines #joe burrow #jamarr chase #cincinnati bengals #sabrina carpenter #joe burrow x reader #nfl imagine #joe burrow bengals #joe burrow fic

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willowsnook · 1 month ago

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coach's daughter

hii can i get ham and swiss on rye mikes way 🙏

a/n: I wrote this whole thing, forgetting it was supposed to have smut and didn't really feel like it fit. i am sorry :( but I could do a pt. 2 with it if anyone wants it

joe burrow x taylor!reader

just let me in

———————————————————

Joe had known quite a few coaches in his football career and, for the most part, liked them all. They were all good people that he got along with well. Zac was no different when it came to that, but there was one thorn in their relationship: his 23-year-old daughter.

You did not like Joe Burrow. You didn’t really have a reason not to like him, but you just didn’t. You liked underdogs, always drifting towards the undrafted guys on the team, and he was the opposite of that. It’s not like you were out right mean to him, you just regarded him with cold indifference. Everyone’s infatuation with him made you dislike him more, much to your father’s dismay. Your dad was your best friend, and he had made sure you were by his side ever since you were a kid, which meant that football was also your life. You’d studied sports management at Cincinnati and now worked on the scouting team for the Bengals. You knew you only got your foot in the door because of your dad, but why waste opportunities right in front of you?

This season had been rough, and you felt it at work and every time you talked to your dad. He was quieter, dejected almost, as he tried to figure out how to move the team forward. It didn’t help either that some players spoke more candidly with the press about the struggles.

“I’ve done everything I can on the field. Ask the coaches, ask Zac, man, I don’t know,” Ja’Marr told a reporter who asked what could have been done differently after another loss.

The comment made you feel conflicted because, on the one hand, he was right, and you knew football well enough to know that. But on the other hand, it was your dad, and you knew your dad. You know how great of a coach he can be. Leaving the facility that night, you were irritated and, of course, had to run into the one person who you knew would make it worse.

“Hey,” Joe said as he followed you out the door into the private parking lot.

“Hey,” you replied, your voice clipped and he sighed next to you.

“Why the attitude? " he said, and you didn’t say anything; you just kept walking towards your car. You’d made it and were just about to open the car when you felt Joe grab your arm, forcing you to turn around. “I don’t agree with what Ja’Marr said.”

“I find that hard to believe,” you said, crossing your arms over your chest. “You are two peas in a pod. I’m sure you’ve talked about it.”

“We are two different people ya know,” he argued, eyes narrowing. “He’s upset. We all are.”

“I’m upset too Joe, but what the fuck do you want me to do about it right now? I don’t care if you do agree with Ja’Marr, why are you cornering me in a parking lot to tell me that?” You snapped and you could tell he was starting to get annoyed.

“I was just going to my car but thought it might be a good idea to be nice to you, but I guess I was wrong,” he said, frustrated, and you took a step closer to him.

“I don’t need you to be nice to me, I need you to do your fucking job on the field,” you shot back. Logically, you knew there was nothing he was doing wrong on the field, but you were too mad to admit that.

“Tell your dad to do his first,” he automatically said, and you flinched back, eyes blinking, trying to process whether he actually said that.

“i didn-,” he started but you held up your hand to stop him from continuing.

“Heard,” was all you replied before turning and getting into your car. The audacity of that man. He stood frozen watching you as you pulled out of the lot, praying that his words didn’t reach your dad’s ears.

————————————————

You didn’t tell your dad what Joe had said; you were trying to keep anything the press was saying about him away, which was difficult considering he had a phone, but hell, you were trying. The weeks were starting to wear you down, and along with doing your workload, you were carrying a lot of emotional weight for your dad.

The two of you were closer than most dads and daughters, and you saw it as part of your job as his daughter to get him through this. For the past two weeks, you have been doing deep analysis of both games and talking it over with him, highlighting good things and how he could expand on them moving forward. Because of this, you have been running on about 5 hours of sleep each night, less on the weekends when you have to travel for college games.

Clocking in another late night at the facility, you were stopped on your way out by the sight of two people on the field throwing the ball back and forth. Curious, you stepped out and realized it was Joe and Ja’Marr getting some reps in during the cold night.

Ja’Marr noticed you first, jogging over to meet you as you stepped out on the field. Joe turned to see what he was looking at and hesitated as he saw you.

“Late night practice?” You joked with a forced smile.

“Thought it couldn’t hurt,” Ja’Marr said before looking at the ground. “I’m sorry for what I said about coach. I know you aren’t him but I’m sure it didn’t feel good hearing it.”

“It’s alright,” you said, looking at him. “We’re all going through it.”

Joe frowned at your response to Ja’Marr, which turned into a slight pout. “I don’t understand why you bit my head off about this, but you are being nice to him, and he’s the one who said it.”

“He doesn’t irritate me like you do,” you said, rolling your eyes. Ja’Marr smirked, looking between the two of you.

“I don’t even do anything to you,” Joe complained and you shrugged.

“What are you guys really doing out here?” You asked, catching them both off guard. You didn’t miss the nervous glance Ja’Marr gave to Joe so you turned to him waiting.

“I’m worried about my wrist in the cold,” he admitted, bracing for impact of what he imagined would be a million more questions from you.

“Okay. Get on with it,” you said, and Ja’Marr nodded, running back out. You stayed rooted where you were standing, wrapping your arms around yourself to try and keep a little warm. Joe was looking at you, trying to figure out what you were doing, but eventually accepted it. He tugged off his sweatshirt, leaving him in only a tight long sleeve, and handed it to you.

“I’m fine,” you said stubbornly and he gave you a look.

“Put it on,” he said in a tone that left no room for argument, so you begrudgingly slipped the hoodie over your head. You stood watching for about 10 rounds of passing before walking closer to Joe, eyebrows furrowed. He looked at you expectantly.

“You have a problem,” you stated and he stiffened, nervous about what you were thinking.

“It’s my first time doing it tonight, and I think it will feel better if I keep at it. It feels okay now, just a little stiff,” he started off, but you shook your head, stopping him.

“You have a mental problem, it’s not the physical wrist,” you told him and he rolled his eyes.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“How could you even know that? You’re not me,” he said and your eyes hardened at his stubbornness.

“Ja’Marr, come here,” you yelled and the receiver jogged over. “Are you getting the same passes you normally get from Joe?”

Ja’Marr shifted nervously, “he’s throwing good passes.”

“That wasn’t the question,” you said, and Ja’Marr finally shook his head no as Joe glared at him. Your eyes softened as you looked back at Joe. “You’re hesitating. Afraid of re-injury, which is completely normal.”

Joe's jaw clenched as he processed your words. He wanted to deny it, to argue that you didn't know what you were talking about. But deep down, he knew you were right. The fear of re-injuring his wrist had been gnawing at him, affecting his performance more than he wanted to admit.

"So what if I am?" he finally said, his voice low and defensive. "It's not like I can just turn it off."

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. Despite your usual animosity towards Joe, you couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy. "Look, I'm not saying it's easy. But you need to address it if you want to move past it."

Ja'Marr nodded in agreement. "She's right, man. We've all noticed it, but didn't want to say anything."

Joe's shoulders slumped slightly in defeat and you felt a wave of sadness wash over you.

“We have a team psychologist for a reason,” you said. “No one has to know.”

He nodded and you could tell his mind was reeling. Deciding that it was time to go home you started to lift up the hoodie he gave you but he stopped you.

“It’ll be cold going home, so just give it to me sometime later,” he said, and you nodded. Waving goodbye to Ja’Marr, you headed off the field, your mind focused on a certain quarterback.

———————————————————————

Something was off with you, but Joe couldn’t figure out what it was. You looked tired, he thought, and you weren’t taking jabs at him when he provoked you anymore. It was starting to irritate him mostly because you had figured him out so quickly. He contemplated this as he headed towards Zac’s office, stopping short when he saw you outside of it talking to a couple of assistants.

“I saw the interview this morning. I don’t think he’s seen it yet, so let's try our best to make sure it’s not brought up. I already talked with PR this morning, who is trying to distract away from it.”

The assistants nodded as you finished talking, and everything started to click for Joe. You were trying your best to shield your dad from the negative so that he could focus on fixing the team, but it was clearly taking a toll on you.

He walked into Zac’s office a couple of minutes after you and saw Zac looking over some papers you had just handed him. You gave him a small smile as he entered and turned to leave. Joe sat down, waiting for Zac to dive into the meeting.

“God, this team would fall apart without her,” he muttered and looked up to see Joe, curiously looking at him. “She’s been writing up game analysis from this year with suggestions and whatnot, trying to keep me focused. Maybe the team wouldn’t fall apart without her, but I certainly would.”

Joe nodded, “She forced me to see the team psychologist.”

“I heard,” Zac replied, looking at his quarterback.

“I was surprised, considering it doesn’t seem like she likes me that much,” Joe admitted and Zac laughed.

“Yeah whatever, she likes you more than a lot of the guys here,” he said.

“She’s not very friendly to me,” he said and Zac was amused at seeing an almost pout on Joe’s face.

“That’s how I know she likes you,” he said. “She’s always been like that, putting up a brick wall to guard what she’s feeling or thinking.”

Joe's brow furrowed as he processed Zac's words. He'd never considered that your cold demeanor towards him might be masking something else. It made him think back to your interactions over the past few weeks - the way you'd figured out his mental block on the field, how you'd given him advice about seeing the team psychologist. Maybe there was more beneath the surface than he'd realized.

"I never thought about it that way," Joe admitted. "She just always seemed so... irritated by me."

Zac chuckled. "Trust me, if she truly didn't like you, you'd know it. She's not one to hide her feelings when she really dislikes someone."

Joe nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "So you're saying I might have a chance then?"

Zac's eyebrows shot up. "Woah there, did you forget who you’re talking to?”

Joe immediately turned red because he had, in fact, forgotten. He was frozen, thinking about how he had just asked his head coach if he could date his daughter.

————————————————————

The loss to the Steelers broke you. It finally felt like everything was starting to fall apart. After the game, you were silent, staying on the field longer to think. It felt like you were shouldering everyone else’s burdens, and now you were collapsing.

“Have you seen y/n?” Joe heard Zac ask as people were leaving the locker room. “She normally stops by after the game.”

He had noticed that during the season, win or lose, you always walked out with your dad, so this was unusual.

“Do you know where y/n lives?” He asked Ja’Marr, trying to act as casually as possible. Ja’Marr looked up at him with a wide grin.

“Why do you want it?” He asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

“No reason,” he replied quickly and somehow the grin got wider.

“I fucking knew it,” he said.

“Knew what?”

“You have a thing for her!” Ja’Marr exclaimed and Joe quickly looked around to make sure no one else was in earshot.

“So what?” He replied, trying to act like he wasn’t rattled.

“Here’s her address, lover boy,” Ja’Marr teased, letting Joe copy it into his phone. “Enjoy your last weeks alive before he finds out.”

Once he had finished at the facility, Joe drove over to your place, admiring the cute little cottage-style house you owned. He knocked on the door, trying to figure out his game plan.

You had just gotten out of the shower and changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt as you headed towards the door. Shocked was an understatement about how you felt seeing Joe at the door.

“Can I come in?”He asked, shivering from the cold. You stepped aside as he came into the warmer air.

“What are you doing here? And how do you know where I live?” You asked, watching him sit down on a barstool and turn to face you.

“I wanted to see if you were okay,” he said nonchalantly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Don’t you have my number?” You countered.

“Would you have answered?” He shot back and you stayed silent while he smiled triumphantly.

“I’m fine,” you said, crossing your arms. “Now leave.”

“Nope.” Joe said staring you down.

You sighed heavily, realizing Joe wasn't going to leave easily. "Look, I appreciate the concern, but I really just want to be alone right now."

Joe's eyes softened as he looked at you. "I get it. But I also know what it's like to shoulder everyone else's burdens. It's not healthy to keep it all bottled up."

His words hit closer to home than you wanted to admit. You felt your defenses start to crack slightly. "What do you want from me, Joe?"

"Just talk to me," he said gently. "No judgement, no expectations. Just... let me in."

You hesitated, warring with yourself. Part of you wanted to maintain the walls you'd built, to push him away like you always did. But another part, a part you'd been ignoring, craved the connection.

"I don’t know how,” you admitted. “I’m so focused on everyone else I don’t think I can understand how I’m feeling.”

“Why?” He asked softly. “Why do you feel like you have to fix everyone?”

His question caught you off guard. You had never really realized it about yourself, but it checked out. You were the friend everyone came to for advice or help fixing a problem. Historically, all your boyfriends had been guys with something you wanted to fix. And now you were spending your time studying games so closely to help your dad fix his team.

“I don’t like things I can’t control, but everything is starting to feel like it’s spiraling,” you said and your voice cracked on the last word. Joe quickly got up and had pulled you into his chest as the first tear hit your cheek.

You stiffened at first, not used to this level of intimacy with Joe. But as he held you tightly, rubbing soothing circles on your back, you felt yourself start to relax. The dam finally broke and you let out a choked sob, burying your face in his chest.

"It's okay," Joe murmured, his voice low and comforting. "Let it out."

And you did. All the stress, the worry, the frustration of the past weeks came pouring out. Joe just held you, occasionally whispering words of comfort, but mostly just being a steady presence.

"I just... I feel like if I can't fix everything, then what good am I?" You whispered.

Joe's eyes softened with understanding. "You don't have to fix everything, y/n. You're not responsible for everyone else's problems or failures.”

“Why are you being so nice to me?” You asked, trying to lighten the mood. “I’ve been so mean to you.”

“Your dad told me that it meant you liked me,” he said with a small grin. You blushed, burying your head back into his chest. You felt the rumble of his laughter as you burned with embarrassment.

“Why don’t I order us something to eat, and we can watch a movie or something?” he suggested, and you nodded, grateful that he had come. You heard him call a pizza place before he joined you on the couch, choosing to sit right next to you.

You felt yourself relax as Joe settled in next to you on the couch. The warmth of his body was comforting, and you found yourself leaning slightly towards him without even realizing it.

"So, what are we watching?" Joe asked, grabbing the remote.

You shrugged. "Something mindless? I don't think I can handle anything too heavy right now."

"Mindless it is," Joe agreed, scrolling through Netflix until he found a cheesy rom-com.

As the movie played on, you found yourself forgetting about the stress of the past few weeks. Joe’s arm had somehow ended up draped across the back of the couch, and you weren’t sure when, but your head was now resting on his shoulder. It was surprisingly…nice.

“I never pegged you as a rom-com guy,” you teased softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

Joe smirked, his voice light. “Don’t knock it. Sometimes you just need a happy ending.”

You raised an eyebrow at him, fighting a smile. “Is that so?”

He turned his head to meet your eyes, his expression uncharacteristically serious.

“Yeah, it is. And maybe you need one, too.”

His words hung in the air, the weight of them settling in your chest. There was something so genuine in the way he looked at you that it made your heart race.

“I don’t know if I’m cut out for happy endings,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “I’m too busy trying to keep everyone else’s story from falling apart.”

Joe reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, his fingers lingering just slightly. “Maybe it’s time you let someone else take care of you for a change.”

You felt your breath hitch, the vulnerability in his words sending a warmth through your chest. Before you could overthink it, before you could convince yourself otherwise, you leaned in and pressed a soft, hesitant kiss to his lips.

Joe froze for half a second before kissing you back, his hand coming up to cup your cheek gently. The kiss was slow and unhurried like he had all the time in the world to show you exactly how much he cared.

When you finally pulled away, his forehead rested against yours, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Guess your dad was right,” Joe murmured, his tone teasing but his eyes filled with something much deeper. “You do like me.”

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t help the smile spreading across your face. “Shut up, Burrow.”

#nfl imagines #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow

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mamaestapa · 1 year ago

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Heartache Like No Other

•pairing: Joe Burrow x reader

•series summary: Y/n Hubbard, the younger sister of Cincinnati Bengals Defensive End Sam Hubbard, finds herself in a difficult situation after a steamy hookup with her brothers best friend, who just so happens to be the quarterback for the Bengals. In just nine months their lives will be changed forever. How will Y/n and Joe manage to to go through parenthood together? more so, how will Sam take the news he is going to be the uncle of his best friends baby?

chapter summary: You and Joe both experience heartbreak like no other after the events of Joe’s time in Louisiana for the LSU spring game…

•word count: 5.3k

•warnings: pregnancy, angst, crying, jealous joe, sad joe, sad y/n, definitely not the fluffiest chapter but there is some fluff!

series masterlist

——————————————————

April 12, 2023

4 months pregnant

Tears streamed down your face as you pulled out of Joe’s driveway. You were still absolutely distraught. You knew it was bad for your unborn son, but you couldn’t control the painful sobs that tore through your body as you left Joe’s. You didn’t let Joe explain himself at all because your hormones had been clouding your judgment since you came across the photos of him with his ex-girlfriend. Joe seemed deeply hurt and genuinely confused by your accusations you were throwing around when he got home. He truly does love you, and he missed you and your unborn child so much while he was away. Hearing you say such harsh words just broke his heart. But you were heartbroken too, Joe’s actions really hurt you.

As you drove down the street, you pulled out your phone, scrolling through your contacts until you got to the name of someone you knew wouldn’t mind if you stayed with them for a little while. Holly and Joe live in a one bedroom apartment and you’d hate to invade their space, even though you know Holly wouldn’t hesitate to let you stay with them. Morgan and Logan were out of town for a couple days, and they’re your friends but you wouldn’t crash at their place anyways. Obviously, Sam and Emma aren’t even options at this point. So that left you with the person you were calling right now. You put the call on speaker as you continued to drive. The phone rang twice before the person on the other end picked up.

“Hey.”

You sniffled, voice shaky and full of emotion as you responded, “Hi Tee.”

“Woah, you good Y/n?” Tee asked, his voice full of concern on the other end. You felt tears well up in your eyes as you stayed silent. You choked out a sob, causing Tee to curse silently on the other end. As gut wrenching sobs wracked your body all over again, you could hear Tee trying to calm you.

“Y/n you OK? Is something wrong? Does Joe know or do I need to come get you?”

“I-it, it’s about Joe.” You replied, your sobs growing harsher at the mention of Joe. You could hear Tee curse again before he replied. “What’d Burrow do?”

Get back together with his ex-girlfriend. Lie to me about missing me, lie to me about loving me… You thought.

“Can I,” you hiccuped, “stay with you, please?” You pleaded. You sniffled and hiccuped once again from your sobs before you spoke again. “I’ll explain everything.”

“Of course,” Tee replied instantly, “as long as you need. You need me to come get you?” You sniffled, responding, “No, I’m on my way.”

After saying you’d see each other soon, you hung up the phone and continued to drive to Tee’s house. A tear falling down your cheek every once in a while as you drove and thought about the heartbroken Joe you left behind. Part of you feels terrible for leaving him like that, but you knew you couldn’t stay. Not after what he did to you while he was in Louisiana. Before you knew it, you were pulling into Tee’s driveway. As soon as you pulled into the driveway, Tee was already out waiting at the front door for you. You put your car in park and got out, tears welling in your eyes once again as you made eye contact with the wide receiver. You walked up to the front door, falling into Tee’s arms as gut wrenching sobs wracked your body. Tee immediately wrapped his arms around you, holding you tightly against him while staying mindful of your bump. He brought a hand up to cradle the back of your head as you cried into his chest. Tee stroked your hair with his thumb as he tried to calm you. He let you cry for a good three minutes before he pulled your head away from his chest. A deep frown was etched on Tee’s face as he gazed down at your tear streaked face and teary, bloodshot eyes.

“Come on,” he said softly, draping an arm around your shoulders, “let’s get you inside.”

You nodded as the two of you walked into Tee’s house. Tee brought you into his living room, letting you sit down on the couch first before he sat down next to you. As your body recovered from your intense sobbing, you let out the occasional shaky breath and small sniffle. Tee leaned over to grab a tissue from the coffee table, handing it to you with a soft smile.

“Thanks,” you croaked out before blowing and wiping the snot away from your nose. “I’m sorry, this is disgusting. I’m disgusting.”

Tee shook his head and placed a comforting hand on your knee, squeezing it gently as he said, “No you’re not, beautiful.” You wet your lips and looked over at Tee, a sad smile pulling at your lips. “I’m glad you think so.”

“What’s got you so upset, girl?“ Tee frowned, giving you his full attention as you took a deep, shaky breath. You then told him the whole story, from Joe going to Louisiana for the LSU spring game to the photos of him with his ex that brought you to where you are right now—Tee's house. As you gave Tee all of the details, you couldn't help but grow emotional again. Seeing Joe with another woman, especially when that woman is his ex-girlfriend, isn't easy. Plus, all you could see when you thought about Joe was the heartbroken expression he wore, and the tears that rolled down his cheeks as he watched you walk out of the house. You couldn't help but feel a little guilty at the thought of Joe being completely distraught right now over you leaving him the way you did.

But what he did was wrong. You know you can't be around or talk to him right now. Your emotions are all over the place, and pair that with your raging pregnancy hormones, the results of you seeing Joe at the moment wouldn't end well. Staying with Tee is the right thing for you to do—at least for now.

Tee asked you to show him the photos of Joe and Alexis in Louisiana. You gladly showed him, however you couldn't help but cringe as you looked at the photos. Your heart sank as you watched Tee scroll the posts, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion as he read the captions of each post. Tee seemed just as genuinely confused as you were when you first heard about the situation. He handed you your phone and frowned deeply at you. "Damn," he breathed out, "I don't even know what to say." You let out a breathy laugh, "How do you think I feel?" Tee wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into his side. He just frowned down at you as he watched your eyes well up with tears again. You quickly wiped them away, refusing to cry over this anymore. You've shed too many tears over Joe and decisions in the past couple hours.

"Y/n," Tee said quietly, making you look up at him. He cleared his throat before speaking again, "Promise you won't get upset." You quickly sat up and out of Tee's arm that was draped over your shoulder. "Why?" You asked, voice full of concern. You were preparing to hear upsetting news that you knew you did not want to hear right now. If it has anything to do with Joe and his relationship with Alexis, you don't know if your heart (or your blood pressure) can handle it. "Is it about Joe and Alexis? Have they been seeing each other?"

Tee's eyes widened at your question. "No, no! Not at all," he assured, "I was just going to give you my opinion about all that bullshit."

You let out a sigh of relief at Tee's words. You could feel your mood shift a little at the fact that Joe hasn't been seeing Alexis. "Good. I was worried you were going to tell me Joe has been seeing Alexis behind my back."

"Well, I know he hasn't here. Who knows what he was doin' in Louisiana."

Your shoulders dropped as your face fell. You could feel your chest tighten as another breakdown full of harsh sobs was about to come over you. Here we go again.

Tee, noticing your hurt expression, immediately took back his statement. "Which, I'm sure was nothing." You wiped your tears and nodded hastily as Tee thought about what he was going to say to you. He didn't want to hurt you anymore than you already were, but he also didn't want to get your hopes up in case something was going on behind your back.

"Look, Y/n, I know you're upset. Don't take this as me trying to be mean and make things worse." Tee sighed, "You're my friend and I'm just trying to help you." You nodded along at his words. You could never be upset with Tee when you know he's only saying these things to help you and the situation.

"But they're just pictures. You can't accuse Joe of doing something behind your back because of some stupid pictures from Instagram that someone took. The one picture looked posed, the other two were just moments where fans happened to snap pics. Alexis was one of the best college athletes at LSU the same time as Joe, so of course people will want pictures of the two of them in the same place."

Tee has a point...Alexis was one of the best athletes that ever attended LSU—the same goes for Joe. People are obviously going to want pictures of the two, despite their past with each other.

"Joe doesn't look genuinely happy in those photos at all. You can tell that damn smile is a fake as hell." You let out a light chuckle, making Tee smile softly. It was good to hear you laugh, even if it was just a tiny one. "But," he continued, "When Joe is with you, I've only ever seen a genuine smile come from him."

Your thoughts were running wild, almost as wild as your emotions.

"Look, I know you don't want to talk to, or even see Joe right now. But if you're this worked up and willing to throw away everything you have with him, maybe you should talk to 'Marr about it instead. He was there, I'm sure he could tell you everything."

It's true. Ja'Marr was with Joe the whole time at the game and even the club where he was spotted with his ex. You stayed silent as you weighed your options and thought about what to do.

“No.”

“No? Y/n, are you su-.”

“I saw what I saw.” You said, cutting Tee off. “I don’t need to hear it too.”

Tee sighed deeply at your stubbornness. Deep down you knew you were overreacting a bit, but you weren’t going to give in that easily. Joe really hurt you, even if it wasn’t intentional. You know you’ll have to talk to Joe again, but not anytime soon.

“Alright, if you say so,” Tee stood from the couch with a sigh. He looked down at you with a small smile, “I’m going to grab your bag, make yourself at home.”

You nodded as you watched Tee turn around and exit his home to grab your suitcase from the car. As you sat on the couch, you felt your phone vibrate in your pocket. You pulled it out, rolling your eyes as you saw Joe’s name flash on the screen. He was trying to call you. You heart dropped with guilt as you thought about all of Joes desperate attempts to contact you. You still hadn’t told him where you were. Your guilt was quickly overcome with stubbornness as you clicked the red decline button. You leaned back in the coach, throwing your head back and letting out a loud sigh. You crossed your hands over your belly, earning a kick in return from your son. Tee walked into the living room with your suitcase, making you sit back up.

“I’ll take this up to the guest room.” You nodded, smiling softly, “Thanks Tee.”

“Yeah,” he started to walk up the stairs when he called out to you, “Want to freshen up and get some food? I’m sure you’re starving.”

As if on cue, your stomach growled at the mention of food. You hadn’t eaten anything due to being so worked up, plus you are eating for two so you’re always up to eat. You nodded, smiling softly at Tee as you accepted his offer. “Sure, sounds good.”

You figured going out with Tee would be good for you. Getting food and being in Tees company would definitely help get your mind off of things. You got up from the couch and followed Tee upstairs, going into the guest bedroom to get your things situated while Tee got ready to go out. You got your toiletries and makeup bag out from your suitcase, deciding to freshen up in the guest bathroom. As you were brushing your hair, your phone dinged with a text message notification. You sighed as you read the last three messages that Joe sent you in the last couple hours.

Joe- I’m so sorry Y/n. I didn’t mean to make you upset. Can you please give me a chance to talk to you about this? I’ll explain everything.

Joe- I miss you. Just as much, if not more than I did while I was gone. You don’t have to talk to me, but just know that I do love and miss you.

Joe- Y/n, can you at least let me know that you and our son are safe and OK?

As upset as you are at Joe, you know that telling him that you and the baby are safe and staying with Tee, is the right thing to do.

You- I’m at Tees. My baby is fine.

That was the first time in a long time referred to the baby as my baby and not our baby. You know that’ll crush Joe, but you figure that’s what he gets for absolutely gutting you. You shut your phone off, ignoring the notification that Joe liked your message as you continued to freshen up for your dinner with Tee. The two of you decided to get burgers at a local burger joint in Cincinnati. Recently, your biggest pregnancy craving has been cheeseburgers. It doesn’t matter if it’s a burger from McDonalds or a burger from a pub—they all satisfy your craving.

As soon as you and Tee arrived at the restaurant, Tee insisted that you found a place to sit down while he ordered food for both of you. You told him your order and found a table to sit at in the corner of the diner type restaurant. As Tee ordered, many fans that were eating or ordering had come up to him to get their pictures taken with him. After paying, he politely declined more photos being taken as he wanted to spend this time to catch up with a friend. All of the fans were extremely understanding, letting Tee get back to you without any issues. You and Tee talked with each other for a bit until your food arrived. You were all ears as he told you all about his off-season and how he was preparing for the upcoming football season. Just like Joe, Tee is up for a new contract. As far as you or Tee are concerned, nothing has been negotiated or decided on quite yet—but there’s still a lot of time before a decision needs to be made. It may not even happen this off-season, for Joe or Tee! But who knows. You try to stay out of the business side of the NFL as much as possible.

Throughout your meal, Joe hadn’t even crossed your mind once. Spending this time with Tee and eating a delicious burger, definitely helped boost your mood a ton and get your mind off of things.

“Y/n,” Tee said, holding up his phone to take picture, “hold the burger up.”

You did as Tee asked, holding the burger up and smiling sweetly at the camera, scrunching your nose as you did so. Tee laughed at your pose and took a picture, posting it onto his instagram story with the caption: “🍔!!! @yourusername”

Tee put his phone down and went back to enjoying his burger. You got on your phone and saw his story, liking it before reposting it to yours, captioning it: “burgers with Uncle Tee>>>” so that no rumors would start about Tee being the father of your baby, since for now, no one but your closest friends and family know who the father is.

You put your phone back down and took a bite of the burger, moaning from all of the different flavors and how delicious it was.

“Hit the spot?” Tee chuckled from your reactions with a look of amusement on his face. You nodded, humming as a way to say yes. Tee smiled, pointing at you, “Little guy enjoying it, too?”

“He’s been pretty calm, not wiggling around a lot,” you sighed contently, “So, I’m going to take that as a yes.” You finished with a smile. Tee couldn’t help but smile warmly at your response. He was so excited to be an uncle to that sweet baby boy. Him and Ja’Marr fight constantly about who is going to be favorite uncle: Tee or Ja’Marr. It’s funny to watch them argue, both of them not even considering mentioning Sam, the baby’s biological uncle in the conversation. But at this point, you’re positive Tee and Ja’Marr will be better uncles to the baby than your brother will be.

You and Tee finished up your food and headed back to his house to wind down for the night. You were ready to head back and relax, and continue to not let your thoughts be overwhelmed with Joe.

~…meanwhile…~

You- I’m at Tees. My baby is fine.

Joe’s mouth formed in a straight line as he read the words “my baby”. You’d never referred to the baby as your baby when you were with him, it was always our baby—until now.

He must’ve really hurt you.

Joe sighed as he placed his phone face down on the couch. He was relieved to know you were safe and with someone he trusts, but him knowing you were still extremely upset with him made his heart hurt. You had been ignoring all of his previous texts and phone calls, which was something he wasn’t used to. Joe leaned forward and put his head into his hands, rubbing his hands down his face multiple times. He was starting to get a headache, which he wasn’t sure if it was from crying or the stress he’s putting himself under right now over you and his baby. Joe wet his lips as he pulled his hands away from his face. His mind was racing, filling with thoughts about you and how devastated and distraught you looked when he got home from the airport. Joe felt extremely heartbroken, but most of all, he felt guilty. Guilty for being around Alexis. Guilty for the heartbreak he caused you. Guilty for making you feel like he didn’t love you. Guilty for making you feel like he didn’t love your sweet baby boy.

As Joe’s thoughts ran wild, emotion soon took over him and before he knew it, he was letting out the same gut wrenching sobs that you were earlier. The salty tears streamed down his face in a constant rate as he sobbed painfully. He hated that the situation came to this. Joe never wanted any of this to happen. He didn’t think going to LSU for a couple days would cause everything the two of you have created the last couple months to come crumbling down in a matter of days.

Joe promised himself and you that he’d make it up to you. Everything he did to you all those years ago, he vowed to never do anything like that again. But here was, breaking your heart the same way he did when he left for LSU. Was this how you felt when he left for LSU?

Tears continued to stream down Joe’s cheeks as he thought about the hurt he caused you, and how you may never forgive him. His thoughts wandered to his unborn son. Joe’s sweet little boy that was growing like a weed, who he hasn’t gotten to speak to or feel for days. He missed his son terribly. Joe could only hope you’ll let him attend your checkup that’s in a couple days. He’ll try to convince you, but he’s not going to get his hopes up.

After a few minutes of letting out all of his pent up emotions, Joe’s sobs slowed to the occasional sniffle. Once he wasn’t worked up anymore, he decided to do an intense training workout to get his mind of you, the baby, and everything that’s happening between the two (or three) of you.

~time skip~

Joe had just finished an intense workout. Sweat dripped down his forehead as his glistening chest heaved with every deep breath he took. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed a fruit punch Body Armor from the fridge. He quickly opened the bottle, bringing it up to his lips and taking a generous drink of the ice cool liquid. It was perfect for after a workout like Joe had. He pulled the bottle away from his lips, letting out a slight “ah.” Joe sniffed and wiped his mouth free of the liquid that had dribbled down his chin as he quenched his thirst. He screwed the cap back on and walked over to the island, pulling out a bar stool and plopping his sore body down onto it. As Joe sat down, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out, hoping it was a message from you. His shoulders sunk in disappointment. It wasn’t a text. But it was a notification from Instagram, notifying Joe that you and Tee had added to your stories.

Usually, Joe wasn’t one to use social media. He could care less about what people on Instagram had to say or do. Occasionally though, he will post, but it’s only ever related to football or any sponsorships he may be a part of. His words, Joe doesn’t “peruse social media”.

However, curiosity got the best of him. Joe opened the Instagram app and immediately clicked on your story, which popped up first on his feed. His heart dropped to his stomach as he saw the picture of you smiling and holding up the burger you ate for dinner. His heart dropped even more as he noticed you reposted Tee’s story.

You were out to dinner with Tee. While it seemed like a friendly type of thing, Joe couldn’t help but feel a little jealous seeing you with Tee. What makes matters worse is that you’re staying with Tee right now. He could only hope nothing was happening. Joe knows you’re incredibly upset with him, but he likes to think you wouldn’t do something harsh to him in return. Jealousy continued to bubble inside of Joe as he thought about you and Tee together.

Joe let out a heavy sigh as he hastily swiped out of Instagram and shut his phone off. Joe was overwhelmed. He was extremely upset and on top of that, he was starting to get jealous at the thought of you staying with Tee.

He needed to talk to you. He needed to talk to Tee. He needed to make sure nothing was happening.

…

You were sitting on the couch next to Tee, wrapped up in a blanket and laying your head on his shoulder as the two of you watched re-runs of How I Met Your Mother. As you were tucked into Tee’s side, you were feeling around for your baby boys kicks. He’s been active today, but not as active as usual. You weren’t concerned though, you knew the reason why. Your son was only extremely active whenever Joe was around. You think the baby must like the sound of his dads voice, or the touch of his palm over yours. Because when Joe is around, your son is doing what feels like constant somersaults in your belly.

You poked gently at your skin, waiting for your baby to push back. A few moments passed of no movement, but he eventually kicked back at the spot you poked. You giggle softly as you watched your son kick. Tee glanced down at the sound of your laughter, watching in amusement as you bothered your unborn baby.

“What are you doing to the little guy?” Tee chuckled. You grabbed his hand, smiling as you placed it gently on your bump. “Feel this.”

You poked the side of your belly, waiting to feel your son kick back again. He didn’t. You figured it would take a few tries to get him to move, but he never did the whole time Tee’s hand was on you.

“He’s being stubborn, sorry.” You said, frowning slightly as Tee pulled his hand away. Tee chuckled, “It’s good. He can tell it’s not his daddy’s hand.”

You smiled slightly, “Yeah, you’re right. I can tell he’s already a daddy’s boy.” You said quietly, thinking about how much Joe and his son have already bonded—even though your baby is only twenty some weeks.

“Speaking of his daddy…” Tee trailed off, “have you talked to Joe at all?” You shrugged, “Not really. Only to tell him that I was staying with you.”

Tee nodded, humming in response. “Well,” he started, “you can stay as long as you need.” You looked up at Tee, a genuine smile on your face as you said, “Thank you Tee.” He nodded, the smile on his face matching yours, “Anytime, Y/n/n.”

You spent the rest of the night watching HIMYM with Tee, before you went upstairs to get some well needed rest after the day you had today.

~the next day~

You woke up from your deep, peaceful sleep, to sound of your phone going off. You groaned slightly as you rubbed your tired eyes. You rolled over in the queen sized bed and reached out to grab your phone. You sighed in annoyance as you saw what the notification was.

Joe had sent you a message.

You rolled your eyes and set your phone back down on the nightstand. You laid back down in bed, trying to fall back into that same peaceful sleep you had been in before your phone went off. However, as you laid in bed and tried to fall back asleep, you couldn’t help but slowly start to feel guilty.

You knew you were being stubborn, overreactive, and harsh about the whole situation with Joe. He just made you so upset, and the only way you could make it “better” was by leaving him and ignoring everything he tired to say to you. So as you laid in bed, you decided that while you aren’t ready to see Joe yet, you should text him back. It’ll make you both feel better.

Joe- Hey. I know you’re still pissed at me, and I don’t expect you to say anything, but I’m just checking in. I’m worried about you, Y/n. I want to make sure the two of you are OK.

You- Hi. We’re both doing good, thanks for checking in.

Joe- Of course. Im glad to hear that. Things going good with Tee?

You- Yep.

Joe- Good.

You didn’t respond. You figured letting him know you and the baby were still going OK was good enough for now. You went to turn your phone off when another text from Joe came through.

Joe- I was looking at the calendar and noticed you have an appointment in a couple days. Do you need me to take you?

You- No, I can go by myself.

Joe- I was hoping maybe I could go with you. Dr. Montgomery said your halfway appointment would be one we shouldn’t miss.

You- I don’t really want to see you right now, Joe. I get the appointment is important, but the baby and I clearly aren’t your top priority right now.

Joe- Y/n, can you please let me explain myself? It’s not what you think, I promise. I love and miss you so much.

You scoffed as you read his text. Was he just saying that to get you to let him go the appointment?

You- I don’t want to see you right now, Joe.

Joe- I won’t even be in the room if you don’t want me. At least let me go and sit in the waiting room so that I can talk to Dr. Montgomery. Please?

You- I don’t know.

Joe- He’s my baby too, Y/n. I want to make sure he’s healthy and OK. I’ll stay in the waiting room the whole time, you won’t even know I’m there.

You contemplated on what to say to Joe. As much as you’re still upset with him, you know it’s wrong to deny him from going to your appointment. Joe’s right, it’s his baby too. Even if you don’t want to see him, he should be able to go.

You- Fine. Appointment is at eleven.

Joe- Thank you. I’ll see you in a couple days. Take care of yourself and peanut.

Your eyes welled with tears as you read the name peanut.

Peanut. Joe hasn’t referred to the baby as peanut since before you found out you were having a baby boy. The nickname filled you with many different emotions. You loved hearing the name again, but at the same time it made you sad hearing it come from Joe because of how you’ve been treating him the last couple of days.

A pang of guilt struck you as you realized how harsh you sounded as you texted Joe. He on the other hand sounded genuine in each message he sent. It made you realize that maybe Joe really does love you and your unborn son, and that he wasn’t just saying those words to keep you distracted. Maybe Joe really did miss you while he was in Louisiana for those couple of days, and maybe, just maybe, those pictures truly did mean nothing.

hey loves!!

i just skimmed through this chapter and fixed obvious things that needed edited, but there are definitely still some errors (so i apologize for that lol)

so y/n is staying with tee and joe might just be a little jealous

and poor joe :( i just want to hug him lol. do we think y/n will come around and let joe explain himself or do we think she’s going to be stubborn and continue to drag this out?

we’ll have to see in the next chapter👀 which lucky for you, will be out this week!😉) again, i don’t want to give much away, but i think this next chapter will make you feel better—maybe…

if you haven’t seen already, i’m updating this series TWICE a week now! with the exception of this week, i will be updating a chapter every monday & thursday/friday. so hopefully thats some exciting news if you enjoy this series!🤍

anyways, thank you so much for all of your kind words, comments, and love you’ve shown this series! i’m having a blast writing it, and it makes me so happy to see that you are all enjoying it. you’re all the best!☺️🤍

tags: @dandelionwrites8 @joeburreauxsworld @theflawedwriter @mrsshiesty @ann288 @ijustcrypretty @theoneandonlyfanz @wickedfun9 @venus-b @hummusxx @stainednailpolishremover @a-moment-captured @alternativemadchen @erinmartin1987 @sirlewisworld @kkrenae @unhingedfangirl @sublimemusic-rebel @meameagirl @ilovejoeburroww @hallecarey1 @j-worlds-blog @blinkloverx3 @jordyn14 @kristencochefski1125 @ryiamarie @unsaidjaelinrose @sinners-98-world @ozwriterchick @evernova @fangirl-madz @jackharloww @fantasywritersstuff @emherb10

#joe burrow #joe burrow x reader #joe burrow x y/n #joe burrow x you #joe burrow series #joe burrow fanfic #daddy issues #dad joe

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betterthanburrow · 1 year ago

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Park Of Roses - Joe Burrow

Summary: The third-string Quarterback for the Ohio States Buckeyes finally gets the opportunity to take the girl of his dreams on a first date that he had been planning for weeks… but what happens at the Park Of Roses in Columbus, Ohio when everything that could go wrong on a first date goes wrong?

Genre: Fluff and Angst (Friends to Lovers)

As Joseph is walking up the front door steps, his hand that has a tight grip on the bouquet of your flowers flowers starts to sweat and his heart is beating fast in his chest. It takes a couple of seconds for him to convince himself to not run away back to his car and drive until his car runs out of gas.

Since the day Joseph met you at Ohio State when the two of you sat next to each other during one of your classes, he’s had the biggest crush on you… And his crush on you only got stronger every-time the two of you would hang out along with your friend group.

It took a lot of encouragement to ask you out on a date, his friends Sam and Nick had known about Joseph having a crush on you for months and they would always tease him about it until they realized how serious the crush was. Joseph had never had a crush until he met you and having a crush scared him.

Before Joseph could start overthinking about the first date, he rang the front door to your townhouse and impatiently waited for you to open the door as he prayed that you didn’t forget about the planned date.

When you opened the front door to see Joseph standing with a bouquet of your favorite flowers, there was a smile on your face and you saw Joseph look up and down to examine your outfit choice of your favorite sundress, matching sandals, and a matching Kate Spade cross-body purse before giving you a smile.

“Hi Joseph!” you say.

“Hey…” Joseph nervously says then hands you the bouquet of your flowers, “These flowers are for you!”

The sweet gesture of him gifting you your favorite flowers in the most gorgeous bouquet made you feel butterflies in your stomach.

“These flowers are gorgeous… How did you know that white roses are my favorite flowers?” you asked.

“It was a lucky guess.” Joseph lied. The real answer is that he begged his friend, Sam Hubbard, to ask your best friend, Zoe what are your favorite flowers.

“A lucky guess it was…” you say, “Let me go put these flowers in a vase and then we can leave for our date!” While Joseph, stands impatiently at your front door with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, you walk into your kitchen to place the flowers in a vase.

It didn’t take you long to find the perfect vase for the white roses, and soon enough you were walking side by side with Joseph after locking your townhouse’s door.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going for our date.” you ask as he’s opening the passenger door.

“I can tell you if you want me too.” Joseph replies, before closing the passenger door after you sit down in the seat.

He quickly walks in front of the car to get to the driver’s side. Once he’s inside the car, you say. “It can be a surprise… I really like surprises!”

“You can look in the backseats for a hint.” Joseph says, buckling his seat and starting the car. When you turn to look towards the backseats, you see there’s a picnic basket sitting on the seats.

“You’re taking me on a picnic?” you asks. Joseph nods his head as he’s focusing on the driving to the location.

As you say comfortably in the passenger seat of car, you couldn’t help but think that everything Joseph was doing so far before the date started was right and beyond what you could’ve expected from Joseph.

When you had met Joseph you thought he didn’t like you because he would never talk to you outside of the classroom when the two of you would be hanging out with your mutual friends, but one of your other friends Hannah who had known Joseph since freshman year of high school clarified that he is a shy person and it takes for him to warm up to new people… but when Joseph asked you on a date, everything started to make sense on why his behavior was like that with you.

For a few minutes, there was a comfortable silence between the two of you as the radio station was playing the latest pop hits at a low volume. You look out the window and look to see there are a few dark clouds around the area, when you had watched the Weather Forecast on TV this morning there was no mention that there was any chance of rain.

“It looks like it’s getting cloudy.” you say, turning your head to look at Joseph as the car stops at the red light.

You can see him looking up out the window and sigh, “Yeah it does… let’s just hope it’s an overcast.”

When Joseph turn his head to look towards the backseats, seeing the picnic basket and then the dark clouds made him frown as he turns back to face forward to keep an eyes on the traffic light as he starts to fidget with the bracelets on his wrists.

Not noticed by him, you had watched Joseph frown when looking at the picnic basket… Without thinking, your hand grabs one of his hands to stop you from fidgeting with his bracelets and when he look up at you, there’s a soft smile on your face.

“Trust me, the weather won’t ruin our date.” you say which puts a soft smile of his face. The two of you just stared at each other, and for some reason Joseph thought this would be perfect moment to kiss you.

So focus on the moment, Joseph didn’t notice the traffic light had turned green until he heard honking before him from the truck behind his car. The two of you jumped at the sound and immediately Joseph put his hands back on the steering wheel and focused on driving ahead on the road.

As you were looking out the window as Joseph was driving, you started recognizing the area of town in Columbus you were in… It didn’t take long for Joseph drive through the entryway and into the parking lot, and there was a huge smile on your face when you realized where Joseph was taking your on your date.

“You’re taking me on a picnic date to the Whetstone Park?” you asked as Joseph parked the car.

“Well… yes.” Joseph answered. “But, technically I’m taking you on a picnic date at the Park Of Roses.”

I don’t think you understand, I’ve wanted to visit the Park Of Roses since I moved to Columbus!” you say.

“I guess today is your lucky day.” he says, before stepping out the driver’s side of the car wand walking in front of the car to open the passenger door for you.

Once you set out of the car and he closes the passenger door behind you, he opens the backseat door to throw the picnic blanket over his shoulder and has a tight grip on the picnic basket as he uses his hip to close the door. With his free hand, he grabs your hand and there is a smile on both of your faces.

It wasn’t a long walk from the parking lot to the Picnic Pavilion, Joseph had felt a few rain droplets but he didn’t want the mention to not ruin the moment. The weather app lied to him when he was planning the date earlier this week instead of studying for his mid-terms.

As the two of you walked hand in hand along the pathway, Joseph saw how your eyes with sparkle with joy as you look around at all of the flower bushes.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many beautiful flower bushes in my life… especially when they’re all at full bloom like this.” you exclaim.

“Trust me… we will have a-lot of time to walk around the paths to look around at all the flowers in the area.” Joseph says.

“Hopefully we do have time… Look up at the dark clouds.” you say, pointing up the the dark cloudy sky.

As if Mother Nature and the Universe had heard the conversation between the two of you, the rain droplets started falling down from the sky faster and suddenly a heavy downpour of rain had started.

“Oh shit!” Joseph exclaimed his grip on your hand tighter as the two of you ran towards the Picnic Pavilion to try and take shelter as fast as you could.

Once the two of you were under the Picnic Pavilion, you couldn’t help but laugh at Joseph with his clothes sticking to his skin. He lets go of your hand and puts the picnic basket on the table then, throws the wet blanket off his shoulder onto the table… You noticed how even when he is soaking wet he looked as handsome as always and you couldn’t help but stare.

When he turns to look at you, it caught him off-guard when he looked over at you to catch you starting at him. “What are you staring at?” Joseph asks.

“You look like a wet dog.” you say while giggling.

Joseph has a smile on his face with his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “I look like what?” he asked.

“You look like a wet dog.” you repeat. “It’s because of your hair… Has your mom told you to get a haircut?”

“Yes my mom has told me to get a haircut many times the past few months… but I don’t look like a wet dog.” Joseph says defensively while running his fingers through his wet hair.

Joseph shakes his head once more to try and remove the excess water and then examines the situation that the two of you are stuck in… The perfect first date with you was close to being ruined because of the weather, but Joseph felt so defeated because of the situation as he sighs when looking around and seeing the wet blanket on the table next to the picnic basket.

“This date is definitely not going according to plan…” Joseph says. “I can’t believe it was almost ruined.”

“Look on the bright side of things” you say, “We’re still able to have a picnic under the pavilion.”

“I know…” Joseph says. “But the original plan was for us to eat on the grass by the flowers. Now it’s pouring down with heavy rain and the blanket is soaking wet.”

“It’ll be fine… we don’t have to use the blanket as long as we keep our food on our plates.” you say then Joseph nods his head as he tried to make the best out of the situation that the two of you are in right now.

The two of you sat from across each other at the picnic table where Joseph had set down the picnic basket and he started to unload the picnic basket, pulling out two plates to place in front of the both of you.

“I’m going to be honest with you…” Joseph says as he started pulling out the tupperwares contained with food. “I’m not the best cook but I am good at making pasta with my mom’s homemade tomato sauce made from tomatoes from her garden!”

“Umm, Joseph… The thought of you making Pasta with your mom’s homemade tomato sauce is very sweet but i’m allergic to tomatoes.” you announce.

The smile on Joseph face drops and the panic sets in. He thought that it was a good idea to surprise you with a picnic, but he didn’t realize how badly he messed up.

First, with the rainy weather ruining his plans of the two of sitting out on the grass by the flowers. Now, you not being able to enjoy the main meal he had cooked for you because you’re allergic to the main ingredient.

“I’m so sorry Y/N… I didn’t even think to ask if bringing the Pasta with the tomato sauce was fine.” Joseph apologizes. He tried to continue his apology but you interrupt him.

“Joseph… don’t apologize.” you say, grabbing his hands before he has a chance to tug at his hair in frustration. “You didn’t know about my allergy.”

“I know… but I still could’ve asked.” Joseph says. “All I packed for us was the Pasta meal, a salad, and two drinks, but even the salad has tomatoes in it.”

You decide to take a look into the picnic basket, and while you do see another container of Pasta with the tomato sauce, the salad, and the drinks… But you see a familiar package at the bottom of the picnic basket.

“Joseph… Did you not realize that you packed a Ham & Cheese Crackers Lunchable?” you asked as you picked up the Lunchable out of the picnic basket to show him.

There’s a confused look on Joseph’s face for a couple of seconds before the realization hits him. “I didn’t even realize that I accidentally packed that!” he exclaims. “Usually on the days where I don’t have enough time to eat a meal on campus I’ll just eat a Lunchable, you can have it if you want!”

You nod your head as you sat to set your plate of the Ham and Cheese Cracker Lunchable while Joseph sets up his plate of the Pasta with his mom’s homemade tomato sauce… As the two of you did small talk while enjoying your separate meals, Joseph felt the nerves disappear as he was getting more comfortable being himself around you since he was always so shy.

Even though the two of you had been good friends since freshman year of college, you didn’t know too much about Joseph… Of course you knew the basic things like his love for football and how smart he is when it comes to school subjects like Biology and Science Chemistry, but as you’re sitting across him at the picnic table there are things that you are starting to notice about him that you had never noticed before.

There’s a smile on his face and his eyes light up with joy when talking about his interests, and when you decided to talk, adding on to the conversation he stops what he is doing to listen to you and pays attention to every word you speak.

You don’t really know why you and Joseph had never hung out much with just the two of you. Maybe you thought that the two different personalities would’ve been hard to cooperate around since you wouldn’t have your mutual friends to balance out the different personalities… Or maybe it’s because you never took the chance to really get to know Joseph other than the basic information that most people know about him.

When Joseph had asked you on a date just a few days ago, it wasn’t an over the top proposal… On a night out with a bunch of your mutual friends, Joseph was the designated driver and you were the last one to drop off at the house. This was one of the first times in recent memory that the two of you were together with no one else by your sides. He knew that you had alcohol in your system but, he also knew that you were sober enough to think straight and so he just took the chance to ask you and to his surprise you said yes to the date.

As the time went by of the two of you eating at the picnic table while doing small talk, the rain was getting louder and louder to the point where you and Joseph almost had to start yelling so that the other person could hear what was being said.

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to walk around the flowers paths.” you loudly said. Joseph noticed the upset tone of voice and it made him upset once again about how his original plans for the date got ruined.

Joseph looks down at his feet and sighs, “I’m sorry our first date didn’t go as you expected it to go.”

When you look up to see the sad look on Joseph’s face, you decide to stand up from your spot and to go sit next to him on the other side of the picnic table.

You place a hand on his shoulder to give him a bit of comfort, “Joseph… there’s no need for you to apologize at all.” you loudly whisper.

“But I feel like I have to apologize to you…” he says. “First, an unexpected rain storm ruined all our plans to go have a nice picnic in the sunshine by the flower paths and Secondly, I accidentally packed a meal that you’re allergic too and you had to eat a Lunchable that I had accidentally packed. Now we can’t even go walk along the flower path and who knows how long it’s going to be until the rain storm clears up so that we can walk back to the car.”

“Joseph… all of those things are stuff that were completely out of your control.” you stated. “Both of us didn’t know there was going to be a heavy rainstorm and you had no idea that I’m allergic to tomatoes… You shouldn’t blame yourself at all.”

Joseph looks up from the ground and gives you a sad smile that breaks your heart into tiny pieces. “I just feel like I ruined everything… Not just on our first date but I ruined my chances with you.” he mumbled.

There’s a confused look on your face as your brain is trying to understand the words Joseph said. “What do you mean ruined your chances with me?” you ask.

Joseph opens his mouth to speak then pauses to think. After a few seconds, you decide to speak up again. “You didn’t ruin your chances with me at all… some things on our date didn’t go as planned but, I still have had so much fun with you. I truly do appreciate all of the effort you’ve done to plan our first date.”

A soft smile appear on Joseph’s face, the two of you are face to face and he couldn’t think of a more perfect moment for the first kiss… The sound of the rain made things more romantic than Joseph could ever imagine. It felt like things were finally going right on the first date and he takes the opportunity to lean close to you.

The two of you are closer than before and he wraps his arm around your waist to pull you closer next to him as his lips brush against your lips… And right before he could kiss you, a thought in your mind reminds you of something that causes you to pull back in a panic.

“You just ate tomatoes!” you exclaim. It takes a second for the realization to hit Joseph that he couldn’t kiss you because of your tomato allergy, he would have to wait a couple of hours until he could kiss you which made him even more frustrated than he was before.

Joseph groans and covers his face with the palm of his hands. Another perfect moment passed by where he was so close to finally kissing you. Never in his life has he ever been so frustrated with the universe.

Before Joseph could sulk in sorrow for any longer, an idea came to his mind which had him perking up. “I’ll be right back… I’m going grab something from the car.” he said, standing up from his spot at the picnic table and running out from the Picnic Pavilion before you could have a chance to process what he just said.

“Joseph… What are you doing?!” you yell as watch him running in the rain, getting soaking wet all over again just when the two of you had started to dry off.

As Joseph is running closer to his parked car, he pulled his car keys from his pocket and unlocks the car. Once he reaches the car, he opens the trunk and starts looking for what he needed. It didn’t take him long to find the item that he had been looking for, and he immediately closes the trunk and locks his car before running as fast as he can back to the Picnic Pavilion.

It was hard for you to see what Joseph had in his hands that he had to go grab from the trunk of his car… but once he arrived back under the Picnic Pavillion, soaking wet from the heavy rain, he placed the box on the table as he tried to dry off again as best as he could. When you look at the box on the table, there’s a smile on your face as you look up to Joseph.

“How did you know Mancala is my favorite game?” you asked as a matching smile appeared on Joseph’s face.

“I guess it was another lucky game of mine.” Joseph said, unlike with the bouquet of your favorite flowers. He didn’t know that Mancala was your favorite game, and he just so happened to have the game in his car after a game night with his family a couple of days ago.

He sits across from you at the picnic table and starts unpacking the game from the box. “It’s good that you are familiar with the game so that I don’t have to spend time explaining this complicated game.” he says.

“It’s not a complicated game!” you say defensively. “Its is easy to win the game if you know what you’re doing.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s an easy game… it requires a lot of strategy and smart decisions” Joseph says as he starts to set up the game on the picnic table. “We’ll see if you going to be saying that Mancala is an easy game after I beat you at the game.”

“Alright… Bring it on Joseph!” you exclaimed.

Once the board and marbles was set up on the picnic table, the Mancala game started and the competitive tension quickly arose between the two of you… While Joseph wished that he could pretend the be bad at the game just so you’ll win, the competitive side of him wouldn’t let him even pretend to be bad at the game.

This isn’t the first time you’ve seen his competitive side because you’ve been invited to many weekend hang-outs hosted by your mutual friends. You knew Joseph was a competitive person, he’s a football player for Ohio State and a game lover. Usually, you and the girls would just sit and watch the boys play so this was the first time you were playing a game against Joseph.

Instead of taking notice of things you’ve always noticed, you decided to take notice of the little things you had never noticed… You noticed how his eyebrows would furrow when he was in deep thought about what game move to do next and how he would bite his bottom lip in anticipation of your next game move.

As the two of you played many rounds of the Mancala game, with competitive talk and laughter being the only noise that filled the area,neither of you had noticed the sound to rain getting lighter and the sun had became the shine from behind the dark clouds.

It wasn’t until the end of the fifth round, where Joseph had just won his third game in a row where he took a look around and noticed that it was no longer raining which put a smile on his face… When he looked back to see that you were resetting the Mancala game, he realized that you had not noticed the rain has stopped.

“Are you ready to play another round?” you ask. “I definitely need to get my winning streak back!”

“Would you rather keep playing Mancala… or walk the paths now that it’s no longer raining?” Joseph asks.

There’s a confused look on your face before you look around to see that it’s no longer raining which put a smile on your face. “Let’s go!” you say, as you started packing up the game. Joseph let out a small laugh before he started to help you out the game away.

“So… Do you still think Mancala is an easy game since I beat you.” Joseph asks.

You nod your head, “It’s an easy game even though I let you win for most of the rounds that we played.”

Joseph furrowed his eyebrows, “You didn’t let me win. I won the three rounds in a row on my own.” he says.

“Whatever you decided to believe!” you exclaim.

It didn’t take long for Joseph and you to pack the game away. The two of you gathered the game, picnic basket and the blanket to bring the car so that mother would be left under the Picnic Pavilion or be carried in your hands during your walk along the flower path.

After waiting so long under the Picnic Pavilion for the rain to stop, the moment that Joseph had been planning in his head since you agreed to go on a date with him was finally happening.

Joseph closed the trunk to his car and right before he could ask if you were ready to go walk the flower path… You grabbed his hand and he let you lead the way to the flower path which made him believe you were more excited that the rain was over than he was.

As the two of you walked along the flower path, Joseph felt like everything was finally going right for him on the date. He was holding hands with you and your laughter put a smile on your face as the two of you talked while looking at all of the flowers.

Just like how you knew Joseph was competitive person but you never knew how competitive of a person he could be… Joseph knew you loved flowers, but he didn’t know how much you loved flowers.

Joseph saw how your eyes were memorized by all of the flower bushes that were mostly of the most beautiful roses that he’s ever seen… It was like you were in your own personal heaven and Joseph was just an angel along by your side while he held your hand.

“The photos that I see online don’t compare to what I’m seeing right now!” you exclaim. “I’ve never seen so many different varieties of roses in my life!”

“There’s different types of roses?” Joseph asks.

“Of course there are!” you exclaim. “Over there are some Floribunda roses and we just passed some Hybrid Tea roses!” you point in the different directions of where the different types of roses are located at.

When there’s not a response from Joseph, you look towards him to see him with smile on his face that you’ve grown to love so much… For someone that used to be so shy around you, in the past few hours since he’s picked you up, he’s become more expressive towards you which you’re very happy about because it’s shows that he’s more comfortable being with you.

“What’s the smile for?” you ask.

“It’s cute to see how much you know about flowers.” he says. “I never knew you knew so much information.”

“I know a lot of information about roses.” you say.

“Really… let me quiz you on roses.” Joseph challenged.

“Ask me anything about roses and I’ll give you the answer!” you reply.

“How would I know that you’re giving me the right answers to the questions?” he asks.

You shrug your shoulders before answering his questions, “You’ll just have to trust my words.”

“Okay… I guess have to trust you words.” Joseph says, before he starts to think of a question to ask.

It doesn’t take him long to think of a question. “How many varieties of roses are there?” he asks.

“There is a huge variety of different roses.” you answer. “I can’t give you an exact amount of the variety of different roses, but I can tell you that the number is over 30,000 varieties of roses.”

“30,000 varieties of roses?” he asks in shock. “I thought there was like… 5 types of roses.”

“Nope… there’s 30,000 varieties of roses.” you say.

“How many varieties of roses do you think are in these rose bushes?” he asks. You look left and right at the rose bushes as the two of you walk along that path.

“I’ve seen a few different variety of roses but obviously not all 30,000 varieties of the roses.” you answer.

“And out the 30,000 varieties of roses… White Roses are your favorite?” he asks and you nod your head.

“Do you want to know why White Roses are my favorite flowers?” you ask.

“Because they’re the more expensive flowers at the local flower shop in Columbus?” Joseph answer and you let out a laugh before you let go of his hand and stop walking to stand right in front of him.

“No…” you says. “I love White Roses because of what the flowers represent.”

“Flowers can represent things?” he asks and you let out a small chuckle before nodding your head.

“Yes flowers can represent things and have meanings.” you explain. “White Flowers can be a representation of new beginnings and can represent young love.”

“That’s interesting to know.” Joseph replied.

“White Roses can represent a scenario where the cute boy asks their best friend to ask the best friend of the girl the cute boy has a crush on what their crush’s favorite flower is?” you say, with a grin on your face.

There’s a blank look on Joseph’s face as he’s processing the words that you just said and you couldn’t help yourself but giggle at how you just exposed the truth right in front of him.

“You knew I asked Sam to ask Zoe about your favorite flowers?” he asks, as he’s still trying to understand.

“Yes… Zoe told me when me and her were on the phone last night when she was helping me pick out my outfit for our date.” you answer. “And I find it very heartwarming to know that you’ve gone the extra mile in many ways to plan for today’s date even if some things didn’t go exactly to plan.”

There’s a blush that is starting to appear on his cheeks and looks down to start playing with the bracelets on his wrist… Just like when the two of you were in the car, you stop him from fidgeting with his bracelet but this time you held both of his hands in your hands.

When the two of you look at each other, the blush on his face is even more noticeable than before… Joseph decides that this is now the right moment to kiss you for the first time. As Joseph starts leaning down closer to you, he realizes that nothing could ruin this moment.

You let go of his hands that you were holding and wrap your arms around his neck as his hands grip your waist to pull you closer to him.

“I really want to kiss you.” Joseph whispers, and a smile appears on your face.

“Then kiss me.” you say taking a step closer to him.

You didn’t realize how close you were to Joseph, which caused him to take a tiny step back… but what Joseph didn’t realize is that he was so close to the edge of the trail, that taking a step back wasn’t the right choice.

Before Joseph keep himself balanced on the path; he falls back into the rose bush that was behind him, landing in the mud puddle… Luckily, you were quickly balance yourself from falling on top of him.

“Oh my!” you exclaim, reaching a hand out to help him up from the ground. “Are you okay.”

Joseph stand up from the ground with your help. He doesn’t say anything as he tries to look behind himself to see how much mud was on him.

“I’m fine.” Joseph says, in an annoyed tone.

“Are you sure?” you ask, concerned if he had fell into any rose thorns.

“I’m fine, I promise.” he says the. he takes out his phone from his back pocket to check the time. “I think it’s time we go… We’ve been at the park for a few hours and I definitely need to change my clothes.”

A frown appears on your face but you just nod your head. You weren’t ready for the date to end, but you could tell that Joseph was just exhausted of how many things had gone wrong since the two of you arrived at the park earlier during the day.

The two of you don’t speak or hold hands on the walk back to the parking lot. You knew was Joseph was frustrated at himself even though none of this was his fault and that he shouldn’t take the blame for it.

Even though it had been a few minutes since either of you had spoken a word, he still was a gentleman and opened the passenger door for you and then shut it after you had put your seatbelt on.

You watched him walk behind the car and open the trunk to grab something before closing the trunk and walking to open the driver’s seat. Before he sits down, he puts a towel on the seat and then sits down to buckle himself in the car. He shuts the car door and starts the car, praying to himself that his car won’t give him any trouble because that’s the last thing he needs.

As the car ride started, the only noise that could be bear in the car was the radio… Joseph wasn’t talking because he was mad at you, he wasn’t talking because he was mad at himself and he couldn’t want to say anything out loud that could hurt your feelings.

Every couple of seconds you would turn to take a glance at Joseph and the frustrated expression on his face hurt you to see… You knew how much effort he had put into the date and for so much to go wrong, you were afraid he would think that you think differently of him but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The amount of effort Joseph put into your first date is more effort than your ex-boyfriend put into any anniversary date… Most boys would just take you to a cheap restaurant and wouldn’t offer to pay for your meal on your first date.

During the silent drive back to your house, the only thing that was on Joseph’s mind was how his chances with you were ruined… After spending days preparing for the first date, after weeks of building of the courage to ask you out, and after months of crushing on you. Any chance that Joseph’s thought he had with you was gone and all he could do after bringing you home was go back to his apartment and sulk in his bedroom.

The car ride back to your house from the Park of Roses felt like the longest car ride of your life as the two of you didn’t speak during the entire ride… As Joseph pulled up to your townhouse, you didn’t know if he was going to walk you down to the door or if he just wanted you to get out of the car as quickly as you could so that he could drive off and never see you against.

“Can I walk you to your front door?” Joseph asks as he parked the car, speaking to you for the first time since after he had fell into the mud puddle in the rose bush.

You nod your head, then he unbuckles his seatbelt and gets out the car to open your passenger door to let you out of the car after you had unbuckle the seatbelt.

The two of you walk up path to your front door steps and Joseph is getting a feeling of deja-vu from early during the day when he carrying the bouquet of white roses and had hope for the first date would go.

“I just want to say I’m sorry.” Joseph said, with a frown a on his face and tears swelling up in his eyes.

“Why are you apologizing?” you ask.

“Because this was the worse first date in history!” Joseph exclaimed. “It rained for two hours and we were stuck under the Picnic Pavilion, then I cooked a meal that you couldn’t eat, then we had the chance to go walk on the trail. I fell into a mud puddle then I didn’t say a word to you the entire way home because I was so upset with myself because I definitely ruined any chance that I had to be with you.”

“Joseph… you didn’t ruined anything-”

“You don’t need to lie to me to try and make me feel better!” Joseph exclaimed.

You walk closer to him and place your hands on his shoulders, “There would be no logical reason why I would lie. You didn’t ruin anything, nothing was your fault. We didn’t know that there would be a heavy rainstorm, you didn’t know I was allergic to tomatoes because I never told you about my allergy, and I didn’t know that you would fall backwards when I had taken a step to close to you.” you calmly say.

A soft smile appears on Joseph’s face as he’s still looking down to the ground, which gives you a little hope that he’s believing your word.

“No other man has ever put in so much effort into a date especially a first date… and yes you’re right, things didn’t go to plan but through all the ups and downs during the day, I still had so much fun with you.” you stated. “And I would love to go on another date with you next weekend if you’re free to do anything?”

Joseph looks up from the ground to make eye contact with you and he sees a genuine smile on your face.“You want to go on another date with me?” he asked.

“Yes I do… “I want to have the chance to plan the date!” you answer.

“I’ll love to go on another date with you next weekend.” Joseph says. “Maybe you’ll have better luck planning a date that goes to plan.”

You let out a small laugh before wrapping your arms around Joseph’s neck and pulling him close to you in a hug, as a quick reaction Joseph wraps his arms around your waist. It’s a short hug between the two of you before you lean a little bit back to look at Joseph.

Joseph thought to himself that this was the perfect moment to kiss you, so instead of overthinking the moment like the last few times… He takes the chance to lean closer to you and places his lips onto your lips.

The kiss between the two of you didn’t last long as neither of you wanted to risk the chance of anyone walking outsides to see the public display of affection since the sun was shining behind the clouds.

There a soft smile on your face when the two of you pulled away from the kiss and your heart is beating fast. You couldn’t imagine your first date ending just right after the two of you had your first kiss with each other. Suddenly, an idea comes to your mind.

“How about we continue our first date.” you suggest. “I have some clothes you can change into. Also, we can order food that we’ll both be able to enjoy and we can watch a movie.”

“That sounds like a perfect idea.” he replied. “I’ll love to continue our first date.”

You didn’t waste anymore time and just in a minute the two of you went from standing out in front of you house, holding each other as close to each other as you could to holding hands you quickly unlocked the front door and leading the two of you inside your house.

This isn’t the first time Joseph had been inside of your house before, but this was the first time he was here by himself with you and not with any of your other mutual friends. Joseph thought to himself that he shouldn’t be nervous in a house that he’s been in before.

“I’ll go get you some clothes to change into!” you say before heading into to your bedroom where you knew you had some of your ex-boyfriend’s old clothes that he had left at your house and never came back to get.

Right after you walked away, Joseph look around from where he stood to see if he could spot something that had been on his mind since the two of you left the house… When he started to walk around your house to try and see if he could find what he was looking for, he was able to see what he had been looking for.

The white roses that he had gifted to you earlier during the day sat in a beautiful vase on the kitchen counter… Joseph smiled to himself when he saw the white roses in the vase as he thought about what you told him at the park that white roses represent as he waited for you to return from your bedroom with clothes for him to change into so that the two of you could continue the last first day the two of you would experience.

Author’s Note:

i know it’s been almost a month since my last written fanfiction was published so i just want to say thank you for being patient… i’ve been very busy for the past month so all i was able to work on was Instagram AUs, so i’m happy to finally publish a written fanfiction that i had been working on!

this is the first time i’m writing about Joe Burrow when he was in Ohio State and i enjoyed it so let me know if y’all would like to read more Ohio State! Joe Burrow Fanfictions in the future!

thank you all for the love and support! 🤍

#Joe Burrow #NFL #CFB #Ohio State #LSU Tigers #Ohio State Buckeyes #Cincinnati Bengals #Joe Burrow Fanfiction #Joe Burrow Fanfic #Joe Burrow Fic #Joe Burrow x Reader #Joe Burrow x OC #Joe Burrow x Y/N #Joe Burrow Imagine #Joe Burrow Oneshot #NFL Fanfiction

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heavyhitterheaux · 2 months ago

Text

Steady Love (Slight NSFW)

Synopsis: After Joe learns of a secret that you've been keeping from him, he has a big decision to make on whether the relationship is worth saving and if he can accept it

Pairing: Joe Burrow x Reader

Do not engage if underage

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

Joe was deep in thought as he was on a popular restaurant's website looking at their menu to see everything that they offered. He knew that you, his girlfriend, was extremely picky and had a shit ton of allergies and had to make sure they had options that you could pick from.

He was convinced that your diet consisted of chicken nuggets and iced coffee and got on you all the time about it. His goal was to take you there for date night seeing as you had both been busy all week and now you were going to spend the weekend with him before going to his game on Sunday.

The restaurant had amazing reviews and the person who had told him about it and also made the reservation for it was Ja'Marr who was also on the phone, as Joe had put it on speaker so that he was able to talk to him and look at the website at the same time.

“I think Y/N is hiding something from me.” He blurted out as it had been on his mind for the last few days and he thought that he was going to explode if he didn't say anything to someone soon. He figured that telling one of his best friends was a good choice.

“Wait, what? That was random. Why do you say that? Your girl literally worships the ground you walk on and you do the same thing with her.”

“Something just seems off. I find her sometimes going to a different room to answer her phone, which she protects with her damn life by the way.”

“Don't we all? That doesn't mean anything.”

“No, not like she does. And do you know that I've never stayed at her place before?”

“Huh? The two of you have been together for what seems like forever.” Ja'Marr asked as he was moving around his kitchen and trying to find something to snack on.

“A few months but it's weird. Whenever I propose the idea, she immediately shuts it down. Claiming that my house is closer to her job, which is true but I don't know.”

“I think you’re paranoid and probably thinking too much into this. Y/N is amazing and she can do no wrong in my eyes.”

“Because you love whenever she cooks and tells me to invite you over too, but what if I'm right?”

“Hey! That just happens to be a plus but if you're right then confront her about it and the two of you act like adults and go from there. Just keep in mind she's making me salted caramel cookies next week. Don't mess up my supply.”

“Your supply? You act like we're talking about drugs when we are literally talking about cookies. And she just seemed so stressed out this week so the last thing I want to do is send her over the edge.”

“When it comes to her cooking, it might as well be crack! It's addicting! Look, if it comes up then you two talk about it and if it doesn't just wait for the right time. I'm sure that there's a good explanation to all of this.”

“I'm ignoring the part about the crack.”

“But you didn't ignore it because you just mentioned it.”

“Talking to you should not stress me out as much as it does.” Joe replied as he rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair.

“Keep in mind, YOU called me and I made the reservation for you so be nice!”

“Mm hmm.”

“Look, just let me know how it goes once you talk to her.”

Later on that evening, the two of you were now sitting across from one another in a secluded corner of the restaurant sharing the dessert that you had picked out. Joe wasn't one to eat a lot of sweets during the season, however for you he'll always make an exception.

You held your fork up to Joe's mouth and was encouraging him to take a bite but he was looking at you suspiciously before looking at the dessert and then looking back at you.

“Joey! Open!”

“Um.. what is this again?”

“It's a pistachio cheesecake. It's good, come on taste it.”

“It looks weird. And wait! Aren't you allergic to pistachios?”

“No, I got an allergy test done recently and apparently I'm not allergic anymore.”

“How reliable is that? The last thing I need is your throat closing. Do you have benadryl just in case? I'm about to call 911 so that they can be on standby.”

“I planned for my throat to close around something else tonight, but yes.” You told Joe as you winked at him.

Being caught off guard by your comment, his eyes went wide but he quickly recovered as he sent a smirk in your direction.

“Oh, is that so?”

“Mm hmm, I haven't seen you all week so I'm excited to spend the entire weekend with you which also includes plenty of activities that do not require clothes. This week was a lot and I really needed to be around you so this was absolutely perfect. Did you pick the place or did Ja'Marr?”

“We'll definitely get to that later. I know this week was a lot for you and there were a lot of things happening so I'm happy you're spending the entire weekend with me. And yes, it was Ja'Marr’s idea. I had never been here before and he recommended it.”

“Doesn't surprise me since you're such a homebody. I'm going to have to make him more cookies for that one.”

“All of my snacks and streaming services are at home. What do I need to leave for? And no, absolutely not. He's starting to stalk me just for your cookies. Any time he calls me now it's about you and your cooking. First thing out of his mouth is if you were at my house and if you cooked anything and if he can come over.” Joe told you as he laughed with you joining in with him.

“Okay, now open.”

“This better not be nasty.”

“Joey! Stop acting like you're five and open!” He did as he was told and slowly started to chew with his head nodding in approval.

“It's not bad, but I know something that tastes even better and I've been craving it all week actually.”

“What? You said you had never been here before.”

“I was talking about my girlfriend sitting on my face.”

—

“Get over here and stop running from me.” Joe told you as he pulled you back onto his California king bed since you were literally about a few centimeters from hitting the floor.

“I am nowhere done with you. Keep in mind you talked all that shit in the car on the way back and now look, a whimpering dripping mess underneath of me. So wet for me.” He whispered in your ear as he once again inserted two of his fingers into you, pumping them at an even and slow pace knowing that it would get you that much closer.

His fingers slipped out and he held them up to your mouth as you opened and sucked on them.

“See how good you taste?” Joe asked as he leaned down to place several kisses on your lips and slipped inside you at the same time making you gasp and quickly wrap your arms around his neck.

“Look at my pretty girl, she's taking me so well.”

He placed his hand around your neck and slightly squeezed, but not too tight as he increased his pace moving in and out of you.

Your moans were the only thing that you could get to come out of your mouth because of how much pleasure that you were in and knew that you being sore later was inevitable.

“Taking me so well that she can't even utter a single word, huh? This dick got you speechless?” Joe laughed, but was caught off guard when you suddenly flipped him onto his back and began to ride him.

“Damn, wasn't expecting that.”

“Not quite speechless, but you're about to be once I finish riding you.” You explained to him as you smirked with him taking hold of your hips in order to help guide you.

“Come on then, princess. Let's get to it.”

It was now three in the morning and you were wrapped into Joe's tight embrace when your phone began to vibrate violently on the nightstand.

Quickly picking it up to look at it, you were startled go see that it was Jayson, your daughters father and slowly moved from Joe in order to hopefully not wake him up and went into the master bathroom and closed the door behind you to answer it.

“Jayson, what's going on?”

“It's Nalanie. She won't stop crying and she's simply asking for you. She kept asking me to call you and wouldn't take no for an answer.”

“Just hand her the phone.”

“Hello?”

“Mom! I…” She started to say, but couldn't continue her sentence without crying.

“I'm coming, okay? Be there soon.” You comforted her and quickly hung up as you made your way back into the bedroom to still see Joe resting peacefully.

You quickly started moving around with the use of the flashlight on your phone to be able to see and this made Joe wake up and he quickly sat up to reach over to turn on the bedside lamp.

“Uh? Baby? What are you doing?”

“Looking for my clothes, I need to leave.” You told him as you had discovered your outfit that you had worn earlier all the way by the bedroom door suddenly remembering that Joe wasted no time in taking it off of you.

“Why? What's wrong? Did something happen?” He asked while you were hurrying to get dressed and you ignored his question. Not on purpose, but because you had no idea what you were about to walk into once you left there and went and got Nalanie.

Seeing how frantic you were, Joe pulled you over to him since he was sitting on the bed still to try and calm you down.

“Joey, I...”

“You need to breathe for a second and then tell me what's going on with you. You have me worried. What can I do to help you?”

“Just…. let me go please. I want to tell you but…”

“But what? You tell me everything. Or at least I thought you told me everything.” He replied as he took your smaller hand in his large one.

You hesitated before you answered him and it was clear by the look on your face that you didn't want to. The man in front of you had always been honest with you since the two of you had gotten together and it was necessary for you to do the same thing in return. He never deserved to be lied to despite your reasoning for it.

In your mind, you didn't necessarily lie to him, but you definitely didn't tell him the truth either.

“I just got off the phone with my daughter. She was crying and scared and I could barely make out what she was saying. I need to go get her from her father's house. I promise to explain more after I know that she's okay.”

“Wait, what? You’re joking right? Since when do you have a daughter?” Joe asked dumbfounded and he was waiting for the punchline of the joke that just came out of your mouth.

“Since I got pregnant when I was a teenager. Joey, I promise I'll explain but not now. Move so I can get up.” You said as tears were threatening to fall down your face.

“So you mean to tell me that you lied to me? And you've been lying to me this entire time?! I knew that something was off with you and I was right! What else are you hiding?! Are there more kids that I don't know about? Why would you lie about something like that?”

“Nothing. I'm not hiding anything else, I promise.” You said as you slipped on your shoes.

“Hmm, your promises have now been proven to come up empty so I don't want to even hear it. Just do what you have to do.”

“Joey…”

“No, I don't want to hear it. I hope your daughter is okay, but….”

“But what?”

“How am I supposed to be with someone who lies to me? Especially something as big as that?”

“It’s not that simple. I'll explain if you just give me the chance.”

“Oh, but it is. Get your stuff and you can leave.”

“I… fine.” You told him as you grabbed your overnight bag from the chair in the corner and your cell phone that had been placed on the nightstand after you had gotten that frantic call.

You looked at your keys and quickly took the key to Joe's condo off and left it on the nightstand that was closest to his side of the bed.

Without another word, you walked out of his bedroom and down the steps to eventually make it to your car. Once your belongings were in the backseat, the water works that you had been trying so hard to hold in, made themselves known and it was like a dam had broken.

After sitting there for a few minutes and giving yourself a pep talk, you made your way to Nalanie's father's house to make sure that she was okay.

It didn't take long before you were knocking on the front door and it was whisked open by Nalanie herself who then placed you in a bone crushing hug as tears were still streaming down her face. You rubbed small circles along her back as you kissed her cheek in order to get her to calm down.

“Lady Bug, are you going to tell me what's wrong? I'm here now and you're okay.”

She slowly nodded her head and broke her embrace from you and moved to the side so that you would be able to come into the house. Once she did, you were greeted by Jayson and his wife Sabrina who had come from the kitchen in order to greet you.

“Hey, she’s been like this for the past hour. Won't say anything to us. All she wanted was you.” Sabrina told you as she hugged you.

You nodded your head before also hugging Jayson, but Nalanie stayed quiet.

“Lady Bug?”

“Can we just go home?” She quietly asked and the first thing you did was nod.

“Go get your things and meet me back down here.”

Nalanie took the steps two at a time before Jayson looked at you and sighed.

“I was trying to handle it without us calling you, but I didn’t know what else to do. Anddd I just realized I ruined date night for you. How's you know who by the way?”

“Very upset with me because he found out about her like this before I could tell him properly and I think we just broke up? I had literally planned on telling him in the next two weeks or so and I was going to tell her too. But it's not important right now. What is important is my daughter so, if he can't accept her then he's not the one for me.”

“He's probably more upset about finding out in the way he did and not the fact that you have her.”

“Either way, we're probably done, so…”

“Don't give up on him so easily, he may surprise you.” Sabrina said before walking back into the kitchen.

“Just see how it plays out. This is the happiest that I've ever seen you and I would hate for you to miss out on that. Just give him time to process.” Jayson told you and you simply nodded as Nalanie reappeared with all of her bags in tow.

Nalanie said her goodbyes to her father and Sabrina and you picked one of her many bags up off the floor to carry outside. You never understood why she needed so many bags for a three day weekend, but then again she was your child and simply took after you when you thought about how you would do the exact same thing.

The two of you were now home and as soon as you opened the door, you wasted no time in asking her what was wrong.

“Okay, out with it.”

“I got my period and got really scared.”

“Oh, Lady Bug, that is nothing to be scared about. It happens to everyone that has a uterus.”

“I know that I could have asked Sabrina, but I just wanted you. I remember you telling me about what to do if you weren't around and it happened so I took a pad from underneath the sink. I'm sorry that I took you away from whatever you were doing.”

“Don't apologize. You needed me and never ever apologize for needing me. So, how about this?”

“What?”

“Take a bath, put on pajamas and we'll sleep. When we wake up, I'll do your makeup and your hair while we watch Mean Girls?”

“Ooh, deal! Can we make popcorn too?”

“Of course we can and then we're going on a snack run. You can't be on your period and not have a supply of chocolate and ice cream in the house.”

It had been almost an entire two weeks and Joe's finger kept hovering over your number as he debated on calling you while he sat in his living room.

This had happened ever since he had told you to leave that night. The guilt crept in not too long after he had heard you close the front door and he debated on running after you, but decided against it.

He admits that he should've given you a chance to explain everything, but in that moment he was too mad to even listen to one. He couldn't begin to wrap his mind around how you have a daughter.

His mind kept going to you and quickly decided that after practice was over and he was home that he would call you and hopefully you wanted to talk to him, but he honestly wouldn't blame you if you had told him no.

Thinking that it was now or never, he pushed down with his thumb on your number and the phone began to dial.

It rang for a while and Joe was about to hang up, before he heard your soft voice come through the phone.

“Hello?”

“Um, hey.” Joe responded hesitantly.

“Surprised to hear from you. Did you dial the wrong number by chance?” You curiously asked as you were fumbling through your kitchen cabinets looking for ideas on what to make for dinner for you and Nalanie.

“No, I wanted to talk to you. Are you busy right now?”

Startled by this, you placed the box of macaroni noodles on the counter and sat down at the island, trying to take in what he had just asked you.

“No, not at the moment. I'm free to talk.”

“Uh, can we do this in person? I would rather do that than talk on the phone.”

“Sure, I can be over there in 15 minutes.” You told him as you glanced down at your watch. After going over there to see him, you would have to go straight to Nalanie's middle school to pick her up from practice.

“Okay, I'll leave the door open for you.”

It didn't take you very long to get there as you had anticipated, but the anxiety of seeing Joe again after the two of you had left things was starting to kick in.

Maybe this was a formal break up?

No, he probably just wants an explanation and as far as you could tell he was long overdue to hear the truth from you about everything.

Reaching his condo, you pulled into the driveway before getting out of your car and walking up to the door. Turning the handle, it was open just like Joe had promised and a deep breath escaped your mouth before turning it and walking inside.

You found him in the living room and he gave you a small smile before getting up to hug you which caught you off guard. You tightly hugged him back just in case that was the last time that you were able to do it.

“Hi.”

The two of you were now sitting next to each other and Joe was the first to speak.

It was time to get it over with. Now or never.

“Y/N, why would you keep something like that from me? And you've done it for MONTHS. I'm just trying to understand.” he asked you, trying to make sense of the situation. He simply couldn't believe that you lied to him and lied to him about something as big as this.

“I wanted to tell you when I felt that the time was right. Please understand that. I had actually planned on doing it soon, but then everything happened so…..” You quietly said, but all he did was shake his head.

“And when did you exactly plan on doing that? At this rate, you probably weren't about to tell me until we got married.”

“That is not fair and you know it!”

“I knew something was up when you would go to another room to answer phone calls, never let me stay at your place with you and always shut down the idea when I asked, leaving early from date night. I care about you, so you could at the very least let me know what was happening. Even if you weren't ready for me to meet her.”

“I just didn't want her to get attached to you just in case we didn't end on the best terms. It's happened before in the past and I don't want her to be disappointed again. And I also didn't know how you were going to take it.”

“Hmm, I would have dealt with it because I love and care about you. But I see that you obviously don't give me enough credit. If something or in this case, SOMEONE is important to you, they're important to me too. How old is she anyway?”

“She just turned thirteen.” You quietly said and Joe's eyes went wide.

“I still can't believe you tried to hide the fact that you have a child from me.”

“Like I said, I was going to tell you. If you don't want to be with me anymore because I kept this from you, I get it. I think you made that pretty clear two weeks ago. I ultimately was just trying to protect her.” You quietly said feeling defeated.

Even though Joe was definitely upset with you, he moved closer to you and took your hand in his and started rubbing small circles on the back of it.

“What's her name?” He asked and from that point on, the light in your eyes returned.

“Nalanie Rue. But I've always called her Lady Bug. When I brought her home from the hospital and we were walking outside with her to get into the car, one landed on her nose and it's been her name since. I never call her by her real name unless she's in trouble, which isn't often. She's a really good kid and I honestly couldn't have asked for more. I'm really proud to be her mom.” You confessed as you told Joe about your daughter.

“I see the way you lit up when I asked you about her.”

“I got pregnant when I was 15 and was obviously scared out of my mind. I tried to hide it from my parents for a while but then my mom noticed that I wasn't using the tampons or pads she would put in my bathroom every month for me and she confronted me about it. They’ve always supported me even though I know deep down that they think that I robbed myself of my childhood, which is fair in a sense. I couldn't really go out with my friends unless I took her with me.”

“And you get along with her father? I'm assuming he is in the picture since he's the one who called you first?”

“Yes, he was there from day one when I told him and didn't back down. He's a year older than me. He got a job and would buy her as much as he could. Jayson. He's amazing to her and they have a good relationship. We're still close and he’s married now. But his wife treats Nalanie like she's hers and that's the best thing I could have asked for. I really lucked out because I know a lot of other people aren't as fortunate. My only prayer was that whoever he decided to marry would do right by her.”

“When did she meet his wife?”

“Literally right before he proposed to her and that was something that we both agreed on, but she did know about her. We never bring anyone around her unless we're absolutely sure that they'll be there for the long haul because both of us have messed up in the past with that. We want to protect her like I said before.” You honestly said and Joe was taking in everything that you had told him.

“And I told Jayson about you, but not Nalanie. From his perspective and the way that I talk about you he's really happy for me and all for it. But he did say that he wanted her to meet you. It might also help that you're his favorite player but who knows.” You said to Joe and a small smirk broke out onto his face.

“You're the one calling the shots here. I just want you to do whatever you're comfortable with. I would love to meet her whenever you feel that the time is right. But Y/N….”

“Hmm?” You asked as you turned once more to look at him and he sighed before answering you.

“You can't keep things like this from me. We've been together for a while and you know better than anyone how much I'm going to be there to support you with whatever is going on in your life, just like you do for me. No more secrets. Promise me. I get your reasoning behind it, but you having a daughter was not going to be a dealbreaker for me.”

“Promise. No more secrets from here on out.” You replied back to him as he leaned over to place a kiss on your forehead. He relaxed into the couch as you brought your head slightly to the left to be able to lean against his chest as he wrapped his arms around you.

“Do you want to see what she looks like?” You asked Joe at the same time that you had reached for your phone, not really waiting for an answer.

You never wasted an opportunity to show off your daughter and let people know how proud you were of her.

Joe nodded as you went to your gallery and pulled up the most recent photos of the two of you and moved it closer so that he could see it.

“She literally looks just like you.”

“My little twin. Everyone says the same thing when they see her except she's a little taller than me. She is literally my baby. I cried when she turned thirteen. I can't wrap my head around me now having a teenager.”

“And you’re going to do such an amazing job with her. I can see that you already are.”

“Well if you're ready to meet her, we can do it tomorrow. It's Thursday and she likes football just as much as her parents do.”

“How about football and an ice cream date? Does she like ice cream?”

“She does. Mint chocolate chip is her favorite and I always tell her how weird she is because I never met a kid that said that was their favorite flavor. Oh, and I should tell you something….”

“That's wild that she likes that flavor, but what is it?”

“The Bengals are her favorite team and for good reason but…”

“But what?”

“Ja'Marr is her favorite player so she is going to interrogate you about him.” You confessed as you stifled a laugh and Joe held his hand over his heart pretending that he was hurt.

“But I think the two of you will get along just fine.”

“Oh, and I think you'll need this back.” Joe told you as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the key that you had left on his nightstand.

Staying over with Joe lasted around forty five minutes until you told him about going to get Nalanie from practice. Once you had picked her up and the two of you were eating dinner and watching Netflix, you figured that it was a good time to tell her about meeting Joe tomorrow and nudged her to get her attention as she was sitting next to you on the couch.

“I have something that I want to tell you.”

“Okay, I'm listening. Is everything okay?” She replied as she turned to look at you.

“Everything's fine. I want you to meet someone really special to me tomorrow after you get home from school. We're going to get ice cream and…”

“MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP!”

“Yes, you can have that disgusting flavor and we'll watch Thursday Night Football with him.” You told her as you turned up your nose and she promptly stuck her tongue out at you.

“That is literally the best flavor of ice cream, you are such a hater. But wait a minute… him?”

“Yes, him.” You replied as you nodded your head.

“Hmm, I have to approve. I need to make sure that he's good enough to be in a relationship with my mom. If the two of you are in a relationship that is.” She said as she narrowed her eyes at you suspiciously.

“We are and I forgot how overprotective that you can get but I definitely think that the two of you will get along really well. You two like a lot of the same things including football.” You said as you thought about her probably wanting to go to every Bengals game once she meets Joe.

“In my eyes, only very few people meet my expectations of being good enough for you. And I want to see you happy, but you look happy so I guess he's doing something right so I'm okay with it. And I know he must be important because I never meet anyone that you date.”

“And be nice. No interrogating.”

“No promises.”

You and Joe agreed to meet at one of your favorite ice cream stands that wasn't too far from your job and you found yourself going there sometimes when you got a break to destress by eating a treat that you knew was going to satisfy your craving. It also had a small park nearby and that's where you planned on meeting him.

Nalanie was actually bouncing off the walls and very excited to meet the mystery man, or it was the fact that she was going to get ice cream in the middle of the week.

It was probably the latter.

The two of you were in line and you were about to pay for your ice cream as well as Nalanie's when you felt a presence behind you. You got a whiff of the cologne that you grew to love so much and knew that it was your boyfriend. Joe then slipped the cashier his card as you shook your head and smiled while Nalanie was looking around confused.

“Wait, mom, where's your man? Is he late? I thought he was supposed to be here already. And why is Joe Burrow here? Wait! Is Ja'Marr here too?” She asked as she was looking around to see if she could spot her favorite player.

“Lady bug, this is my boyfriend Joe and Joe this is my daughter Nalanie.”

“It's nice to meet you Nalanie, your mom has told me all about you.” Joe told her and she slowly nodded her head up and down indicating that she was still taking everything in.

At that moment, her eyes went wide.

“I.. wow… It's nice to meet you too. I had this whole speech in my head to interrogate you with but now I can't remember a word of it.”

“Nalanie! I said NO interrogating!”

“He seems like he would be able to take it anyway.” She told you and you shook your head at her.

“I didn't bring Ja'Marr, but maybe next time. Since someone did tell me that he was your favorite player.”

“Don't be jealous, you're a close second.” She replied as she smiled.

Over the next several months, you watched as Joe and Nalanie grew closer and was happy that they were building such a good relationship with one another. There were even a few conversations that had happened regarding the two of you moving in with him and of course Nalanie was all for it, but you on the other hand wanted a little bit more time before you came to a final decision about it. Joe told you that there was absolutely no rush and that the offer would stand.

It was currently Friday and you were stuck in traffic due to an accident as you were on your way to get Nalanie. You didn't want to keep her waiting and since it was her weekend with you instead of spending it with her dad, you quickly asked Joe if he could get her for you.

You- Joey, I'm stuck in traffic, could you go and get Nalanie for me? But only if you aren't busy. I owe you for this.

Joey- You don't owe me anything and of course I'll go and get her. We'll wait for you before we decide on dinner.

You- Thank you, I love you 😘💕

Joey- I love you more and be safe.

Nalanie was surprised to see Joe instead of you as he pulled up in his Porsche, but quickly slipped into the passenger seat as Joe had leaned over to open the door for her.

“Hey, where's my mom? Not that I’m not happy to see you or anything.” She told him as she brought the seatbelt across her body.

“Stuck in traffic so she asked me to come and get you. We'll decide on dinner once she gets back. How was your day at school?”

“Hmm, it was okay, but this boy Cody is convinced that girls don't know more about football then boys so we got into an argument at lunch about it.”

“Did you know that there are more women who actually watch it then men do?” Joe told her and she quickly nodded.

“See!? And that's what I told him. I was firing off all these stats about my favorite players, you were included, and he was just looking at me like he didn't know what I was talking about.”

One thing Joe knew Nalanie was passionate about was football and sports in general and that you and her were never one to back down from an argument or discussion regarding it.

“He sounds like he talks a big game, but can't back it up.”

“I'm convinced that his head is full of air instead of a brain.”

“You literally sound just like your mother.” Joe told her as he laughed and came to a slow stop at a red light.

“I have a question. Well, two actually.”

“Ask away.” Joe told her as the light turned green.

“Well first, when are you going to marry my mom? She's really happy with you and I can tell.”

Hearing Nalanie ask this caught him off guard, but he quickly composed himself.

“Hmm, funny you should ask. Can you keep a secret? And I also wanted to ask you something.” He said and she quickly nodded.

“I already got her ring, just have to plan when I'm going to do it. And I wanted to ask your permission too, because I feel that it's important.”

“Really!? Well you already know that my answer is yes. I already consider you my bonus dad and that's a plus. This is the happiest that I've ever seen her. What does it look like? Can I see it?”

A million thoughts were running through Nalanie's head about how excited she was about the entire thing. She finally felt that now her family would be complete.

“I have it hidden in my room, hoping she doesn't find it but I'll show you later. What was your next question?”

“Are you two going to have a baby? Or babies? I like the idea of at least three. I want a sibling or siblings to play with.”

“I… you are so full of questions today.”

“I only asked you two questions and you are definitely stalling. I guess all that media training has led you to be able to learn how to dodge questions.”

“I'm not dodging the question!”

“Lies! Then answer it!”

At that moment, Joe's phone rang indicating that it was you and quickly answered it as Nalanie made a face at him.

“Saved by the phone call. But I'm definitely going to ask again later.”

It was around eight at night when you were painting Nalanie's nails on the floor in the living room while Joe was sitting on the couch behind both of you and she noticed that you kept glancing at her.

“Uh, mom? Everything okay? You literally only do that when you have something that you want to tell me.” She asked as you were now painting a second coat. This also caught Joe's attention and he quickly looked over at you.

“Well there is something….” You said as you gestured for her to put her hand in the nail dryer.

“What is it?” She asked as she looked between the two of you and you looked at Joe to give him permission to tell her.

“I think that the role of being a big sister is going to look pretty good on you.” Joe told her and her mouth was now hanging wide open.

“Now I see why you didn't answer my question earlier.”

“Wait, what question?” You asked her and she sent a smile in your direction.

“I asked him when the two of you were going to give me a sibling, but I see that was clearly already in the works. I want at least three by the way.” She told you as she pointed to your midsection.

“Umm, we'll have to see about that and we wanted to make sure that everything was okay before we said anything about it.”

“Well I'm excited for that obviously and now I guess there's only one more part left.”

“And what part is that?”

“The part where you two get married and then we'll be a family for real.”

Taglist:

@hoodharlow

@a-moment-captured

@wickedfun9

@dandelionwrites8

@keiva1000

#joe burrow #joe burrow smut #joe burrow fanfiction #joe burrow fanfic #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow x reader #joe burrow x black reader #joe burrow fluff #joe burrow angst #nfl imagine #cincinnati bengals #Spotify

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joeys-babe · 7 months ago

Text

Joey B Imagines: Mary Jane’s Last Dance

Summary: You and Joe attend the golf event pre-party, main event, and after-party. You had no idea what would unfold, though.

Warnings: Angst, cut-off smut, uncharacteristic ITM.

Pairing: Joe Burrow x reader

Imagine Universe: Into The Mystic

May 30, 2024 - Golf event pre-party

“Honey.” - Joe

Hearing a pet name only one person calls me, I paused my conversation with one of the Jeff Ruby’s caterers to look over my shoulder and see Joe standing being me.

“Mhm?” - you

“Your parents are here with the boys.” - Joe

I said goodbye to the sweet caterer and walked off, Joe lacing his fingers with mine as he guided me toward the entrance of the venue.

“I didn't think they'd be here till later.” - you

“They won't be.” - Joe grinned

Looking up at him, Joe was already looking down at me with a smile on his face.

“They aren't here?” - you

“Nope. I just wanted to get you alone.” - Joe

We heard voices walking near us, so Joe hurried to rush us both into a nearby storage closet.

Joe and I had our hands over each other's mouths as we kept from laughing, his arms around my waist as tightly as they could be to accommodate my bump.

We continued to be quiet till the voices drifted off, and Joe left my arms to find a light.

“Why’d you want to get me alone?” - you smile

Joe flicked the light on and locked the door, his smirk telling me exactly what he wanted before he could say himself.

“Joey… we can't be gone too long. Your mom is going to come looking for you in about ten minutes.” - you laughed

The smirk never left Joe’s face as he walked up to me teasingly slowly, his tongue-in-cheek expression oddly convincing.

“Ten minutes is plenty of time for us, baby.” - Joe

Joe was now right in front of me. My eyes met with his chest before I looked up at his downturned face.

“Please. You look fuckin’ gorgeous tonight. I need you.” - Joe

His voice carried that whininess it always gains when he's needy, and it was nothing but hot to me.

“Fine-” - you

Joe cut me off when he leaned down and smashed his lips onto mine, his hands slowly reaching for my waist before they slid back to my lower back.

“Jump- wait fuck, never mind.” - Joe

I laughed at his remembrance that I was eight months pregnant and completely not able to jump, Joe’s lips still rough on mine.

Sadly, Joe pulled his lips away from mine with an audible pop, and I watched him look around the room. I grinned at the sight of Joe’s lips, which were slightly puffy, red, and glistening with our joint saliva.

It amazed me that Joe still wanted me like this even though I was pregnant, swollen, and moody.

“What’s wrong?” - you

“Nothin’, Mama. Just trynna find something that I can set you down on. I don't want you standing while I finger you.” - Joe winked

Fucking hell, this man.

Just as Joe looked like he had a lightbulb moment and wrapped an arm around my back to lead me somewhere, his phone started wringing in his pocket.

“God, damn it.” - Joe grumbled

I watched him pull his phone out, and Joe showed me the caller ID with an annoyed look on his face. When I made eye contact with him, he blinked fast and repeatedly to drive home the point that he was annoyed.

“Just answer, babe.” - you chuckled

It was Robin, his mom, probably looking around the entire venue for him.

As soon as he lets out a deep sigh and answers, putting the phone on speaker and mumbling a greeting, Robin starts yelling.

“Where in God’s name are you?! It is your name on the foundation, and you are nowhere in sight! Did you kidnap poor y/n and leave?!” - Robin

I had to try to stifle a giggle when Joe’s face turned into a replica of the grimacing emoji.

Joe’s eyes were playfully wide as he looked at me, lying and telling his mom that he had to grab something from the car.

“Yeah, uh, y/n was getting a headache and asked me to go with her to the car to grab some Tylenol.” - Joe lied

I looked at him and rolled my eyes, Joe only winking at me in return.

They continued their conversation, and I started drifting off, my eyes wandering around the room and over Joe till they landed on the major tent in his pants. He’s wearing his grey skinny jeans and a white cream sweater, and I know those pants have to be uncomfortable right now.

Almost as if Joe could sense my gaze on his crotch, he dropped a hand down to his manhood in an attempt to rearrange his erection into a more comfortable place.

I cocked my head to the side as I caught him giving himself a little squeeze before pulling his hand away, trying to aid the pressure just a little bit.

A minute later, Robin yelled at Joe one last time to make his rounds before getting off the phone.

“You in trouble?” - you smiled

“Def grounded.” - Joe

I chuckled before walking closer to him, wrapping my arms around his waist to hug him. Joe used a hand to push my head onto his chest before wrapping his arms around my shoulders. We swayed back and forth slowly, Joe laying his head down against mine as he sighed in contentment.

“I love you.” - you

“I love you too. I'm so thankful to have you, y/n. I couldn't do any of this without you.” - Joe

Pulling my head away from his chest, I looked up at Joe and smiled at him before pressing a sloppy kiss to his cheek.

“No one else’s side I’d rather have glued to mine.” - you grinned

Joe doesn't say anything in return, just smiles before opening the locked closet door.

“Wait. Joe. You can kinda see your…” - you trailed off

He looked at me with pure confusion on his face before it clicked. Joe’s eyes went wide before he shut and locked the door back.

“We’re finishing this later, by the way.” - Joe

I playfully rolled my eyes, and Joe turned his back to me before I heard the sound of his pants being unzipped.

A moment later, Joe zipped his pants back up and turned around.

“Boner check.” - Joe

I couldn't help but laugh to myself as I looked down at his crotch, Joe doing the same.

“Looks fine, I guess?” - you chuckled

“Good because it is wildly uncomfortable. My dick is like bent in half.” - Joe laughed

“What?! I still want to be able to use it after this!” - you

We were both laughing as Joe opened the door, one of his hands holding mine as we walked out of the closet.

Joe was playfully swinging our arms but stopped dead in his tracks when we rounded the corner and were face-to-face with his mother.

“Your car isn't in that direction, Joseph Lee. It’s in the back parking lot, not the front.” - Robin

At the same time, I looked up at Joe, and Joe looked down at me.

Robin sensed that the two of us might have been trying to fool around based on our frantic expressions, and her face faltered to one of slight disgust.

She wasn't disgusted with the fact that we were getting active, though. It was because she had caught us sneaking around.

“Oh. Uhm, never mind. Just… go mingle, Joe. I'll leave you two alone.” - Robin

I giggled to myself when Robin speed-walked away from the awkward interaction.

“That was awkward.” - you

Joe chuckled beside me and rested his hand on the small of my bag, rubbing it softly as he leaned down to kiss my temple.

“Could be worse. Imagine she was standing there when we walked out the first time. Before I fixed myself.” - Joe

I playfully slapped Joe’s chest, not finding his words as funny as he did.

“I’m honestly surprised she or my dad haven't walked in on us. We've been having mind-blowing sex for years.” - Joe

“Joseph Lee!” - you

Joe laughed as I shoved him. He naturally came right back up to me to help guide me, and before I knew it, we were back at the main area of the venue.

Soon, Joe was deep in conversation with someone, and I stood to the side of him shifting my weight from one swollen foot to the other.

I was due in July, and at that stage where I was majorly uncomfortable.

Joe looked over at me, still listening to the guy he was talking to but sensing my restlessness.

“You okay?” - Joe mouthed

Nodding, Joe turned back to the man and apologized before asking him to pause for a moment.

Joe looped his arm with mine and pulled me over to the couch his parents were sitting on.

“Sit down, baby. You don't have to walk around with me if you're feet are hurting.” - Joe

“I’m fine, Joe. I promise…” - you

My words trailed off when Joe raised an eyebrow at me and cocked his head to the side.

“Okay. Fine, my feet hurt.” - you

“See was that hard to admit? You should've just stayed home like I initially suggested.” - Joe

I rolled my eyes at his words. This was a conversation that had occurred multiple times during both my pregnancies. Joe always turned into a helicopter husband, and though it's sweet sometimes, he can go a little overboard, just like he was now.

Joe saw a standing oscillating fan across the room and walked away to grab it. Robin bumped my elbow with hers, and I just angled my head toward her and shook it side to side at Joe. My mother-in-law only laughed, knowing Joe would go overboard when I gave him the smallest hint that I was dealing with discomfort.

Sure enough, Joe unplugged the huge fan and easily carried it over to me with one arm. He looked around for a plug-in before positioning the fan toward me and turning it on.

It was initially on its highest setting and sent my hair flying, along with a few cups on the coffee table at my feet.

“Shit!” - Joe

Both Robin and I yelled his full government name in sync, causing us both to laugh as Joe figured out how to turn the intensity down.

Once Joe got it set to the low setting, he looked over at the couch with a sheepish, closed-lip look on his face. Robin and I were glaring at him, and Jimmy was looking at the ground, shaking his head.

“Oopsies.” - Joe

“Oopsies indeed. Now clean this up, and I wouldn't mind if you got me one of those little appetizers.” - you

Joe nodded his head before bending down to pick up the plastic cups and napkins littered across the floor.

“Yes ma'am.” - Joe

“You’ve trained him well.” - Robin laughed

I laughed along with her for a few seconds, watching Joe walk up to one of the caterers and retrieve one of the small dishes.

“It didn't happen overnight, Robin. This is the product of subtle critiques since we started dating in 2014.” - you chuckled

Joe walked back over to me and leaned down, handing me the snack before pressing a kiss to my cheek. I giggled at the way his bangs brushed against my forehead when he pulled back to make eye contact.

“You need anything else? A drink?” - Joe

“I’m good, thank you, sweetheart.” - you

I grinned when Joe stood up to his full height with blushed cheeks. I only ever called him sweetheart in private and during our softest moments, like when he was lying on my chest and I was rubbing his back.

“Imma go find Sam. Text if you need me.” - Joe

“Okay!” - you smiled

Joe backed away slowly, almost as if he wanted me to ask him to stop and come back, and he furrowed his brows when he was six feet away, and I hadn't said anything yet. In the end, Joe turned around and walked off.

“I don't think you understand how much you mean to him, y/n.” - Robin

Her sweet words came out of nowhere, catching me off guard, so I looked over at her with a questioning look on my face.

“There’s so many people here, and even though he's bubbling with anxiety, you’re making him smile and laugh without a care in the world. Only you are capable of that, sweetie. I hope you know that. I’m also glad he’s coming out of his shell more about affection in public.” - Robin

“I feel like we’ve had variations of this conversation a hundred times, but I’ll never get tired of it. He’s the best thing to ever happen to me, and I'm glad I get to be that safe person for him. I, too, am happy about him getting over his PDA shyness. I remember when I was pregnant with the twins, and I got a little annoyed with him because he wouldn't hold my hand.” - you

Robin nods, letting me know that she’s listening, and I forge ahead.

I recalled the funny memory, one that Joe and I looked back on and laughed over. I was huge and pregnant and angered with him. Getting so annoyed to the point that I yelled:

“You won't hold my hand, but my baby bump is comparable to a neon flashing light sign that says I had sex with Joe Burrow!!”

The look on Joe’s face after I yelled that at him was one I will never forget. He was in awe, jaw-dropped that I’d say that to him, but the next time we were in public, he made sure to initiate some hand-holding.

Robin and even Jimmy were laughing at the story, finding it funny that I eventually worked up the courage to tell of their hermit crab of a son when I was pregnant with his twins.

“With all you do for him, you deserve some PDA, girl!” - Robin

“He knows that now.” - you laughed

“That he does. Every time I walk past him talking to someone, he's been talking about the baby, you, or the twins. Everyone in this venue probably knows how many weeks you are.” - Robin

Before I had the chance to answer, my phone started vibrating in the pocket of the loose sundress I had on. I pulled my phone out and smiled at the sight of the contact banner that came up. It was Joe.

“Hello?” - you answered

“Hey. Your parents are here with the boys.” - Joe

“Oh, yay! That could have been a text, though, right?” - you

“I’m not passing up on a chance to hear your voice.” - Joe

I could hear his grin through the phone, and Joe hung up just a few seconds later.

Robin and I’s conversation started back up till I heard the easily recognizable squeals of my boys.

I looked over at the source of the sound, and my heart fluttered because all of my favorite people were walking up to me.

Joe had Ty on his shoulders, supporting him with one hand holding his arm while Joe used the other arm to hold Miles on his hip.

“Joseph!” - you

“I got ‘em!” - Joe

My parents were trailing behind Joe, laughing at the entire scene in front of them. Once Joe was at the seating area, he helped Miles slide down his hip till his feet were on the floor. Then he reached up and grabbed Tyson under his armpits and lifted him over his head to put him down.

“Momma!!” - Miles

“There’s my boy!” - you grinned

Miles ran straight up to me on the couch, and Robin leaned down to pick him up since I obviously couldn't bend down and get him with my belly in the way.

He stood up in Robin’s lap and fell onto my chest, his arms spread in a hug-like manner.

“I missed you.” - you

My hand rested on his back as I slowly swayed side to side with him. Miles was a momma’s boy through and through, while Ty was Joe’s mini shadow, though they were both Joe’s carbon copy.

Joe was walking off when I finally opened my eyes, and I didn't even know I had closed them at one point. A smile formed on my lips as Tyson ran after him. Joe was just getting a fresh bottle of water, and when he felt little hands on his calves, a grin spread on his lips as he looked down through his Cartiers. Bliss spread through my body at the comforting weight of Miles on my chest and the adorable sight of Joe scooping Tyson up.

Sam walked over to Joe and was now talking to Tyson who was in his favorite spot, which was in his daddy’s arms.

My parents were deep in conversation with Robin and Jimmy, and I closed my eyes, sighing in contentment.

Moments later, unbeknownst to me, Joe walked back over and sat down on a chair caddy-cornered from me. His gaze was fixed on my face. He was amazed at how tensionless it was, and a flutter happened in his chest when he saw the small smile on my lips.

Joe didn't want to break the blissful spell, but he reached out and rubbed my knee gently.

“You good, babe?” - Joe

I nodded without opening my eyes, reaching down to gently rub shapes in the back of Joe’s hand. Joe gently grabbed my hand and squeezed it three times. In return, I squeezed back four times.

——

May 31, 2024 - Main golf event

Today was the main golf event held by Joe’s Foundation. It was the second annual outing, and Joe was less nervous than last year now that he had experience, but he was still dreading the outing itself.

I was currently getting ready alone in our master bathroom after taking a solo shower, which rarely happens nowadays. Joe had left the house earlier this morning, and a smile formed on my lips as I thought back to when his alarm went off this morning.

Joe’s alarm went off, and I buried my head deeper into his bare chest, trying to cut the sound off to my ear. He rolled over and turned it off before wrapping his arms around me and holding me as close as possible.

“G’morning, baby.” - Joe

His deep, raspy morning voice never failed to give me butterflies, and right now, the warmth of his big body wasn't helping.

Joe’s hand left my back and drifted down to my bump, grinning when the baby kicked in response to him pressing his palm into my belly.

“How’d my favorite girls sleep?” - Joe

Lately, baby girl has been getting restless at night, basically using my bladder as a trampoline, and Joe was aware of how it kept me from sleeping.

“Good, actually. No trapeze moves on my bladder last night.” - you

Joe felt me smile against his pec, and he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“That’s amazing. Can you believe she’s almost here? Because I can’t. Like, I know she's almost here, but I don’t think I’ve realized that she’s almost here.” - Joe

“I was thinking about that last night when you were rubbing lotion on my belly. I can’t wait till our girl is here, and I can’t wait to see you with her. I'm getting a little nervous about how Ty and Miles will react to her being here, though.” - you

Butterflies flew in my stomach when I fully paid attention to Joe’s current movements. He was gently rubbing his cheek against my head, stroking my baby bump with one hand, and slowly running the fingers of his other hand through my hair.

“I think they'll be okay. It’ll be hard for them to adjust in the beginning, maybe, but I think they'll love her. Remember how sweet they were when they met Evan and Gracie’s baby?” - Joe

“That is true. I’m just worried about how they'll react to having to share us with her. She will be our first priority for a bit, you know? They aren't used to not being our main focuses.” - you

“Don’t worry about it, y/n. We’ll adjust and adapt. Everything is going to be fine, I promise.” - Joe

We laid in bed for a little while longer till Joe got up and got ready. Joe told me to go back to sleep and that I didn't need to come to the event till a little bit later.

“Just relax awhile longer. You need it, Mama. You were on your feet a lot yesterday.” - Joe

“Okay.” - you nod

Joe smiled at the fact that I didn't argue back at him for once, and he leaned down to kiss my lips before grabbing his shades and exiting the bedroom.

“Bye, I love you.” - Joe

“I love you more. See ya later.” - you

I received one last grin before Joe gently shut the door behind him. Scooting over to lay on his pillow, I immediately breathed in his scent as I listened to his car start up and the garage door close.

My daydreaming spell was broken when Tyson ran into the bathroom with his mini-football.

“Hi, Momma.” - Tyson

I closed my blush palate and reached down to run my fingers through his blonde hair, smiling when he pressed his face into my leg.

“Hi, Tyson Lee.” - you smiled

“Where’s Daddy?” - Tyson

“He’s workin’.” - you

Tyson’s sad eyes looked down at the little football in his hands, and I swear my heart broke a little.

“He can pass with you tomorrow, okay? Daddy will be home all day tomorrow.” - you

“Okay…” - Tyson

My eyes grew misty as I watched him turn around and slowly walk away. The moment was sad by itself, and my raging hormones were not helping.

Thirty minutes passed, and I was fully ready. My hair was curled, my makeup was on, and so was my outfit. I had my black romper on paired with one of Joe’s old button-up shirts open and shrugged off my shoulders.

I hadn't worn the romper yet, but I knew Joe was going to love it.

My parents stayed the night yesterday in one of the open bedrooms since they'd have to watch the boys again today, so Joe and I didn't get to continue what got interrupted in the storage closet yesterday. Joe passed out right after our joint shower anyway, and I remember giggling at how his eyes kept fluttering closed when he was rubbing lotion on my bump.

After spraying some perfume and grabbing my belt bag, I went downstairs to find my parents drinking coffee in the kitchen.

“Morning!” - you grinned

“Good morning, honey. You look beautiful.” - your mom

“Thanks, Mom. How long have you guys been up?” - you

Miles ran over to me from the living room, asking me for a snack, so I walked off into the pantry to get him some gummies.

I mumbled, “There you go, buddy.” And my dad answered my previous question as I was walking back into the kitchen.

“We were awake just before Joe left. He was in a rush but made us some coffee before heading out.” - your dad

A blush formed on my cheeks at Joe’s sweet gesture, and I tried to hide it by opening the fridge to grab the smoothie I made for Joe last night.

“That’s sweet.” - you

“Mhm. He’s always been a gentleman.” - your mom

My face heated up even more, and I knew my face was probably beat red. Time to rush out of here.

“Well, I’ll see you guys later! Bye, babies.” - you

Miles and Tyson ran to hug me, and I pressed a kiss to each of their cheeks before walking out of the front door.

Joe called me as soon as I got into the car, his deep voice ringing out through the car speakers since my Bluetooth was connected.

“Hey, baby.” - Joe

“Hey, what's up?” - you

“Are you coming soon?” - Joe

I focused on backing out of the driveway before answering.

“Yup. Just pulled out of the driveway. Is everything okay? You sound a little disoriented, baby.” - you

“I’m fine, just getting bored and anxious without you here.” - Joe

“I’ll be there in just a little bit, Joey. Do I need to park where we did yesterday?” - you

“Yup. I'm at a Guinness stand right next to the parking lot too.” - Joe

Joe and I ended up going back and forth my entire drive there, though I quickly realized that was probably his plan from the beginning.

We hung up when I was pulling into the parking lot of the event venue, and I immediately spotted a tall blonde man as I walked through the back path.

Joe was pouring the contents of a can into a glass when I walked behind the counter and up to him.

“Hey, hot stuff.” - you grinned

His head shot up at the sound of my voice, and a grin spread across his lips.

“Hey, lovey.” - Joe smiled

I rolled my eyes playfully at the nickname. Back when we were in high school, we were discussing pet names for each other, and Joe jokingly suggested lovey. I initially hated it, but it became an inside joke, and over time, I grew to love it. Lately, Joe had picked up on the fact I didn't hate it as much as I made it seem like I did, and now he called me it all the time.

“I made you this.” - you

Handing him the smoothie, I watched Joe’s face light up, and I giggled when he leaned down to kiss me.

When he pulled away, Joe opened the cap and took a drink, my eyes lingering on how his adam’s apple bobbed with very swallow.

“Shit. That’s good.” - Joe

“You think? I tasted it and gagged, but I was hoping you would like it.” - you

Joe laughed and took another chug before closing the cap and setting the bottle down.

I furrowed my brows at him when he took a step back and flicked his glasses down onto his nose, his hot gaze looking me up and down a couple of times before he met my eyes and smiled.

“What?” - you laughed

Joe walked towards me and pulled me into him, squeezing me gently before nestling his mouth against my ear.

“You look fuckin’ gorgeous.” - Joe

He leaned back and winked at me before asking a question.

“Is this a new fit?” - Joe

“Kinda. This is your shirt, but the romper is new, yes.” - you

“Oh shit, that shirt’s mine? But anyway, you need to buy that romper in every color.” - Joe

Joe’s words were the more PG version of his thoughts, which were running wild.

God, her bump is so sexy, and her tits look amazing.

Someone called Joe’s name from the parking lot and I turned around to see who it was, completely unaware of the fact I was driving Joe insane. The person calling Joe ended up being Coach Taylor who waved over at us before walking off to get registered.

Holy shit, her ass- damn it, I'm getting hard.

“Hey, I forgot my sunnies at home. Do you have an extra?” - you

Joe reached into his pocket, and that's when I realized he changed his outfit since he left the house.

“What the hell? When did you change?” - you

He chuckled as he pulled out the other pair of sunnies from his pocket and pulled off the ones he had on.

I picked the ones he already had on, and he handed them to me before putting his backup pair on his face.

“I changed when I got here. It’s too hot right now for the outfit I picked out originally. I'm surprised it took you that long to realize.” - Joe laughed

“I’ve got pregnancy brain, JB.” - you

“True. Hey, Imma go find some of the guys, but I don't want you to be by yourself, so I’ll walk you to my parents first.” - Joe

I nodded and looked around at the decorations under the tent a few yards away, completely oblivious to the fact that Joe had just looked down at his crotch and groaned out of annoyance with the fact that you could tell he was semi-hard.

It wasn't until he moved forward to be covered by the counter when he dropped his hand down the front of his shorts that I realized what he was doing.

“Joseph Lee, what the fuck are you doing?!” - you

“Adjusting.” - Joe deadpanned

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the cocky smirk on my lips. Knowing I could always turn Joe on was such a confidence boost when I didn't feel very attractive.

Just a few moments later, Joe escorted me over to Robin before meeting up with a couple of the guys on the course to take a picture.

I was sitting a little bored, and a picture that Joe was tagged in came up on my Instagram feed. It was a BTS picture that someone took of Joe taking a picture with some of the guys. I internally giggled when I saw the slight bulge in Joe’s shorts from minutes before he walked off.

That man will always keep me on my toes.

It was later in the day, and I was currently fetching Joe his clothes from his Porche.

Joe was in the single-stall men’s bathroom, and I looked around before knocking on the door.

“It’s y/n.” - you

A few seconds of silence went by before Joe spoke up.

“Tell me something only y/n would know.” - Joe

I, in return, whispered the baby’s name into the crack of the door since only Joe and I knew it, and seconds later, I heard an unlock sound. I opened the door and closed it right behind me. Joe was standing against the sink in just his boxers and socks. After handing him his jeans and Nike shirt, Joe thanked me before slipping them both on.

“Do I look fine?” - Joe

Joe smoothed his hands down his chest, attempting to get some wrinkles out of his shirt because he knew his mom would comment on them.

“Fine as hell.” - you grinned

He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss, my hands reaching up to play with the baby curls on the back of his neck.

“I love this hair.” - you

“I know you do. It’s getting a little too long for my liking, though.” - Joe

“What? You don't like how it looks?” - you

Joe sensed that I was on the verge of jumping into a huge rant about how good his hair looked, so he immediately reassured me that that wasn't the case.

“No, I like it longer, and I know you do too. I just don't like the maintenance.” - Joe

“I’ll fix it every day if you want. I can fix it when I do the boy’s hair.” - you

“Baby. I’m not gonna make you fix my hair. That’s crazy.” - Joe

“But I love it, and if you're thinking about cutting it because you don't like fixing it, I’ll start fixing it!” - you

Joe just laughed at me before pulling me into his arms. One of his big hands rubbed my back as he laid his cheek against my forehead.

“You need to calm down a little bit, lovey. I'm getting it cut tomorrow morning, and I've had it scheduled for a while as a routine trim.” - Joe

“Nooooooo.” - you

I felt him chuckle, and I rolled my eyes. Joe knew this was just a product of my extreme emotions from pregnancy.

“It’ll be okay. But we should go before my mom comes looking for us.” - Joe

“Hey, can you sit with her while I'm up there giving my speech? She won't go up there with me.” - Joe

After refusing to stand up on the stage with him, Joe had just directed me to sit down at a table at the back of the tent where he'd be on stage delivering his speech and walked over to Sam after.

I didn't know Joe had asked him to sit with me, so I smiled when Sam sat down next to me. I’d known Sam for years, as long as Joe had known him, so I'd say I knew Sam the best out of all of Joe’s teammates.

“Hey, Mrs. B.” - Sam smiled

“Hey, Sam. Have you had fun today?” - you

“For sure. Joe asked me to sit with you while he was up there delivering his speech. Are you not feeling well or something?” - Sam

Of course, he did.

“I’m fine. Your bestie is just a helicopter husband and gives me a babysitter when he's not with me. I thought it was sweet at first, but now it's a little annoying.” - you

“He’s just looking after his girl, I guess. But Joe’s always been super protective of you, so I can't imagine how worse it gets when you're pregnant.” - Sam

“Lately, he tries to follow me into the bathroom when I say I have to use it.” - you

I laughed at Sam’s grimace but stopped when Robin started talking into the mic. My attention shifted to Joe when I noticed him biting the insides of his cheeks, something he does when he's nervous. His hands were hidden behind his back, but I knew he was probably picking at his fingernails. I probably should've gone up there with him, and at that moment, I regretted telling him no.

After Robin’s adorable introduction of her son, Joe took the mic and jokingly thanked his mom. Butterflies swarmed my stomach at the sound of Joe’s deep voice through the many speakers. He went on to thank everyone for coming, specifically naming his teammates and the Bengals personnel. But his next part caught me off guard.

“And I've gotta thank someone specifically, which is my best friend who made it apparent to be here to support me and the foundation.” - Joe

Sam and I looked at each other, not exactly sure who Joe was giving a shout-out to because Ja’Marr wasn't there. Maybe it was Sam.

“She’s the First Lady of the foundation, you might say, and that is y/n. The beautiful and amazing woman that I'm proud to call myself the husband of.” - Joe

My heart dropped, and almost everyone turned around and looked at me. My cheeks immediately turned red, and Sam nudged me with his elbow.

“She’s here today, though she’s eight months pregnant with our third, and she’s been nothing short of perfect. You've probably seen her running around making sure everything was in order and also babysitting me and making sure I was where I needed to be. I just wanted to say that I'm extremely grateful for you, and thank you everyone for coming.” - Joe

Joe handed the mic back to his dad, and I struggled to try to hide the fact that my eyes were getting misty, so I discreetly wiped my eyes as I stood up. As they were leaving the stage, Joe and I made eye contact through the crowd, and he started making a B-line for me.

Just as I was meeting Joe in the middle of the floor, he was swept away by a couple of people on the Bengals staff, so I went to talk to Robin instead.

In the ten-minute conversation I had with Robin, she told me that the part of Joe’s speech where he mentioned/thanked me wasn't planned. He'd told her what he was going to say before they went up on stage, and I wasn't a part of it. Robin said he must've decided to say something in the moment, and to me, that made it sweeter.

After a few moments, I decided to go find Joe to tease him about his mention of me, and when I found him talking to a group of guys with his back to me. I tapped his shoulder, and he shrugged me off, continuing his sentence about how practice was going. I tapped him again, and he stopped his sentence with a sigh.

“I’m busy.” - Joe

Since he didn't turn around, I tapped him again. Sam was standing across from Joe, so he could see that it was me.

“Joe you should…” - Sam

“I’m talking!” - Joe

Joe had finally turned around, but the glare of the sun and his dark sunglasses prevented him from seeing who it was that had been previously tapping his shoulder. You didn't know that, though. He was frustrated, but I was taken aback when he yelled at me. In our almost ten years of dating, Joe had never fully yelled at me. He’d raised his voice slightly or carried an annoyed tone a couple of times before but never yelled.

I turned around in shock and sped off, speedwalking out of the tent and towards the parking lot. Maybe I was being dramatic, but I couldn't stop the tears from pricking in my eyes.

When Joe finally started his conversation back up, all of the guys were looking at him like he was crazy, and he didn't know why.

“What?” - Joe

“Did you see who that was?” - Sam

Joe shook his head no and explained that his vision was blocked by the glare of the sun, and all of the guys groaned, Sam even facepalming as Joe stood confused.

“That was y/n, Joe!” - Sam

All of the colors left Joe’s face when he realized he'd just yelled at me, and he immediately turned around to see where I went. He saw me walking down the end of the sidewalk, and just as Joe was about to run off sprinting, Sam grabbed his arm.

“Wait a little bit. Let her stew over what happened for a few moments before you go apologize your ass off.” - Sam

“I can't wait. I gotta tell her. Fuck.” - Joe

Sam let go of Joe’s arm, and he immediately ran after me. I had already made it inside the car, so he couldn't see me anymore, but Joe knew where I went.

I was sitting in the passenger seat of my car when I saw Joe through the window. He was probably coming to apologize, but I was kinda mad at him, so I opted to give him the silent treatment before he even started talking.

Joe tried to peak into the window, but the tint was too dark for him to see me, and I rolled my eyes when he opened the door and slipped into the passenger seat.

“Baby, maybe you should lock the door next time.” - Joe

I looked away from my steering wheel and narrowed my eyes at Joe’s soft smile before looking straight ahead through the windshield

“Okay, listen. I'm sorry. I didn't know that it was you tapping me, and when I finally turned around, there was a glare from the sun preventing me from seeing that it was you. If I had known it was you, I wouldn't have raised my voice. I'm so sorry, y/n.” - Joe

When I didn't answer, Joe started getting nervous. Were you actually mad at him? Joe thought.

“Baby?” - Joe

Once again, I ignored him, and Joe began to panic.

“I didn't know it was you! I would never yell at you. I swear. Are you- are you mad at me?” - Joe

Joe stared at me, completely taken aback because he was expecting me to forgive him once he explained and apologized. I’d never been mad at Joe before. There have been times when I've been super annoyed or slightly disappointed but never mad, and that's why Joe was internally freaking out. He knew my hormones were causing my emotions to constantly be x100, and Joe was worrying the worst.

“Answer me, please. You're scaring me.” - Joe

Nothing.

Joe sighed and got out of the car, slamming the door behind him in frustration. My gaze left the tree in front of me, and I watched Joe walk away as tears streamed down my face. I immediately regretted handling it the way I did, but I was afraid that Joe was mad at me now. My crying got harder when I thought of the possibility that Joe could be upset with me, and I ended up crying till I fell asleep.

I woke up to the feeling of my phone vibrating on my thigh, and I immediately furrowed my brows when I saw that the call was from Sam.

“Hello?” - you

“Hey… uhm. Joe’s walking around the golf course, and he's super messed up.” - Sam

“What do you mean?” - you

“He’s drunk and high as hell, y/n. He keeps babbling about how you're mad and won't talk to him.” - Sam

I hung up the phone right after Sam said that. Shouting profanity to myself as I opened my car door and stepped out.

After making my way to the crowd of Bengals players watching Joe stumble around while mumbling incoherently, I angrily yelled at all of them to fuck off if they weren't going to do anything but laugh and video. The looks on their faces as they walked away told me I was going to be the talk of the locker room next practice. I couldn't care less to be known as Burrow’s crazy wife, though.

Walking up to Joe, he stumbled a bit before standing up straight and putting his hands on my shoulders for stability. He smelled like alcohol, and his red eyes told me all I needed to know. He's insanely crossfaded.

“Joe. Hey, it’s me. It’s y/n.” - you

“You’re mad- mad at me.” - Joe

I wanted to kick myself for thinking about how adorable his slurred speech was because I was pissed at him right now.

“Joe, this isn't college anymore. We have kids, and you can't just get fucked up on a random Friday. I wasn't that mad before, but I'm mad now.” - you

Joe held his head down and wouldn't look at me. I couldn't tell if he was embarrassed and upset with himself or was annoyed that I was mad at him.

“I’m gonna call my parents and tell them that the boys will have to spend the night at their house tonight. You’re in no shape to be a father right now, and there's no way I can handle both of them and you, all while eight months pregnant.” - you

“I- I’m sorry… I just was scared that you wouldn't talk to me, and…” - Joe

“Just save it. I don't want to hear any excuses from you right now. Go find a corner to stand in or something before you do or say something stupid.” - you

After an embarrassing phone call with my parents, having to explain that my husband was both majorly drunk and high, I loaded Joe up into the passenger seat of my car and took him home. He’d pick his Porche up tomorrow when he was in better shape.

We had waited to leave until the event was officially over, and everyone was gone. Joe had done as I said and sat in a corner by himself, his eyes never once leaving me. His anxiety was raging now that he had heard me say in words that I was mad at him.

The car ride was silent the entire way home. Joe looked out the passenger window as I drove. I was fuming but decided not to take it out on him yet.

Once we were home, Joe tried his hardest to walk perfectly fine up the stairs. The last thing he wanted was for me to have to help him.

“You should go shower. I'll shower in the baby’s bathroom.” - you

“I’ll use hers. All your products are here.” - Joe

I could tell his head was somewhat clearing up, so I nodded, and Joe grabbed his stuff before exiting the bathroom.

My thoughts ran wild as I showered. It had been a while since I'd showered by myself, and my heart hurt a bit when I reached for my shampoo and had to wash my hair - something Joe usually does when we shower together.

It didn't take me long to finish up, so I slipped into a pair of panties and one of Joe’s old LSU shirts before crawling into bed.

Ten minutes later, there was no sign of Joe. He was usually quicker in the shower than me, so I was starting to get worried.

Before I could overthink too much, Joe walked into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, droplets of water running down his muscular body. My eyes fixed on the many muscles in his back flexing when he turned around and got a pair of boxers from his clean clothes pile on the couch. He slipped them on under the towel before dropping it and putting it in the hamper.

Joe then walked over to the bed and grabbed his pillow, to my confusion. After watching Joe grab a throw blanket from the foot of the bed, I realized what he was doing. I let him walk to the doorframe before stopping him.

“Where are you going?” - you

“Living room, maybe my office. I'm probably not sleeping tonight so I’ll watch old game film or the TV.” - Joe

Joe was standing there awkwardly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other and waiting for me to say something.

“Come here.” - you

I caught Joe breaking a smile for a millisecond before he walked back over to the bed. Joe put his pillow back down and tossed the blanket to the side before sliding under the sheets.

Rolling onto my side, my body flushed when I saw Joe’s red eyes. You’re fucking kidding.

“What the hell, Joe?! Are you high again?” - you

Joe’s body stiffens up with embarrassment when he realizes what he has to admit.

“No, I’m not high.” - Joe

My mouth, which was open from disgust and shock, dropped closed when I realized why his eyes were red and why he'd been in the shower so long - Joe had been crying.

Joe’s eyes searched my face when he noticed that I realized his eyes were red from crying, and he started biting the skin off of his lip as a stress reaction.

“Oh.” - you

“I’m so sorry for everything. I don't know what I was thinking- I was scared, and I was already too in my head about football.” - Joe

He went on for a few minutes, babbling as his voice continued to break. I’d never seen him so worked up before, and I slowly realized this wasn't just about today. Joe took a break to sniffle, the dam of tears threatening to break. I pulled him into my arms, and Joe buried his head in my neck. My arms naturally went around him, and I cradled the back of his head to me.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay. Take a breath for me.” - you

It took him a while to calm down, but I rubbed his back and laid my cheek on his head the whole time. Once I felt Joe’s breathing get back to normal.

“You okay?” - you

I felt Joe nod his head in my neck, and I ran my fingers through the back of his wet hair.

“You wanna talk about it? I know this isn't just about today, Joe.” - Joe

I feel him sigh, and his hand wanders around till he finds the hand of mine that isn't occupied by playing with his hair to intertwine his fingers with mine.

“Football has been a lot, and I feel like there is a huge weight constantly on my shoulders. This season, I have to make a major comeback, and I'm scared it’s not gonna happen. Being at an event like that, where people are constantly asking questions about football, I'm reminded of it over and over. You’re my escape from it all, and to upset you is killing me. I didn't know it was you, and if I did, I wouldn't have yelled. I wasn't thinking, and after you ignored me when I was trying to apologize, I got super nervous. With football not going my way and my only major outlet not talking to me, I was freaking out. My only thought was to get wasted, so that's what I did. I took a couple of gummies and chugged a few vodka seltzers. I was hoping that it would take my mind off things, but it only made everything worse. I'm so fucking sorry, baby. I hope you'll forgive me, but I understand if you don't. I feel awful, and I was such a shitty everything today, a shitty friend, son, husband, and dad. I can't believe you had to send the kids away for a night because of me. I'm so mad at myself, and again, I'm so sorry.” - Joe

It took me a minute to process everything, but when I did, I couldn't stop tears from forming in my eyes. Seeing the love of your life hurting is awful, especially knowing you were one of the reasons for them hurting.

“First of all, you're doing amazing in football right now, and I trust you'll be just fine. You're the same man who came back from an awful knee injury and took your team to the Super Bowl. Secondly, I shouldn't have given you the silent treatment like I did. I believe you completely when you say you didn't know it was me, and I know you'd never yell at me like that. You're not a shitty everything, either. Just because you handled a situation badly doesn't define you as shitty. I think it’s good that the boys will be at my parents tonight, though. I think you need some one-on-one time with me, okay? Just talk to me, and I’ll listen. Don't bottle up anything, baby. Also, I can't believe you thought I’d want you to sleep on the couch. In your words, 90% of my heat at night comes from your body.” - you

Joe laughed a little at the last part of my response before cuddling closer to me. He threw a big arm over my bump and gently rubbed my belly with his hand. I heard him mumble something into my neck, but I couldn't quite understand anything he had said. After asking him to repeat himself, he pulled away from my neck and did just as I had asked.

“Do you accept my apology?” - Joe

“Of course, goofball.” - you

Joe’s body immediately relaxed, and it felt like he was melting into me. At the same time, he let out a breath that neither of us knew he was holding in. That's when it became apparent to me just how much Joe was scared I was mad at him.

“Jeez, Joey.” - you

“Sorry. I was kinda nervous you would say no if you couldn't tell, but I feel better now.” - Joe

“I’m sorry, too. I hope you know that no matter what, you will always be my person. Forbid that we ever have another argument, don't get so scared that you have to lean on alcohol and marijuana. Nothing could ever make me mad enough for you to react like that. I love you forever, Joe Lee.” - you

Joe pressed a few baby kisses on my neck before leaning up and hovering over me. We both leaned in and kissed each other for a few moments, knowing we hadn't kissed in a couple of hours.

“Thank you, lovey. The same goes for you, ya know - I love you forever, and you will always be my person.” - Joe

We just sat smiling at each other for a few moments until Joe rolled over onto his back and pulled me into his chest. My belly was leaning on top of his, and Joe reached over to spread a big hand out on it.

“I feel like I'm crushing you.” - you mumbled

“Girl, please. Do you know what the fuck I bench press?” - Joe

I laughed into his peck, getting lost in the feeling of him rubbing my back as we settled down. I was glad that Joe and I were ending the night on a good note. A few minutes later, the sounds of little snores filled the room, and Joe’s chest began rhythmically rising and falling. A smile formed on my lips as I gently rubbed my cheek against him, knowing that his current peaceful state would be interrupted when he woke up with a massive hangover.

At least I won't be the only grumpy and in pain one.

Authors note: This one got out of hand! 😂

#joe burrow #bengals #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow x reader #joey b #cincinnati bengals #joe burrow fan fic

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jburrgf · 15 days ago

Text

About You II — The Love Trope Series

“Do you think I have forgotten about you?”

◦pairing: ¡lsu! joe burrow x ¡ex situashionship! reader

◦summary: second change trope, college relationships, slow burn love, right person wrong time.

◦description: after the dinner at Malone’s, your best friend and you go to the biggest party of the year, and there, you find out why you can’t forget Joe — at all.

PART TWO: ALL OVER ME

Joe and I didn’t happen overnight.

It was a slow burn, full of late-night conversations, stolen glances, and an undeniable pull neither of us could explain. He was juggling the pressures of being a star quarterback with the weight of expectations I couldn’t fully understand, and I was caught between wanting to be a part of his world and keeping my own identity intact.

We weren’t perfect. We fought. We drifted. We came back together, only to drift apart again. And then, months before graduation, Joe started pulling away for good.

I didn’t chase him.

And that was the end of it.

Or so I thought.

The faint hum of music and muffled voices filtered through the walls of our shared dorm as I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the pile of clothes Maddie had dumped on me earlier. A crop top, a leather skirt, and heeled boots that looked like they belonged on a runway rather than at a party in a dingy warehouse.

Maddie was pacing, a hair curler in one hand and a bottle of glittery body spray in the other, a force of nature in her pre-party ritual. She was dressed to perfection already, wearing a sequined halter top and ripped jeans that made her legs look a mile long.

The mirror in Maddie’s dorm room was barely big enough for one person, but tonight, we were making it work. Her makeup brushes, palettes, and lip glosses were spread across the desk like an arsenal, the tiny lamp casting a warm glow on the chaos.

“Y/N, come on,” Maddie groaned, holding up two options—a cropped black sequin top and a deep green halter. “Which one says, ‘I’m here to have fun but also break hearts’?”

I glanced up, her mind still clouded, offering a weak smile. “The green one, I guess.”

Maddie frowned, dropping the tops onto her bed and placing her hands on her hips. “Okay, what’s going on with you? This is the biggest party of the year, and you’re sitting there like we’re about to go to a funeral.”

“I’m fine,” I muttered, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Just tired.”

Truthfully, exhaustion wasn’t the problem. My chest felt heavy in a way I couldn’t explain—like I was carrying the weight of something I didn’t have the courage to admit. Joe. His name felt like a forbidden word, a ghost haunting the edges of my thoughts as Maddie flitted around the room, oblivious.

“Liar,” Maddie shot back, narrowing her eyes as she crossed the room to sit beside Y/N. “You’ve been weird all weekend. Let me guess…” She tilted her head, a knowing smirk spreading across her lips. “This is about him, isn’t it?”

The mention of his name made my stomach flip, but I kept my face carefully neutral. “This has nothing to do with him.”

“Bullshit,” Maddie said, nudging her shoulder. “I know you, Y/N. You’ve been moping around ever since Malone’s friday. Did something happen with Joe that you’re not telling me?” she said, rolling her eyes. “Look, I know he’s... complicated. But tonight isn’t about him. It’s about you having fun. Forget about the past. It’s just one party.”

“Exactly. Just one party,” I said, grabbing the crop top she’d picked for me and holding it up with skepticism. “And I’m not even sure I want to go.”

Maddie marched over, snatched the shirt from my hands, and tossed it on the bed. “Oh, you’re going. Whether I have to drag you kicking and screaming or not.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to enjoy myself, but something in me felt heavy, like an anchor tied around my chest. Maddie didn’t need to know how often my mind drifted to Joe—how his face had been etched into my thoughts since that night at Malone’s, how his stupid note was still folded in my desk drawer.

“Y/N,” Maddie said, her voice softening as she sat beside me. “I know you miss him.”

I blinked, startled. “I didn’t say that.”

“You don’t have to,” she said, nudging me with her shoulder. “But trust me, wallowing isn’t going to help. You need to let loose, have a drink, and dance with someone who’s not Joe Burrow.”

I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It is easy.”

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my jeans. “It’s… nothing happened. It’s just—ugh, I don’t even know, Maddie. I don’t want to talk about him.”

Maddie raised an eyebrow but didn’t push further. Instead, she stood, grabbed Y/N’s hands, and pulled her to her feet. “Okay, fine. No more Joe talk. But I’m not letting you go to this party looking like you just rolled out of bed.”

“You know i’m not thrilled about frat parties.” I said

“This isn’t just any frat party,” Maddie corrected, grabbing a curling iron and plugging it in. “It’s in the Kappa alumni barn. Do you know how hard it is to get invited to this? People are literally selling wristbands for $50 just to get in. We are elite, babe.”

“Lucky me,” I muttered under my breath.

”Come on, I’m going to pick out the perfect dress for you.” She threw open her closet, rifling through the racks of clothes like a woman on a mission. “We need something that says ‘I’m hot, but I don’t care if you notice.’”

“I was just going to wear jeans,” I offered weakly.

Maddie spun around, her expression scandalized. “Jeans? To this party? Y/N, we’re not freshmen anymore. This is senior year. Go big or go home.”

Before I could argue, she pulled out a sleek black dress with a subtle shimmer. It was simple, but the cut was flattering, and the fabric looked soft enough to melt into.

“This,” Maddie declared, holding it up like it was the Holy Grail.

I hesitated, glancing at my reflection. “I don’t know...”

“Trust me,” Maddie said, shoving the dress into my hands. “You’ll look amazing.”

With a reluctant sigh, I headed to the bathroom to change. The dress clung to my figure in all the right places, and when I stepped back into the bedroom, Maddie let out a low whistle.

“Y/N! You look... Wow. Just wow. Girl, if Joe doesn’t come crawling back to you after tonight, he’s an idiot.”

I finally turned to face my reflection, and to my surprise, I didn’t hate it. The dress hugged my figure in all the right places, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like maybe I could blend in tonight.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my llips. “It’s not about Joe.”

“Sure, it’s not,” Maddie teased, returning to the mirror to finish her makeup. “Now, sit down. I’m doing your hair and makeup.”

As Maddie curled my hair, the mood in the room shifted slightly. The music softened, and for a moment, it felt like the old days—just us two, laughing and talking about nothing.

“Listen,” Maddie said, her tone gentler now. “I know you’re going through it, but you deserve to have fun tonight. Forget about him, or at least try to. This party is going to be amazing. Everyone’s been talking about it for weeks. The lights, the DJ, the whole vibe—it’s gonna be insane.”

I nodded, her chest tightening. Maddie was right. I needed to let go, even if just for one night. “You’re right. Let’s do this.”

Maddie grinned, placing the final curl in my hair and fluffing it out with her fingers. “Now that’s the spirit. Look at us—two bad bitches, ready to take on the world.”

I laughed, feeling a flicker of excitement for the first time that night. Maybe this party wouldn’t be so bad after all. Maybe I could forget about Joe, even if just for a few hours. Maddie got all the makeup things right in front of us, and started to do my makeup.

Hold still!” Maddie ordered, her hand steady as she worked on my eyeliner.

“I am holding still,” I mumbled, trying not to blink.

“You keep flinching every time I get close. Do you not trust me?” she teased, stepping back to inspect her work. “Did you know they rented an actual DJ for tonight? And there’s going to be this crazy light show. Plus, rumor has it the football team’s throwing in a ton of money for drinks and food. This is basically LSU’s version of Coachella.”

I hummed noncommittally, watching her in the mirror as she worked. Her excitement was contagious, even if I wasn’t quite ready to feel it yet.

“Y/N,” Maddie said after a moment, her tone more serious. “Promise me you’ll try to have fun tonight. For real.”

I met her gaze in the mirror and nodded. “I’ll try.”

She smiled, satisfied. “Good. Now, glitter or no glitter?”

“No glitter,” I said immediately.

Maddie rolled her eyes but relented, finishing my makeup with a swipe of lip gloss.

Maddie, of course, looked flawless in her emerald green romper and heels, her hair styled in loose waves that framed her face. She had a way of commanding attention without even trying, and tonight was no exception.

“You’re stunning,” I said honestly.

“So are you,” she replied, grabbing her phone to snap a picture of us. “Okay, let’s take a pre-party selfie. Smile!”

I forced a grin, but even as the camera clicked, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“You’re thinking too much,” Maddie said, catching my expression.

“I’m not,” I lied.

She rolled her eyes, grabbing her purse. “Come on. Let’s get out of here before you change your mind.”

By the time we were both ready, the campus was already buzzing with energy. The party was being held in an old warehouse on the edge of campus, the kind of space that was only used for events like this—loud, chaotic, and slightly dangerous.

As we stepped outside, the cool evening air hit my skin, and for the first time all day, I felt a flicker of anticipation. Maddie looped her arm through mine, grinning.

“Trust me, Y/N,” she said as we made our way toward the warehouse. “Tonight’s going to be unforgettable.”

The walk to the party was electric. The campus buzzed with excitement, groups of students streaming toward the barn like moths to a flame. Maddie chatted nonstop, filling the silence with stories and jokes that I barely registered.

But as we approached the barn, the music growing louder with each step, I couldn’t ignore the way my heart began to race. Part of me hoped Joe wouldn’t be there.

And another part of me—a part I hated—hoped he would.

[…]

I caved, mostly because Maddie was impossible to argue with, and by the time we arrived at the warehouse, I was already questioning my decision. The music was loud, the drinks were cheap, and the place was packed with bodies moving to a beat I couldn’t place.

It was an underground-style party. Everyone was wearing colorful, fluorescent paints, and the music had heavy beats. It was a fraternity party, but it wasn't at a house. Everything took place in a warehouse, surrounded by a parking lot that was already full when we arrived.

“Loosen up,” Maddie said when we got out of her car and were walking through the parking lot, heading to the party entrance. My friend showed something on her phone to someone, and we went in.

She dragged me toward the makeshift bar. “Come on, Y/N, I know why you're like this. But remember, we have to have fun, right?” she said, shaking my shoulders from side to side as electronic music played.

I rolled my eyes, letting out a small smile because the beat of the music was really contagious.

“Alright, but I’m not going to drink much!”

“I love you!” And that was what Maddie said before dragging me to the fraternity's makeshift bar, preparing something for me to drink.

I downed a few shots, one after the other, laughing and speaking loudly as people came over to greet us. I danced to a few songs with Maddie, swaying from side to side.I felt the urge to go to the bathroom, so I asked her to wait for me close to the bar. I started walking, looking for something like a bathroom, being careful not to open doors to already occupied rooms.

I found an empty bathroom at the beginning of one of the hallways. I fixed my makeup, washed my hands, and got ready to leave. I closed the door behind me, starting to walk down the hallway.

When I returned to the party, the music was louder, and people were dancing more. By that time of the night, the bar was even more crowded than usual, signaling that the party had reached its peak.

I tried to. I really did. But I wasn’t a natural at these things, and it wasn’t until I stepped outside onto the quieter patio that I felt like I could breathe again. I walked out of the warehouse, exiting through makeshift tarp doors. Outside, in the back, there was an Olympic-sized pool, illuminated and filled with inflatable balls.

The air outside was cool against my flushed skin, the sounds of the party muffled behind the thick metal doors of the warehouse-turned-dancefloor. I leaned against the railing near the Olympic-sized pool, my chest rising and falling as I tried to steady myself.

The stillness of the pool was a welcome contrast to the pulsing energy inside. Its surface reflected the night sky, fractured by the faint ripples of the water, and for a brief moment, I felt at peace.

“Finally found you!” Maddie shouted from afar, stepping out of the warehouse with a red cup in hand. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah… it just got way too crowded all of a sudden.”

“Yep, it’s about time for us to head out.” She patted my back, as if she knew me well enough to understand exactly how I was feeling.

The bass of the music hit me like a wave as soon as I stepped through the doors, the lights swirling in hypnotic patterns that danced across the crowd. The air was thick with heat and the mingling scents of sweat and cologne, and I almost turned back around.

I tugged at the hem of my dress, suddenly feeling too exposed in the sea of intoxicated strangers. Maddie was nowhere to be seen— I lost her when I got back inside. I should’ve texted her to meet me outside, but I didn't want to ruin her night.

The overhead lights twisted and flickered in a kaleidoscope of colors, casting long shadows that danced across the packed room. People swayed and spun to the beat of a song I didn’t recognize, the energy electric and wild.

And then it happened.

The opening chords of Innerbloom by RÜFÜS DU SOL floated through the speakers, and it was like the entire atmosphere shifted. The crowd slowed, their movements taking on a dreamlike quality as the tempo of the song washed over the room.

That’s when I saw him.

Joe.

He was standing near the edge of the dancefloor, just beyond the reach of the flashing lights. His blond hair caught the faint glow of the strobe, his tall frame relaxed yet commanding as he talked to someone I didn’t recognize. But it wasn’t the way he stood or the casual confidence in his posture that froze me in place. It was his eyes.

Because, as if sensing me, he looked up—and our eyes met.

Everything else faded.

For a second, I thought I was imagining it.

It was instant, like a magnetic pull I couldn’t fight even if I wanted to. The room, the music, the crowd—all of it faded away. All I could focus on was him.

Why does it always feel like this?

The way he looked at me was almost unbearable—like he’d been waiting for this moment as much as I had dreaded it. His gaze was steady, unflinching, and for a second, I thought he might come toward me.

But he didn’t move. Neither did I.

My breath caught in my throat. We just stared at each other, the space between us suddenly feeling both infinite and too small.

I wanted to run. I wanted to stay.

The flicker of the lights seemed to sync with the thrum of my heartbeat as he started walking toward me. Everything was in slow motion—the sway of his body, the way his hands slid casually into the pockets of his jeans, the way his jaw tightened when our eyes locked again.

The music, the crowd, the swirling lights—it all blurred into the background, like the universe itself had tilted to make room for this one moment.

*If you want me, if you need me... I'm yours.*

The words felt like a taunt, an echo of everything I hadn’t allowed myself to admit.

Joe’s gaze held mine, steady and unyielding, as though he could see every thought racing through my mind. His expression was unreadable—calm, almost curious—but his eyes told a different story. They were searching, pulling me in, and suddenly the space between us felt both infinite and far too small.

I couldn’t move. My feet were rooted to the ground, my pulse hammering in my ears as the world seemed to slow to a crawl.

He took a step forward.

The lights shifted, casting his face in shadow, and for a second, I thought I might faint. My breath hitched, and I gripped the edge of a nearby table to steady myself.

Another step.

The crowd parted like water around him, the sea of bodies moving in rhythm with the music but leaving him untouched. It felt unreal, like a scene from a movie, the kind you tell yourself could never happen in real life.

But it was happening.

And then he was in front of me.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice low, almost lost in the swell of the music. But I heard it. God, I felt it.

“Joe.” My voice came out softer than I intended, almost shaky.

Neither of us said anything for a moment. The room seemed to spin around us, the world a blur of light and sound, but we were still. Anchored.

“You came,” he finally said, his lips curling into the faintest hint of a smile.

“You called.”

He tilted his head slightly, studying me in that way he always did, like he could see straight through every wall I’d put up. “I wasn’t sure if you would.”

Why did he have to be here? Why did he have to look at me like that? Like he was still holding onto something I’d been trying so hard to let go of.

The muffled beat of the music reached me even out here, but it was quieter now, easier to ignore. I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the image of Joe—his face, his voice, the way he said my name. It lingered like a ghost, refusing to let me be.

“Neither was I,” I admitted, my voice barely audible.

Another beat of silence passed, heavy and charged. His gaze flickered down to my lips for a fraction of a second, and my stomach flipped.

The song swelled, the lyrics a haunting echo in the background: If you want me, if you need me, I’m yours

The silence stretched between us, filled only by the song and the pounding of my heart. I didn’t know what to say, what to do. All I could do was look at him, and all he could do was look at me, like we were the only two people in the room.

Something flickered in his eyes—relief, maybe, or something deeper. He stepped closer, and I felt the warmth of him, the faint scent of his cologne mixing with the humid air of the warehouse.

The words hung between us, heavy and unspoken truths laced beneath them. I wanted to ask him why he cared, why he’d left that note, why he was standing here now, looking at me like I was the only thing that mattered. But I couldn’t.

The music swelled, the lyrics wrapping around us like a cocoon.

“I’m glad you did.”

The music swelled, the lyrics wrapping around us like a cocoon.

It felt like the universe was holding its breath, waiting for one of us to make the next move.

And then, without thinking, I took a step closer.

“Joe,” I said again, my voice steadier this time.

“Y/N…” His voice was barely a whisper now, lost beneath the music but somehow still clear as day.

For a moment, neither of us moved, the world narrowing down to just us.

And then someone bumped into me, breaking the spell. I stumbled, and Joe’s hand shot out, steadying me with an ease that made my stomach flip.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

I nodded, my cheeks flushing. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t fine. Not even close. Because standing this close to him, feeling his hand on my arm, hearing the way he said my name—it was all too much.

And yet, I didn’t want it to end.

He held out his hand. “I…”

“I can’t do this, Joe. I have to go,” I said, finally creating some distance between us. I walked out of the warehouse, but I knew he was following me.

“CAN YOU STOP?”

He froze, started, coming to an abrupt halt behind me. Even in the dark, I could tell he was looking at me with shock. I could see the way he looked at me, and it made me feel nauseous. Not because I didn’t like it, but because I missed it. God, I missed it so much.

“I’m sorry, Y/N,” he said, and I could feel the honesty in his voice eating away at me.

“You haven’t talked to me in months, and I’m not going to let you do to me what you’ve done before,” I said, stepping further away. “You forgot about me, Joe. Completely. You pushed me away, and now, I don’t want to come back. Just… stay away.”

Maddie came running after Joe soon after. With a confused expression, she purposely bumped into his shoulder as she walked past him toward me.

“Let’s go, Y/N,” my friend said, still shooting side-eyes at Joe, who stood there frozen. “Leave her alone, Joe. She doesn’t need you anymore.”

Maddie grabbed my hand and started walking with me through the parking lot. I got into the passenger seat, still dazed. It had been almost seven months, and that was the first time he had spoken to me.

When I looked in the rearview mirror, he was still standing there, in the middle of the street.

I knew I would see him again. I just didn’t want to believe it.

#joe burrow #cincinnati bengals #joe burrow fan fic #joeburrow #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow fluff #joe burrow x reader #bengals #joe burrow angst

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ghostking4m · 1 year ago

Text

TORNADO WARNINGS

Joe Burrow x male reader

Summary: Y/n reflects on his relationship with Joe in therapy. What his therapist doesn’t know won’t kill him.

——————————————————————————

“So tell me your favorite memory with Joe.”

Y/n didn’t know why he was wasting his time in therapy if he’s just going to be asked questions like this. It’s like he was being asked what his favorite childhood vacation destination was and it makes him feel like a little boy being mentally evaluated.

“I don’t know. I mean- there was this one time when I went to his game against the Kansas City Chiefs and we got this tornado warning. We were just sitting on the swings at this park and it was already cold and windy. The alarm started going off and the look on his face was like he was a character straight out of a horror movie.” Y/n said with a tiny smile and turned to his right to look out the window. “Neither of us had ever seen a real tornado, maybe in the Wizard of Oz, but never in person. Sure, we were both scared, but seeing his eyes wide with pure fear and his knuckles white as snow when he was gripping the chain on the swing was the most hilarious thing I had ever seen. He tried to convince me that we need to go and seek shelter, but I just sat there in the swing laughing. Eventually he sat down in the swings with me and just laughed with me. We even saw the tornado in the distance, but we didn’t move a muscle and we were luckily still safe. Well, no, that was kind of a lie. We did move, but it was only so we could play on the seesaw, then we just laid in the bark together. His arms were wrapped around my waist and I felt so safe. We were so close, not only in proximity, but also on an emotional level. We had feelings for each other, but we both refused to admit it. We were like teenagers playing 7 minutes in heaven, in the sense that we were like kids teetering with our feelings in the dark, both too afraid to make a move.”

Y/n felt a twinge of sadness deep in his heart when he thought of the memories. Remembering what it was like to face danger in the face with Joe hurt him a little more than he would like to admit.

“From what i’m understanding, the two of you stayed at the park in the middle of a tornado and risked facing the tornadoes wrath, just because you thought it was funny?” Y/n therapist asked him. It’s like he couldn’t believe that two people could be so in love that they just wanted to stay there and live in the moment, even if it meant being in the wake of a natural disaster.

“Well, when you put it like that, yeah, I guess we do sound a bit crazy.” Y/n chuckled in response.

“Like, don’t get me wrong, it was totally crazy to just sit there when we saw the tornado destroying everything in its path, but somehow it all felt like everything would be okay.”

“Why?” Dr. Wallard questioned Y/n.

“Because I was with him. I knew we would be okay as long as we were together.”

————————————————————————

“CINCINNATI, YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN SO AMAZING TONIGHT!”

Y/n felt a jolt of electricity while he was onstage. Performing in Paycor stadium was something different for him to get used to, but he felt so comfortable in Paycor, considering how many games he had been here to watch, despite being a California native.

“So, you guys know I’ve been doing this thing at the end of every show where I play a surprise song. We have 1 song left, so what do you guys think the song is going to be?”

Y/n didn’t want the night to end, so he was more than happy to keep the crowd engaged. He heard people yelling all around him in the stadium. He heard Vicious, Sue Me, Because I Liked A Boy, Decode, but he had something else in mind.

“Jokes on all of you, because i’m doing a song that no one has ever heard, not even my team. I just finished the final master last night and I’m so excited for you guys to hear this song. Only three people in the world will know what this song is about, myself, the person I wrote it about, and my therapist.” Y/n joked as he was introducing the song. The entire stadium howled with laughter and cheers after he said that.

“This song is called Tornado Warnings”

————————————————————————

“You always blow me away with your performances.”

Y/n knew that voice in the dark, if he were blind, even if he had his ears covered. Just the sound made his heart pick up to an inhuman speed.

“You just want to see me on my knees in front of you, Burrow” Y/n made a teasing joke in response.

“Well, I would never turn that down, but I mean it, you’ve always been such a captivating and talented performer. It was fun to come to your show today.” Joe pleaded. Y/n turned around and his breath dropped the second he saw those eyes, cool as ice. It never ceased to amaze him how much of an effect Joe’s eyes had on him.

“Thank you. That means a lot. Did you have a favorite song or part of the show?” Y/n asked him, trying to be as casual as he could.

“There was one song I heard tonight that I couldn’t get out of my head. It was something along the lines of you lying to your therapist. That seems like it’s the opposite of helpful, don’t you think?” Joe spoke, poking fun at Y/n.

“Yeah, but it was only ever for the lyrics. It fit the melody and theme of the song. I’ve been entering more of my popstar era than my songwriter era and now i’m just singing what fits the melody than making sure my lyrics are true to me.” Y/n said sarcastically. Joe could always see right through him.

“Right, because you’re a popstar, not a singer-songwriter who the internet claims is the son of Taylor Swift.” Joe said laughing. “Anyway, I really liked that song. I really liked being called a son of a bitch.”

Y/n laughed and it felt so natural to be with Joe like this. Oh god, Dr. Wallard would be so disappointed in Y/n right now if he knew about this.

“No, that one was actually just a line that worked for the melody. I don’t think you’re a son of a bitch. Your mom is an angel.” Y/n said with a smile on his face. He slow started inching his way towards Joe and wrapped his arms around his waist, looking up at him.

“I’ll tell her you said that” Joe chuckled back. He wrapped his arms around Y/n and leaned down to kiss him. No matter what happened, no matter how hard either of them tried, they just couldn’t stay aware from each other. There was something magnetic, something out of this world about their relationship. Joe didn’t want to be with anyone else, even if they were officially in a relationship. “You know, sometimes I can’t tell if we’re in a relationship, just hookup up, friends with benefits, or if you just like kissing me.”

“Oh please! Don’t flatter yourself, Burrow. You look like the green giant from that vegetable company.” Y/n retorted. “If anything, YOU just like kissing me.”

“Cant argue with you there.”

————————————————————————

Y/n thought about Joe all the freaking time. In the shower, driving to the grocery store, on stage performing, but his thoughts about Joe just hit a little differently when he was in his therapy sessions.

“If Joe were to tell you, right now, that he wants to get back together with you, would you do it? Would you reignite that spark that started your relationship in the first place?” Dr. Wallard asked Y/n.

“Oh fuck that! No. Absolutely not. I’m over that son of a bitch. I’m at a point in my life where I almost want to put all of that behind me and pretend like it never existed. I’m just gonna start telling everyone that we never dated, we never saw each other in the first place, we never kissed.” Y/n lied with no hesitation and absolutely no conviction.

Maybe some part of him thought that if he could convince Dr. Wallard that if he couldn’t see the lie that it doesn’t exist. Deep down, he knew that he wasn’t as mysterious as he thought and he’s not as good of a liar as he thinks he is. Dr. Wallard has GOT to be catching on as much as Y/n denies anything ever happened with Joe.

“You wouldn’t go back to the person that you described as the most epic love of your life? You’ve once told me that you think he’s the only person you could ever be with. You had plans or dreams to marry him. Do you still get those dreams sometimes?” Dr. Wallard investigated further.

“No. No. No. In fact, I actually met someone else. There’s a man i’ve been seeing who looks like Joe in a way, maybe it’s the eyes, but character wise, he’s nothing like Joe. He’s so much better than Joe. He’s like he was a predestined thought in Santa’s mind before he was even born and has been on the nice list from birth. He’s the upgraded version of Joe.”

“Does this man have a name?”

“I’d rather not say that right now. I don’t want to jinx anything, you know?”

“Ok. That’s a valid argument. Does this man have any green flags that Joe didn’t?”

“This man is nothing but green flags. Joe was like a walking red flag, or like a walking, talking, breathing natural disaster warning.” Y/n argued.

Y/b had to think a little more about his next response. He thought of Joe and his sweet kisses.

“Joe was a walking tornado warning.”

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