#we need someone like Jill Ellis who isn’t Jill Ellis

[ares3460]

Like seriously is he?

@futbol16 @wosobullshit @cpheath

I only recently started following the Barcelona W (in like 2022) and I really can’t keep track of everything in football (I suck at social media leave me alone)

someone tell me if he’s good

[13uswntimagines]

12 Drinks and a Kiss for Christmas (Sam Mewis x Reader)

Request:  uswnt x baby reader where their birthday is 3 days before Christmas and so the team tries to make it like extra special cause people usually just kind of ignore readers birthday. 

But @literaryhedgehog​ and i went slightly off the rails and had way too much fun making a drunk version of the 12 days of Christmas. 

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

“One shot of bourbon whiskey,” you sang, modifying the words as one of the most infuriating Christmas carols came over the radio. You didn’t hate Christmas, you just hated the fact that it swallowed the entire month of December like a black hole. Hell, it took up November too (minus the last Thursday reserved for Thanksgiving). The music was inescapable, and any event planned in the month risked being decorated with whatever leftover trees and red and green trinkets someone had laying around. 

Any child born in December was lucky if their wrapping paper wasn’t also holiday-themed. You should know- you had the misfortune of being born on the 22nd. 

“That sounds like a change I can get behind,” Sam said, sliding into the chair next to you. “Never really understood why someone would want a bunch of birds. I mean towards the end of the song the lover starts giving dancers and pipers, and like, I know that probably means they were hired for the day, but still. An alcohol-themed song seems more my style.”

You laughed, “Happy to help.”

You bumped her with your shoulder, smiling up at her. You were friends with most of the women on your new team, but Sam was one of your favorites. She got your sense of humor, a sort of dry and quiet sarcasm that was a bit subtle if someone didn’t know you. But despite how incredibly cuddly her tall frame was, she was also completely willing to spend an afternoon exchanging barbs under her breath as you watched the significantly less subtle flirting going on between Mal and Rose. You had bets on when the oblivious forward and midfielder would admit their feelings for each other. 

“Wait,” you paused in your thoughts, frowning up at her. “I thought everyone was already gone. I took my time in the locker room because I didn’t think anyone was still here.”

“The first van already left, but I didn’t want you to have to ride with Carli and Becky by yourself,” Sam said bumping you back. 

You smiled up at her, then leaned over to grab the shoulder strap of your bag, “Well I guess we shouldn’t make them wait any longer-”

“Oh no it's fine!” Sam said, quickly. “They needed to run to the store anyway to restock our Oreo supply, they promised to text when they got back.”

“But Dawn said no more Oreos until after the Friendlies are over,” you pouted.

“Well Dawn isn’t driving the van, is she? Thus why Carli and Becky waited to run to the store until after the first van left. So nothing to do while we wait except rewrite the words to the twelve  days of Christmas, right? What should replace two turtle doves?” 

“Body shots…?” You asked, squinting your eyes. At least that would fit the tune. 

“I like it… Kind of annoying how well that fits actually. Are we going to make the entire song about shots now?”

You tapped your chin in through, quirking your lips. “Hm, not a bad idea, but I think it would get a little repetitive,” 

“Fair point. Okay, so the next line is three French hens. Do we want to make it three French wines, or is that too easy?”

“I think that’s cheating just a touch,” You smiled, holding up fingers a centimeter apart. 

“Ugh, fine,” Sam rolled her eyes, though that didn’t disguise for one second the grin on her face, “three mulled wines.”

“I think that’s acceptable,” you nodded. It fit like a charm. “four gin and tonic?” 

“Then four martinis. Come on short stuff, calling birds, martinis, they have the same number of syllables!” Sam exclaimed, slapping your shoulder. 

“Whatever. Five Gin fizzes,” You huffed, pouting playfully. You didn’t like to lose. 

“Oh, yum. I have no idea what that is, but it sounds delicious. How long again until we’re allowed to drink?” Sam whined. You both knew that one of the costs of your career included swearing off alcohol at certain points of the year. Especially hard alcohols. Something about feeding your body good foods so it could give you even the slightest of edges. 

“Too long,” You deadpanned. 

“Sigh,” Sam said, pretending to be melodramatic.  

“We gotta use grey goose in the next one. You know. It’s like a spin on the gooses. Guises? Whatever the correct pronunciation is,” you waved your hand dismissively. This would be much more entertaining if you were soused. 

I’m

“GEESE, you heathen. You’re right though. Ummm. Six grey goose toddies?’

“A vodka toddie though?”You looked at her skeptically.  “I’d rather share Emily’s Budweiser,” 

“Fine, fine,” she pulled out her phone and started googling drink options, muttering to herself (for your amusement, presumably) about ‘perfectionists’ and ‘just because someone knows so much about vodka’. “Um. There's a drink called a sunset? Or we could just go basic bitch and say six grey goose cosmos?’

“Well sunsets are made with tequila so a cosmo is more appropriate,” You mumbled. 

“The grey goose website says that you can make a sunset with their vodka. See, look at this, right there!” 

“Poppycock. They just want you to spend money in their stuff instead of Don Julio,” 

“But tasty has a recipe too, look,” Sam said, whining slightly. You weren’t the only one who didn’t like losing. 

You moved your head, dodging the screen. If you didn’t see it, then it didn’t exist. If it worked with Jill Ellis then it would work for you. 

“Just LOOK you obstinate bulldog of a human being!” Sam was giggling as she grabbed you to try and hold her phone in your line of vision  

“You can’t make me,” In your haste to pull away, you leaned too far over the edge of the bench. Before you knew it you were tumbling off the bench, pulling Sam with you in your effort to not crash out on the locker room floor. 

“Fuck, are you okay?” 

“Yeah,” You groaned, looking up into the woman’s eyes. You never realized there was a thin golden ring around her pupil before it melted into blue or the smattering of light freckles that covered her cheeks. You weren’t sure if you were leaning into her, or if she was leaning into you. All you knew was that after a few seconds your lips were lightly touching hers. 

An annoying buzz broke the two of you out of your daze, Sam’s phone lighting up in your peripheral vision. You reached out and grabbed it, since her arm was currently trapped under you. 

Saucy Sonny- need an extra 5, you up for keeping her distracted with your flirting for that long? 

“Fuck, you probably shouldn’t be reading that. What’s it say?” Sam asked, as she extracted her arm and tried to reach around to take her phone. 

“You were flirting just to distract me?” 

“No! Sonnets just- I was just supposed to talk to you to keep you in here until the party was se- and I spoiled the surprise. fuck.”

“So Sonnett didn’t dare you to kiss me?” You asked with a very small voice. 

“No, but she has been teasing me about wanting to kiss you for the last two months. I didn’t mean to- I didn’t want to ruin our friendship if you didn’t have similar feelings.” Sam ruffled the hair at the back of her neck. “What a way to screw up your birthday. First the kiss then ruined the surprise party, and--” 

“I think we should definitely ruin our friendship,” You interrupted, smirking,  and nudging the woman’s chin with your nose. You reached around to intertwine your fingers. “And I promise to act surprised, as long as there are more kisses in it for me.”

[love-bokumono-fics]

Trope Tuesday - AU's!

I don't know about you, but a always enjoy a fun AU, particularly when they take something we know and love and put such a creative twist on it. An AU can be anything from a minor divergence from canon, to a complete shift in time and location and character dynamics.

Today we'll look at some of the AU's that the fandom had created!

One Missed Call - by durotos; Completed, 1/1, <1k; Retail AU

Rating: General Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M

Fandoms: Friends of Mineral Town

Relationship: Claire the Farmer/Cliff; Characters: Claire the Farmer, Cliff

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Retail, Alternate Universe, Awkward Flirting, two shy people attempting to have a phone conversation, Fluff, Budding Love, yes I still use a flip phone

Summary: Claire is roused from her sleep when her phone alerts her that she has a missed call. She snaps awake when she sees who it is from. Sappy, happy fluff. Modern AU, Retail AU.

Side Effects - by Measured; Completed, 1/1, 13k; Soulmate AU

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M

Fandom: Trio of Towns

Relationship: Farmer/Ford; Characters: Ford, Female Farmer, Ensemble

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff and Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary: When Ford meets her, the world becomes brighter. Literally.

Island of Sanctuary - Mai_Blade; WIP, 1/?, <1k; Zombie Apocalypse AU

Rating: Not Rated; Archive Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death; Category: F/M

Fandom: Island of Happiness

Relationships: Reader & Other(s), Other Relationship Tags to Be Added; Characters: Reader, Other Character Tags to Be Added

Additional Tags: Reader-Insert, POV Multiple, Multiple Pairings, Angst and Tragedy, Blood and Gore, Alternate Universe - Zombie Apocalypse, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Don't copy to another site, mentions of bullying, referenced suicidal feelings

Summary: An island is a piece of land surrounded by water, a thing separate from the mainland. Fate brought you to an abandoned one, and you've helped bring it back to life. When the dead walk the earth, the island you call home becomes a defensible place, a refuge. A sanctuary. But. Even here, death comes.

Seedlings & Hammers - by MOcarina; WIP, 1/1, 2k; Modern, Urban AU

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Categories: F/M, Gen

Fandoms: Harvest Moon 64

Relationship: Claire the Farmer/Rick; Characters: Rick, Claire, Ann the Innkeeper | Ran, Gray

Additional Tags: the makerspace au no one asked for, Urban Farming, Meet-Cute, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Community Garden, non-profit, Eventual Romance

Summary: Claire is an enterprising newcomer to Flowerbud City working for a non-profit and meets a man with an inventive streak who can help her get her new initiative off the ground white trying to figure out his own dreams. A makerspace/community garden AU in the HM:64 world.

Tear You Apart - by indoorsy; Completed, 1/1, 7k; Soulmate AU

Rating: Mature; Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings; Category: F/M

Fandoms: Friends of Mineral Town

Relationships: Claire the Farmer/Brandon, Elli/Doctor Trent | Torre, Claire the Farmer/Doctor Trent | Torre; Characters: Claire, Brandon, Doctor | Trent, Elli | Elly

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Angst, So much angst, Drama, Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Unrequited Love (Kind of), Some Supernatural Elements, Sex Pollen, Dubious Consent, Mutually Dubious Consent, Cheating, But not on purpose, Non-Explicit Sex, Suicide Attempt, yes his name is still Doctor

Summary: Claire had grown up believing in the prospect of soulmates as something incredibly joyous. It sounded just like a fairytale – like the ones her grandpa would tell her about the goddess in the pond – except, somehow, this one was true. A first touch that would ignite your skin, fill you with dizzying euphoria, and magnetize you to one another – it sounded like a divine blessing. But now Claire knew it was a curse. - Your soulmate isn't always the one you are meant to love, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt like hell.

Excuse me, do you want 10 thousand dollars? - by kurikku; Completed, 1/1, 7k; Fake Dating AU

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings; Category: F/M

Fandom: Trio of Towns

Relationship: Holly | Nanami/Wayne; Characters: Ford, Daryl | Darius, Hector, Stephanie, Carrie, Brad, Lynn

Additional Tags: Fake/Pretend Relationship, Alternate Universe

Summary: Wayne was offered an absurd deal of $10,000 if he was to pretend to be Holly's girlfriend for a week. Sounds easy and harmless, right?

In Good Taste - by Nenalata; WIP, 1/?, 4k, Chef AU

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M

Fandoms: Animal Parade, Trio of Towns

Relationships: Holly/Chase, Kasey/Luna; Characters: Chase | Chihaya, Holly | Nanami, Maya | Mai, Hayden | Harper, Kasey | Yuuki, Luna | Ruumi, Julius | Juri, Candace | Kotomi, Angie

Additional Tags: AU, Restaurants, Chef AU, Alcohol, Rivals to Lovers, what else do you expect with Chase, Crossover, Teenage Rebellion, coming a decade too late I suppose, Cooking, Just a Lot of Food and Fluff, Not-Great Parental Relationships, People Interrupt Holly A Lot, Romance

Summary: “Top show, Holly! Even pro chefs have a tough time with legend class. You could have probably been successful as a full-time chef. Actually, it’s kind of a shame you didn’t become one.” "It's not so simple or easy a job that anyone could take it up on a whim and hope to succeed. What do you know of cooking? Running a kitchen? Have you any idea how to manage a business?" Holly has dreams of soufflé and meuniere, not Silkies and manure. The trio of towns is no place for her. She has bigger fish to fry on Castanet Island.

Chemistry for Beginners - by Lady_Malvence; WIP, 46/?, 72k; College AU

Rating: Explicit; Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings; Category: F/M

Fandoms: Story of Seasons (2014)

Relationship: Klaus/Minori | Annie; Characters: Marian, Iris, Other Harvest Moon characters, Giorgio

Additional Tags: Romance, Fluff, Alternate Universe - Romantic Comedy, Explicit Sexual Content

Summary: Reagan (Annie/Minori) was making her way to her new chemistry class when she found herself hopelessly lost. Frustrated and not looking where she was going she literally ran into the man that will change her life. A/U

Harvest Moonshine - by Nenalata; WIP, 4/10, 11k; Bootlegger AU

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M

Fandoms: Grand Bazaar

Relationship: Amir/Anita; Characters: Amir, Gretel | Anita | Marl, Felix, Antoinette | Enju, Original Antagonist Character(s)

Additional Tags: Alcohol, bootleggers AU, Tax evasion, mild violence, Mild Language, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Political Intrigue, Renounced-ier Future, Implied Sexytimes Easy to Ignore if That's Not Your Thing, Painstaking Descriptions of Banking, Slight Canon Divergence, Blackmail, It's Still a Romance Though Don't Worry

Summary: In the eyes of Zephyr Town, Anita is a hardworking farmer who is doing remarkably well in the bazaar. To those in the know, Anita is who you see when you're thirsty and need a good strong drink from her less-than-legal liquor side business.

What You Want - by your_blackheart; Completed, 1/1, <1k; High School AU

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings; Category: Multi

Fandoms: Story of Seasons, Harvest Moon DS Cute, Tree of Tranquility, Animal Parade, Grand Bazaar

Relationships: Angelo/Pony | Jill, Angelo/Klaus the Perfumer; Characters: Pony | Aya | Jill, Angela the Farmer | Akari, Klaus the Perfumer, Angelo | Agi

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - High School, Self-Harm, Underage Smoking, Pining, Unrequited Crush, Platonic Female/Female Relationships, Platonic Relationships

Summary: Crushes are an absolute nightmare, but it only makes things worse when your crush has a thing for one of your teachers. Jill silently muses over what she wants as she awaits the period bell. It's a good thing there's someone around to smack her out of her daydreaming.

[that-soccer-guru]

Probably a little too early to ask but what are your predictions about who Vlatko has in mind for an Olympic roster & the 2023 WC roster vs. your own personal ideal olympic & WC roster?

Okay I'm going to lump this in with this ask because I'll be addressing some wild predictions here

Vlatko has been trying a lot of things with his camps in a hell of a weird year, and it's worked out so far! Good prospects are getting senior call ups, the experienced players are also getting to guide the newbies, and he's developing some interesting strategies that separate him from the Jill Ellis era.

I'm not going to speculate too much on the WC roster because we don't know what players will be retiring from international duty/from the sport in general. I can think of a few whose replacements are reaching their peak so, it depends on how that ends up working out.

The Olympics though are around the corner and do leave me with a bit more speculation room so let's see. Don’t forget the problem with the Olympic roster is that teams are only allowed 18 players instead of the WC and other tournament’s 23. So, here we go (look for the bold if you want to skip my reasoning):

Goalkeepers (2): Naeher is definitely the undisputed number 1 but it does come down to who's going to be the alternate. AD's injury couldn't have come at a better time because well, nothing of note happened in 2020. I do think, and don't yell at me for it, that Ashlyn Harris is done in the NT. She's just too unpredictable and with the team being used to Naeher's more classic goalkeeping, she wouldn't make a good alternate. Plus Naeher doesn't need a security blanket anymore so, yeaaaah. I definitely think, if AD gets healthy in time for Jan camp, that it'll come down to her and Bledsoe. Campbell is great for PKs but I don't know that with roster limitations she'd be my pick, she reminds me too much of Ashlyn and I don’t love that shit. So I would end with: Alyssa Naeher and Adrianna Franch. With Audrey Bledsoe competing for that number 2 and Jane Campbell on standby in case of crazy injury happenstance. 

Defenders (6): as sad as it is for me to say it, Ali Krieger also seems to be on her way out of the NT too. Experience is important but the CB position has been pretty covered by Dahlkemper and Broon. If the roster had more room I would definitely pick her, but with only 18 spots it's hard to make that choice for a player that isn't International 90min fit. IF Kelley can stay healthy I'm sure she's a shoe-in. Sonnett, despite what other people might say, is a solid choice for me. She can play up the bounds like Dunn and KO do, can switch sides if needed, and would in my opinion be a better choice for RB than Midge (again with the midfielders becoming defenders bs from this fucking team). Tierna would also be a good choice if she can stay fit, which is the problem with more than one NT player. If you had to ask for my 6 it would be: Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlhemper, Kelley O’Hara, Emily Sonnett and Crystal Dunn. If O’Hara is injured I would have Midge Purce, Tierna Davidson and Casey Short as backups in that order (with Ali Krieger being the very last choice of backup I would bring)

Midfielders (6): There are some obvious shoe-ins here, Lindsey Horan and Sam Mewis. Assuming Rose can stay healthy she would also be a surefire midfielder for me, and if she does get injured and it’s not too serious she’d be a good late miunute sub (and we can all say that’s a toss-up with how often the poor kid is out with injuries). That leaves at least 3 spots where there’s a lot of what-ifs. Andi Sullivan has been out with an injury, again luckily in a year where not much happened, but I would still pick Julie Ertz over her. Christen Press would obviously be an easy choice, again assuming that the weird injury she picked up gets managed. Finally, I think that despite being a little older than some of the prospects, Kristie Mewis will earn herself that last spot IF she can keep the momentum she has going into Jan camp. I don’t see her slowing down so that might just pan out. Catarina Macario is a big IF, assuming that FIFA waives her waiting period, so she would be the person who would take Kmew’s spot, but I still think it would be a risky thing to bring in such a young player without any caps straight to an Olympics run. That would mean my midfield picks would end up with: Lindsey Horan, Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Julie Ertz, Christen Press, Kristie Mewis. Backups: Andi Sullivan (my pick to go over Kristie if she’s healthy AND can match her momentum), Catarina Macario and Jaelin Howell would stay on standby in case of injury. 

Forwards (6): Alright we all know that, unless there’s a major catastrophe, an intervention from your Deity of choice, a career ending injury or a unplanned pregnancy (an impossibility for one of these 3), Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe will be on this roster. Tobin is also a pretty solid shoe-in for this roster, again barring something outside of everyone’s control. That leaves 2 spots. One of those is likely going to Lynn Williams, because as long as she can provide assists the way she’s been doing (If I’m not wrong she had the highest rate of assists this year), she’ll have a spot on this roster because speed and pass ability is high even if her individual opportunity success is NOT. The final spot is a bit up in the air for me, so bear with my reasoning for a second: Mal Pugh’s injury record sours her for me here. Unless she can come back super healthy and keep up with the team, I don’t see her in this roster. Assuming a spot is left open, and Vlatko can quit it with the defender shit, Midge Purce would fit really well here. She’s a great winger, she can play in the midfield, and kid has great stamina. That would also leave Sophia Smith as my final choice, with the same reasoning I had with Macario except for the waiting period thing. She’s really young, didn’t start on the right foot due to an injury, but would definitely benefit from international experience, and seems to be on the right path to healthy. My forward picks would end up in: Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath, Lynn Williams, Midge Purce (assuming Mal is still injured AND she’s not picked for the defense). That would leave: Mal Pugh and Sophia Smith on standby for injuries (with maybe someone like Ashley Hatch or Bethany Balcer in case Mal AND Sophia get injured, or Midge is picked for defense and more backups are needed). 

Now, don’t anyone get angry at me. That’s just the way I see things panning out and the way I think it might work out. Again this is barring injuries, things outside everyone’s control, retirements (which I don’t think will be announced unless there’s a career ending injury), how players are recovering from their injuries, and FIFA rulings on Macario’s waiting period. 

I HOPE THAT WAS THOROUGH ENOUGH ANON! PLEASE HIT ME WITH ANY DISAGREEMENTS (THOUGH NOT TOO HARD) OR COMMENTS ON THIS!

[unloveable-unreachable]

You’re the One My Heart Wants- Chapter 7

Word Count: 3,196

Warnings: Swearing

Author: Me

Headlines for the USWNT:

~~The USWNT World Cup roster announced. Many players from the 2015 World Cup return.~~

~~Ali Krieger added last minute to the World Cup roster, Jill Ellis happy with her team.~~

~~Will the defending champions hold on to their title?~~

Y/N POV

“Thank god Jill got her head out of her ass and added Ali. I was afraid she wouldn’t and that would’ve been another, yet again, Jill Ellis major fuck up,” Ash says over breakfast. I nod, agreeing with her statement while looking over at Ali. She smiled brightly at both of us before going back to eating her oatmeal. She wasn’t wrong. Jill could’ve really fucked up by not adding Ali, not like she hasn’t done it before as we all know. Ali almost didn’t answer her call because she thought it was a joke and she was tired of Jill’s bullshit. But Ali was happy to finally be back on the roster, and she definitely let us know it. She wanted to show Jill what she missed out on all these years and knowing her, she would. Even with all of the stress surrounding the situation and all the bullshit, I was happy. Me and my moms playing together again to secure another World Cup title. What more could I ask for? There wasn’t anything I could think of that could beat that, or at least anything that could come close to this feeling. 

It’s been a few days since my date with Alex, and I still haven’t told Ali and Ash. Not that our date went bad, believe me it didn’t. It’s just that Alex wasn’t ready to tell anyone yet, she wants to stay in our bubble for a little while longer while she figures out how to tell the team. So we’re keeping our relationship a secret, for now. I didn’t mind it. I wasn’t one to flaunt my relationships, the very few I’ve had, because it just puts pressure on the relationship and that only manages to fuck it up. I wanted to have Alex all to myself for as long as I can, knowing the media frenzy that comes with dating her and the lessened privacy that comes along with that. Our bubble was something I was happy for, so why mess that up? Keeping it a secret was hard though because we keep sneaking looks at each other at training and obviously talking more off the pitch than we had previously. I know we need to be more careful but I can’t help it, she’s fucking beautiful. How could you not stare at her? It’s impossible I tell you, impossible. She makes me happy and she says I make her just as happy, so I’m just going to keep respecting her wishes even if it means keeping our relationship a secret for a little while longer.

After breakfast, Ash loads up the car with all of our bags so we can get to the airport on time. I was riding with them because: one, I always travel with them if I can manage it, and two, Alex had already left for training camp the night before. Also because I hate flying alone, just a stressful situation I try to keep myself out of as much as I can. The whole ride to the airport we talked about who didn’t make the roster and their wedding planning. “So this is what the venue looks like, and this is where we’ll be standing for the ceremony,” Ali says while showing me pictures on her phone, “I’ll be standing on this side, and you’ll be standing next to me with Syd next to you. And then next to Syd --” I cut her off after hearing that last part, “Wait, wait...I’m your maid of honor?” She looks at Ash, who gives her a smile, before looking back at me. “Well yeah, why not? We haven’t really asked people yet because we’ve been so busy with the planning for the venue and everything else, but I want you up there with us. We want you up there with us. So I guess this is us asking you if you want to do it,” she says while giving me a smirk. I swear my heart grew five sizes on the spot, and I have to keep myself from tearing up. “Well of course my answer is yes, duh. There’s no way my answer would ever be a no. You guys have always been there for me through everything these past four years. You’re my moms. I want to be there for you two on your special day,” I practically yell at her, overly thrilled by their offer. She smiles at me with one of her big ass smiles and looks over at Ash, “See, I told you she’d say yes.” Ash starts laughing and we continue talking about their wedding as we walk to our gate.

“Y/N. Wake up, kiddo. We’re here,” Ash says as she pushed my shoulder when we pull up to the hotel. When I open my eyes I immediately regret the nap. We have training later when everyone gets here and I know I’ll be dragging the whole time, even though I’m still stuck doing light training for a few more days. Ash practically has to drag me into the hotel up to Jill and Dawn, groaning while trying to shake the sleepiness. When Jill gives us our room assignments, I literally wake up immediately after hearing who my roommate was. After getting my bags from Ash, I practically run up to my room, unlocking it to find my roomie, Kelley, on her bed. I drop my bags and immediately jump on top of my best friend. “Smalls!! I’ve missed you so much!” I yell as she lets out a loud laugh. “I missed you more, Biggie Smalls!” she yells back while trying to push me off of her. When I finally get off of her, our room is filled with laughter as we catch up after not seeing each other for two weeks. “So, how’s your head? Alex told me she banged you up a little in the locker room,” Kelley says from her bed while I unpacked my training clothes. I try not to let the mention of Alex affect me, but I pause a moment before answering. “Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just needed a few stitches, no big deal.” She accepts the answer, and we both start getting changed for training.

While we wait downstairs for the rest of the team, I’m pulled into a group hug with all of my best friends, except Kelley who was off with Allie somewhere. The hug is filled with ‘I missed yous’ and giggles. When they finally let me go, Sonny asks, “So tell me Y/N. Have you met anyone special in Orlando?” She wiggles her eyebrows at me and I notice all three of them, Sonny, Sammy, and Lindsey, staring at me waiting for an answer. Of course Sonny would ask me that, she was always concerned about my love life when I played in Portland. She was determined to find me a girlfriend, with the help of Lindsey and Sammy (when she was around). Why did they have to bring it up now and here of all places? My eyes widen and I look around the room, realizing Sonny’s question caught the attention of some of the other players around us. Others being Ali, Ash, Kelley, Allie, and of course Alex. I catch her eyes, seeing that she was worried that I’d tell our secret, before looking back at my nosey best friends. “No, Sonny. I haven’t met anyone, not yet at least,” I smile a little, knowing I had met someone but they’d never know, and they accept my answer. Or at least I thought they did. “Well I think I found someone for you,” Sonny says and starts talking about one of her friends on another club. I stand there awkwardly, trying to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. “Alright kids, leave Y/N alone. Her dating life isn’t anyone’s business, especially not you three,” Ali says as she pulls me away towards the vans for training. Thank god for overprotective moms like Ali.

Training sucked, to say the least. I played great, well better than anyone should expect from light training, but Sonny and Lindsey wouldn’t leave me the fuck alone. They followed me around the whole afternoon trying to get answers from me, which I brushed off every question like they weren’t there. When I finally managed to get away from them, I sit down on the side of the pitch to watch the remaining of everyone else’s training, which was just 2v2 drills. I watch Alex mostly, I mean can you blame me?? She was a great player, and she was fun to watch since she always managed to show up most of the team. Also because she’s the most beautiful thing to ever grace the soccer pitch. Since it was team drills I can look at her without anyone noticing, which was a perk to this light training bullshit. Alex notices me staring at her and gives me a quick smile and wink before focusing back on the drill. Like I’ve said before, we weren’t being careful at all. But literally no one was catching on to our flirting no matter how obvious we were being, so who’s going to stop us? At the end of training, while I was packing all my things into my bag I feel someone sit next to me. “Hey,” Alex says with a soft smile. I smile at the sound of her voice, and then I end up smiling bigger when I look at her face. “Hey, long time no see,” I answer back. “Are you okay? I saw you sit down over here all by yourself and watch the end of training,” she says with a worried look clear on her face. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just still doing light training for one more day before I can get these stitches out and get checked out one last time,” I answer while giving her a soft smile because I knew she was still sorry. She nods with a soft smile as we both stand up to go back to the hotel.

The team wanted to go out to dinner after training, which I wasn’t up for but Ash begged me to go with them. Who was going to argue with a begging Ashlyn Harris? Not me, that’s for sure. I was just happy that I packed my sleeveless suit (that showed off most of my tattoos, hidden and not hidden, perfectly) just in case we went out to eat, and that Ash had enough jewelry to ice up the whole team. I start getting ready, making sure everything was taped down. We don’t want anything accidentally popping out now, do we? I check myself out in the mirror just to make sure I looked decent enough to go out with 22 beautiful women, especially my girlfriend. I fix my hair one last time before meeting Ash and Ali in Ash’s room. “You look fucking sharp, Y/N,” Ash says, giving me approving looks. She was also dressed in a suit, her’s a dark grey and mine black, and wearing a significant amount of diamonds. We were probably the only ones in suits, but we didn’t care because we looked fucking good. Ali smiles, agreeing with Ash’s statement. As we walk out in the hallway, Ash is asking me about my new tattoo on my sternum and if it hurt like her’s did, which of course it did. The three of us are met in the hallway by Kelley, Allie, and Alex. And to say she looks beautiful would be a hell of an understatement. She was practically a Goddess in every way. She was in a black dress that fit her in all the right places, and her hair was down and wavy. The whole combo made it hard for me to control myself from kissing her right there on the spot. She notices me staring, and smiles a little before moving everyone’s attention to Ali and Ash, the happy couple. I try to focus on something other than Alex as we head downstairs to the restaurant.

When they finally seated us, I’m sitting between Ali and Alex. We’re screwed if either of us starts drinking, secrets aren’t easily kept when drunk. And we both were known for being VERY open while drunk. The night goes on without any slip-ups or indications we were hiding something, even though we kept catching each other staring a little too long at the other. Thank god. Most of the conversations around the table were either about our chances in the World Cup or personal conversations that only a few knew about. It was nice being around all of the girls again, it’s a good feeling knowing that no matter what happens between our clubs in the NWSL we all had each others backs no matter what. Near the end of dinner, Crystal pulls half of the team to the dance floor and of course Ash was the first one out there, dragging Ali with her. That meant they would be gone for a while, so I could finally be ‘alone’ with Alex. When they leave Alex whispers, “You look really fucking good, by the way.” That one sentence causes me to turn bright red. I turn to look at her and she gives me a goofy smile, knowing what she just did. I roll my eyes at her, and whisper back, “You look beautiful, Al.” We take what short amount of time we have left before our friends came back to stay in our little bubble for a moment. It’s the most time we’ve spent around each other since we got to training camp, and I was soaking every second in. I squeeze her hand under the table as everyone else returned to the table.

I manage to get away from the group when they mention more drinks, of course Kelley was the one with the idea. I knew drinking wouldn’t help my head ‘injury’ or keeping mine and Alex’s secret, so I told Ali I was heading out. She frowns before letting me leave before Ash noticed. I leave Alex with the group with an upset look covering her face. I hated to leave her, but I was over all of the drinking and just wanted to get in bed. I was glad to be away from everyone for a moment since they make me extremely anxious because you never know what they’ll do next. I’m pulled out of my thoughts when someone calls for me to hold the elevator, which I do. To my surprise, it’s Alex who gets on the elevator with me. Thank god. “Hey, you,” she says as the doors close, giving me a hug. Fuck, I didn’t realize how much I missed her touch till now. “Hey,” I say with my head nestled in her neck. I pull away and look into her eyes as I smile at her, completely happy in the moment. I lean down, placing my hands on her cheeks, and kiss her softly. She recuperates and slides her arms around my waist. The kiss is short but passionate, to say the least. We pull away from each other as the doors open and walk out of the elevator. Once we see that we’re alone in the hallway, Alex laces her fingers in mine. “So are we counting tonight as a date, or do I still owe you a second date?” Alex says with a laugh. “A date that was supervised by our whole team? Could’ve been better, I didn’t even get to hold your hand till now. So that ‘date’ was a bust,” I say with a small laugh, “No, this time I owe you the date. If we can manage it, I want to take you out on our off day in two days.” We stop outside my door while I wait for her answer, which naturally doesn’t take too long. “Of course I want to go out with you if we can get away from everyone. I’ll make sure I’m free,” Alex says before kissing me again. I smile as she pulls away because she immediately looked around the hallway since she forgot to look before kissing me. I laugh while trying to get her attention. “Do you want to come in for a minute? Kelley shouldn’t be back anytime soon if you want to, but if you don’t want to risk it I --” I’m cut off by a very drunk Ash and Kelley calling my name from the end of the hallway, being led by a very annoyed Ali. Alex groans and steps back from me towards her room across the hall.

“Y/N, you missed soooooo much,” Kelley slurs when she reaches me in the hall, as I wave goodnight to my moms, “Oh hey, Alex. When did you get here?” Alex looks at me for a moment before dealing with Kelley. “I didn’t feel like drinking, me and Y/N were talking about training since she missed the last part of it,” she says to Kelley. She accepts the answer before saying she needed a shower, leaving us alone in the hallway again. When I look at Alex, she has an apologetic look on her face. “What’s wrong?” I ask, stepping towards her. “I’m sorry for putting you in this situation,” she starts with tears forming in her eyes, “I hate keeping us a secret, too. I’ll tell them soon, I promise.” She was crying now. I pull her into a hug, rubbing small circles on her back trying to calm her down. I knew how hard all this was for her and I didn’t want to pressure her into something she wasn’t ready for, especially since I haven’t come out to the team yet either. “Alex,” I whisper trying to calm her down, “It’s okay, don’t cry. You don’t have to rush and tell them just because you think it’ll make me happy. I’m already happy with you. If we have to keep this a secret for however long you need, then I’m okay with that.” When she looks up at me I can see that the tears have stopped, and there’s a small smirk forming on her face. She looks to her left then her right before leaning up to kiss me. I can feel her desperation behind the kiss, so when I kiss her back I put as much passion and comfort into it as I possibly can in a short amount of time. I pull away first, seeing in her eyes that she didn’t want to stop. I wipe away a stray tear from her cheek and give her a smile. I step back to my door, looking back at Alex who looked like she wanted to follow me into my room.

“We’ll talk about it more tomorrow, okay?”

To Be Continued

[wosoimagines]

You’re Not Fine

You guys could never bother me. Besides, baby R imagines are my favorite to read and they’re already one of my favorites to write. This is mainly with Kelley with some hints of a crush on Mal.

prompt: Hey I don’t wanna bother you or anything so you don’t have to write this if you don’t want to but, I loved your baby R imagine so I was wondering if you could write one where baby R faints during training with the USWNT due to her being sick and not telling anybody or something like that? Thank you :)

warnings: none

words: 1119

Y/N’s POV

With the World Cup coming up so soon, I couldn’t afford to miss practice. My spot on the team was probably one of the most at risk to lose spots on the team. I knew that it was unlikely that Jill would kick me off and replace me, but I had to keep in mind that this was Jill Ellis I was talking about. I wasn’t even 18 yet.So, when I came down with a cold, I knew that it couldn’t keep me out of practice. Some of the others had noticed that I was slower today, but I was pretty sure that most of the others couldn’t tell. Besides, I had played games before when I had a cold. I just had to make sure that I got my rest tonight.We were currently scrimmaging and Kelley just kept coming after me. I knew that she was just trying to push me to do my best, but I was starting to get annoyed by it. It didn’t help the way my body ached whenever we crashed into each other. There was no telling how much more I could actually handle if Kelley didn’t stop targeting me whenever I got the ball. I got rid of the ball before Kelley could go after me. I was getting more sluggish but I couldn’t let it affect how I played.“You ok?” I looked over at the defender. I was a little surprised that it had taken Kelley so long to realize that I wasn’t doing so well. I rolled my shoulders back.“I’m fine, Kelley,” I assured. Kelley slowly nodded, but she didn’t seem convinced. I started to run up the field and toward the ball. I wasn’t surprised when the ball was kicked back to me. I started to head toward the goal.I wasn’t surprised when Kelley came running toward me. I tried to get around her, but my ankles were taking from out under me. I groaned as I was slow to get up. Kelley reached out and I let her help me up. Kelley kept a hold on me as I tried to find my balance but I ultimately couldn’t.I could see Kelley’s lips moving, but I just couldn’t focus on them. To me, everything was going black.

Kelley’s POV

I barely had time to catch (Y/N) as she collapsed. I gently lowered the kid to the ground and some of the others on the team ran toward us. Jill was quick to get one of the trainers out to the field. Alex pulled me away from (Y/N) as our trainers got her onto a stretcher and off of the field.

“Come on, Kell. There’s nothing for you to do,” Alex said.

I knew that she was right but it still didn’t make me feel any better. Jill continued our practice, but most of us were focused on (Y/N). I think that Jill could tell that we weren’t focused because she ended practice early. I didn’t bother with my shower right away but instead headed to the training room.

I was relieved to see (Y/N) sitting up on the table talking with the doctor. They looked like they were arguing about something. Probably whatever made (Y/N) faint. Both of them glanced at the group of us that had come to check on (Y/N).

“I’m fine.”

“Clearly you’re not fine, (Y/N),” I said. (Y/N) looked at me and shot me a glare. “You fainted on the field.”

“Maybe if someone hadn’t run into all throughout practice, my body wouldn’t have been worn out,” (Y/N) said.

It was obviously directed at me, but (Y/N) always loved it when we gave it everything we had when going against her. That was what I always did. Even today.

“Why did (Y/N) faint?” Ali asked the doctor.

“She’s got a cold,” the doctor informed us. (Y/N) started to grumble but none of us paid her much attention. “It’s nothing too serious. The practice was just too much for her body to handle today. She just needs a few days of rest and some medicine.”

“I’m fine,” (Y/N) assured.

“You’re not fine,” I snapped. This kid had me worried about her and she had only made me feel guilty. I felt responsible because we had run into each other a lot today due to me. “You passed out, (Y/N). You had us all worried because you didn’t rest.”

“It’s just a cold. Besides, I can’t afford to miss practice,” (Y/N) said.

“Why do you think that?” Christen asked. (Y/N) only looked away from the rest of us. “(Y/N), come on. Your health is more important than practice.”

“You’ll think it’s stupid.”

“No, we won’t,” Ash started. “But we can’t help you if you don’t tell us what’s wrong.”

(Y/N) didn’t look at us for a moment. The rest of the girls who had already gotten their showers joined us as they pushed their way into the room. (Y/N) only tensed even more when she realized that they were in the room. She wasn’t going to talk to us.

“What’s wrong?” Mal asked as she put a hand on (Y/N)’s leg. The teenager’s cheeks flushed at the contact and I would be sure to tease her about it later, but now wasn’t the time. “Come on, (Y/N). Just tell us what’s wrong.”

“My spot on this team isn’t guaranteed. Not like all of yours are,” (Y/N) sighed. This was something that we had talked to (Y/N) about before. She believed that if she didn’t push herself past 100% all the time that Jill would send her home, but it was obviously a much more dangerous mentality than we had realized. “You guys are all likely to be around longer than I am. I’m not even out of high school yet.”

“You’re one of the best players in the US,” Mal said. None of us had stopped to think about how (Y/N) felt about being on the national team or her doubts about belonging here. “I was scared too that Jill wouldn’t keep me around because of my age. But she did. She’ll do the same with you, but she can’t do that if you aren’t healthy.”

(Y/N)’s shoulder’s slumped forward and I didn’t think that she would fight us anymore. I was the first to hug her before the other girls joined. We laughed and (Y/N) wrapped her arms around my waist.

“I’m sorry for making you worry,” (Y/N) said as she buried her face into my shoulder.

“Just don’t do it again, kid.”

[doof-doofblog]

"Will You Help Me?!"

Thursday 22nd October 2020

Hello again folks! Hope everyone has had a brilliant week, tonight I'll be covering last night's episode and tomorrow I shall follow up on tonight's episode. There seems to be a lot to get through so I'll jump right into it!

The episode starts off at the Slaters with an unknown character putting something through the letter box, in the kitchen Kat and Stacey are slagging off Ruby, clearly Stacey is reeling after recent events. She seems to be really disliking Ruby at the minute, and of course we can all understand why. As Stacey is letting off some steam to Kat, a scream is heard from the hall and Lily is seen holding the carrier bag. Stacey takes it off her daughter and looks inside, what the heck could it be? It looked squishy to me, some kind of organ or something?! Is Ruby out to get revenge on Stacey?!

Meanwhile at the Mitchell's, Phil is discussing fighting for full custody of Raymond with Ritchie, he wants to make sure that he's doing things the right way, but unfortunately, what Phil is asking his lawyer is not realistic. With Phil's track record it seems unlikely that the court will let him have full custody of Raymond, everything looks like he has no chance of getting his son, but then he looks like he might have an idea. Will he somehow be able to get Denise on board? Will he convince her to fight for custody of her son? I am kind of hoping that Phil and Denise will put aside their differences and do the right thing and fight for Raymond, whether they have shared custody of the boy or whether Denise gets full custody, I'm pretty sure they'd do everything they can to get Raymond away from Ellie.

At the Beale household, Bobby is once again cleaning and washing his hands and counting along. Unbeknown to him, Peter is watching from behind, as soon as Bobby realises his brother is watching, he stops his actions completely before his Nan shows herself in the kitchen. Poor Kathy is still feeling humiliated, but to lift her spirits both Peter and Bobby compliment her, informing her that she's very pretty and that anyone would be lucky to have her. (Which I happen to agree!) Bobby then promises to head out and fetch his Gran some painkillers, she is left feeling a lot more chirper as she limps back to the living room. God bless her, eh?! Also just then, Bobby leaves and it looks as if Peter is looking concerned for his younger brother, is he clicking on to what Bobby might be going through?

Meanwhile on the Square, Kush appears to be on the phone to someone, promising them to get money to them by Monday. Unfortunately the caller hangs up before they manage to come to an agreement, and what a surprise - Suki has overheard the conversation and asks the very rude question whether Kush is having money issues. But of course she's not acting as the concerned neighbour, no, she only wants to know because of the fact that they owe her rent. As Suki walks away, Kush sees Stacey approach with a carrier bag held out in front of her and reveals that someone actually posted a dead rat through her door. She believes it was Ruby, I mean, it would make sense right? Kush looks on in amazement as Stacey heads towards the Vic. Once inside, she finds Ruby sat a table and dumps the carrier bag with the dead rat inside in front of her. Ruby looks puzzled as Stacey reveals what it is before she starts throwing accusations at her. As Stacey starts to kick off on her ex-best friend, Martin steps in and informs his ex-wife that she hasn't got any proof! If Ruby didn't post the dead rat, then who did? Could someone from Stacey's past be out for revenge? Or is it someone on the Square holding a grudge?! For what? Who knows?!

On the side of the bar, Bobby has popped in to see Sharon, asking politely whether she has any jobs for him to do, but also being the kind-hearted boy that he is, just wants to make sure that she's okay. She reassures him that she's doing fine and he doesn't need to keep checking up on her, however as she says this to the teenager, she opens a box which has been delivered to her and as she looks inside, she freezes. The police have returned Dennis's belongings from the night on the boat.

At the Cafe, Habiba finds her sister and confronts her about not telling Ash to leave. Iqra, at the moment, is stuck playing "Piggy In The Middle" between her girlfriend and her sister. She simply can't ask her girlfriend to leave just because her sister says so. But Habiba has had enough, she's still upset about Jags being sent to prison for 4 years for something he didn't do, and yet her sister isn't showing her any support. It's then she gives her sister an ultimatum, either Ash goes or she goes. It looks as if Iqra isn't taking her sister seriously, she basically ignores Habiba's ultimatum and carries on with what she's doing, leaving Habiba increasingly frustrated, angry and sad.

At the Minute Mart, Stacey bumps into Kush once again, I kind of loved the way she muttered to herself as she walked in how she was going to ram the dead rat down Ruby's throat! Brilliant! Typical Stacey Slater! As Kush asks her how her confrontation with Ruby went, she informs him that Ruby denied it was her who posted the dead vermin, but she doesn't believe a word she says! It's then when they chance subject that it gets interesting, Stacey asks Kush whether she could have the money back from what Kat paid for his stall, Kush says she can but unfortunately it won't be that day. Its then he confesses he's struggling financially at this moment in time ... (Could this be down to his gambling?) He admits to Stacey that someone is chasing him for money, however he wont tell her who. Is Kush in more trouble than we originally thought? Is this the reason he's turning to gambling, to perhaps pay back a debt of some kind?!

Back at the Café, Phil and Ritchie are discussing the possibility of Denise being involved in getting custody of Raymond. Ritchie admits it would be legal and it could be a path they could take, but will they be able to get Denise on their side?! She informs her client that Phil needs to play to Denise's song, approach the situation carefully, calmly and respectfully, otherwise if she says "No" their chance of getting Raymond back will be over. Meanwhile at the police station, DI Thompson is informing Callum that he's more desperate now than ever to get Phil Mitchell behind bars. He's wanting to make sure that Jack doesn't get to him before he does. When Callum questions why it matters who gets Phil, its then that DI Thompson happens to mention an old friend, an ex-copper who got involved with Phil and had her career ruined - please tell me you guys know who he's referring to - do you remember Kate?! I'm sure she was on some kind of mission to get Phil sent down, but over time they fell in love and she left her career as a policewoman and stood by Phil! ... She was such a brilliant character! In case you guys don't remember, here's a picture to jog your memory! (Kate Mitchell was played by Jill Halfpenny)!

Anyway, back to the episode in hand, DI Thompson continues to make Callum's career awkward as he warns him if he doesn't keep Jack quiet than Ben will most definitely be sent to prison! I feel sorry for Callum at the moment, it looks as if he's dug himself a too deeper and hole and he can't quite get out of it. 

Meanwhile, at the salon, Jay is suggesting to Lola that they go out and spend a bit of time together, considering they haven't been able to see much of each other during lockdown. Lola makes the excuse that she's busy, but something is telling me is she perhaps falling out of love with Jay? Or is she still feeling guilty for cheating on him months back! It's been a long time since she had one night stand with Peter? As Jay disappears and she takes Honey to one side to get her hair done, it's then Honey informs Lola that she's incredibly lucky to have Jay. Jay has never been one to cheat, I mean I don't think he ever has, his two main love interests have been Abi and Lola, that's it as far as I'm aware. Anyway, as Honey is complimenting Lola's boyfriend, Lola is looking completely uncomfortable by the minute. Did she never tell Jay about her one night stand and has it been eating her up inside of her all this time?!

Back at the club, Dotty watches on in shock as Stacey enters and claims she's ready to give Ruby her first instalment of her money, the only thing is she has only gone and given it to her in pennies. She flings an entire bag full of pennies all over the table, she's sarcastic as she says that Ruby can count it to make sure it's all there. But Ruby is not impressed, its then that threats are started to be thrown between the two, Ruby threatens her friend that if she continues to play games, she'll make sure she's out of Walford by tonight! Stacey laughs at her threats and only digs in the knife in a little deeper as she claims that Martin will only go running back to her when he realises his kids have gone as well, even saying that Ruby will never understand because she isn't a mother and she's not going to start being one to her children, with that Stacey leaves, leaving Ruby in shock and Dotty asking whether she's going to allow Stacey to talk to her in that way, it's then Ruby states that she's not even started yet ... what the heck does that mean?! 

Back at the Vic, Ian is shocked to find Bobby behind the bar serving alcohol, especially due to the fact that he's underage. He asks where Sharon has got to and Bobby reveals to his Dad about the package she received earlier, explaining that it was full of Dennis's belongings. Sharon asked Bobby to cover and she disappeared, as Bobby explains this to his Dad, Ian is looking so uncomfortable. Meanwhile at the police station, Callum is taking his chance to confront Jack - he decides to tread lightly and suggest that with all the children involved it could all get a little messy if Jack was to get Phil prosecuted. It's then that Jack informs him, in not so many polite words, that if he was going to dob Phil in and get him prosecuted, he would've done it by now! Basically giving Callum the answers that he wanted! 

On the Square, Martin is calling at the Slaters to collect his children. This scene takes a very interesting turn, as Kush answers the door and discusses the whole rat situation with his friend, Martin is eager to keep his friend onside and make him believe that it wasn't his wife. Kush reassures his friend that he didn't think it was her, but when they begin to consider who could be responsible for doing such a thing, a figure in a dark hooded top walks past in the background behind Martin. Kush clicks on to the hooded figure and we see them turn as they enter the gardens ... who is this person and was the rat actually intended for Kush? If Kush has got himself in trouble, could this be who he owes money to?! 

In the Vic, Lola catches up with Jay after taking him up on his offer to socialise together, she informs him that Honey has been singing his praises to her. Even though Lola is looking like she's about to tell Jay some bad news, she suggests to her boyfriend that they should move in together, it would be the first step in seeing each other more and also the next step in their relationship and future. Jay is shocked but yet over the moon with his girlfriend's suggestion. But is this really what Lola wants? Is she hiding something from Jay?! 

Back on the Square, Iqra is shocked to see her sister walking up to a taxi with two huge suitcases. She really didn't take her sister seriously when it came to her ultimatum. She pleads for her Habiba to stay, she doesn't want to lose her sister or her girlfriend, how can she possibly make her choose? Habiba gives her sister one last chance, but she simply can't. As Habiba lifts her bags in the back of the taxi, Iqra pleads at how much she needs her sister, to which she replies "Jags needs me more!" - she jumps into her taxi and drives off, leaving Iqra heartbroken and leaving Walford. I didn't realise it until maybe later last night or early this morning, that this was actually Habiba leaving EastEnders for good. After nearly two years of playing Habiba Ahmed, Rukku Nahar has now left the soap ... which is a bit of shame, I did enjoy Habiba's character, however I feel they could've done so much more with her and perhaps gone a bit deeper. But nevertheless, the door has remained open for Habiba to return in the future, will you miss Habiba?! And what will this mean now for Iqra after her sister's warnings of the Panesar family?!

Back at the Slater household, Stacey is horrified to learn that Kush allowed Martin to take her children over to Ruby's club. She claims to everyone that Ruby is trying to take her children away from her. Kat and Kush are both trying to calm her down, but Stacey isn't having any of it, she goes upstairs to get herself changed out of her work clothes before heading over to the club. Meanwhile, Jack is back home and confiding in Denise about Callum approaching him earlier in the day. Denise is now worried that Jack hasn't been able to keep Phil at bay, worrying that he's now making threats after Jack warned him to stay away. As Jack tries his best to reassure his girlfriend that everything is going to be okay, they hear a knock at the door, Jack goes to answer and we can hear Phil at the front door claiming he wants to speak to Denise about Raymond, he insists that it's important and he's not going to leave until he gets to speak with her. 

As daylight turns to night, Stacey has spruced herself up and is marching to the club. Suddenly the hooded figure that we saw earlier starts following her from behind. Stacey is oblivious to the unknown male following her. She reaches the club door and starts banging it to get Martin's attention, suddenly the hooded figure grabs her and attacks her violently, throwing her around like a piece of rubbish. Stacey is left badly shaken as she lies on the floor and the figure is stood above her as he takes a photo saying "If you want to play games, we'll play games!" - Has Ruby paid someone to attack Stacey? Or has this been a case of mistaken identity? Was this a warning for Kush possibly? Who knows? Will this hooded figure appear again?!

The final scene of tonight's episode is actually a brilliant one! At Jack and Denise's, Denise is stunned to hear what Phil is telling her. Shocked to hear the news about Ellie offering to sell Raymond to Phil! What makes it even better is Ritchie has also come along with Phil to prove that he is telling the truth, otherwise she wouldn't believe a word he was saying. But having someone who knows the ins and outs and back's Phil's news will also make Denise realise that her son is deep danger with Ellie. Phil informs her that Ellie was to blame for his parents death and the only way they can get Raymond away from her if she goes for full custody and Phil promises that he will pay for everything and be a silent partner and he'll help in any way he can to give his son a proper life with people who love him! I kind of hoped and knew that maybe Phil and Denise would join forces to get Raymond back!! I hope Denise will take Phil's word and start the fight for Raymond!

I apologise about this post being long and a bit late, I promise I will post another blog tomorrow following tonight's episode. With the way this one ended, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your evening and your weekend! Thanks again everyone! Love you all xXx

[the-necessary-unnecessary]

Birmingham City vs Manchester City match report

So thought I might as well break down my thoughts on today’s match, plus the post-match interactions. It was the second Blues match that I’ve gone to see and from the perspective of a Blues fan it was a more pleasant, if not still slightly painful, match to watch.

Kerys Harrop said in the the match day programme that its the first half of the match that has really been letting the side down lately which means they “need to make sure we perform straight from the get-go.” This clearly did not work out when ex-Blues Ellen White scored in the first thirty seconds after a completely break down from the defense and the wing who didn’t seem like they’d realised the game had started yet. Props to Birmingham though they soon got a lot more into the game and kept it pretty equal until half time. I’d say in the second half the quality of football started deteriorating with Keira pretty much sentencing the match with a great goal in the 65th minute.

Both sides put on a pretty good display of football, with the midfield in particular shinning for each side. With Birmingham Chloe Arthur was really putting on a show with her ball management and Lucy Staniforth like always was brilliant moving the ball forward as well as being crucial in defense. Her long range shot was also probably the best chance Blues got to almost score and Ellie did well to save it. Man City’s midfield was even more impressive, obviously with Keira getting the goal in but also her extremely clever passes, Jill Scott was playing a lot better than I’ve seen her play for England lately and Caroline Weir was just on a level of her own. I’d never realised just how imposing her play is, like both in terms of her physique and also her skilfulness when on the ball really stood out for me today. Phil should definitely be putting her on the shortlist for team GB if he has any sense left in him.

Blues’ goalkeeper Hannah Hampton also made a couple of great saves ensuring the scoreboard didn’t increase by another few goals. Especially during the many corners that Man City had it was quite commendable that they didn’t score from any of them. What really gave city the edge was the fact that they were able to link up the midfield with the defense and attackers, the left side was not used as much but seemed to be particularly effective thanks to Stanway and obviously Ellen who runs around the pitch in such a pleasing way to watch. I agreed with subbing Lauren Hemp off as she wasn’t at her finest today but still managed to play considerably well. Same goes with the Blues wings, Abbie Grant is usually really key and today she had a bit of a dip but I still think subbing her off all the time isn’t the best move when she’s usually one of the most consistent players. Caroline Walker was having a great run especially in the first half so again I don’t think I would have subbed her off over Rachel Williams, for example, who in my opinion just wasn’t giving them the attacking edge today.

All in all it was a pretty decent match and I’m glad the Blues managed to not let the early goal get into their heads too much. City just clearly had the superior play, willing to patiently wait it out so that even if they didn’t have more possession they had a lot more chances on goal and were able to capitalise on them. I spoke to Rebecca Holloway after the match for a while as she seemed to be very willing to have a little chat and basically said that compared to the last times that they'd played against city they've improved, and agreed with me that it was definitely a step up from the Reading match last weekend. She then just said that hopefully with games coming up against teams closer in points to us in the table then hopefully some points will be in store if the level of play is maintained. 

Another thing I’ll mention is that there was clearly some grumbling going on at the end about Marta Tejedor’s tactical decisions, I didn’t quite get who it was but someone was having a conversation with their grandparents (?) about the way that Marta has been playing her and her preferences over others. She barely said a word throughout the whole match and Lucy got quite blatantly frustrated at the coaching staff at one point in the game, understandable tbh.

Apart from Becks I also got to speak to Hannah who was being super sweet to all of the lil kids who really recognised her in her goalkeeper kit, and managed to congratulate her on the few great saves she did. I managed to say hi to Lucy almost at the end just to quickly say that she skilfully kept up that midfield like always. Claudia and Adrienne I also met briefley and were just super cool and chill. And also Ellen White was the only city player that stayed to sign for the City fans also, but I had to run to catch my bus so I got little more than a signature and a thanks from her- more than enough to keep me happy though! The last one I really wanted to congratulate was Chloe Arthur for her amazing match because she really did show off her skill today, and also because I really like her in general but she clearly didn't want to stay out too long (it was absolutely freezing) so I wasn't able to in the end

Anyways, I enjoyed the trip and I’m glad I went, you know its been good when my biggest complaint is the cold!

[tumblngdice]

Players tell themselves the World Cup final is just another game. They're wrong.

Hope Solo, Sat 6 Jul 2019 14.02 BST

Everything is magnified on the biggest day possible for a footballer: the pressure, the nerves, the excitement. You don’t want to waste the opportunity.

The World Cup final is not just another game.

You sometimes hear players say polite things like “I’m just going to take one game at a time” but I don’t think that’s true. In my experience, before a final, you know that you’re only one game away from reaching the absolute pinnacle of your sport. Everything that you have left inside you and everything you haven’t even yet used is about to be put on display in that final match. You don’t want to let this opportunity slip away. You get more excited; you have more nerves; you feel more pressure; you’re finally in the place that you have wanted to be since forever.

I won three Olympic gold medals but, for me, the World Cup is the peak of football. We lost the final on penalties in 2011, and in 2015 there was a good chance that it wasn’t going to happen for us again. That would have been harsh on players like Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone who were close to retiring and I knew, too, that I would not be satisfied with my career if I didn’t hold the World Cup in my hands.

Looking back, I’m so glad to have had the experience of losing the 2011 final even though it was heartbreaking. Japan were playing for something bigger than the game itself that year – for the morale of the country after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Many of Japan’s players had been affected personally by the events. That context was something I’d never experienced before. It was tragically beautiful to see their players come together and lift up their country. I’m proud that I was part of a game that transcended the sport. It’s still very emotional to think about it. That said, in the same breath, my competitive nature will tell you that we made some defensive errors in that game that I will never forget. You may think you are the better team but it just takes one second for things to turn against you. It was a game where I grew both as a person and a player.

In a final it might be great to say that you are playing for the Stars and Stripes on your chest but you’re also playing for family members, coaches, and everyone who made sacrifices to help get you to that point. It can get very personal and everyone has a story. I played in the 2007 World Cup after the loss of my best friend and my father. That was a way of mourning both of them – I wanted to make them proud. So many players have challenges they are going through and a game like this can have added significance and meaning.

Some coaches are great at big speeches before the game or at half-time. Jill Ellis will do the Xs and Os and tactics but she’s not the type of coach who is a big motivator. Motivation doesn’t always come from a coach anyway. During the 2012 Olympics, I texted with Carli Lloyd and Heather Mitts on the bus on the way to the final. That was Heather’s last tournament and we had a moment of reflection that brought some tears. It was a look back at our journey and everything we’d gone through together and individually to get to that point.

The lead up to the game can be very reflective and emotional.

You have to embrace that and recognize the magnitude of the game. Motivation is mostly already inside an athlete at this level but others do help, often in timely and unforgettable ways. It can come from anyone: a personal trainer, a friend, or even a stranger.

For for me in 2015 it came from my husband, a former NFL player, who understood the pressure of being a professional athlete and knew me better than anybody. He understood what I was going through and he was the only person who knew what to say or how to speak to me. He reminded me of my own strength and I felt untouchable. He was my ultimate teammate, and as with my US teammates, I didn’t want to let him or myself down.

You can feel the extra intensity on game day. People might be a little more quiet at breakfast or listen to music all day in the hotel while waiting for the bus to the stadium. That might seem relaxed but the atmosphere intensifies. Abby Wambach was always the funniest on game day. She’d never know what to do with her bottled up energy and would start nervously talking to everyone. It was so endearing that it became a huge in-joke among the team. She just wouldn’t shut up.

At game day mealtime she’d come into the room and announce “It’s a bad day to be Japanese!” or “It’s a bad day to be Dutch!”. She’d get so amped up all day and then during the huddle on the pitch, right before kick off, she would be set to give one last motivational speech but would be so excited she would usually trip over her own words. It would end up being the worst speech ever and one that would make us all start laughing.

That moment, right there, released all our tension and nerves and made us relax. It was important to have someone on the team who can remind us who we really were and that we were ready to play a World Cup final.

Sunday’s game will see the technically best USA team we’ve ever had take the field. I want this team to show how good they are and not play defensively when they get the lead. This team has the ability to go out and entertain and win with style like the great teams.

They need to remember that this isn’t just another game.

Hope Solo -- ‘Players tell themselves...

[st-bengerine]

what are your fav gay songs?

this is one of the most blessed asks i’ve ever received and i have several gay playlists but ill run down some of my all time favs, i made a list of 30 which i’ve cut down as much as possible lmao:

classics:

Your Song by Elton John; beautiful and chill and sweet, the loveliest springtime evening vibes of having loved someone for years and years and feeling warm and at home with them (and i will never forgive any cover artist who makes it straight @ ellie goulding)“Yours are the sweetest eyes I’ve ever seen.”

Poses by Rufus Wainwright; BAROQUE GAY, literally my favourite song, gives me butterflies every time i hear it, comparing fashion with his friends but it’s so much more than that, you can hear him smile and i’m absolutely DYING“Such beautiful poses makes any boy feel like picking up roses”

Freedom! 90′ by George Michael; literally my favourite song, the greatest swell of pride and power i’ve ever felt, the biggest FUCK YOU, fits perfectly with the quote about Georgie M being like “I’ve got a cock” with regards to his music“Now I’m gonna get myself happy.”

Somebody To Love by Queen; especially the cover by George Michael at Freddie Mercury’s memorial concert, because having watched his documentary and hearing about how he performed knowing his lover was dying of AIDs, my heart breaks every time I hear this“I just gotta get outta this prison cell, someday I’m gonna be free”

That’s So Gay by Pansy Division; the biggest FUCK YOU, literally my favourite song, assigning a slur to heteros to give them a fucking taste, iconic and beautiful and such a good fuckin riff“what do you take me for? breeder”

just good gay songs:

Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko; the first explicitly gay song I ever listened to, beautiful and iconic and it felt so fucking BRAVE“I’ve been crossing all the lines”

I Kissed A Girl by Jill Sobule; sweet and soft and gay and country, nothing to do with katy perry’s harangue, so, so much better“We had a drink, we had a smoke, she took off her overcoat”

Call Your Girlfriend by Robyn; Dancing on my Own is more well known, but Call Your Girlfriend is such a gorgeous bop and this makes it literally my favourite song“Tell her not to get upset second-guessing everything you said and done”

Somebody Else by The 1975; got that sad neon gay aesthetic and UM im not sorry no cover will ever come close, literally my favourite song, slips you into a gorgeous aching trance that takes your breath away and forces tears from your eyes and makes your heart ache“At first, I thought it was a lie. I took all my things that make sounds”

Andy You’re a Star by The Killers; that angry guitar just turns you into a feisty high school boy furious and seething at those filthy sneering straight boys, fuck em, me and andy gonna bang (their heads together)“In a car with a girl, promise me she’s not your world”

Cool for the Summer by Demi Lovato; let me tell you girls in school were shook when they figured out that this was gay and it’s such a heady hot summer B O P also “die for each other” is the gay mood for someone you met 5 minutes ago and already love more than your parents

BITE by Troye Sivan; probably one of the first explicitly sexual gay songs I ever heard and let me just say that little gay 17 year old me was quaking, described as HAUNTING by @aurathelucario​ and bitch, they’re right“Don’t you wanna see a man up close”

Sanctify by Years & Years; everything that BITE was to me at 17, now at 20, has me physically shook, openly gay and explicitly sexual and such a BOP“I’m just like you, maybe it’s heavenly”

Heterosexuality is a Construct by Onsind; just the ultimate takedown of heterosexuality and everything you’ve ever wanted to yell in your life, also the lines“I’m not a heterosexual man, I’m not ticking your boxes, that’s not who I am, I don’t fit into your neat little plan, and I never willLove is not a crime, and I’d rather colour, outside of the lines, love knows no gender and its about time, you nailed your colours up next to mine.”please listen to this song, if you listen to nothing else from this list   

*** ULTIMATE SPECIAL TUNE: ***Talking Transgender Dysphoria Blues by Against Me!; holy fuck, a song about being transgender, by a transwoman? Raw and aching and violent and snarling, the most truthful song I’ve ever heard.“Rough surf on the coast, I wish I could’ve spent the whole day alone with you.” 

Under the cut: some songs that aren’t explicitly gay but they are to me, and honourable mentions

not explicitly gay but they are to me and you can’t pry them from my gay little hands:

Dancing in the Dark & I’m On Fire by Bruce Springsteen; I’m a fucking SUCKER for gay country boys in flannel with pick ups and ripped jeans and worn white shirts and big boots, literally my favourite songs, and fuck me the song Dancing in the Dark punches me in the gut and then holds me close to its musty man-smelling shoulder while i cry“Man I’m just tired and bored with myself, hey there baby, could use just a little help”

Constellations by Tom Odell; listen, I’m a hopeless romantic gay and I need this song, literally my favourite song, and you can’t tell me it’s not gay:“Some old melody, it don’t mean much to anyone what it does to you and me”

Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls; heavy connection to Nic Cage, LITERALLY try and tell me this song isn’t gay fuck off, one of those songs you yell out your car windows in a rainstorm, TRY AND TELL ME IT’S NOT GAY AND YOU’LL BE WRONG:“And I don’t want the world to see me, cause I don’t think that they’d understand”

Run To You by Pentatonix; I don’t care if this is gay or not it gets a place because at least half of PTX is LGBT+, also this is one of the most beautiful, strong, haunting a capella songs I’ve ever heard, and you know what, it is gay, it’s fucking GAY and it fits my OCs and they’re gay“I will break down the gates of heaven, a thousand angels stand waiting for me”

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

Dancing On My Own by Calum Scott (cover of Robyn which got popular among the straights syke it’s gay and you’re all fooled); fallingforyou by The 1975 (cute and ethereal but I’ve had a 1975 song); Let’s Hear it for the Boy by Deniece Williams (from Footloose, the video is GAY and the lyrics make me smile, I wanna hear a dude cover this song so if you know one hmu); The Good Side, My My My, Talk Me Down, and Youth by Troye Sivan (TGS makes me cry my eyes out, MMM is hot, TMD takes my breath away, Y is so strong, BUT I’ve had a Troye Sivan); King by Years & Years (if a man ever called me his king i would fucking die instantly and the imagery in this song has me shivering); What’s It Gonna Be and Touch by Shura (gorgeous ethereal lesbian tunes); Girl Crush covered by Harry Styles (the original pisses me off bc it’s misleading and not gay but MISTER Styles saved it); Boys by Charli XCX (you don’t need a reason); Cool by Gwen Stefani (sounds like safety and friendship and warmth); Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves (song about following your OWN ideas and doing what you want and explicit gay lyrics)

[davidcarner]

The Kiss Ch 6, The Realization

A/N: This new format doesn't lend itself well to the episode, so I tinkered. I give you The Kiss, Ch 6, The Realization

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, but it's on Amazon Prime streaming!

It had been an absolute mess, the whole mission. It had all started when Big Mike begged Chuck to find Morgan. Chuck went to the Santa Monica Pier, Morgan's favorite hang out and that's when everything went downhill; he flashed on Laszlo Mahnovski. Laszlo fled, and Chuck did what any guy with a super-secret spy cover girlfriend would do, he contacted Sarah. She came over to reassure him, and brought him a picture of the two of them they had made at the mall the week before. The almost shy smile she gave him when saw him, made his heart melt.

Casey pounded on his door a little later and asked him if he wanted him to beef up security, which Chuck declined. They had a meeting a little while later, and Stanfield admits to Laszlo being a technology wizard. Sarah and Casey joined the manhunt, leaving Chuck to his own devices for lunch. As he got in the car, he was shocked that Laszlo was there, but Laszlo told Chuck a story that connected with his heart. Chuck felt empathy and a sort of kindship to him. He offered to take the rouge asset to lunch and hear him out. At lunch, Laszlo told him many things, but the one thing that worried Chuck the most, and caused him not to report this meeting, was that his home was bugged.

Chuck came home, checked the house everywhere for bugs, and couldn't find any. His eyes latched on the picture of him and Sarah. He picked it up and searched it thoroughly, finding nothing. He shut his eyes, and hated himself. He texted Sarah that they needed to talk. Fifteen minutes later, she entered the Morgan door, a concern look on her face. Chuck was sitting on the bed, holding the picture she had just given him, starting at it.

"Chuck, you okay?" she asked.

"No, Sarah," Chuck said looking at her. "If it wasn't for you, I could be Laszlo. I would be locked in that bunker, acting as crazy as he is. In an hour, he nearly had me convinced that you and Casey were doing things behind my back and watching me the way you said you wouldn't. I exposed us to this guy and now…I'm so sorry, Sarah. I messed up." Sarah pulled footstool forward, sat down, and took his hand.

"Chuck, if you hadn't gone to Stanfield, we would have done exactly what you are worried about," Sarah admitted. Chuck looked her in the eyes. "Hey, he knows what he's talking about, so I get it. Trust is hard for me, and I do trust you, but if I saw something shady, I'd verify it," she said with an amused smile. "Chuck, this is brand new for both of us, for me in so many different ways, but you need to talk to me about this stuff. The stuff that affects you as my analyst, and the stuff that affects you as my partner, and I'm not talking the job," she said with a grin. "But know this Chuck Bartwoski, no one, and I mean no one, is going to hurt my Chuck."

"Little possessive isn't it?" he asked grinning.

"Got a problem with that?" she asked, returning the grin.

"None," he admitted. "Sarah he keeps finding me."

"I think I should move in for a bit," Sarah said. Chuck got a smirk on his face, and Sarah gave him a shove, knocking him over onto the bed. "For your safety."

"If you moved in, I'm not sure how safe I'd be," Chuck replied. Sarah stuck her tongue out at him.

"I'm going to contact, Stanfield," she said, leaving through the Morgan door. "What are you doing?"

"Walking my girlfriend to her car," Chuck replied. Sarah spun around and looked at him. "Cover," he added quickly.

"Is it?" she asked with a smirk. "Get back inside, Chuck, I'll be back soon."

"I'm fine, it's not like anyone is going to sneak up behind me," he said.

"I'm sure there's bigger morons somewhere, I just don't know where," Casey said behind Chuck, making him jump into the air. "I'll watch your boyfriend, Walker."

"Take good care of him, Casey," Sarah said. Casey looked disgusted, and watched her drive away.

"I don't know why you had to ruin a perfectly good agent," Casey said to Chuck.

"You know, Casey, I think we should watch some James Bond movies to bond," Chuck said.

"Or, I could just deposit you back into your room," Casey said, nearly flinging him into his room through the Morgan door.

"That wasn't nice," Chuck yelled at Casey, as Casey slammed his apartment door. He turned and his eyes widened as he saw the gun Laszlo had pointed at him.

"Not a sound, we have somewhere to go," Laszlo said. "And, don't worry about Casey. I've got his surveillance on a loop."

}o{

Chuck sat in Castle. Sarah and Casey were giving a briefing and Chuck wasn't even pretending to pay attention. He kept going through what happened earlier that day. Another bomb had nearly exploded ending the two of them. His life had flashed before his eyes again…well, not flashed like the Intersect flash, but flashed, and it wasn't what he hoped for. The last few months were better, but those five long years…they bothered him. He looked over at Sarah, who was looking at him with concern.

"Major Casey," Stanfield said. "I need to talk to Agent Walker and Mr. Bartowski about their cover. You're welcome to stay, but-" Casey saluted, grunted something and flew out of the room. Sarah was waiting for a lady feelings joke from Chuck, but he was silent. "Mr. Bartowski, I can't believe I'm about to say this, but you aren't saying much, and I'm concerned."

"That could have been me, or I could have died, again, or I could still be at the Buy More," Chuck said softly. Stanfield and Sarah shared a look.

"General, I think this falls under my purview," Sarah said, with a slight grin. Stanfield looked relieved.

"Whatever you need, within reason, to fix this, you have it," Stanfield said.

"I think the relocation we talked about needs to happen," Sarah said. Chuck snapped his head up. "For me, to Echo Park, Chuck," Sarah said, shaking her head.

"Mr. Bartowski, I need you to understand, I appreciate the dynamic you have with this team," Stanfield said. "I would never remove someone from your team without talking to you, unless orders came above my paygrade, and the way our charter was written, there aren't many, arguably one." Chuck nodded. "This entire project centers around you. We need you to be as comfortable as possible."

"Chuck, we all need you to be as comfortable as possible," Sarah added. "Everything we are doing we are trying to take you into consideration, but if something is bothering you, you have to tell me." Chuck nodded. She turned to Stanfield. "I think I have this, General." Stanfield nodded and signed off. Chuck's phone went off and he looked down at it.

"Morgan," he said, with a grin. "He wants to know if I'm going to sandworm with him."

"You should," Sarah said. "So Stanfield and I have been talking and we both think it would be a good idea if I moved into Echo Park. There's an apartment on the other side of the complex that I think would work well. When we need to protect you, you can come stay a few days. When you need to talk about things, we can do it there," she paused, and looked down shyly. "Or, if you just, you know, wanna hang out with me."

"I could do that?" Chuck asked, with a grin.

"Yeah," Sarah replied, grinning.

"You'll be running me off," Chuck said, sighing.

"Hey, no I won't, and I promise you if I need some time, and you need to get away, it's a two bedroom apartment, I'm putting an exercise room in, I can get away and you can get away." She looked at him. "What's wrong, Chuck," she asked, growing concerned.

"I wasted five years on Jill," Chuck said softly. "I never realized until today, how much I wasted. It took Bryce nearly ruining my life, to realize he made me live again. Before the Intersect, I was going to waste away over there," he said, gesturing in the direction of the Buy More. "I'm so glad I'm in your life, but I feel like I'm forced into your life." Sarah studied, him, grinned, and sat down in his lap, making his eyebrows about shoot off of his head.

"I'm glad Bryce sent you the Intersect, Chuck, because I never would have met you," she said. She paused and took a deep breath. "You've made me realize I can be more than a spy, I hope you know that." She studied him, and the look he gave her said he understood. "I have a life after this. I have a future and I didn't think so before." She grinned, looked away, and then set her jaw, turned, and looked him right in the eye, her eyes dancing. "Hopefully with the greatest guy I know."

"Have I met him?" Chuck asked, with his own grin. She put her hands on his cheeks and pulled him in.

"Damn right you have," she said, kissing him.

}o{

Sarah watched Morgan and Chuck in the sandworm, and realized how different this mission was. She thought about what she had said to Chuck, and realized he probably didn't understand everything she was saying. That was okay, she would have time to show him. She felt her come up behind her and tensed. She'd rather be armed with a fork leading a revolution in a third world country than what she was about to do, but she had to, and she knew it.

"Sarah," Ellie said behind her. Sarah turned and gave Ellie a genuine smile. She adored this woman. The woman who had raised Chuck as practically her own. The woman she hoped one day she could be friends with. Sarah looked at her, Ellie smiled, and pulled her into a hug. Sarah didn't know why, but no Bartowski gave a bad hug, they were like a drug that she couldn't get enough of. "I hear we're gonna be neighbors." Sarah nodded not trusting herself to speak. "I don't know what's going on with you two, but I know this. He's crazy about you, but compared to what you feel for him, it's nothing," Ellie said grinning. Sarah looked away. She watched Chuck and Morgan and then turned back to Ellie.

"Your brother is special, you know that," Sarah said. "He's not just a good guy, he changes you, he gets into your soul and just changes things I didn't know that could be changed or fixed."

"He's been taken advantage by a lot of people," Ellie said. Sarah looked Ellie right in the eye.

"I will never do that, and I will never let anyone else," Sarah said softly, but dangerously. Ellie smiled.

"I know," Ellie said, squeezing her hand. "I know." She winked at her, and walked off, as Sarah stood and watched everyone in the courtyard.

A/N: Next time…Stanford….oh boy….Hoped you liked it, reviews are always welcomed…til next time.

DC

[chuckepisodes]

Chuck vs. The Sensei Part 2

You and Chuck were sleeping peacefully in his bed, since you decided to spend the night, when Ellie came bursting in the room. "Chuck! Y/N! You've got to help me! This is an emergency! Chuck!" You and Chuck shot up. "What's the matter Ellie?" you asked, sleepiness still in your voice. " What? What? What? Ellie! Ellie! Ellie! Are you okay!?" " No! No! Devon's parents decided to take the red-eye in from Connecticut to surprise us!" Chuck sighed and pulled you back down with him, wanting to go back to sleep. "You scared the heck out of me. I thought this was life or death." Chuck said. "It is! These are two perfect parents that raised three perfect boys in a perfect house, and this place is a pigsty." Ellie explained, grabbing some clothes and blankets off of Chuck's bed to clean. " Don't worry. We have time to clean up." "Trust me, if they flew all night, they're going to want to sleep all morning." you said. " Are you kidding me? The awesome apple doesn't fall far from the awesome tree." "I'm just going to... we'll be right there." Chuck said as you both cuddled and fell back to sleep.

You and Chuck walked into the living room, both dressed for work, when you were greeted by Devon's parents. "Awesome! There they are!" Devon's dad shouted. " Wow! Welcome! Hi. You guys are very muscular." Chuck said, shaking his hand. "And... and awake!" you pointed out. "Chuck, this is Devon's mom and dad. And this is Chuck's girlfriend, Y/N." " Drs. Woodcomb, so nice to finally meet you." Chuck said, going in to now shake Devon's mom's hand. "Oh, no handshakes in this family." She then hugged Chuck and then you." You just call me Honey." "Okay, Honey." you said, smiling. " I'm Woody." Devon's dad introduced. " Hey! Woody?" Chuck said, a little confused. " Yeah. My father always said, "A terrible nickname builds character. " Of course, Devon wasn't into nicknames." " I just can't wait to start planning your dream wedding." Honey said, handing Ellie over a gigantic book. "Wow! It looks like you already have." " Oh, and, Chuck, the caterer is bringing over a sample menu tonight for Devon and Ellie to decide what they like. We hope you and your girlfriend can join us." "Yes! Of course! Of course! Y/N loves food." Ellie said. " That she does!" Chuck said, looking at you. "Yeah... I really do." "So, yeah, we'll be there!" Chuck finished. "Oh! Maybe Sarah can join us too since she is going to be a flower girl." "Good idea Y/N." Ellie said. "Good. Good." Woody said, smiling big. Honey smiled and walked away. "So nice of you guys to help us plan the wedding. Right, Ell?" Devon asked. " Oh, absolutely! Your mom's already been busy with all these lists of guests, locations, color palettes..." Ellie said, with a big, fake smile on her face. " She's been so excited ever since Devon asked you to marry him." Woody said, coming up closer to you guys. "Aww..." "I can't tell you how happy we are to welcome you into our family. And now, you're stuck with us, too, Chuck. And maybe you too one day Y/N." Woody finished, giving a playful punch in the arm to the both of you. " You're very strong, and have fists." Chuck said as you both put on a fake laugh. "Thank you, Dr. Woodcomb." Ellie said. "Woody." "  Okay. Dad, let's go do our abs." "Ooh, yeah. " "You guys do abs. I'm... I'm just going to go... kill myself." Ellie said, walking away. "And we...are going to go to work. Right honey?" you asked Chuck. "Yep! Let's go baby."

You were both now down in Castle with Sarah and Casey, getting briefed by Beckman. "Ty Bennett. Karate master, kung fu expert, master strategist. A former instructor at our training facility. And, today, one of our most wanted rogue agents." Beckman started. " Dude, your sensei is a badass!" Chuck noted. "He's not my sensei. He's a traitor." " Wow. I've heard of Bennett, but I've never met anyone who actually trained with him." Sarah said, amazed. "I can't talk about it. It's classified." " We're opening Bennett's file for this assignment. Any personal knowledge you have could be vital to the success of this mission." " Come on, Casey. Share with us." you teased. " In Hell. General, if I may, why wasn't I told that Bennett went rogue?" "Ty Bennett has been recruiting his former students." "He's actually turning agents?" " With the team he's assembled, Bennett has been extremely effective at stealing weapons and reselling them on the global black market." " What did he steal from GLA?" Sarah asked. "An advanced inertial guidance system." Beckman said, showing a picture of it. " Well, that's not a weapon." Chuck pointed out. " Well, fit sure looks like one when it's put in a missile, moron." Casey said. " You know, when you call me moron, that hurts me on the inside." "Yeah Casey... I told you that you need to stop being so mean to him." You said, as you grabbed Chuck's hand. "Oh please L/N. Bennett got away because your boyfriend couldn't open a door. Chuck, you're lucky your feelings aren't the only thing that got hurt." "Technically, we only have to sit in the van and flash." Chuck argued. " Hey. Guys." Sarah said, trying to stop them. "Gentlemen, we have intel pinpointing the location where Bennett plans to transfer the GLA technology to his buyer. It's a construction site in Simi Valley. I want you to stop the deal and recover the guidance system." Beckman explained. "We're on it." Sarah said. "You know, I wonder if it's safe for Chuck and Y/N  to go on this mission. Too many unforeseeable variables. In situations like this, they have proven themselves a liability." Casey said. You and Chuck stared at him confused. " I think you're right, Casey. Chuck, Y/N, you will be sitting this one out." Beckman ordered. "Excuse me?" you asked Beckman. "What? Wait a minute. You might... you might need us to flash on something." Chuck tried to explain. " Oh, this country has gotten by for 200 years without an Intersect. I'm sure we'll be just fine. What? Did I hurt your feelings?" Casey said as you both glared at him.

Chuck was back at the Buy More, being told there is going to be a whole competition for an employee of the month.

"Okay, so how are feeling about this about this whole Employee-of-the-Month thing?" Morgan asked Chuck. Chuck looked up and saw you and Sarah walking in. " Um, you know what? Whatever, Morgan. I don't, I don't really care." "We don't care. Roger that." Chuck came up beside you and put his arm around you as you both walked over to a desk and sat on it. "Hey. I thought you guys would already be gone.  Admit it. You need us, don't ya?" " I came to make sure you're okay." " Well, isn't that what all the surveillance cameras are for?" "Well I also wanted to talk to you and Y/N about something. Listen, I don't agree with Casey that you two would be a liability on this mission. He was out of line." " Don't worry. I get it. He thinks this whole thing with Jill get in the way of the mission. But he's wrong. I would never do that... again. Unless anything were to happen to Y/N again like last time." "Yeah and I've had my moments when something happens to Chuck. And that situation and Jill did upset me a lot." "Listen, guys , this isn't about you, it's Casey. Casey trained with Bennett for a long time, and when you have a mentor like that, a real trust develops between you, and Casey feels betrayed. I know it's hard, but maybe you two could cut him some slack." " Yeah, I guess I know how that feels." Chuck said as you nodded.

Later at work, Chuck saw that Casey was calling him and answered. "Hello?" " Hey, we just sent you an image of a van. Take a look at the plates, see if you flash on it." "Yeah. Yeah, yeah, of course. Absolutely. Whatever I can do to help. You know, I don't have it yet. It's probably a high-resolution photo. And my 3G connection gets interference in here sometimes." "Spare me the Nerd Herd crap. Get on it. If there's intel, we need it now!" " Hey, I thought you said the U. S. government got by just fine for 200 years without the Intersect?" "Listen, you insignificant little puke..." Chuck hanged up and laughed a little then realized what he did. Casey then decided to call you. "Hello?" "Your boyfriend hanged up on me. I need help. I'm sending you an image. See if you flash." You tried not to laugh when he told you Chuck hanged up on him. "Yeah...Yeah sure! Send it." You looked at the photo but no flash. "I got nothing. Sorry, no flash." " Thanks for wasting my time." Casey then hanged up. You just shook your head and then decided to call Chuck. "Hey sweetie!" Chuck greeted. "Hey babe! So...you hanged up on Casey?" "He called you?" "Yeah... needed me to flash on something. Didn't though so don't worry." "He's still going to kill me." "Yeah maybe..." "Thanks Y/N. You know you're supposed to be a supportive girlfriend here." Chuck said laughing a little. "I am!" you said giggling. Chuck looked up and saw someone coming down. "Oh listen baby, I got to let you go, think I got to deal with a customer." "No problem Chuck. See you after work?" "Of course." "Okay. Love you." "Love you too." Chuck finished, hanging up the phone.

"Excuse me. Can you tell me where I can find John Casey? I have something that belongs to him." The man asked Chuck, holding up a pen. It was Ty Bennett.

[wtffundiefamilies]

        @lifes-a-roofie-circle

Funny derick said that cause I'm pretty sure Jill missed during their first kiss lol

Ha, I didn’t notice that.  Hard to tell from that angle.  But I imagine it’s hard to land a kiss when being flipped over backwards so your husband can mark his territory.

@harkinianmahboi

I disagree with like 99.9999% of things that Derick says, and think he's an imbecile .  But...yeah, dude's pretty on point there.  Why do these folks make a huuuuge deal about "Oh, I hope we don't miss!"?  It's really not that difficult to press your lips together, people!

Right?!  How exactly DO you miss?!  And doesn’t it kind of kill the whole first moment and husband and wife thing if all you’re thinking about is performing for an audience?  I don’t get any of it.

@wannamamma

I'm so creeped out by jim bob being in the middle of them.

        hiimana

WHY DID JIM BOB STAY THERE?

My response to both of you is “Well, she’s still his property at this point.”

      @coffeeschoolbooks

When his dad asked him if he would give himself to her, I couldn't help but hear "are you going to put out?" 😂

I suspect when Jinger was asked that, the subtext was at least partially “Are you going to put out on demand?”

@taakemehoome

Isnt addie or ellie bates on the left

I don’t think so, though I see the resemblance.

        @19kidsandcountingon 

I’m not gonna lie… I really like that dress, though.

        @thechibi

The crown would work better in an outdoor wedding with a lot of greenery, but the main thing that sticks out is how her (Josie) dress doesn't 'go' with the wedding. Everyone has soft sheer type fabric w/ lace, all matte. Josie has stiff tulle w/ bright shimmer sequins... Sorry, former theater major & costume designer here... If someone presented that idea to me for a show, I'd send it back & say 'try again'. (& since their whole lives are basically a show...)

I agree with both of you.  I think the dress is really cute but it seems so out of place with every other bit of the wedding.

      @jenslyon

Jenni is often right. As of right now, she seems to be the oldest Duggar who still possesses a mind of her own.

Out of nowhere Hannie started seeming really subdued and depressed, just like Joy when puberty hit.  I guess the transition from “accepted tomboy and Daddy’s favorite little princess” to “another housemaid waiting for Prince Charming” isn’t a smooth one.  I hope that since Jenni’s expectations of her family seem super low to begin with, it won’t be as difficult for her and her “fuck this” attitude will remain.

@hpfundie

You know it probably is by now.  I bet they talk like they are providing exposition to the cameras all the time even when the cameras aren't there.

You’re probably right; I didn’t think of that.

@supermodelindisguise

Not going to lie. This will probably be me on my wedding day. I'll be in my dress walking around brushing my teeth. Haha

That’s very thoughtful of you!  I do see her point, it’s just...how many conversations about the wedding kiss do we need?  They ALL treat it like the most important part of a wedding.

        @redwhirlwind89

One of the many reasons I loathe the wedding episodes...we have to be not-so-subtly reminded of the Duggar brides' virginities about 50 times. How is it everyone in that family is a virginity fetishist?

It’s super-annoying to say the least.  It seems like the most important thing to everyone in the room, which is so fucking backwards.  I’m all in favor of people kissing, having sex, whatever, whenever they want to, whatever their marital status is; I get waiting.  But the epic amounts of importance they place on that pretty much above every other aspect of marriage is fucking weird.

@redwhirlwind89

I'm sorry, but it was at this point I began having my 'bad touch' senses tingle, as usual. And why a love message on a napkin? All I can think of is Jim Boob using that napkin for deplorable, unspeakable reasons later.

I think it’s meant for wiping his tears during the wedding, but I thought it was fucking strange as well.  Someone suggested it was another Pinterest idea, which seems likely.

wonderfullywicked 

Maybe Josie will surprise us all and be the one to ditch the family. She’s only 7 and yet she looked completely done with Michelle’s emotions when the NICU nurse was putting the crown on her before the wedding. Maybe someday she’ll get sick of her mother treating her like a fragile little doll or trying to keep her in baby mode.

Yeah, Josie seems to have a lot of self-confidence and doesn’t seem at all impressed with Michelle (which makes it doubly awesome to watch Michelle grovel for attention from her own “baby.”)  I’m more worried that Michelle won’t allow Josie to date while she’s alive.

      @redwhirlwind89

I love Jenni. The day she's sold in marriage I will be genuinely sad.

I can only hope that if she doesn’t want to be married, she’ll say “No, fuck you” and walk out on her parents.  Their approval has always seemed to mean less than nothing to her; let’s hope that sticks.

@harkinianmahboi

About damn time the sun rose for Bill.  Poor bastard needed a little pick-me up after Lenore...  Screw Jinger (I swear I wrote Jill at first...just goes to show how much I can't stand her and her narcissism) and Jeremy for trying to take that away from him!

HA.  I wonder how far Arlen is from Laredo...

@spurgie-cousin 

I wonder if Jim Bob makes a conscious effort to mix up the ‘wedding dress reveal’ compliments for his daughters or just has some tried-and-trues on reserve

I don’t think JimBob knows all that many words.

wu-tang-wu

Haha I love bates motel

I gave up for a couple of seasons but now that they’re back on track with it being based on the Psycho story, I’m back in.  I really think it should’ve been a mini-series or a couple of planned seasons without all the tangent plots, but I’m liking what I’ve seen of this season.

        hiimana

What weird vibes with jinger, do tell!

I just kinda get that overly-attached mom vibe from Jeremy’s mom.  Her interactions with Jinger seem just a little strained to me. 

      hiimana

Do y'all think Jeremy has read or watched game of thrones?

Huh, no idea.  He doesn’t seem super into fiction when it comes to books, so I doubt he’s read them, but no idea about the show.  I mean, he did have struggles with lust in the past; maybe some of that was tied to secular TV with frontal nudity.  (I’ve actually never seen the show, but I’ve heard there’s a lot of that going on.)

[that-soccer-guru]

obviously you really like sonny, and like same, but what is your opinion of her just as a player, without counting in her personality. do you think she actually is that good?

OH BOY ARE YOU GONNA GET ONE HELL OF AN ANSWER.

The short story is, yes, I absolutely think she is THAT good. And she's only going to get better.

Honestly I've praised her work ethic and evolving game in various posts here and there, but the truth is that I think Sonnett is one of the most versatile American defenders, and she's going to be great in any team she plays for. So, here we go

She's got a really good mind for defending. Before college she played as a forward but became a full time defender during her time in UVA. Of course it takes more than just having been a forward to know how to defend, but she can read the game really well. During her time in Portland she was key to their defense, and of course we saw the results of her not being there at all or the way the defense played when she was traded. She can be left as a last defender, because she knows how the space around her works and knows how to cut off plays (her sliding tackles are improving too and I love to see it)

She has a really creative mind for forward game for a defender. Sonny has good speed, her thru passes are very good, and when a coach trusts her to move up with the team, she delivers.

I also said it before but she has to be a NIGHTMARE to defend against in set pieces. Like if I had to be the defender who's assigned to cover her, I'd probably cry a bit. She's not exactly short? Standing at 5ft 7, homie is taller than me, but she's also not tall enough to be your first thought of a player that will put in a header. And yet we see her make crazy leaps in the air to score from corners and free kicks, and when she doesn't she has really swift feet to land one timers that come in at weird angles and are very hard to stop.

I don't think you can look at a player like Sonnett without taking their personality into account. A lot of people say she went to the WC as a hype man, and while I don't agree that that was her only role (because a first draft pick isn't just good for their hype. But Jill Ellis really had bird shit for brains sometimes), you can't deny that she did that job amazingly well. Sonnett was key in keeping up her team's spirits through a really mentally taxing tournament. Playing a world cup does a lot to your mental health and Sonnett always seemed to be there when her teammates needed a pick me up.

In Portland obviously she wasn't the captain or one of those players you think are The Leaders, but she was always part of the good vibe the team gave off. Once again think about that game that shall not be named. A good player is good at their job, a great player is good at playing and making sure the team around them is in a good place mentally.

So we have a defender with good speed, a very creative way to pass and make plays, good recovery game (!), dedication to improving her tackles and passes, a really good personality and a great ability to keep up the good spirits in her team, one hell of a nightmare to defend against in corners and set pieces, and to top it off, someone who's young enough to learn from the teams she plays for, and doesn't have any major injuries so far?

Yeah. Sonnett is just good and she's going to be AMAZING. Mark my words.

[witty-diagnosis]

Captain we got a leak

Well pucker up boys and girls this is gonna be a deep one, if you’re not interested and purely here for the movie reviews don’t worry I have one written out I’ll post soon, now onto a little update. So I moved back from uni, cool, I got most of my tattoo sleeve finished so I couldn’t bend my arm for a few days and am now peeling like a snake, wowzers, and I broke my fucking laptop in transit while my desktop is in storage so while comic con was on I couldn’t fucking post, what a bastard. So while Dota downloads on my sluggish as old yella level wifi I thought I’d post about a topic that is easy enough to talk about anonymously on the internet, well like one person might know me but it’s been like five years so who fucking cares. and that is how I go about handling my emotions and what appears to be the medias perception of it.

Now I am being bombarded with headspace ads telling me I need to take time out my day to stop thinking about everything as I’m laid spread on my bed just in my shorts barely focusing on the next video in my ever expanding playlist of horror movie breakdowns, maybe summing up the effort to grunt as I press the skip ad button. It could be dead meat, foundflix or spookyrice they’re all fair game for headspace. But the ad made me do a bit of research into how types of people try to handle emotions, and when it wasn’t articles telling me how, it was them telling me why, of course upbringing plays a roll. Growing up is when you learn to process your emotions and being in a home unsuitable for that leads to problems, ones I’ve personally experienced, little bit about me, my father is an alcoholic I haven’t seen in years my mother has had lifelong depression and anxiety and childhood problems and my twin sister is autistic, me I’m just cynical. But that had a profound effect on me, I struggle to open up to people to this day and I can’t cry in front of people, like not I won’t I can’t, I kind of shut down and become callous and rational with a dark sense of humour. And that had me wondering why this happens.

Now childhood aside I’m sure many people, possibly many of you have been or are in my situation, so I went big brain mode, frankly because I wanted to feel the touch of a keyboard again and found the obvious media influences. I mean a lifetime of being told to ‘man up’ isn’t going to do me any favours, the most in touch with my feminine side I am is when I hug my girlfriend. But look at media, when does it ever show men crying, deaths and births and losing or winning championships in football or whatever, so you’re either dealing with loss of a loved one or something you’ve worked your entire life for, or the achievement of a lifetime or birth of your offspring. And what do they do when they cry at losing or winning their lifes work, the thing that drives them, that motivates them and why they wake up, the media insults them for it, calls them crybabies and weak and that it’s heartbreaking and all that other shit. So you achieved your dream, you succeded at something people told you you would fail at, and you’re not allowed to be overjoyed? No wonder so many kids are all kinds of fucked nowadays, not even allowed to take pride in their achievements.

Now lets look at women and girls too, it’s only fair. Now socially we have moved on a tiny little bit from females being the percieved emotional anchor of the household, I mean after all my mother seemed to cut the chain to my household at childbirth. But perceptions are still similar to what they were years ago, I mean take the womens world cup recently, it was phenomanal, America winning pissed me off but that’s because I’m english and they took us out. It felt like the big event it should’ve been, and personally I want women’s premier league in fifa as soon as possible. So the main focus of that final, it wasn’t america winning and Netherlands losing, it wasn’t the expansion to 32 teams next world cup, no it was Megan Rapinoe and her response to Trump saying she won’t go to the White House, now I don’t blame her being he is a huge dick and I respect someone for standing up to their values, but the sheer focus on this response, it being emotional, and what it was called by some as ludicrous and insulting to America and such because it wasn’t what was expected. No what was expected was tears everywhere when the American team won, just crying all over, and tears when they got back and tears when they meet president tosspot. There was genuine questions on commentary when it showed Rapinoe and Jill Ellis hugging but not crying, in fact they said “and the tears are flowing... not with these 2 but they will be soon.” assuming that Ellis, who had already won one fucking world cup had any doubt she could do it again, or possibly one of the most successful women’s football players of all time doubting her abilities. So in this occassion it was flipped, they were berated for not getting teary eyed, some newspapers (thanks Sun) calling them egomaniacs and arrogant for having faith in abilities that have won them it 3 times before. So while men can’t cry because they’ll be called weak if women do then that’s fine but when they don’t is the problem, that makes them big headed and arrogant, y’know not incredibly successful and talented. 

It doesn’t matter what gender you are, the influence that has on people, especially kids who take everything in is massive, You shouldn’t need to hold back anything when you achieve something, cry, smile do whatever you’re feeling, achieving something is achieving something, it ignores gender and sexuality and all that stuff, it doesn’t care about that stuff, the american women’s team won because they were that good, Liverpool won the champions league because they were that good, Rocky beat Appolo Creed, Million Dollar baby was sad but she won, Nyla rose is making waves for transgender wrestlers in AEW as is Sonny Kiss for homosexuals, I mean he’s fun to as hell to watch. The way emotions are handled are dictated by upbringing and that’s how it’ll always be, and ‘man up’ and ‘big girls don’t cry’ is still out there, it had a huge effect on me personally as I’m sure it did on many other people but thankfully it’s slowly dying down, I’m not saying it’s okay for people to randomly burst out crying in the streets, please be considerate to others and let’s not take it too far, but maybe like headspace, take a few minutes each night, maybe lay down, blast some low-fi chill revision mix and take some time to unpack what’s bothering you, figure out a rational way to work around it, being an emotional person isn’t an excuse for irrational actions that cause yourself and others harm, act like an adult and adress the problems in yourself then resolve them in real life. Because you’ll get nowhere fast if you leave problems you can solve unnatended, it’s like lighting a firework and expecting it to not go off, just because people can be arseholes doesn’t mean you should be, being a good person feels good, it’s emotianally rewarding even if you don’t recieve thanks, just remember there’s being nice then there’s just a litte too far then there’s slow down buddy. And hell adressing that problem can be your first achievment and you should be proud.

Anyway guys I went a little, or a lot off topic there but I hope this helped a bit, it’s nice having the tactile keys of a keyboard back and aleviating some boredom while proving that yes I am fact still alive, anyways I’ll post that review in a couple of days so see you guys soon.

[biofunmy]

U.S. Storms Past Sweden, Posting Third Straight World Cup Shutout

LE HAVRE, France — How nice it must feel to go through 10 days at a major tournament without experiencing a single moment of anxiety.

What a luxury it is to be able to treat the group stage of a World Cup as a week-and-a-half long warm-up exercise.

That has been the reality for the United States women’s soccer team, which pummeled its first two opponents in this round, Thailand and Chile, by a combined score of 16-0. The Americans’ final group game Thursday against Sweden, some thought, would be the moment when the tournament really began for the United States.

But then it really didn’t. Sweden didn’t seem up for a challenge. It didn’t need to be. Both teams already had qualified for the knockout stage. And so the United States cruised to a 2-0 win in the Stade Océane and left wondering when the first real speed bump might come.

“When you come out of the group stage, a lot of what we talk about it mentality and being healthy,” Coach Jill Ellis said about her players, “and I think they’re in a really good place.”

For the Americans and their fans, this has been a blissful month, free from despair and tension. For the first time, the United States did not allow a single goal during the group stage. It also set a new World Cup record for group stage goals, with 18.

But for neutral observers, so far, the United States perhaps has been almost too good to be interesting. Potential narratives, bits of drama, have been tossed their way — about the team, around Thursday’s game — but none seemed to stick.

Would Ellis order her players to back off in the game to avoid a potential meeting with France in the quarterfinals? She has been asked that question almost every time she was made available to speak with reporters from the moment she stepped on French soil.

Or another one: Did the American women have demons to exorcise? Sweden, after all, had eliminated the United States from the 2016 Olympics in the quarterfinal round, the earliest exit ever for the American women at a major tournament.

But the plot lines fell flat, in part because the Swedes did not play along. Coach Peter Gerhardsson made seven changes to his starting lineup and gave four players their World Cup debuts. Afterward, he implied that he was resting players to prepare for the round of 16.

“We know that we have another match on Monday, a knockout match, and that’s the match that’s the most important one,” Gerhardsson said. “When we looked at the plan for the match and how to go about it, we didn’t think in advance that it was important to end up first or second in the group.”

After the game, a French journalist asked Ellis if she would have preferred having played a tough game during the group stage.

“I think you’re not giving enough credit to the opponent we played today,” she said.

But the truth was that the Americans dominated. They had 58 percent of possession and repeatedly snatched the ball off the feet of the Swedes. And whatever suspense there could have been was snapped like a twig before all the fans had found their seats.

In the third minute, Megan Rapinoe skipped a corner kick from the left side toward the near post, where Sam Mewis came toward the ball before letting it run through her legs. Lindsey Horan was making a zigzagging run through the penalty area, and by the time the ball bounced into a small opening in front of the goal, Horan had shed her defender and was free to tap it in.

The Americans’ second goal came in the 50th minute, when Sweden’s defense failed to clear a cross from the left side, letting the ball fall to the feet of Tobin Heath, who measured out a tiny opening of space and drilled a shot through it. The ball deflected off defender Jonna Andersson’s left foot, launched into the air like a skier off a ramp, and looped into the net. The goal, initially credited to Heath, was later changed to an own goal.

The next team that will try its best to make the United States sweat will be Spain. The teams will meet Monday in Reims for a round-of-16 match that Rapinoe said would present an unusual sort of challenge.

“Spain plays a different style than a lot of women’s teams play,” Rapinoe said, “They’re obviously very good in possession, with more of that tiki-taka style. If you don’t play against that a lot, it’s difficult.”

For a moment on Thursday, it felt as if injuries might provide some intrigue. Midfielder Julie Ertz sat out the match as she nursed a hip contusion. And Alex Morgan, the team’s starting center forward, was pulled off the field at halftime after taking an awkward spill around the 30th minute that left her limping.

But both players were all smiles after the game. Ertz said the decision to keep her out was just a precaution. Morgan declined to stop to speak to reporters, but she called out, “I’m O.K., thank you,” as she hustled into the locker room.

There was no reason to worry, after all.

At the final whistle, the players hugged. The fans stood and waved their flags. But from an emotional standpoint, it all felt a bit tame.

There had been no real tension. So of course there was no real release.

Andrew Das tracked the game live. Read on for a recap of how the United States defeated Sweden.

90’

Lloyd misses a chance to seal it!

That would have been the cherry on top: Lloyd slipping behind the Swedish defense for a free shot at Lindahl, but she hits it straight at the goalkeeper, who parries.

The chance is cleared but with the seven minutes of added time we just got, it’s surely not the last one we’ll see.

81’

What’s next for the U.S. and Sweden if this score holds?

A win or a tie gives the United States first place in Group F and a date with Spain in Reims on Monday (noon Eastern) in the round of 16. That will please the tourism office in Reims, which Andrew Keh noted today already has enjoyed a United States fan invasion once in this World Cup. The news may be less good for Spain, for obvious reasons.

The game looming beyond that is the one that everyone is talking about, however. It’s the one that everyone has talked about since the draw in December, actually: United States vs. France, the host nation, in the quarterfinals. It’s a game worthy of a final, and someone will be very unhappy to lose it. But a draw’s a draw.

As the group runner-up in this scenario, Sweden would get the second-place finisher in Group E, likely Canada or the Netherlands. It’s not an easy matchup by any means, but it’s probably a more favorable than running into France.

(Reminder: Sweden can flip that entire script with a win tonight, in which case it will play Spain — and then maybe France. A tie won’t do it, because of the Americans’ vastly superior goal difference in the group stage.)

73’

Brief delay for a head injury; Bjorn is down.

Sweden with a well-worked switch ends up with a cross, which O’Hara clears. But only after clanging heads with Bjorn in the center. She’s down, but soon rises and walks off.

Sadly, her treatment there appears to be the old, “You O.K.?” concussion test we all know well, and she sprints back on.

63’

Christen Press coming on for Rose Lavelle.

Press, so good against Chile, replaces Lavelle, who was surprisingly sturdy and effective running the attack tonight.

Seger goes off for Sweden at the same time; that’s both captains now gone from this game.

Press, by the way, immediately took up a position ahead of Rapinoe, Lloyd and Heath. She might get that first goal she’s been seeking. Though it’s hard not to think that the United States doesn’t regret adding a second through all of its pressure.

A single mistake and the good feelings will fade.

60’

Naeher quietly stares down another test.

The game has been moving away from her, but it’s worth noting that Alyssa Naeher has faced a couple of tough spots — three or four — and has handled each one. That’s good news for Ellis headed into the knockouts, since Naeher didn’t have much to do in the United States’ first two games.

51’

That’s gone down as an own goal, actually.

Andersson, who deflected it, is credited with an own goal, but make no mistake: that’s only a goal because of Heath.

50’

GOALLL! Heath doubles the U.S. leads with a rocket!

That came out of nowhere. An attack crumbles but the clearance was cycled to Rapinoe on the left. She drove a cross to Lloyd, who appeared offside, and it was cleared on to Heath at the back post.

She froze Andersson there, then with one quick motion pushed the ball right and roofed it — with the help of a deflection — over Lindahl.

(There’s a delay for video review, surely to check Lloyd’s contribution to the play, but the goal stands.)

46’

Well that’s interesting: Lloyd on, Morgan off.

Unclear if Morgan picked up an injury — she did get kicked one — but Lloyd takes her place to start the second half. Kind of a nice card to play if you’re Jill Ellis: Lloyd is a former world player of the year, and she has three goals in this tournament through two games.

No subs for Sweden.

Halftime

United States 1, Sweden 0

Sweden forced Naeher into a diving punch with a cross in added time, but it feels like 1-0 isn’t an accurate reflection of how well the United States controlled that half. They set the pace. They had the best chances, the best crosses. When they lost the ball, they just took it right back.

About the only thing that didn’t go better was the score. Sweden will be pleased to get a chance to regroup, and the get 15 minutes away from that ball-hawking pressure. But there will probably be more. And remember: Jill Ellis has fresh legs (Christen Press, Carli Lloyd< Mallory Pugh) straining to get into this one.

38’

Sweden has six substitutes warming up. Changes coming at halftime?

Jakobsson and Asllani just had a nice exchange to get around the corner on the right wing, but Sweden — despite a couple of shots — has not been able to get out from under the unrelenting U.S. pressure.

Is Coach Peter Gerhardsson thinking about a switch at halftime? Who knows? But Jakobsson just stripped Dunn and rocketed a shot over the crossbar, so maybe Sweden’s players sense they better get something going.

25’

Ball after ball scorched into the center.

The purpose that has made the United States the standout team of the group stage is on full display. Every ball is hit with intent, with power, with pace. Heath. Lavelle. Rapinoe. Mewis. All of them. They just look … dangerous. But the other thing about that kind of willful mentality — which has not been on display as completely even among the best teams here in France — is that players off the ball expect it.

Every ball is dangerous because there’s always someone running near post, or back post, or down the center channel, to meet it if it arrives.

20’

Can the U.S. maintain this pace?

Yes, they’re winning every ball. Yes, they controlling it from sideline to sideline. But 90 minutes is a long time, and as the pace slows a bit here midway through the half, one can sense the Americans know going pedal to the pedal might have it own risks.

As if on cue, Sweden presses through Asllani, who fires a shot at Naeher from the right. She smothers that one just like the earlier one.

13’

Hey look: Sweden is playing too!

Stina Blackstenius, the until-now-lonely center forward, takes Sweden’s first shot. But it’s from nearly 30 yards and, while hit with power, Naeher sees it all the way and smothers it.

Oddly, that might have been her first tough save of the tournament.

7’

No letup. The United States is all over Sweden.

Dunn fires a shot from the edge of the area after Ertz and Lavelle both win the ball in midfield as Sweden somehow, some way tries to get control of the game. Ellis clearly sent her team out breathing fire, and it’s showing.

The U.S. also is racing forward whenever it can and stretching Sweden to its limit by switching the ball. They’re trying to pull open the middle for Morgan. Might just be a matter of time.

3’

GOAL!!!! Wow. A stunning start and a goal for Horan.

The U.S. won its first corner off some early pressure, and it looked as if Rapinoe had wasted it with a bouncing ball to the near post. But Sam Mewis reached for it and no one touched it until Lindsey Horan stabbed it in from 2 yards.

Atrocious defending for the Swedes — several players and Lindahl just let the ball careen through the goal mouth — and a great start for the U.S. The goal was almost a carbon copy of Horan’s first of the tournament, against Thailand.

1’

U.S. on the front foot early

Lavelle and Morgan took the opening kickoff and just started dribbling upfield. That’s quite the message: here we come. We dare you to stop us.

Even when the U.S. lost the ball, their pressure was apparent. They want it.

The starting lineups: Back to the regulars (except one)

Jill Ellis used Sunday’s game against Chile to make sure that every field player she brought to France could go home and say, “I got to play.” But Sweden, and the knockout games that will come next, require her A team. So that’s what she has run out there, with one exception:

Julie Ertz is out with a hip problem that U.S. Soccer says isn’t serious — “We had to chain her to the bench to keep her out of this,” one official said — but it is serious enough that it’s causing her to miss an important World Cup game.

So our official analysis is: ¯_(ツ)_/¯.

Her role will be filled by Sam Mewis, who scored twice in the American’s opening game. Expect her to be the more defensively focused member of the U.S. midfield, allowing Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle to maraud. (UPDATE: Horan has dropped at times to allow Mewis and Lavelle to push forward.)

The lineups:

United States lineup: Alyssa Naeher; Crystal Dunn, Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper, Kelley O’Hara; Samantha Mewis, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle; Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan (captain), Tobin Heath.

Sweden lineup: Hedvig Lindahl; Nathalie Bjorn, Amanda Ilestedt, Linda Sembrant, Jonna Andersson; Julia Zigiotti, Caroline Seger (captain), Kosovare Asllani; Sofia Jakobsson, Stina Blackstenius, Olivia Schough.

Our referee tonight is Russian: Anastasia Pustovoytova.

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