Barca, Gunners, and Liverpool fanatic | 26 | Aus đŠđș | âšRequests open âš
Last active 60 minutes ago
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Text
đ¶ One-Nil to the Arsenal đ¶

happy uwcl win monthsary to all my fellow gooners who celebrate đ«¶
still so surreal i was able to witness this live đ„č can you believe, my first ever arsenal game and we win the champions league omg. such a special team
29 notes
·
View notes
Text
Terminal tantrums | Steph Catley x Reader
5k celebration prompt: âThey get their stubbornness from you.â
Woso masterlist | Words: 1.5k
-----
Usually the flight from London to Australia was the toughest with your three year old, but you had been lucky this time around. With an early flight out, you and Steph had managed to get her onto the airplane while sleeping, and once she woke up on the flight, she had been happy to watch a movie in your lap.
However, for todayâs flight that same luck did not seem to be on your side. While the flight was going to be a lot shorter, it would be after she had her nap at the hotel, meaning that your girl would be wide awake and full of energy.
âNo shoes.â She said when Steph sat down to put her shoes on. âBubba, we need shoes to go to the airport.â Your wife tried again. âNo!â She yelled back with tears threatening to fall down her cheeks, and a shaking bottom lip. You really didnât have time for a tantrum so Steph decided to give in temporarily. âOkay Bubba, no shoes on the bus, but when we get to the airport you will wear your shoes.â
You came walking back into the room after dropping off your bags downstairs and looked at the shoes in Stephâs hands, the shoes she was going to put on your daughter while you took the bags downstairs. âDonât ask.â Steph said with a slightly frustrated sigh.Â
With a light chuckle, you say, âShe gets her stubbornness from you.â Steph gives you a look that screams, stop talking now or I'm going to be upset. You try to hide your smile as you lean in to kiss her cheek.
When you got onto the bus with the rest of the team, your daughter quickly found her way to Alannaâs lap. âHey kiddo! Sitting with me today?â The defender said with a smile, your daughter responded by nodding her head eagerly. She loved her fellow Aussies a lot, she had grown up with most of them by her side at every Matildaâs camp, and you were just so lucky to have so many amazing aunties for your daughter.
The bus ride to the airport went smoothly, Alanna seemed to be enough of a distraction for your daughter to enjoy the trip without anything needed from you or Steph. When the driver parked the bus, you walked up to Alannaâs seat with your daughterâs shoes in hand. Her eyes widened when she saw what you were holding. âItâs shoe time, Bubs.â She shook her head so quickly that her hair was moving all over the place. Before you could say anything Alanna spoke up. âLook, Iâm wearing shoes too, donât you want to match Auntie Lani?â
That seemed to do the trick, as she nearly ripped the shoes out of your hands as she stood up on Alannaâs lap. You mouthed a âthank youâ to her and walked back to grab the rest of your stuff.Â
âHow did you get her to do that so quickly?â Steph asked in disbelieve when you were back so soon. âI wish I could take the credit, but it was all Lani.â Either way, you were glad that it worked and that she would be wearing her shoes now.
By the time you had arrived at your gate, your daughter had enough of all the waiting around. She pulled her hand out of your grip and ran off towards the window, while you put your bag down on one of the chairs. âNot so fast!â You called after her. Her legs might be little, but your girl could sprint just as well as her mum.Â
âMama plane!â She yelled out as she pointed to the plane that was stationed to the gate next to yours. You smiled at her enthusiasm despite having been on more planes than she could count up to, âYeah! Weâre going on one that looks like that too. Are you excited?â She nodded, âYes!âÂ
Patience was not your daughterâs strong suit. She had sat at the window looking out over the moving airplanes for maybe five minutes, when she decided that she was over it. âHi Bubs.â You said as she jumped onto your lap and hugged you tight. âMama, where Harper?â You brushed some hair out of her face. âHarper is a little sick, remember? She stayed at the hotel with her mommy.â Your daughter pouted, âBut I want to play.âÂ
Steph stepped towards the both of you and said, âDid I hear someone would like to play?â Your daughterâs face lit up, âMe! Me!â She picked her up from your lap and placed her down on the ground. âYou better start running then because⊠tag youâre it!â Steph poked her finger to your daughterâs shoulder and started jogging off, your daughter running after her giggling.
You watch them run around with each other giggling, and then your daughter runs right to you. Thinking she was done playing tag, you open your arms for a hug, but at the last second you see the mischief in her eyes. She pokes your leg and runs off, âYou're it!â She yells.Â
There is no choice but to start running with them. A few of the girls joined in as well, much to the delight of your little girl. She had the biggest smile on her face as she was running around the gate with her moms and aunties.
Just as you were all sitting back down again to catch your breaths, it was announced over the intercom that your flight would be delayed. Nothing you weren't used to by now, so you got out some snacks to make waiting feel less long.
âNo, me no want.â Your daughter said with crossed arms. âBubs, after all that you have to eat something.â With her arms still crossed she counters. âMe eat candy and ice cream only.âÂ
âBut big girls that want to be strong need to eat food like this. Just like Mommy and me, and all your aunties.â She seemed to be slightly more open to the snack now. Just one final push, you thought. âHow about you go find one of your aunties to share your snack with?âÂ
That seemed to do the trick. Well at least make her take it from you. She walked around, trying to find the auntie she wanted to share it with. Finally she stopped in front of Caitlin with the bag held out in front of her. âMe share.â
Caitlin chuckled, âAlright munchkin, come here.â She picked her up and put her down on her lap. They shared the snacks, Caitlin secretly giving your daughter more than herself. But she was content for a bit again, and even kept sitting in Caitlin's lap for a while after the snacks were done.
Waiting for a three year old was never easy, so eventually she slipped off Caitlin's lap as well. âWe go now.â She said as she grabbed her bag from the bench and walked over to the bridge.
âWe can't yet, Bubs.â You say as you walk after her. âYes, plane now.â She tries to walk further, but you grab her by her hand to hold her back. âI wish we could, but the plane is not ready yet.â
âPlane is there, me go on it.â She said, stomping her feet on the ground. âWe can't. We have to wait a bit longer.â Your daughter shook her head. âNo, now!â
âCome on, we're gonna sit and wait until it's ready. It's very important for the plane to be all good, so it's safe for us to fly.â You pick her up from the ground. While you lift her she starts screaming, crying, and kicking her legs. You hold her tight to your body, hoping to reduce the kicking. âIt's okay, Bubs, the plane will be ready soon. Mama promises.âÂ
The crying didn't stop for a while, you wanted to fix it for her, but you knew only getting on the plane would do that right now and you didn't have control over that. You wish you could explain it in a way that she would be able to understand, so that it wouldnât be that frustrating for her, but you knew that in her mind the plane was there and she wouldnât be able to grasp that they needed some time to work on it.
When the plane was finally ready and they announced the first boarding call, the girls were quick to let your family be the first to board the plane.
âBubba, the plane is ready!â Steph says while she grabs your passports and tickets. âAre you ready?â She nods eagerly, her cheeks still stained with tears. Steph wipes the tears away, and presses a kiss to her forehead. âAlright, come on.âÂ
Steph gives your daughter her own ticket so she can show it to the employee to board. With your bags, you follow Steph and your daughter onto the plane.
-----
đ If you enjoyed this fic, please consider liking, commenting, and reblogging! You can also support me by leaving a tip đ
299 notes
·
View notes
Text
You go to your cousins wedding in Spain, and you catch the eye of the Alexia Putellas, she unintentionally becomes your plus one
Wordcount: 12.6k
You're standing in the queue at Heathrow, passport in hand, half-asleep and already regretting the jeans you chose. Itâs too early to be alive, and your little brother has been humming the same four bars of a song for the past ten minutes. Loudly off-key.
Your mum's elbow nudges you in the ribs. Not hard, but enough to knock you out of your daze.
âThisâll do you good,â she says in that gently smug way she does when sheâs convinced sheâs right about something. âA bit of sunshine. A bit of space.â
You sigh and donât reply, you know exactly what sheâs getting at. She doesn't mention her name, your ex, but the meaning is clear. A change of scenery, to get you out of your 'mood.' As if Catalonian air can magic away the sting of being ghosted by someone you thought you were building something with.
You blink down at your boarding pass. Terminal 5. Gate B42. Barcelona.
âShe wasnât right for you anyway,â your mum continues, adjusting her sunglasses on top of her head. âAlways seemed a bit⊠slippery, that one. Eyes like a fox.â
âMum,â you say, through gritted teeth.
âWhat? Iâm just saying. Bit of flirt, wasnât she?â
âShe literally met you twice.â
âExactly.â
Your dad, mercifully, steps in before the conversation spirals into a psychoanalysis of your entire romantic history.
âLetâs not start the holiday with an inquisition, yeah?â he says, dragging your youngest brother out from behind a pillar where heâs been attempting to lick the marble for reasons unknown.
You glance around at your family two younger brothers already wrestling each other, your dad with travel pillow marks on his face, your mum clutching everyone's passports like the Queen of Organisation and you, heart slightly bruised, clothes slightly rumpled, off to a Spanish wedding that promises at least one full-blown breakdown yours or your cousinâs fiancĂ©, youâre not sure yet.
Carmen is a professional footballer, espresso snob, and absolute beast at board games has been around for years. From the moment your cousin Ben introduced her at that bonfire party, you liked her. Sheâs sharp, a bit sarcastic, and surprisingly sweet when no oneâs looking. Youâve had your fair share of deep chats with her during family holidays, usually while Benâs off being loud somewhere nearby with your brothers and his own.
Youâd even go as far as to call her a friend now one of the good ones. The kind of person who sends you memes at 2am and somehow remembers your favourite wine. Youâve never watched her play football, though. You always promised you would, and she always shrugged and said she understood you didn't get the appeal.
Apparently, several of Carmenâs teammates are flying in for the wedding. Some big names, your brothers are already buzzing about maybe meeting actual professional athletes. You couldnât care less.
Well. Thatâs what you tell yourself, but somewhere in the back of your mind, curiosity stirs you've seen the players they've been showing your mum they hope go because they have questions they want to ask.
As the plane begins boarding, your mum gives your arm a little squeeze. âYouâre going to have fun, love. Youâll see.â
You nod, but youâre not so sure. Youâre jetting off to a country where you can only ask where the library is, to watch someone else marry a woman of his dreams after a lengthy relationship while yours just fell apart.
Still, the thought of warm air, Carmenâs familiar face, and a weekend away from everything you know? That has a certain appeal.
Maybe youâll flirt badly with a local waitress. Maybe youâll dance with a stranger. Maybe, just maybe, youâll learn to say something more useful in Spanish than 'DĂłnde estĂĄ la biblioteca?'
You file onto the plane with your family, shuffle into your seat, and try not to think too hard, your ear phones go in and you edit some posts and reels for your instagram account.
âïž
Youâre sat by the pool, legs crossed, laptop in front of you more for show than function. You told yourself youâd catch up on a few things before the garden party tonight, maybe answer some emails, but the screenâs been idle for ages. The cursor just blinks, smugly, while your brain drifts off somewhere warmer than home but not quite relaxed either.
Your jumper lies in a crumpled heap behind you, abandoned the second you stepped into the sun. Itâs still got the faint scent of Heathrow on it, rain, recycled air, something sterile. At 4:30 this morning, it had felt like a good decision, now, sitting under a Mediterranean sky in a soft cotton co-ord bralette the same pale grey-blue as your joggers and jumper you feel more put together than you intended.
The pool in front of you glitters in the heat, somewhere beyond the villa walls, a lawn mower hums faintly. Inside, you can hear your mum trying to figure out the coffee machine, and the boys are already arguing over whoâs getting top bunk in the guest house.
Then a shadow falls across your laptop.
You look up.
âHola, guapa.â Carmen smiles down at you, barefoot, sun kissed, effortlessly relaxed. Sheâs wearing a loose white shirt tied at the waist and denim shorts that somehow make her look like a travel ad. Her hair is up in a knot and thereâs a soft flush to her cheeks, sun or excitement, youâre not sure which.
You return the smile and reach up as she leans down for a hug, the kind that lingers just a second longer than polite. Familiar, warm. She's always hugged like she means it.
âHey,â you say, settling back again. âYou ready?â
She sits on the edge of the lounger next to you, dragging a towel across her lap like she might actually get in the water but never does, âIâm nervous,â she admits, shielding her eyes from the sun. âBut I just want it to happen already, you know? Then also... I want everything to slow down. Like, I want to bottle this part.â
You nod, understanding more than you expected to. âYeah. Youâve waited ages for this.â
âNineteen months,â she says, pulling a face. âBenâs been counting like heâs on parole.â
You laugh softly. âItâll all be perfect. You two are kind of annoyingly great together.â
Carmen tilts her head. âYou think so?â
âYeah,â you say honestly. âYouâre weird in exactly the same ways. It works.â
She lets out a breath and smiles again, this time softer. âIâm glad youâre here.â
âI wouldnât miss it.â
You mean it, too. Whateverâs been clinging to you since the breakup, the weird quietness you carry around like a second skin, it feels lighter here. Carmen has always been easy to talk to, the kind of person who doesnât need you to be funny or impressive. She just gets it and you like her for that.
âThereâs a garden thing tonight,â she says, standing and brushing invisible specks of dust off her knees. âFamily and friends. Chill drinks, some food. Nothing fancy, but come down, yeah? Everyoneâs arriving.â
You blink up at her, briefly thrown. âWhat, like... everyone everyone?â
âNot all at once,â she grins. âBut enough. My parents, your gran, Benâs work mates, some of my teammates and friends... itâll be good vibes. You might even enjoy yourself.â
You groan lightly and flop back onto the lounger. âIâll come if I can wear something that doesnât involve a bra.â
âTotally allowed,â she calls over her shoulder, already walking away. âItâs Spain. No one cares.â
You watch her disappear through the French doors and then glance back at your screen. You close the laptop.
You lean back, eyes closed, face to the sky, the breeze carries the scent of jasmine and the sound of familiar voices starting to gather, you just hoped you had an outfit you liked yourself in for tonight
âïž
The villaâs garden is bathed in early evening light, all golden edges and long shadows. Lanterns sway gently between olive trees, and fairy lights snake along the trellises like fireflies caught in ivy. The air is warm, sweet with something citrusy, and the music is low just enough to make people sway slightly as they talk.
Youâre holding a glass of white wine and trying not to wobble in your heels on the uneven stone path. The dress you threw on soft blue with little embroidered daisies moves just enough when you walk to make you feel like you made the right choice. Youâve even got mascara on, minimal effort, but effort was made.
You spot Carmen deep in conversation near the buffet, her hands moving animatedly. Benâs nearby, already slightly tipsy and laughing with his best mate. Thereâs an easy glow to everything, like this moment might belong in someoneâs memory forever.
You wander a little, sipping your wine, exchanging polite hellos with people you half-recognise from photos. Some of them are Carmen's family, some are her friends. Some are very clearly footballers, youâre not sure which is more intimidating the ones who look like they bench-press you for breakfast, or the ones who are stunning in a terrifying, should be model kind of way.
Then someone taps your arm. âHey! There you are.â
You turn and grin immediately. âPatri!â
Patri Guijarro pulls you into a hug, warm and soft. Sheâs in a flowy dress and trainers, and somehow still looks like she could outrun everyone here. Youâd met her on the English hen do a couple of months ago, after a lot of prosecco and an aggressively chaotic karaoke session. She was surprisingly funny, soft-spoken, and spent half the night teasing Carmen lovingly in Spanish you didnât understand.
âYou look good,â she says, in accented but clear English.
âYou too,â you reply. âI almost didnât recognise you without a disco ball behind your head.â
She laughs. âThat club was scary.â
âYeah,â you say. âIâm still recovering emotionally.â
You drift into easy conversation, she asks about your flight, your family, your job and you ask about training, the wedding prep you knew she'd been heavily involved in, how Carmenâs been holding up. Itâs the kind of chat that soothes your nervous system, friendly, just what you needed.
Your eyes wander absently across the garden, and pause and there she is. Leaning against the low stone wall, just beyond the lanterns talking to someone, holding a drink, dressed in something simple and sleeveless. Her hairâs tied up in a lazy knot, and thereâs a single gold chain around her neck catching the last of the light.
She looks over, itâs not dramatic, itâs not slow motion, no string quartet starts playing but she meets your eyes like really meets them and you smile. Purely instinctively, the polite kind polished, low-stakes, casual.
She doesnât smile back exactly but she doesnât look away either.
Thereâs a beat too long that passes and you start to wonder if youâre supposed to say something. Raise your glass? Nod? Then she looks away, quickly, like someone just called her name.
You blink, flustered. Not visibly, but enough that your chest flickers like someone lit a match inside it. You glance at Patri, whoâs still talking, oblivious. You nod along, try to focus, but your eyes drift back to the stone wall.
Alexia is still there, only now sheâs half-turned, back toward you, someoneâs laughing beside her. Sheâs not looking your way, but something about her shoulders, the slight stiffness, makes you wonder. Did she actually blush or was it just the heat and your imagination.
âïž
You're sat at a long wooden table under the vines, plates scattered with half-eaten tapas patatas bravas, olives, jamĂłn, little toasted things you canât pronounce but keep eating anyway. Your youngest brother is trying to stack anchovy tins, your dadâs telling a story youâve already heard twice today, and the wine is just beginning to buzz behind your eyes in that soft, slow way that makes everything feel slightly tilted and golden.
Youâre halfway through a garlic prawn when someone crouches beside you, lightly pressing a hand to your arm.
Itâs Carmen. âHey,â she says, voice just for you, eyes dancing a little. âAlexia just asked me about you.â
You pause mid-chew, swallow and sip your wine. âWhoâs Alexia?â you ask casually, glancing at her over the rim of your glass.
Carmenâs eyebrows lift like sheâs caught you in a lie. âYou donât know who Alexia is?â
You shake your head. âI donât follow womenâs football. I barely watch your team.â
She snorts. âYouâre the only person at this wedding who doesnât know her name. Thatâs kind of amazing.â
You raise an eyebrow, half amused. âIs that a good thing?â
âIt might be,â she says, smirking.
Then she tilts her head, just slightly, and gestures subtle, practiced. Her fingers barely move, but your eyes follow the motion across the garden and there she is. Gold chain, sleeveless dress, that same loose knot in her hair. Sheâs standing by the drinks table now, laughing softly at something someone said, a glass of red wine in hand. The twilightâs catching on her collarbones, her expression is relaxed but not careless like someone used to being watched but never quite performing.
âThatâs Alexia,â Carmen murmurs. You try not to stare, so you look back at Carmen instead, Carmen grins. âShe noticed you before.â
You make a noncommittal sound and jab your fork at a tomato, trying not to overthink whatever it is you're feeling.
âShe asked if you spoke Spanish,â Carmen adds, watching you closely now. âSaid you looked pretty in that dressâ
You scoff, âClearly this dress is doing more for me than I realised.â
Carmen nudges your knee with hers. âDonât act cool. She never asks about people. Ever.â
You glance across the garden again.
Alexiaâs not looking sheâs talking to a group, but her bodyâs turned slightly in your direction like sheâs ready to glance at any second. âShe doesnât speak great English,â Carmen adds.
âPerfect,â you say. âNeither do I when Iâve had wine.â
Carmen laughs and squeezes your shoulder before standing. âYouâre going to talk to her later.â
âIâm really not.â
âYou are,â she says over her shoulder. âSheâs already asked your name.â
You blink down at your wine glass, then glance back at Alexia, who, as if summoned, briefly lifts her eyes again and catches yours.
Just for a second and this time, youâre sure, she blushes or maybe itâs the wine. You've had too much wine yourself to be sure you decide.
âïž
Youâre walking past the lower terrace with a family friend, Sarah, one of your aunt's old uni mates, whoâs halfway through telling you about her latest yoga retreat in Lisbon when you hear your name float across the garden.
âHey!â Carmenâs voice, light but deliberate.
You turn instinctively. Sheâs seated at a low table with a small group, mostly women tall, tanned, athletic, all with that relaxed energy that makes you suddenly aware of how you're walking. Her arm lifts, hand up in a beckoning wave, fingers curled in a âcome hereâ gesture that gives you no real choice.
âSorry,â you murmur to Sarah. âThe bride beckonsâ
Carmenâs already smiling as you approach, her eyes a little too pleased with themselves. âSit,â she says, standing just long enough to take your hand and pull you gently down next to her, casual, in that way she gets when sheâs playing matchmaker. However this time instead of you watching amused, you were the target. Youâre suddenly very aware of how close you are to every woman around the small table.
Carmen doesnât give you time to panic. âPatri, you remember Y/N from my hen do right.â
You smile, already knowing exactly where this is going. You glance at Patri, whoâs mid-laugh, holding a beer with her elbow resting on the back of her chair. "Yeah, we caught up before"
You catch Carmen looking at someone over your shoulder, her eyes flicking but before you can glance around, she clears her throat.
âOh,â she says, like it just occurred to her. âHave you met Alexia?â
You turn and there she is, right next to you. You hadn't realised, somehow sheâd been quiet, watching or maybe just letting the noise happen around her. Her gaze meets yours with that same unreadable softness from earlier. Up close, her features are sharper than you expected. Her hand rests casually on the stem of her wine glass, and there's a faint glow to her skin from the last of the sun.
You blink, caught slightly off guard, âI havenât,â you manage. âHi.â
She gives the tiniest nod, the corner of her mouth lifting. âHola.â
Itâs a little awkward but not bad. Just aware of the slight language delay. The kind that makes you both overthink what comes next.
Carmen leans into you like a mischievous translator. âShe understands more than she speaks,â she says. âJust donât talk too fast.â
âI wouldnât dare,â you reply, smiling, still half-facing Alexia.
Carmen leans in again, lowering her voice just enough to make it clear itâs for you alone. âSoâŠâ she begins, a teasing lilt already blooming in her tone. âWhereâs your plus one? Donât tell me you left Lily behind in rainy England.â
You blink, itâs not the question that catches you off guard, itâs the fact she doesnât already know. You shift slightly, wine glass pausing just below your lips. âWe, uhâŠâ You glance at Alexia beside you instinctively, as if the answer might be written somewhere on her arm. âWeâre not⊠seeing each other anymore.â
Carmen pulls a face, not a shocked one more like a satisfied shrug. âOh.â Then, casually, âI never liked her.â
You let out a quiet laugh, caught somewhere between exasperation and relief. âJesus, Carm. Bit late with that opinion.â
âI didnât want to start something.â She shrugs again, unapologetic. âBut she always made you smaller, like you were waiting to be approved or something.â
You glance down, tracing a condensation ring on the table with your thumb. Itâs not untrue, you just didnât realise how visible it had been âI'm honestly surprised you didnât hear already,â you say. âThought the family gossip network had international coverage by now.â
Carmen smirks, tilting her head. âIâve been in wedding tunnel vision. No one tells the bride anything useful.â
Thereâs a pause not awkward, but still. You feel it settle in your chest a little, the quiet that comes after a name youâre not saying anymore. You catch Alexia shifting slightly beside you, as if sheâs listening without meaning to.
âShe wasnât coming anyway,â you add, more to fill the silence than to explain yourself. âShe made that clear before I even booked flights.â
Carmenâs smile softens. âWell, her loss.â
You glance up at her, smiling faintly picking at a piece of manchego when Patri leans forward, elbows resting on the table, and fixes you with a look thatâs gentle but completely unreadable.
âSo,â she says, a little softer than before. âWhat happened?â
You donât pretend not to understand. You could, you could laugh it off or wave your hand like itâs all ancient history, but the way she says it makes it easier to answer. You exhale slowly, watching the wine in your glass catch the light, âShe justâŠâ You pause, tongue pressing against the inside of your cheek. âDidnât really see me. I think she liked the idea of me, the version she imagined but not the actual human.â
Patri nods slowly. She doesnât interrupt.
âShe had this⊠plan,â you continue. âEverything scheduled, future-proofed. Perfect on paper and I wasnât always⊠I donât know. On script enough for her.â
You glance up, and Alexia is listening now openly, seeing Alexia watching you with that quiet focus sends a flicker of heat up your neck.
âI kept giving in to keep the peace,â you add. âAnd then one day I realised I didnât even like the version of me she wanted and had create for herself.â
Patri doesnât say anything for a beat, âThatâs brave.â
You shrug. âFelt more like falling off a ledge than bravery.â
âStill,â she says, âyou didnât stay small.â
You smile faintly. âNo. Just single.â
That gets a laugh, even Alexia lets out a breath of amusement soft, like she wasnât sure she was allowed to. She leans forward then, just slightly, not enough to take over the conversation, but enough to join it.
âHow long⊠ago?â she asks, the rhythm of her words careful, eyes flicking toward Carmen for reassurance.
You tilt your head thoughtfully. âCouple of weeks? Not long about 6 weeks.â
Alexia nods slowly, like sheâs translating your answer into something she can sit with. âStill⊠hurts.â
Itâs not a question, itâs not even sympathy, just understanding. âLess than it used to,â you say honestly. âStill catches me sometimes, though.â
Youâre just about to deflect the conversation change the subject, maybe make a joke when Carmen, never one to leave a moment alone, leans in with a shake of her head and a glass of wine raised in something far from a toast.
âShe got what she wanted,â she says sharply. âThe exposure. The followers. Sheâs riding that little clothing brand sponsor now like she got it on her own.â
The words land with a certain heat, not cruel, but cutting in their clarity. You blink, a little stunned. Itâs one thing to think it to yourself, itâs another thing to hear it spoken aloud and learn others think it to.
Thereâs a short silence. Someone across from you, you think her names Mariona makes a low 'ooof' sound under her breath. Patri raises her eyebrows, even Alexia looks slightly caught off guard, like sheâs trying to make sense of the bluntness.
âWait,â one of the girls says a defender, you think, from Carmenâs club. âYouâre an influencer right?â
Carmen doesnât wait for you to answer. She turns, hand sweeping theatrically toward you like sheâs introducing royalty. âSheâs the influencer,â she says. âSheâs modest. Very chic, very understated, but yeah sheâs pretty well known back home. Go on" She turns back to you with a grin that dares you not to answer. âTell them. Come on. How many followers?â
You laugh, looking down into your wine like it might offer an escape route. âCarmenâŠâ
âMay as well just say Alexiaâs going to Google you later anyway.â
You look up slowly, cheeks warm, eyes catching on Alexiaâs moving from you being caught in the cross fires, âOkay, fine,â you say, tone dry. âOne point eight.â
âMillion,â Carmen adds like sheâs your manager. âOn Instagram.â
Thereâs a collective little ripple around the table not dramatic, just a hum of impressed whistles, nods, raised brows. âHoly shit,â someone says. âWhat do you even do?â
You shrug, brushing it off. âBit of fashion, bit of travel, some brand campaigns.â
âAnd the ex,â Carmen adds, never missing a beat, âwas tagging along the whole time. Always conveniently in the background when the cameras were on.â
âCarmen,â you say gently.
She holds up her hands, mock-surrender. âFine, Iâll stop, but Iâm allowed to be mad. You were always too nice to say it, but she used you.â
You take a breath and let it sit, but you don't need to defend it, not anymore. âWell,â you murmur, lifting your glass again, âat least she looked good doing it. My lightingâs fantastic.â
That earns a wave of laughter, even Alexia laughs soft, behind her hand, but clearly amused.
She tilts her head slightly toward you. âI⊠follow now?â she says, a little uncertain, gesturing toward her phone.
You laugh, more genuinely this time. âIf you like mirror selfies and badly subtitled skincare reels⊠sure.â
She smirks. âI like⊠mirrors.â
You make eye contact with her, trying not to snort into your wine.
Patri leans closer to Carmen and mutters something in Spanish you donât catch, and they both giggle.
âïž
Later, when the sun has dipped low enough to leave the table in shadow, people start peeling away.
Carmenâs been pulled into a conversation about tomorrowâs seating chart. Patri's wandered off, still laughing with two teammates, a bottle of beer dangling from one hand. Music still playing low, something Spanish and slow, pulsing softly from a speaker tucked beneath a fig tree.
You and Alexia are still here, the last two on the table, like it was all orchestrated to leave you alone.
Youâre both leaning back in your chairs, glasses half-full, watching the remaining flickers of gold light play across the garden. Thereâs a warmth to the air that isnât quite heat anymore.
She shifts beside you, turns her head. âYou⊠okay?â she asks.
You glance at her, surprised. âYeah. Are you?â
She smiles faintly. âSĂ. I meanâŠâ She squints a little, searching for the words. âNot⊠âokayâ bad. I mean⊠you seemâŠâ She gestures vaguely in the air, then gives up. âItâs hard. English is hard.â
You smile, letting your chin rest in your hand. âYouâre doing fine. Better than my Spanish.â
âYour Spanish is⊠cute.â
You raise a brow. âCute?â
Alexia shrugs, one shoulder up, smirking. âLike⊠baby goat. Whatâs the wordââ
âGoat?â
âSĂ,â she says with a laugh. âLittle legs. Trying.â
You let out a helpless laugh, nearly choking on your wine. âOkay, rude.â
She leans toward you, not close enough to touch, but enough to let you see the glint in her eyes. âBut funny. I like funny.â
Thereâs something bold in that, not flirtation, exactly, but honest and simple. You smile, slower this time. âWell⊠I like your necklace.â
Alexia glances down, fingers brushing the fine gold resting at her collarbone. âThis? Itâs nothing.â
âItâs nice,â you say. âLooks good on you.â
She tilts her head slightly, a question in her eyes. âYou look⊠good. In your dress.â
You feel the blush rising before you can stop it. âGracias,â you manage, awkwardly.
She smiles like she knows exactly how flustered you are and is being generous enough not to tease you about it. At the table, the tapas dishes are mostly empty now, half-melted ice cubes floating in the bottom of sangria glasses.
Sheâs still sitting across from you now, elbow on the table, chin propped in her hand, between you sits a shared plate of olives, a waitress had brought over.
You pick one up, chew slowly, then realise too late youâve got the pit in your mouth and nowhere to put it. Your eyes dart toward the plate, then around the table, napkin? bowl? Earth to swallow you?
Alexia watches, blinking once. Then she gestures to her own empty glass. Taps the rim, tips it toward you slightly a signal.
You glance down at your wine glass, still with a finger of rosé clinging to the curve.
âGo on,â she says, and though the words are few, they land with an almost smug kind of confidence.
You delicately drop the pit into a glass. âI feel incredibly classy right now.â
She grins. âVery. Elegant.â
You laugh softly, covering your mouth. âYou speak more English than you pretend to.â
She shrugs. âOnly when⊠I want.â
You lift your brows, âSo you donât want to most of the time?â
She considers, eyes narrowing like sheâs pretending to think. Then, very dryly âPeople talk too much sometimes.â
You let out a laugh. âFair enough.â
She leans back slightly in her chair, crossing one leg over the other. Her fingers toy with the edge of the tablecloth as if sheâs thinking of something but doesnât know how to ask. âI⊠didnât know who you were,â she says finally.
You smirk. âSame.â
âNo football?â
âI knew you were someone,â you admit, âbecause of how people looked at you, but no, I didnât know who you were.â
That makes her laugh soft, low, honest. âI like that.â
You glance sideways, picking at a grape. âMust be a relief, not being recognised.â
âYes,â she says, then pauses, eyes flicking upward. âNo. I donât know. Is both.â
You nod. âBeing seenâs not the same as being known.â
She points at you. âThat. Yes. That one.â Alexia leans forward, elbow back on the table, âI try English,â she says. âNow. You laugh - not allowed.â
âI would never.â She raises a single brow. ââŠunless itâs really bad,â you add.
She gives you a look. âOkay. First try.â
You fold your arms dramatically. âIâm ready.â
She takes a breath, clearly building up to something. âYou⊠haveâŠâ she squints, âveryâŠÂ calm face.â
That wasnât what you were expecting. You blink. âCalm?â She nods, smiling a little, like she knows it didnât land perfectly but still meant it. You tilt your head. âThat might be the nicest weird compliment Iâve ever had.â
She nods again, more confident now. âYes. Like⊠soft eyes. Not loud.â
You feel it then not the words, but the shape behind them and for a second, the language barrier stops mattering. You smile slowly, not breaking eye contact. âThanks. You have nice eyes too.â
Alexia looks down, just briefly, brushes her hair behind her ear, the breeze picks up a little, curling along your bare shoulders. You shiver without meaning to, and before you can react, she picks up the light jacket from her lap and offers it over.
You hesitate, she gives you a look that says take it. You do and neither of you says anything else for a long time.
Alexiaâs resting her elbows on the table again, chin in hand, watching you like youâre a puzzle she hasnât quite decided whether to solve or just sit with.
âBe honest. Have you understood any of what Iâve said tonight?â
Alexia tilts her head. âMmm⊠maybe thirty percent.â
You laugh. âThatâs generous.â
She nods, serious. âSĂ. I like your voice. Even when I donât understand.â
That catches you, not dramatically, but enough that it lands somewhere a little too close to the centre of you. âOh,â you say, unsure what to do with that. âThanks. I like yours too. Itâs very⊠Barcelona.â
She grins. âWhat does that mean?â
âI donât know. A little rolled, a little confident. Sounds like youâre always saying something clever. Even if itâs not.â
Alexia laughs, pushing her hair behind her ear once again something you notice she does when she's obviously nervous. âI like when you talk with hands.â
You raise your brows. âI donâtââ
She mimics you instantly, hands fluttering up mid-sentence in mock frustration.
âOh my God,â you groan, laughing. âI do that.â
âLike little bird,â she says, smirking.
âIâm gonna stop talking.â
âNo, no,â she says quickly, shaking her head. âPlease. Keep talking. I learn⊠you.â
You meet her eyes and there's a pause. Itâs not flirtation, not yet. Just interest, bare, warm curiosity. You can feel it pressing gently between you like a question no one wants to phrase too directly.
So you give her something softer.
âOkay,â you say. âLesson one.â
Alexia perks up, mimicking a classroom face. Hands folded neatly. âSĂ, profesora.â
You resist the urge to laugh. âBritish slang. Ready?â
She nods.
âIf someoneâs being annoying, you call them a muppet.â
âMuppet?â she repeats, frowning. âLike the frog?â
âExactly or the pig. All of them.â
She repeats it once more, slower. âMuppet.â Then points to herself, straight-faced. âMe?â
You grin. âDefinitely not. Youâre more of a menace.â
Alexia tilts her head. âThat is good?â
You shrug, sipping your wine. âThat dependsâ
She watches you for a second longer, eyes soft, almost amused. Then she leans back, stretching slightly, like sheâs trying to shake something off. âSpanish slang tomorrow,â she says. âWe trade.â
âDeal,â you reply, smiling. âBut no football words.â
âNo football,â she promises, then adds with a smirk âMaybe one. Small one.â
You roll your eyes. âMenace.â
She grins, the moment lingers light, uncertain, like something half-shaped and in the distance, someone calls your name, maybe your mum, maybe a cousin and just like that, the bubble breaks.
Alexia glances toward the sound, then back to you. âI go,â she says softly.
You nod, standing too. âMe too.â
For a moment, you both stand there facing each other, not quite sure how to part like the rhythm between you hasn't figured out its next beat yet.
So you just smile, âGood night, Alexia.â
âBuenas nochesâŠÂ muppet.â
You burst out laughing as she walks off, shaking your head, the warmth of it still buzzing in your chest.
âïž
The morning passes in a quiet, familiar rhythm your mother knocking softly on your bedroom door, your brothers bickering half-heartedly over hair gel and shirt buttons down the hallway. Itâs all oddly soothing, being wrapped up in their noise again, since leaving the family home and moving out.
You sit cross legged on the floor with your mum, taking turns with the mirror propped up on a chair. She smooths a bit of colour onto her cheeks while you clip your hair up soft, elegant, a few loose strands left to frame your face.
Your dress is lilac, something easy and light. Strappy, with a flowing skirt and an open back that catches the breeze when you move. Itâs not showy, but it feels like you.
Your dad sees you last. He blinks a bit too quickly and just says, âThatâs a lovely colour, you look lovely sweetheartâ like heâs trying not to ruin his own makeup with tears like mum was.
By the time you're all outside, the gardenâs been transformed. White chairs lined in rows under the olive trees. Carmenâs teammates and friends milling about in tailored suits and dresses in soft summer tones, music trickling low through the speakers.
When the ceremony starts, it hits you harder than you expect watching Carmen come down the aisle, radiant and unshakable, Ben trying not to cry before she even reaches him. Itâs the vows that really undo you. The way they speak to each other without flinching. No smoothing over, no shrinking, just love, in its purest form.
You feel the sting in your throat before you can stop it, blinking quickly as you dab beneath your lashes with a napkin someone hands you.
Afterwards, youâre handed a small cone of white and lilac petals. Everyone spills out toward the stone path that winds around the ceremony space, confetti station, Carmen called it. You take your place just near the front, adjusting your heels, trying not to get emotional all over again.
Thatâs when you feel it, just the lightest brush not a bump, not an accident a gentle nudge seemingly intentional. You glance sideways and sheâs there. Alexia, standing beside you, calm and casual like sheâs been there all morning.
Her dress is a kind of deep, metallic bronze sleeveless, backless, clinging like it was poured onto her. It catches the sunlight in all the right ways, like light wants to follow her. Her hairâs tucked up, makeup soft, but itâs the ink that draws your eyes.
Tattoos curl over her back in quiet lines and shapes, bold in some places, delicate in others. You catch a big cat, a few words you canât translate, something that might be a heart. You have to look away before you stare too long.
She glances down at your cone of petals. then at your dress, âSame colour,â she murmurs.
You blink, startled slightly by the sound of her voice so close. You nod. âLilac. Like fate.â
Alexia smiles. âOr good eyes.â
You look ahead, where the newlyweds are posing for photos, waiting for the cue. Everyone around you is laughing, distracted. You hum, adjusting your grip on your cone. âI like your dressâ
She replies, âYou⊠look happy today.â
That surprises you, you glance at her. âDo I?â
She nods. âLess heavy. Good colour for you, also.â
âThanks.â You smile. âYouâre still a menace.â
Alexia grins. âCĂĄllate. Muppetâ
You smile letting a breath out for a laugh lowering your head as you hear the photographer call out something in Spanish people raise their cones, laughter bubbling.
You lift yours too, side by side with her, ready to toss lilac into the air, her arm brushes yours, and neither of you move away. Just before the petals fly, Alexia glances sideways at you quiet, deliberate. âAfter confetti,â she murmurs, âmaybe⊠drink?â
You smile, still watching the sky âSure.â
The petals drift and fall like soft rain, laughter bubbling around you as Carmen and Ben duck under a storm of colour. You toss your handful a second too late, distracted her shoulder still pressed lightly against yours.
The applause begins to fade, the moment moving on, but Alexia doesnât.
You glance to find her still beside you, hands now empty, her gold chain catching the sun.
âDrinkâ she says again, this time softer. No question mark, not quite, just an offering.
You nod before you think too hard about it. âYes. Please.â
She takes a step back, lets you fall into step beside her without asking. You follow the curve of the garden path together, away from the crowd, past tables laid out with summer flowers and delicate wine glasses, toward the little outdoor bar tucked beside a stone wall draped in ivy.
The bartender smiles when Alexia steps forward. She orders in Spanish, clear and easy. You catch the word vermouth, and something that sounds like con hielo.
You blink at her. âVermouth?â
She shrugs one shoulder. âMy drink. Not sweet.â
You glance at the bar menu, half to avoid her eyes, half to stall. âCan I just get a rose wine?â you ask the bartender, more sheepishly than you mean to.
Alexia leans in a little. âSafe choice.â
âI usually get lemonade in it but I feel that would be bad hereâ you speak looking back in the direction you came you spot your mother watching and give her a look as Alexia is speaking Spanish to the bartender.
When you catch her saying, "Limonada" at the end, you turn your head back
âI ask, for you.â you give a look that she just smiles at, she picks a little umbrellas made for a cocktail off the bar and tucks into your hair making herself giggle as your drinks arrive. You both take them, then turn together like youâre following the same unspoken route. Not too far from the bar, just over to the low stone wall nearby, warm from the sun and shaded by a broad fig tree.
You sit side by side, not touching not speaking for a beat, both clearly both over thinking what to say, you take the little umbrella from your hair to inspect it, when Alexia gives you that look again that half-smirk, half-scheme expression that means sheâs about to say something just to get a reaction.
âWhat?â you ask, wary but already smiling.
She shrugs, far too casually. âYou.â
You blink. âWhat about me?â
âYouâre such a muppet,â she says, sipping her vermouth.
You groan. âSeriously? Youâre still on that?â
She nods. âItâs my best English word. Very strong. Very accurate.â
You laugh, helpless. âI should never have taught you anything.â
Alexia tilts her head thoughtfully. âMaybe. But now, I teach you.â
âOh God.â
âNo, no,â she insists, turning toward you, that gleam in her eye back again. âIs fair. You learn Spanish now.â
You set down your glass tucking your little umbrella in the glass. âAlright then. Impress me.â
She points to herself. âYo.â
You nod. âI.â
Then she points to you. âTĂș.â
âYou.â
She smiles. âVery good. Now repeat.â
You go along with it. âYo. TĂș.â
She leans in a little, eyes glittering. Then she says it slower this time, like she wants to make sure it lands properly. âTĂș eres muy guapa.â
You frown, trying to copy it. âToo eh-res... muy gwa-pa?â
She grins. âPerfect.â
âWhat does that mean?â
Alexia takes a sip of her drink, suddenly looking far too pleased with herself. âNot telling you.â
You blink. âWhat? Why?â
She shrugs. âIs more fun this way.â
You narrow your eyes at her. âIs it rude?â
âNo.â Her voice is soft now, careful. âIs nice.â Sheâs watching you not just amused, but something quieter behind her gaze. Her dress catches the light, the curve of her tattoos like stories sheâs letting you almost read.
âIs it a compliment?â you ask.
Alexia just raises her brows and repeats it again slower this time, âTĂș eres muy guapa.â
You feel the words settle in your chest, even if you donât understand them yet. Thereâs weight to them, a softness. âIâll Google it,â you say eventually.
She smiles. âNot now.â
âNo?â
âLater. When Iâm not there.â
You study her, trying to read her without the help of a translation, but all you get is that familiar flutter, like something in you recognises that she's maybe flirting. You sip your wine again, trying not to smile too hard. âSo what do I say back?â
Alexia taps her lip, pretending to think, then she leans closer, just enough to make you hold your breath. âGracias,â she murmurs, voice low. âThatâs all.â
You repeat it softly. âGracias.â
She nods, eyes still on yours. âDe nada.â
You sit there a moment longer in the quiet hum of the evening, in this small stretch of shade, it still feels like only you two are in existence.
Like maybe you donât need the translation. You shift slightly on the stone ledge, setting your empty glass down with a quiet clink. You glance over at her.
Youâre about to speak about it when she speaks.
âI teach you another.â
You look over, eyebrow raised. âAnother mystery sentence?â
She smiles. âSĂ.â
You huff a laugh. âAlright then. Go on.â
She shifts to face you a little more and says it slowly a gentle rhythm to the way it rolls off her tongue.
âMe gustas.â
You try it. âMe goo-stas?â
She shakes her head slightly, leans in, says it again, âGusâlike âgoose,â but softer. Me gustas.â
You mimic her. âMe gustas.â Alexia smiles, but doesnât translate it.
âYou not going to tell me?â you ask, already anticipating the answer.
âNo,â she says, smug. âI like your face when you guess.â
You look at her, her knees almost brushing yours now, her drink nearly forgotten between you. âIs it nice?â you ask.
She shrugs, though her smile doesnât fade. âDepends who says it.â
âAnd if you say it?â
Her gaze lingers on you, unreadable for a breath, âStill not telling you.â
You scoff. âYouâre insufferable.â
She just raises her glass slightly, as if to toast your frustration, but before either of you can speak again, a shout rings out across the garden.
âOye!â Itâs Patri, grinning wide, already pointing toward a table on the lawn. âBeer pong!â
Carmen lifts two red cups in your direction like itâs a formal declaration. You canât help the smile that creeps over your face.
Alexia stands, brushing invisible dust from her dress. âYou ready?â
âAre you?â you counter, arching a brow. âI hope youâre not expecting to win.â
âI always win.â
âYouâre going to be a nightmare, arenât you?â
Alexia grins as she steps ahead, already starting to walk back toward the music, before she gets too far, she glances back over her shoulder catches your eye again, and with a faint smirk, repeats it under her breath, âMe gustas.â
You're not sure what it means, but you hope she says it again.
Someoneâs set up a beer pong table near the garden wall, red cups already half-filled, teams forming in chaotic pairs. Youâre pulled into the mix before you can think to resist Carmen shoves a drink in your hand, Patriâs already laughing like she knows something you donât as you're put on her team, Alexia put on Carmens, and the crowdâs loud and loose with post-wedding energy.
Somehow, it happens every time itâs your turn to shoot, Alexia ends up opposite you, of course she does. Sheâs watching you with narrowed eyes and a smirk like sheâs trying to intimidate you but youâre just having fun watching her lose.
Sheâs not... great, in fact, sheâs bad and extremely not taking it well.
âThis ball is too light,â she mutters after your third perfect shot lands, another cup sliding away from her side for her to drink.
You just raise your brows. âYouâre joking, right?â
âNo. Itâs not... regulation.â
âItâs a garden table at a wedding, Alexia. Nothing is regulation.â
She glares down at the table like itâs personally offended her. Then looks up, grumpy, sulking and downs her drink. âThe tableâs not level either.â
You laugh. âKeep going. I want to hear the full list of excuses.â
âThe cups are too close.â
âUh huh.â
âMy side is windy.â
âThere is no wind.â
She doesnât answer, just squints at you over the rim of another drink like sheâs plotting your downfall.
Then itâs your turn again as it appears the rest who were playing preferred to watch you beat Alexia spectacularly so it became a 1vs1.
One easy flick of your wrist, plunk. Another cup gone from her side, Alexia groans, loud and dramatic, and turns away like she canât bear to look at it.
âCome on!â you laugh. âDrink up, you havenât even finished the last one!â
She glares down at the two cups now waiting for her. âThis is unfair.â
âItâs literally the rules!â
âI hate this game.â
âNo you donât.â
âI do now.â
You laugh again, and she finally breaks a reluctant grin pulling at her mouth as she picks up both cups and clinks them together tipping one into the other before downing it like a woman defeated. Her nose scrunches at the taste. She mutters something in Spanish that definitely isnât polite.
You raise an eyebrow. âWhat was that?â
She wipes her mouth, blinking. âI said youâre annoying.â
âWas it actually that?â
She nods solemnly. âMore or less.â
âSay it again. Properly. Teach me.â
Alexia leans across the table a little, holding your gaze, and says it slowly, âEres insoportable.â
You repeat it, with terrible pronunciation. âEres insoporable.â
âInsoportable,â she corrects, smug again.
âAnd it definitely means annoying?â
She smiles wide. âYouâll find out.â
You hum, "I'm making a list in my phone to ask Patri to translate later"
She raises her eyes to yours and shakes her head, "Google. Later" she waves her hand way, "Wait til home"
Itâs your turn again, another shot, another cup.
She doesnât even pretend to be cool this time she just groans and drops her head back dramatically. âNo. No, no, no. I want a new opponent.â
âToo late,â you grin. âYouâve started something now.â
âI didnât start it.â
âYou literally called me a muppet an hour ago.â
âThat was affection.â
âOh really?â
âYes. Thisâ she gestures at the table, then at your smirk, âthis is war.â
You grin, cheeks aching from laughing, chest warm with more than just alcohol. Across the table, Alexia squints at you through mock outrage, and you just raise your drink to her. âTo your downfall,â you toast.
She clinks her empty cup against yours with a grumble. âMuppet." and you both burst out laughing again.
Youâre barely wiping spilled beer off your fingers before Alexiaâs already pointing at the cups again.
âAnother game.â
You raise your brows. âYouâre serious?â
âI almost won.â
âYou absolutely did not.â
âI was close.â
âYou had four cups left.â
Alexia shrugs, drunk logic already smoothing her stubbornness into confidence. âI let you win.â
You laugh grabbing a beer bottle to fill the cups again, "Of course you did" You point at her, "I don't know much Spanish but.. Mierda"
You watch Alexia lean back laughing her hand clutching her stomach before you glance toward Carmen, Patri, and two more of Alexiaâs teammates hovering near the drinks table. Theyâre watching you both now not subtly, either. Patri lifts her eyebrows at you in that 'hmm?' way thatâs only half-mocking. Carmen has the smug smile of someone whoâs decided she was right about something long before it happened.
You ignore them, Alexia's resetting the cups with a reckless, imprecise shuffle. âYou in?â
You sigh dramatically. âFine, but donât start crying again when I win.â
âI didnât cry.â
âYou whined about the wind.â
Alexia doesnât dignify that with a response just hands you the ball with a pointed gesture. âLadies first,â she says.
You sink your first shot effortlessly, another groan from her, then she drinks and something shifts.
The more Alexia drinks, the better she gets. Her throws tighten, her hand steadies, and the smug grin on her face grows more confident with every cup you lose.
You squint at her after your third miss in a row, she gives you a look over the rim of your cup, you mutter under your breath as you drink your next penalty cup, "That wind really died down, huh?"
Alexia grins, she heard you, then plunk. Another one lands on your side and you sigh dramatically.
You glance over you still have an audience, like your increasingly ridiculous rivalry has become a full-on wedding sideshow as a couple more of the footballers have joined the little group, but you donât care. Youâre too focused on the way Alexia keeps watching you after each shot. Like each time she hits, sheâs daring you to react. Like itâs not even about winning anymore.
You point at her, narrowing your eyes. âYouâre enjoying this too much.â
âYes.â
âYou were terrible half an hour ago.â
She shrugs, cool as anything. âMotivation.â You stare at her, she just raises an eyebrow and says too casually âMe gustas, remember?â
You swallow, that familiar phrase again, still no translation, still no context but it lands heavier now.
You blink, then shoot and miss again Alexia grins wide and reaches for your next cup.
âYouâre going to gloat forever, arenât you?â
âSĂ,â she says, laughing
âïž
The party sprawls out now as they set up the dinning room for the meal, games and music everywhere to occupy guests, people laughing too loudly, champagne corks popping mid-sentence, someoneâs uncle challenging Carmen to a dance-off near the speakers.
You're pulled straight from the beer pong table by a group migrating toward a row of lawn games, you seem to have been adopted by the Spanish football first team. Patri tosses you a look like sheâs ready for round three, but Alexiaâs already trailing after you, stubbornly close, that competitive glint still alive in her wine-glossed eyes.
âConnect Four,â she says behind you, tapping your shoulder as you slow near the oversized version on the grass ahead.
You look back. âYou sure? Thatâs a thinking game.â
âExactly.â
You smirk, slotting in a red disc. âYouâre really brave.â
Alexia raises her brows but doesnât bite. She drops in a yellow one, eyes locked on the grid like sheâs plotting world domination. You counter, she counters again. People are watching, not quite cheering, but hovering, definitely amused.
You lean sideways, pretending to inspect the board. âYour poker face is slipping.â
She doesnât look up. âThis is me focused.â
âRight.â Another move, then another, then click you drop the winning disc and let out a triumphant gasp. âBoom!â
Alexia steps back, blinking. âNo.â
âYes!â
She squints at the grid like it personally betrayed her. âThat doesnât count.â
You laugh. âWhat doesnât count?!â
âI was distracted.â
âBy what?â
She pauses, her cheeks flush, then she speaks, âYour⊠elbows.â
You almost choke on your drink. âMy elbows?!â
âThey were distracting.â
Youâre laughing so hard now itâs almost embarrassing. âJust when I thought you couldn't be any more of a sore loser. This is worse.â
âI will win something tonight,â she insists, looking around like sheâs about to challenge you to an arm wrestle, or chess, or a race to the drinks table.
âNope,â you grin. âIâm on a streak.â
âI hate your streak.â
âYou love it.â
âI hate it,â she repeats, but sheâs smiling, her eyes lit up with the thrill of it all the game, the drinks, the way you keep meeting each other in these little pockets of the night where it feels like itâs just the two of you.
Someone calls your name, a cousin waving from the karaoke setup now forming near the terrace.
Alexia hears it too. âNo,â she says immediately. âNot singing.â
âOh, now youâre scared?â
âI fear nothing.â
âYou fear losing.â
âI fear karaoke.â
You grin wide, stepping toward her like you might drag her there anyway. "I thought you feared nothing.
She steps back, holds up a finger. âIf you make me sing,â she warns, âIâll say more things in Spanish that you donât understand.â
You pause, then lean in, just slightly. âIâm not sure thatâs a threat anymore.â
Alexia blinks once then smirks and you catch sight of the Jenga tower across the lawn, tall and precarious.
You nudge Alexiaâs arm. âJenga?â
She raises her brows. âYou want to lose again?â
âYou lost last time.â
âDid not.â
âDid so.â
Youâre already walking, Alexia follows, of course she does, brushing a hand along your arm briefly as she passes you. You pretend not to feel your whole body register it.
The towerâs almost your height, you face off like itâs a championship final. A few people hover again Carmen and Patri, drinks in hand, clearly watching from a distance, doing a poor job of pretending not to whisper about you both, but the rest of the world fades out when Alexia picks her first block.
The game begins slow, careful pulls, little smiles, narrowed eyes, utter silence between you and then it starts getting risky.
âYouâre wobbling it on purpose,â Alexia mutters as you nudge a centre piece loose.
âIâm strategic,â you counter, not looking up. âBig difference.â
The stack sways slightly Alexia watches your hand like sheâs studying a match replay.
When you finally slide the block free, she lets out a low whistle, âLucky.â
âSkilled.â
âLucky.â
Then itâs her turn, she kneels down slightly to reach one of the lower blocks her backless dress shifting as she moves, the shimmer of metallic brown catching the fairy lights strung above. Tattoos peek out like secrets across her shoulders and down her back. She glances up once, catches you watching her, and smirks. âDistracted?â she teases.
âBy your elbows,â you shoot back.
She laughs, actually wobbles the tower with her shoulder, gasps, and steadies it again with the most dramatic gasp youâve ever heard.
âSee?â you say. âThat was luck.â
âCĂĄllateâ
You grin and lean in closer, both of you now circling the tower like cats. âCareful,â you say as she reaches again. âJengaâs a cruel mistress.â
âThatâs dramatic.â
âSo are you.â
âIâm passionate.â
âRight,â you say. âPassionâs what made you yell about the wind earlier.â
She pulls the block free clean and impressively quickly, she stands slowly, eyes bright, close to you now, close enough that your shoulders brush. Neither of you move. âYouâre going to knock it over,â she says.
âI am not.â
âI can feel it.â
âYou just want me to.â
âMaybe.â Your hand is on the next block, it slides, a hairâs width and sticks. You freeze Alexia leans in close to your ear, lowering her voice. âMuppetâŠâ you giggle, the block slips from your grip the tower sways violently and crashes to the grass.
Laughter erupts around you, but you barely hear it. Alexiaâs got that smug, dangerous grin again like she planned it all along.
She leans in and whispers something in Spanish slow, deliberate, impossible to understand but definitely smug.
You groan. âNot fair.â
âVery fair,â she says. âMe gusta ganar.â
âTranslation?â
She shrugs innocently. âGuess.â
You narrow your eyes. âI swear if that means âI winââŠâ
Alexiaâs already walking off with a victorious sway in her step, tossing a wink over her shoulder. You just shake your head, smiling helplessly.
She walks off like sheâs just won the World Cup chin high, victorious strut, that smug little grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. You stand there a second, stunned by her dramatics, then you walk with pace after her. You never chase women and yet here you were literally chasing after one you didn't even know 24 hours ago.
âHey,â you call, catching up to her just as she grabs another drink from a tray someoneâs weaving through the crowd with. âDo that again.â
Alexia looks over her shoulder, amused. âDo what?â
âThatâ you mimic her wink, squinting one eye dramatically, âyour little victory wink.â
She tries to keep a straight face, but her smirk betrays her. âYou liked that?â
Youâre already laughing, folding your arms. âDo it again.â
She turns fully toward you, drink in hand, eyes locked on yours then closes both eyes at the same time, you burst out laughing.
Instinctively you reach forward and touch her forearm at her side, âThatâs not a wink, Alexia!"
She shrugs, fake-casual. âYes it is.â She does it again with so much confidence.
âYouâre malfunctioning.â
âMuppet.â
You nudge her arm, she bumps you back but doesn't pull back anywhere near the distance she had been, you lift your drink to her, eyes still dancing. âTo your terrible wink.â
She taps hers against yours gently, her voice low, her gaze not leaving yours. âEres muy guapa.â
There it is again that same phrase from earlier. You pause, holding her eyes. âStill not translating that one?â
She smiles, tilting her head. âNope.â
You sip your drink. âRude.â
Alexia leans a little closer, lowering her voice just enough for it to feel secret. âMaybe later.â
âïž
You hadnât planned on dancing not in heels, not in this heat, not after at least three different games involving alcohol. But when the music shifted to something warmer, something with a heartbeat, Alexia found you effortlessly amongst your family, tugged your hand gently and tilted her head toward the garden dance floor.
You hadnât said yes, but you also hadnât said no and put up no fight whatsoever.
Now here you are her hand in yours, the lights strung above flickering golden, the music thudding faintly underfoot. Sheâs not a great dancer not in the traditional, spin you like a film scene way but sheâs confident and playful, and thatâs better.
She twirls you once, clumsily, you both laugh, âYouâre going to dislocate my shoulder,â you tell her with a smile seemingly permanently fixed to your face when she was near.
Alexia just grins, you sway together in that loose way that isnât quite a slow dance but definitely isnât friendly distance anymore. One of her hands finds yours again not tight, not formal, just there. Holding it like she has every right to.
Your fingers slip together easily, her hairâs falling loose around her shoulders now, her dress still catching the light like copper fire. Every time she leans in close to say something in your ear, you feel the warmth of it curl down your spine.
Itâs almost disappointing when you hear Carmenâs voice calling your name through the music.
You turn, laughing, she waves you over, she notices your smile fade ever so slightly, and beckons you like a mother would, you give Alexia a look and leave her on the dance floor one of her friends happily taking your place
âOh, finally!â she says, eyes wide and dramatic. âI thought weâd have to physically separate you two with a broomstick.â
You roll your eyes. âWeâre notââ
She lifts a brow. âJoined. At. The. Hip?â
âShe made me dance!â
âShe made you laugh. A lot.â Carmen folds her arms, mock stern. âYou looked like teenagers. Very flirty teenagers.â
You try to dodge it, but youâre smiling too much to be believable. âWeâre just messing about.â
âMmm.â Carmen is not buying it.
You blink at her, suddenly curious. âOkay, serious question.â
Carmen perks up. âFinally. Go on.â
You lower your voice a little, keeping it light, casual. âWhat does âme gustasâ mean?â
Carmen stares at you. âWho said that?â
âHypothetical question,â you say, holding up a hand. âJust tell me.â
She eyes you. âIt means âI like you.â LikeâŠÂ I like you. Not like âI like pizza,â but you-you.â
Your stomach does a weird little flip, you cover it with a sip of wine. âOkay. Interesting.â
Carmen leans closer. âWhat else?â
You hesitate. âWhat about âeres muy guapa?ââ
âOh,â she grins. âThat means⊠âyouâre very pretty.ââ You stop sipping Carmen squints at you. âWhy are you asking these?â
âNo reason.â
âMmhm.â Her grin grows, all too knowing. âJust, you know, collecting phrases for your Spanish textbook?â
âExactly.â
Carmenâs already backing away into the crowd, smug as anything. âWell, maybe your Spanish is better than you think, guapa.â
You glance back toward the dance floor Alexiaâs dancing there, half-lit in the string lights, your breath catches as you realise the most stunning women you've ever seen thinks your pretty.
âïž
The dinning hall is now set up for the evening meal, round white-clothed tables stretch under woven lanterns, the sun setting into a gold haze over the hills. Youâre sat with your parents and brothers, all of you a little sun-flushed and half full from the first two courses. Your uncle is telling a long-winded story youâve already tuned out of twice.
Youâve got your phone hidden in your lap, screen dimmed low, lazily scrolling through your own Instagram feed mostly old holiday posts, blurry selfies, the odd sunset youâd thought looked profound at the time. You hadnât expected to get a notification, but there it is at the top of your screen.
alexiaputellas liked your photo.
And not just any photo itâs from two years ago, she was scrolling your instagram, you blink, smile and tilt your screen slightly away from your brother clearly looking for some entertainment.
Your thumb hovers over the notification, and then instinctively you glance across the tables just casually. Sheâs over on the far side with Carmenâs teammates, half turned in her chair, laughing at something, her hand out as a women opposite handed her phone back over the table. She doesnât look at you, which makes it somehow worse, or better, you canât tell, but you were a topic of conversation amongst her friends.
You open your DMs and click on Patriâs name, you and her had shared polite messages after the hen do.
You:Â Tell Alexia sheâs real smooth for liking a picture from two years ago
You barely have time to look up again when you hear it a burst of laughter from the table across the way, sharp and sudden. You catch sight of Patri, cackling as she shoves her phone toward Alexia. A few others are craning to see, all of them delighting in your digital callout.
Alexia's face is a picture, you can see the blush from here, you try not to smile. Fail and look back down at your plate like you didnât just throw a spark into a very flammable situation.
Your phone buzzes again.
Patri:Â Sheâs gonna kill me but she says fue un accidente.
Patri :Â She also says youâre still a muppet.
You snort softly, enough for your brother to glance at you. âWhatâs so funny?â
You shake your head. âJust something stupid.â But your heartâs beating a little faster now, and when you risk another glance up Alexiaâs watching you from across the tables.
You look back at your phone, thumb hovering over the keyboard, biting back a grin as you type.
You:Â Can I ask you to translate something for me?
Itâs harmless, mostly, you know it'll get a reaction, you hit send, then glance up briefly, only to feel another buzz almost instantly.
Patri:Â Alexia said come here.
You look up properly this time, sure enough, Alexiaâs watching you from across the way, her arm draped over the back of her chair she tips her chin toward you not quite a beckon, not quite a challenge and you know exactly what sheâs doing.
So you stand excusing yourself and heading through the tables, a few heads turn as you approach, Alexia doesnât say anything as you approach. Just points at you with a single finger and says, through a grin âNo translation. You Google. Later. In home. In England.â
You canât help the laugh that slips from you and without thinking or maybe very much with thinking you step in a little closer, gently grab that pointed finger, and hold it between yours. âYouâre not my captain, darling,â you say, smiling up at her, âyou canât tell me what to do.â
She blinks, smiles wider, like sheâs just been challenged and loves it, she leans a little closer her voice low and full of wicked amusement, âYou donât listen very good.â
You raise your brows. âI do when I want toâ
âStubborn.â
"I prefer determined"
You hear someone behind her whisper something someone else stifles a laugh but youâre not paying attention to anything now except the look sheâs giving you. Finally, you release her finger with a little flick.
âFine,â you say, stepping back. âBut Iâm still Googling it.â
âLater,â she says.
âAt home?â
âIn England,â she echoes nodding, laughing.
You walk back to your seat with your pulse dancing somewhere in your throat and the ghost of her hand still between your fingers.
You slide back into your seat, smoothing the skirt of your dress and reaching instinctively for your wine. Your cheeks are warm whether from the alcohol or Alexiaâs grin, youâre not sure, probably both.
You lift your glass and take a sip, trying not to let the smile tugging at your lips give too much away, but your mum is already looking at you and not in the vague, distracted way she looks when sheâs trying to figure out if the canapĂ©s had goat cheese in them. No this is the look.
She leans in gently, voice soft so only you can hear. âIs that the girl whoâs been taking all your attention all day?â
You blink, then laugh quietly. âWhat happened to pretending not to notice things?â
âI gave up after child number three.â She nudges your arm. âSo?â
You glance across the garden Alexiaâs listening half-heartedly to something Patri is saying, but her eyes flick to yours over her shoulder the moment you look. She smiles just slightly and then pretends to be fully engaged in whatever story is being told.
You look back at your mum, exhale a breath through your nose, half-laughing. âSheâsâŠâ You shrug, a little helpless. âSheâs nice. Funny. Annoyingâ
Your mum tilts her head. âPretty.â
You nod. âVery.â
Thereâs a pause. You toy with your napkin, youâve always been open with her. She was the first one you told about you liking girls. The first one you told when you first kissed a girl to.
So you donât bother pretending now. âI think I like her,â you say, your voice a little smaller than before. âBut itâs probably just the wedding. The sun. The wine. I've just got caught up in it all, itâs not like Iâll see her again, is it?â
Your mum gives you a knowing look the one she saves for when you pretend youâre being logical but your heartâs already halfway over the fence. âStranger things have happened,â she says gently. âAnd youâve always been a sucker for a complicated smile.â
You laugh. âThanks, Mum.â
She pats your hand. âJust donât let your head talk your heart out of something fun.â
You nod, quietly, you try to change the subject as dessert menus are being passed around, someoneâs arguing about whether churros count as wedding cake, and Carmen is gracefully making her rounds in her sleek, glittering gown, hugging relatives and posing for photos.
But your mum isnât letting this go. âAlexia,â she says again, as if you havenât already been over this. âSo sheâs Spanish?â
You blink at her. âWeâre in Spain, Mum.â
âI meant from here. Local.â
You nod reluctantly. âBarcelona.â
âAh.â She smiles, too casually. âAnd is sheâŠ?â
You give her a look. âYes, Mum. Sheâs gay.â
âJust checking.â She takes a sip of wine, but you can see her brain still turning. âSo she plays for a team?â
âYes.â
âIs she any good?â
âMum.â
âWhat! Iâm just trying to build a picture!â
Before you can answer, Carmen appears at your side, radiant and flushed from all the attention, crouching down slightly between the two of you. âAre we gossiping without me?â she asks, eyes darting between you and your mum with a knowing grin.
âOh good,â your mum says brightly, turning to Carmen like sheâs been waiting for backup. âYouâll know. Tell me more about this Alexia. She seems lovely.â
Your stomach sinks slightly. âMumââ
But Carmen just lights up with mischief. âOh, Alexia?â she says, pretending to think. âCaptain of Barça. National treasure. Stubborn. Competitive. Terrible loser.â
âSheâs been very sweet with my daughter,â your mum says.
Carmen glances at you. âOh yes. Very sweet.â
You shoot her a warning glare. She ignores it.
Your mum continues, relentless. âIs she seeing anyone?â
âMum!â
Carmen laughs, delighted now. âSheâs not. But she is very picky, I'm not aware of her dating many people at all, the bigger she got the less she did it.â
Your mum leans in conspiratorially. âShe liked one of her photos from two years ago.â
"How do you even know that?" You asked, your mum simply pointed to your brother beside you.
Carmenâs face lights up like Christmas. âNo she didnât.â
âShe did!â your mum confirms, like this is a joint investigation. âAnd then this one had the nerve to act like it wasnât a big deal.â
You hide your face in your hands.
Carmen pats your shoulder. âIt is a big deal. Thatâs the Instagram version of writing someoneâs name in a notebook and drawing hearts around it.â
Your mum nods solemnly, âExactly.â
You peek between your fingers. âCan you both please find another hobby?â
Carmen grins and gets back to her feet, smoothing her dress. âI have to go be charming again but donât worry, Iâll let Alexia know sheâs already passed inspection.â
You groan. âCarmenâ
She walks away backward, grinning, and says, âYour mum likes her. Thatâs basically marriage in Spain.â
You drop your head to the table, your mum just pats your back, smug as anything, âIâm good at this,â she says. âAdmit it.â
You mutter into the tablecloth, âI shouldâve sat at the kidsâ table.â
âïž
The laughter still carries on behind you a soft chorus of music, chairs scraping, someone yelling out a slurred toast in Spanish as your family begins to slip away from the glowing lights of the wedding. The night has worn on, the heat finally giving way to a cooler breeze, and the sky overhead is scattered with stars.
Your heels click softly against the stone path as you walk alongside your parents and your middle brother, all of you drifting slowly back toward the house.
Your mumâs arm is looped around your dadâs, and sheâs humming some old wedding tune under her breath. Your brotherâs rubbing at his neck like he might have pulled something during the earlier, aggressive limbo game.
Youâre quiet, restless in your own skin, because youâd been waiting.
You hadnât said it out loud, not to them, not even to yourself really, but somewhere in the slow moments between dancing and dessert and that sun-drunk laughter, youâd been hoping that you might catch her one more time.
A glance, a word, a stupid half-argument about who actually won Jenga. Something, but as you all say goodnight to lingering cousins and sleepy toddlers being carried back inside, you glance around one last time, and sheâs not there.
The chair sheâd been sitting in earlier is empty, the space by the bar where you'd sat together after the ceremony is dark now.
You slow a little behind your parents as you near the main house, your steps soft on the old terracotta tiles, one last glance over your shoulder. Still no sign of her.
Your mum looks back at you, noticing the lag. âYou alright, love?â
You nod, forcing a smile. âYeah. Just tired and my shoes are hurtingâ
She gives you a look that says she doesnât believe you as you take your heels off but she lets it go.
As you step inside, the coolness of the villa brushes over your bare shoulders. Youâre holding your shoes in one hand, dress swinging lightly around your legs. You tell yourself itâs silly, you barely know her, you wonât see her again. You werenât expecting anything, but still, you were hoping.
And when you crawl into the big unfamiliar guest bed, in the quiet hum of night, you stare up at the ceiling for a long while the sounds of celebration muffled now through thick walls.
You donât cry, you donât ache, but the pillow still smells like sun cream and wine and a day you werenât ready to let go of.
âïž
Itâs well past 3am, the villa is silent now, thick with the hush that only comes after a long, sun-soaked day of celebration. The kind of quiet that hums just beneath the surface, like the airâs still catching its breath.
Youâre lying on top of the sheets, in your tank top and soft cotton shorts, scrolling aimlessly, light from your phone casting shadows on the wall and then tap. You freeze. Tap. Tap-tap.
You sit up slowly, the curtain flutters as you move it aside and then, with a confused squint, you push the window open.
There she is, Alexia, standing below in the garden, where moonlight pools across the grass like spilled milk, hands clenched, shoulders slightly hunched like sheâs not sure if this is a good idea or a very bad one.
You lean against the sill, still a little dazed. âCan I help you?â you ask, a soft smile playing on your lips.
She tilts her head, that familiar smirk tugging at her mouth. âI wanted to say⊠was nice, meeting you.â
You rest your forearms on the window frame, chin tilted just slightly. âYou threw rocks at my window to say that?â
âYes.â A pause. âRomantic, no?â You bite back your grin and your brows lift Alexia shrugs below you. âMaybe not romantic or smart.â
You huff a laugh and shake your head. âWhat would you have done if I didnât hear you?â
She grins, wolfish. âClimbed.â
You raise an eyebrow. âYouâre wearing heels.â
She holds up her hand, fingers spread. âFootballer legs.â
You rest your cheek against your arm, watching her. Her hairâs pulled back now, messier than it was earlier, her dress still clinging to her but a jacket slung over her shoulders since the temperature had dropped.
Thereâs a pause, then you say it, soft, teasing. âYouâre not very good at goodbyes, are you?â
She kicks a bit of stone with her foot. âNo.â
âI was looking for you,â you admit before you can stop yourself. âEarlier.â
That catches her off guard her eyes flick up quickly, like she wasnât expecting you to admit it. âI know,â she says.
You smile slowly. âStalker.â
Alexia smiles back. âRomantic.â
Then she steps back one pace, eyes never leaving yours. âOkay. I go now. Let you sleep. My lift home is waitingâ
You donât say anything right away. Donât want to break it, but as she turns slightly, you call softly, âAlexia?â
She looks back, you hesitate then grin. âI lied. Iâm totally Googling what you said to me earlier.â Lying again that you didn't already know
She shakes her head, laughing silently, then calls up âYou wonât find it right. Not if you spell it how I said it.â
You gasp dramatically. âYou tricked me?â
Her grin widens. âAlways.â
She starts walking away, then throws one last glance over her shoulder. âSleep good, muppet girl.â
You watch until she disappears behind the trees, then you close the window softly and slide back into bed. This time, when your head hits the pillow, youâre smiling and sleep comes easy.
933 notes
·
View notes
Text
hormones - alexia putellas
Summary: You are studying the physiology of sex for an exam, and Alexia insists she knows just as much as you do.
Word count: 1.3k
Warnings: (+18) fingering and oral (r receiving).
Another nerdy smut because I'm a nerd and i'm also horny
..
"You're turning me off," Alexia murmured. She was lying in bed, a cute pout on her face, arms crossed over her chest.
You rolled your eyes, your gaze fixed on the enormous textbook resting on your lap, it was so heavy it was practically cutting off your circulation.
"I told you I had to study, Alexia," you said impatiently, your eyes running over one of the figures in the book.
"You told me you had to study about sex," she shot back accusingly. "I thought that was your nerdy way of telling me you were horny."
"Horny, Alexia?" You turned to her, expression dead serious. "I'm in the middle of midterms. The last thing running through my bloodstream is estrogen."
"Ugh?" she blinked. "Okay, so that's a very intelligent way of saying no?"
"Yes," you mumbled. "Estrogen is involved in sexual desire in women, but there's a whole debate around that."
"Explain it to me, then" she said, shifting closer until she was laing beside you, she rested her head on your lap, right on top of your book. "Talk dirty to me. Come on," she smiled as you scolded her, trying (and failing) to tug the book free.Â
Alexia didn't let go. "Explain sex to me."
"Why? So you can get turned off again?" You had been completely stressed out lately, and Alexia knew that. Why she was annoying and teasing you so much, you didn't know.Â
Maybe she was trying to distract you on purpose. Or maybe you were just too exhausted⊠you had barely been eating lately, you were running on a total of seven hours of sleep in the last two days and your mood was the worst possible.
"Don't be grumpy," Alexia said sweetly, cupping your cheeks and pulling you down for a kiss.
"Not grumpy," you mumbled against her lips. "JustâŠtired."
"Then come rest with me," she offered, like it was the most logical solution in the world.
"I can't," you sighed, pecking her lips one last time before finally getting your book back. You flipped it open to chapter fifteen, hoping a second read would help you make sense of it. "I have to study."
But Alexia was determined to have your attention.
She snatched the book from your hands and, before you could react, she grabbed both your wrists gently, pinning them down.
"You can study with me, bebé," she said, giving kisses to your jaw.
"You know nothing about this kind of sex, though" you muttered.
"Oh," she grinned against your neck. "I know quite a lot, actually." Her hand slid to your thigh, her fingers massaging the skin gently,
"You might know how to do it," you said breathlessly, "but not how it works."
"So tell me," Alexia murmured. "What's happening right now? to your body?"
She gently guided you down onto the mattress. She climbed over you as she kissed your neck, nipping at your skin.
"M-my pituitary gland is producing hormones and... um," you stammered as Alexia trailed kisses lower, down your chest, until she reached the hem of your shirt.
"And?" she prompted. "What those do?"
"They trigger the hypothalamus to produce other hormones." you managed, voice shaking. "The hypothalamus is like⊠a really important brain structure,"
"Hmm, so smart," Alexia purred as she released your hands just long enough to pull off your shirt. She grinned when she realized you weren't wearing a bra.
"Continue, bebé." Alexia kissed each of your breats tenderly.
"R-right now, my serotonin levels are dropping," you gasped as her mouth latched onto your nipple, twirling her tongue around it. "A-and my dopamine levels are increasing."
"And what does dopamine do?" Alexia asked, kissing her way down your belly.
You tried to answer, but she kept going lower and lower, until her mouth was exactly where you needed her most. And then you were absolutely gone, for a moment you couldn't think of anything but Alexia.
You moaned as you lifted your hips, but Alexia held them firmly in place, her hand pressuring your hip bown down to the mattress.Â
"No moving," she said with a smirk. "Just keep going. Tell me what's happening to your body."
"E-estrogen is making me wet," you whispered.
"Yeah?" she asked, spreading your legs. "Let me see." Alexia grinned as she dragged your underwear down your legs, throwing the discarded piece of clothing on the floor somewhere.
Her eyes lit up when she saw your cunt, her thumb brushing your folds teasingly.
"You're right," she said with a smug smile. "Very wet indeed."
Alexia slid a finger inside of your cunt, you were so wet there was absolutely no resistance, so she added another one, You moaned at the way she filled you up completely.
"Aleâ" you whimpered, "more."
"I'll give you another only if you keep talking," she said. "sĂ? Tell me step by step what's happening."
"M-my walls are contracting," you said, your eyes closing as she began moving her fingers slowly, "Because of the dopamine."
Alexia turned her fingers inside you, making a hook with her fingetips, hitting that spot that made your legs shake and your breath hitch.
"I can feel it, bebé. You're so tight around me. What else?" Alexia kept moving her fingers with one hand, while holding you still with the other.
"My blood pressure is increasing," you said, "and my heart is beating faster now, I-'im getting closer to the plateau phase."
Alexia moved the hand from your hip and placed it on your chest, feeling the beat of your heart, then she brought her fingers up to your nipples, tugging it slowly.
"Look at you," she whispered. "Acing every single change in your body during sex. I think you're gonna smash that test."
"Ale, I'm close," you moaned, opening your mouth, trying to breathe. "So fucking close."
Alexia didn't respond, she simply added a third finger and picked up the pace. Then she lowered her mouth again, and her lips latched onto your clit, sucking softly, until you were gasping.
Your hand went to her hair, trying to keep her there, but Alexia never liked being told what to do. She caught both of your wrists with one hand and pinned them gently over your belly.
"Wanna move," you whined, struggling to free your hands.
"No," Alexia said calmly, and went back to giving your clit the attention it deserved, sucking, biting and licking it. You groaned as her tongue slid hot and firm over your clit, her fingers thrusting deeper and faster each second.
"Fuck⊠Ale, pleaseâ" You begged, feeling your legs begin to shake.
"Lo sé, amor," [I know, love] Alexia murmured. "Cum for me, s�"
And because you were very good to Alexia, you did.
She didn't stop until you were completely undone, until your body was fully relaxed against the pillow, until you were breathing properly again, until you opened your eyes and looked at her.
She kissed your clit, then licked it, cleaning it before kissing the inside of your thigh. The she released your hands from her grip. Her thumb brushed over the faint red marks she had left behind on your skin, as in a silence I'm sorry.
"Has sido muy buena para mĂ,"Â [you have been very good to me] Alexia murmured, resting her head on your stomach and kissing your skin over and over.
"You ruined my studying session," you mumbled, running your hand through her hair. "I wanna sleep now"
"And what hormone is responsible for that?" Alexia asked cheeky.
"Oxytocin," you replied, intertwining your legs with Alexia's. "My dopamine levels are dropping, but serotonin and oxytocin are rising."
"Hmm," Alexia said, eyes fluttering. "Creo que realmente no sé qué significa eso." [I think I really don't know what that means.]
"It means," you said, voice heavy with sleep now, "that right now I'm happy, relaxed, and feeling loved."
"Hmm," Alexia murmured. You could already see her eyes slipping shut. "You are loved, indeed"
..
a/n: hope u guys liked it <3
Tag list: @footy-lover264 , @fortifyde, @naomigirmadefender , @neutraiise , @milkveed, @browercc , @ace-of-baked , @ikzzzya , @sky-the-trans-guy00 , @knight-16, @wosohk04, @evaissleepy13, @papimapileon , @unpoppablebubbles @whiskeredshrimp-blog @goodloe-e @liloandstitchstan @s0ciety-cxv @dfwspky @karmajn @awosofavs @wosofavfanfics
723 notes
·
View notes
Text
Might have to write something about Steph soon with how hot she looked at that wedding đ
19 notes
·
View notes
Text
Yâall, is everyone and their mum in WoSo suddenly getting married đ
All I see when I log into my socials are weddings.
I deadass had to see if I was following a wedding topic đ
13 notes
·
View notes
Text
right swipe, right time | alessia russo
-> based on this requestđ©·


masterlist
alessia didn't mean to download tinder.
well... okay. technically, she did. but it was through pure peer pressure. elite-level peer pressure.
it was one of those rare, peaceful nights on england camp. no media obligations. no early morning session. just music, snacks, and eight girls crammed into one hotel room in matching lionesses training hoodies, flopped on each other's beds with face masks and football socks still on.
"admit it," ella said, sipping from a bottle of lucozade. "you're hopeless. you haven't even looked at anyone sinceâwhat, 2021 when you got with that girl in-?"
"oi," alessia replied, shoving a pillow at her hoping the rest of the sentence wouldn't follow. "not everyone needs a tinder girlfriend and a backup date."
"i need to have a backup," ella scoffed. "just let us be your wing women."
chloe popped her head up from the floor. "you, though, less? you're like a nun with abs."
"excuse me?"
"i'm just saying, you've got biceps and absolutely no one to appreciate them. it's tragic really."
the teasing escalated until ella snatched alessia's phone, cackling. within minutes, the group was huddled around it, swiping through profiles with ruthless commentary.
then chloe stopped. "wait. wait. look at her."
the girl on the screen had sun-warmed skin, a long sleek ponytail with a silver chain around her neck and a smile like it came easy.
the profile read:
y/n, 26.
đaussie in london
dog mum, football, coffee, beach, sarcasm. swipe right if you can deal with my accentđ
alessia blinked. "she's australian?"
"even better," leah said, not even looking up from her phone. "less commitment, more fun." ella laughed and swiped right before alessia could protest.
it was a match. you messaged first.
you: âso... you're the type who let her friends swipe for her?â
alessia: âand who told you that??â
you: âyou did. in your bio. it says not my idea.â
alessia: âtouchĂ©.â
you: âhow do you feel about a flat white and great company.â
you were clever. funny, but not in the exhausting âtrying-too-hardâ way. you admitted your accent made ânoâ sound like ânaw,â were fluent in football slang props to having a football mad brother and dad growing up, and had some pretty strong opinions about oat milk.
on the second day you sent a photo of your dog - a tan mutt with ridiculous ears, one permanently flopped sideways.
you: âthis is roo. he's 40% kangaroo, 60% drama queen.â
alessia: âdid you really name your dog after a kangaroo?â
you: âduh what else am i supposed to name the most aussie thing i've owned while here in london?â
alessia laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone.
you and alessia talked for hours. that night. the next day. the next. alessia didn't want to jinx it, but something about you stuck in her head.
so when you casually said on facetime, "i know a place that makes coffee almost as good as back home. want to judge it together?", alessia couldn't stop herself before she said yes.
âž»
you arranged to meet just outside of st albans, outside a quiet café nestled between a vinyl shop and a bookstore that always smelled like cedar. the place had one of those wood-paneled signs and hanging plants framing the doorway.
you were already there when alessia arrived â leaning on the railing, sunglasses tucked onto the top of your head, wearing black jeans, a red nike hoodie with a white tee poking out from underneath the hoodie making you look so effortlessly put together.
and you brought roo. a worn blue leash in one hand as roo sat obediently at your side with his tongue lolling out like he owned the street.
"so this is the infamous roo?" alessia asked as she crouched down to scratch behind his ear with a wide grin.
you grinned cheekily, "he wanted to see if you were worth my time."
"and?"
"jury's out, depends on how good your coffee order is"
inside, you and alessia sat at a corner table by the window, roo laid under the table, head on your foot like a sleepy chaperon.
the cafe was cozy, a little too warm with soft music playing and the smell of fresh espresso lingering in the air as the conversation flowed as if they'd known each other longer than a few days.
the two of you talked football, you had played through your youth before switching to the more fitness route of personal trainer. talked music types. favourite food. best goals.
alessia recounted her childhood to you about growing up with two older brothers who tackled her in the garden until she toughened up. you had similar instead yours was more squabbles with your brother about whose turn it was to chose what to watch on the tv.
the two of you laughed, a lot and alessia found herself more relaxed than she had felt in ages.
after coffee turned into a walk through the park, roo trotting between the two of you like he belonged to you and alessia. when you both stoped on a quiet bench, the city loud and buzzing behind them. you gently nudged alessia's shoulder.
"you've got a great laugh," you said, you voice a little softer now - not flirtatious, not teasing. just honest.
alessia blinked, caught off guard a little. "that's random."
you shrugged, but there was a flicker of something more vulnerable in your eyes. "just been thinking it all afternoon. every time you've laughed, i've wanted to hear it again. i dunno. it's like.. it sounds a little like home, even when nothing else here does."
that brought alessia up short â in the best way. her pulse fluttered a little. the wind tugged at a loose strand of hair near her cheek, and you reached out instinctively, brushing it back gently with the back of your hand.
"and," you added, gaze holding hers, "i-i really want to kiss you."
alessia didn't say anything at first. she just stared at you â at the slight flush on your cheeks, the careful tension in your posture, the way your thumb brushed against her own jeans like you were grounding herself.
"i thought you'd never say it," alessia said quietly almost whispering. you smiled, just barely.
alessia leaned in, slow and sure, her hand resting lightly on your arm. your faces hovered close, breath mingling in the space between the two of you. when your lips met, it wasn't fireworks or drama â it was warm, slow, and steady. like the start of something that didn't need to rush to prove itself.
alessia's lips were soft, patient â like she didn't want to take too much, just enough to say this is real.
you smiled into the kiss, nudging your nose against alessia's as she deepened it for just a heartbeat more, letting herself melt into the moment.
roo let out an exaggerated sigh at your feet, flopping down dramatically like he'd seen this all before.
you pulled back with a quiet laugh, your forehead resting lightly against alessia's. "well," you murmured, "guess you passed his test too."
alessia's grin was wide now. "should i be relieved or insulted that your dog is the final judge?"
"trust me," you said, brushing your thumb gently across alessia's hand, "he's got excellent taste."
âž»
fast forward a few weeks â text messages, video calls, one stolen weekend when you and alessia both had a spare weekend â and suddenly it was the champions league final.
most of alessia's teammates had someone in the crowd. family, partners, whole sections of fans in their shirts. alessia didn't expect anyone but her parents and family to be there.
so when alessia jogged out for warm-ups and caught a flash of that same sleek ponytail under a baseball cap, sitting behind the dugout with a massive arsenal flag scarf draped over your shoulders, alessia's heart just stopped.
you grinned at alessia from the stands and sent a message.
you: âgo win it, star girl. i'm here. you've got this and you deserve this so muchđâ
the final whistle blew.
the roar hit first â a wave of noise so loud it felt like it shook the air itself. arsenal had done it. champions of europe. alessia stood frozen for a second, boots rooted to the grass, blinking up at the stadium lights through tears she hadn't realised were already falling.
a brutal, brilliant final. 90 minutes of fight. blood, grit, and everything they had left in them.
now there were arms around alessia â teammates screaming, laughing, crying â someone pouring champagne over her back, another dragging her into a pile-on. alessia laughed so hard she nearly dropped to her knees, adrenaline flooding her body until she was floating.
confetti exploded from the stands like rain. gold, silver, red â blinding under the floodlights. they lifted the trophy. alessia's medal felt heavy and strange around her neck, like it wasn't real yet.
somewhere in the middle of the chaos, she remembered to look toward the tunnel. and there you were.
you stood just past the barrier, half-hidden by stewards and staff, but alessia saw you instantly. somehow, even through the din, even with a stadium erupting around her, alessia's eyes found yours.
"you came?," alessia said breathlessly as she stumbled toward you, cheeks flushed, hair soaked, half-covered in sweat and sticky champagne. alessia's voice cracked on the last word.
you smiled â wide, proud, and maybe just a little teary yourself. "of course i did. you think i was gonna miss the love of my life win a champions league medal?"
alessia froze mid-step, slightly caught off guard. "you just saidâ"
you smirked, raising an eyebrow slightly . "too soon? i'm australian. we move fast."
alessia laughed, dazed and glowing, before pulling you into a quick, messy hug. a one you didn't want to end, at least not yet. but before either of you could say more, a voice rang out:
"well, well, well. whose this?"
chloe kelly. grinning like a madwoman, dragging leah along behind her, both still in full kit, cheeks streaked with war paint and joy.
leah narrowed her eyes. "wait hold up... this the aussie?"
"the tinder aussie?" chloe gasped. "you're real?!"
you, cool as ever, extended a hand, voice deadpan with just the right touch of theatricality.
"y/n. from sydney. like coffee, dogs, and a certain blonde striker who wears number 23."
chloe collapsed into giggles so violent she almost dropped her phone. "she's perfect. and you've been hiding her! wait till i tell ella about this!"
alessia groaned, trying to tuck herself partially behind you. "can everyone not make this a thing?"
"too late," leah declared, already snapping a photo. "group chat is getting this in two minutes. tooney is gonna have a field day!"
you leaned toward alessia's ear, your voice low and warm beneath the chaos. "i'm stealing you in five minutes. you've earned my full attention and unlimited kisses for the night and maybe the rest of eternity!"
alessia turned to face you, her medal bumping softly against her chest. her eyes were tired and shining. "only if i get the right side of the bed."
you grinned. "done. whatever you wish, with my hoodie on the side"
and then, right there, in front of teammates, staff, her family, and 60,000 still-cheering fans â you kissed her. it wasn't rushed. it wasn't shy. it was the kind of kiss that told everyone watching: this is real.
alessia leaned into it, one hand finding the hem of your coat, the other curled into your hoodie, grounding herself. you tasted like mint and stadium air and something steadier, something safe.
when you finally pulled back, alessia's smile was soft and breathless. for once â champagne in her hair, confetti in her eyelashes, teammates heckling in the background â alessia didn't care about the noise, the cameras, or what tomorrow would bring.
for once, the chaos was absolutely worth it. alessia had swiped right for the right person. her right person
568 notes
·
View notes
Text
My favorite pictures from the vogue article










34 notes
·
View notes
Text
âTO MARIAâ - Iâm sobbing myself to dehydration bye.

112 notes
·
View notes
Text
what could go wrong? | alessia russo x child!reader x leah williamson
-> based on this request!



grumpy masterlist
the day had started with good intentions. leah had basically dragged alessia and ella into the uber, grinning ear to ear as leah handed them their gift bags filled with two of the fluffiest white robes and a voucher for the best spa in central london.
"hot stone massages, champagne, hydrotherapy. you never treat yourself less," leah said, ushering them towards the curb.
alessia looked back at the house, worried. "i don't know, babe. lovie.. well you know she's been a bit... cheeky and a handful lately."
"cheeky?" leah snorted. "she's five less, she's building personality. i've handled katie mccabe after a red card. i'm sure i can handle one lovely kid."
alessia gave leah a look, a one where she wasn't fully convinced leah knew exactly what she was signing herself up for.
"i'm just saying leâshe did convince your mum she could have a pet snake last week. a real one."
"hey where is the belief? i've got this," leah said, famous last words was they. smug and completely unaware of what lay ahead. "you, ella, spa day! me and y/n? we're bonding."
alessia climbed into the uber slowly. "alright. but if she destroys the house, just remember... you begged me to go."
âž»
the belief leah so confidently had this morning, yeah? well that was slowly but surely disappearing as the day went on.
leah stood in the doorway of the kitchen, one hand gripping a mug of coffee that had long since gone cold. the other was limp at her side, fingers twitching slightly as she processed the absolute devastation in front of her.
the living roomâ a once a calming, adult space with neutral tones and framed prints with a tidy corner dedicated to your toysânow looked like the aftermath of a toddler-led rave.
there was marker on the wall. not washable. on the wallpaper alessia had picked out after three hours in wallpaper isle of the home store.
toothpaste was foamed into your curls like a failed tiktok hair tutorial. and the glitter? there was glitter in leah's tea, glitter on the furniture, and leah could swear some had somehow ended up on the light fitings.
"howâ" leah mumbled, eyes wide as she took a cautious step into the war zone, "âhow did this all happen in thirty minutes?"
across the room, perched like a diva on the sofa, you sat wearing a tiara slightly askew and oversized sunglasses that probably belonged to alessia. you were calmly feeding gummy bears to the dogâwafflesâwhile whispering conspiratorially into his floppy ear.
"don't tell her, waffles. it's a secret mission." waffles wagged his tail, clearly thrilled by the attention and sugar.
leah was still in joggers and her old arsenal hoodie, as she pulled out her phone and typed like her life depended on it.
le: 'this is a code red'
le: 'there's glitter in my tea'
le: âand she has drew a moustache on my framed england shirtâ
le: âless... she used PERMANENT markerâ
three blinking dots appeared, alessia had read it but then disappeared. then came the a reply alessia had clearly been waiting to use:
less<3: âsorry i'm currently unavailable during this time. enjoying my well deserved spa day đ
đâ
leah stared at the screen, blinking once. then again. "cruel," leah muttered. "so cruel."
âž»
a few hours had passed and while leah had managed half a mug of tea without glitter it was clear your chaos was far from being over. as leah was now crouched in front of you like she was giving a post-match pep talk.
"angel," leah tried, crouching in front of you, hands on her knees like leah was addressing a rogue teammate mid-match. "how about we do something... quiet. reading? a puzzle? or we can talk about our feelings?"
"i feel like you're boring," you deadpanned, pushing up her tiny sunglasses before turning back to your game with your dolls.
leah blinked. she didn't know whether to laugh or cry as leah rubbed her temples, stepped over a discarded barbie torso, and typed out a desperate message:
le: âi kid you not she's just called me boringâ
le: âmy ego is bruised. my shirt is ruined. the dog may be traumatized.â
le: âi want a refund on the spa voucher. or motherhood. whichever is easier.â
no reply.
you zoomed past on a makeshift âskateboardâ made out of a laundry basket, yelling "I AM QUEEN OF THE FLOOR" and bumping into the dining table leg with a dull thunk.
waffles barked. a glass trembled on the counter. "why is she always right.." leah whispered, alessiaâs words of worry echoing in leads mind.
now it was raining. of course it was. because why not add a bit of pathetic fallacy to leah's slow descent into madness?
you were now sulking in the corner, wrapped in a blanket like a tiny, grumpy burrito. the latest tragedy? you had attempted to give your barbie a haircut and now the doll looked, in your words, âlike a very sad potato with no dreams.â
leah didn't even have the energy to argue. instead she picked up the half-eaten slice of toast from the table, gave it a sniff, and tossed it directly into the bin without even breaking eye contact with the five-year-old.
leah typed again.
le: âi've lost control of the household. she's running a glitter cartel and i think i'm on her hit listâ
still no answer.
the tv was playing bluey in the background. the smell of baby shampoo and peanut butter lingered in the air. leahâs phone buzzed.
less<3: âhaving the best time. my skin is glowing. love you girls, hope your having fun!đâ
another message followed from ella:
tooney: âtbh we both said you were doomed. but thanks for the spa, never felt so fresh xxâ
leah groaned into her sleeve, 'having fun' was one way to sum up leah's day. as then from the living room, a tiny voice shouted, "mama! i poured juice on the floor so the waffles can ice skate!"
leah stood up slowly. "of course you have," she muttered. but then, as leah walked into the mess, you ran up to leah, arms wide open, juice on your shirt and glitter in your hair.
"i love you, mama," you said, entirely unprompted.
leah melted, on the spot practically as she rubbed your back, "...i take it back. maybe you're only slightly half satan."
âž»
when alessia finally walked in through the door, fresh-faced and glowing, leah was lying flat on her back on the couch, as leah stared at the ceiling like she was seeing into another dimension.
the only sound was the gentle hum of bluey in the background.
alessia peeked into the living room. you were curled up on leah's chest, fast asleep, your little fingers tangled in the strings of leah's hoodie.
waffles was beside them, also asleep, with a tiara lopsided on his head. leah raised one hand in the air as alessia approached a tried and dopey looking smile on leah's face.
"i have glitter in places no glitter should be," leah said, voice hoarse. "she called me a boring noodle. and if your wondering why the kitchen floor is sticky she built a juice rink for waffles."
alessia bit back a laugh, crouched beside leah, and kissed leah's temple. "you've done great, babe."
"no. i want vengeance. you can take her next time. i'm keeping the spa trip for myself next time."
"noted," alessia smiled as she lifted a blanket to lay over you kissing you on the forehead. "but hey... what could go wrong?"
leah groaned. "never say that again."
216 notes
·
View notes
Text
First appointment
Y/N has her first appointment and sees her baby for the first time
4 weeks 5 days
After confirming with the clinic that the pregnancy test was positive, they insisted you came in and had a scan done so they knew you were definitely pregnant.
Clearly a sixteen year old who was just starting her career was lying about being pregnant.
You were going to decline the offer, not wanting to step foot in that place again but your lawyer had told you it was a good idea and could be used as evidence later on.
It still took a bit of reassurance from Leah and your mum but eventually you agreed.
Everything was still up in arms. The clinic were still blaming it all on the system error but you found out that the doctor that did the procedure should have clarified your name and age before starting.
You had spent many nights crying into your pillow, the stress from everything affecting you greatly.
Leah had been your rock though. Every night sheâs climb into your bed, stroking your hair as you fell asleep.
After seeing how worked up you had gotten yourself because of the legal side of things, Leah decided to keep it away from you.
You no longer knew what was happening and instead, Leah and your parents were the lead case handlers.
Leah had tried to sit you down a few times and ask if you had decided to keep it or not but every time you didnât have an answer.
It wasnât a simple choice.
You felt a small connection to the baby, it was your blood, it was your baby. However, your career was just starting and you couldnât afford to be out for a year.
But you could imagine a future with a baby, with your baby.
âKiddo, you ready to go?â Leah asked, pulling you out of your thoughts as she walked into your room.
You reluctantly nodded, just a small and swift movement that Leah barely saw.
âLook at me, kiddo. I know itâs scary going back, but Iâll be there with you the whole time.â Leah reassured you, crouching down in front of you and taking your hands in hers.
Your sister was your safe place, the person you go to whenever things get hard so having her there definitely made it that little bit less daunting.
âI can always reschedule it for another day.â Leah suggested but you shook your head.
âIâd rather get it over and done with.â
âOkay then, kid. Come on then.â
Leah wrapped her arm round you as you walked out your room, offering that bit of support and comfort.
âYou go sit down, Iâll sign you in.â Leah said, going your separate ways as you walked to the waiting room and Leah going to reception.
âThat didnât take long. The receptionist said that youâve got a completely different doctor today.â
You hummed, too lost in your thoughts to respond.
âLe?â You began, Leah turning to face you waiting for you to continue. âIf I do have the baby, will you kick me out? Because the baby will cry and I donât want you not getting any sleep and thenââ
âWoah, woah, kiddo calm down. Of course Iâm not going to kick you out. Youâre my baby sister, Y/N. This isnât your fault and Iâm not going to let you think it is. The baby is my niece or nephew and Iâll love it just as much as I love you. Maybe even a tiny bit more if it doesnât have your attitude. But thereâs no way Iâm kicking you out.â Leah explained, resting a hand on your leg that bounced with nerves.
There was a moment of silence before your name was called by a doctor.
Leah helped you up, both of you walking to the side room.
Inside was a bed with a few chairs and a tv on the wall connected to a monitor.
âIâve looked back at your files and the embryo would have fertilised four and a half weeks ago so you might not be able to see much, if anything, on the scan but I will be able to see the amniotic sack which will confirm you are pregnant. Am I okay to just lift your shirt?â The doctor asked and you nodded, pulling up the shirt yourself.
She applied some gel before turning the monitor on.
Your eyes focused on the screen in front of you, the doctor now moving a probe along your lower abdomen.
You reached for Leahâs hand, wanting to know she was close.
âIâm here, bubba.â She whispered quietly, clearly seeing how nervous you were.
âItâs very early but I can see the baby just there.â The doctor said, pointing to a tiny, barely visible dot on the screen.
âThatâs your baby.â Leah told you quietly, her voice sounding emotional as she spoke.
âThe amniotic sack is surrounding it and the lining of your uterus has thickened so you are definitely pregnant. The measurements of your uterus are looking all good. At this moment in time, I havenât got much to tell you in regard to the embryo. Now, due to the circumstances, I have to ask you a question that may be a bit of a difficult one to answer. I can wait a few days for a response so thereâs no rush or no need to answer straight away. We can offer you an abortion if you want. The babyâs still small enough to do an abortion.â The doctor explained, still keeping the prong on your abdomen.
Your eyes kept glued to the screen in front of you, more specifically at the tiny blob.
You kept quiet, gathering your thoughts before taking a deep breath in.
âI think I want to keep it.â
You felt Leahâs hand squeeze yours.
âYeah, I want to keep it.â You repeated, sending a firm nod to the doctor.
âOkay. I can print some pictures for you and then when you head out, could you sign the sheet declaring youâve declined our offer of an abortion?â
You nodded, pulling your shirt down and sitting up.
âAre you sure you want this?â Leah questioned
âI want this. I mean, sometimes youâre a bit boring so at least Iâd have someone else around.â You joked, sending her a small smirk as you stood up.
âI hope this baby doesnât get your cheek. I donât think I could cope with two of you.â
âHey! Iâm not that bad.â You defended yourself, playfully shoving Leah.
âYouâre not that bad.â Leah admitted, pulling you in for a side hug. âIâm proud of you, kiddo.â
âThanks, le. I donât think I wouldâve said yes if you werenât gonna be there.â You revealed, hugging your sister tightly.
âRight. There are the pictures from the ultrasound. Iâll lead you to reception.â The doctor said, handing you five small pictures before opening the door and leading you out.
You signed the paperwork before finally leaving the building.
âYou jump in the car and Iâll call mum and tell her how it went.â Leah told you whilst you jumped in the passenger seat.
You stared at the pictures in your hand - the tiny blob evident in all of them.
âWeâll get through this wonât we blob?â
211 notes
·
View notes