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Lasagne - Alessia Russo x reader

Summary: while ur girlfriends away at a game, you make her a lil surprise to come back to...

1.5k words

"Hey guys, what's up, as I'm sure you all know, my girlfriend Alessia has a big game today; a friendly with Scotland and very sadly I can't be there 'cause my big fat leg injury. So instead, I'm gonna just make some food and put the game on, and I thought you could join me," I spoke to my Instagram live from my kitchen.

"Kay, obviously gotta get all the ingredients out - we're making Lessi's favourite, lasagne, and her mum sent me her recipe so I'm gonna have to try my very best to live up to her mum's standards,"

I chatted to my phone absentmindedly as I collected all my ingredients.

"Guys I realise I'm giving you a tough choice here on where your attention goes - to the game or to me making lasagne. Look I will not be offended if you chose the game, I'm not the best chef in the whole of Europe, the Lionesses however,"

By now I had all the ingredients out and had started mixing up the sauce, talking and joking with myself to make the live entertaining. I had Lessi's game up on my laptop just behind my phone.

"I'm warning you lot now," I spoke, "that I'm the worst with onions, the literal worst so I will be in a right state in about thirty seconds,"

I peeled the onion, and diced it finely, trying to do it as quickly as possible as tears seeped from my eyes.

I stuck the onions in the saucepan but had to collect myself still.

Strings of curses came flying out my mouth as I strained my eyes a lot.

"Fuck, you're not supposed to touch them, are you? Maybe that makes it worse. I don't even think it can get worse, fucking look at me,"

I got closer to the camera, showing everyone my bloodshot, teary eyes, which just kept twitching.

I tried to get over the feeling, taking a breather. I rested my hands on my knees to support myself as I leaned over.

Suddenly, from my laptop, there was an eruption of noise and I shot up.

"Did they just score? Oh my god, Lessi scored, ahhh guys England are winning! Fuck my eyes! Awh she's doing so well, look at that replay that's a beautiful goal, jesus my girlfriend is so talented. Fuck my fucking eyes man this hurts. Awh she looks so happy, I'm so proud bless. God I wish I could've been there, guys they scored! My eyes still hurt like hell, god I told you I was the worst. I don't even get this - why me? Fuck!" I took another second, and then tried to continue, shaking my face as if it would help, "Okay, okay I have to keep going or I won't be done in time, shit, my eyes look bloody awful, hold on,"

I disappeared from my phone's view for a moment and came back with sunglasses on.

"What do you think guys? Look good?" I chuckled to myself, "yeah, these actually are Lessi's, not mine, they were the first ones I found. I might have to steal them from her though, definitely look better on me. Okay, let's keep going,"

England had scored another two goals by the time I was starting to construct the layers of the lasagne, with Less getting one of the assists. She really was playing great today, getting many praises from the commentators for her performance.

It really did make me so happy, seeing her beaming on screen. She'd been needing a win since a recent loss that she had taken pretty hard.

I wacked the lasagne in the oven a few minutes later, checking the time left on the match to make sure I had my timing right.

"Perfect, she'll get back a few minutes after it should come out the oven, now we just wait,"

I kept on with the live, turning my full attention to the game now. Scotland managed to score despite England dominating possession, but spirits still seemed high, England still leading by two goals.

Eventually my timer went, it had been 20 minutes since I put the lasagne in, so I went to check on it, even though I knew it would still need a fair amount of time.

"Right the cheese hasn't browned or anything, so I know it needs more time. How do I know though, when it's fully done, just from the cheese on top or what? I'ma give Carol a ring,"

I grabbed the house phone and dialled Alessia's mum's number. As it rang, I did a lil dance to the live.

"Hello?"

"Oh, hey Carol, it's Y/N,"

"Hi love, is the lasagne going alright?"

"Yes, great in fact and I haven't burnt the house down just yet,"

She chuckled a little at that.

"I was just calling to ask how you know it's done; I'm watching for when the cheese brown so when it does should I just take it out then?"

"Yeah, so when it's golden brown on top that's done, and the sauce will be bubbling around the edges. If you want, you can also stick it with a toothpick. If it's easy to push to the bottom layer then you should be good to go,"

"Oh that’s perfect, thank you so much. You watching the game?"

"Of course, course I am. Her goal was beautiful, wasn't it?"

"Sailed right into the net, amazing goal. She really is playing amazingly, she should be so proud,"

"And right after that hard loss the other day,"

"Yeah for sure, and you can see she's having so much fun as well, so nice to see,"

"And she's lucky to have you too, making her lasagne is so sweet she'll be so thankful,"

"Well, I have to give you some credit, it's your recipe after all. Anyway Carol, I better focus on my lasagne, or she'll come home to a burnt brick instead,"

"Of course, well I hope to speak to you soon, I'll give Less a call after the game,"

"We should look at going out for a meal soon, it's been a while,"

"Oh, that would be perfect, bye then,"

"Bye!"

The game ended shortly after, and then I got a message from my girlfriend saying she'd be home in 10. Perfect timing pretty much.

10 minutes later I heard her keys rattling in the door and ran to go greet her.

"Lessi, hun, you did so amazing!" I called out before practically throwing myself into her arms.

She pulled me close, her arms tightly wrapped around my shoulders as mine snaked around her waist. I buried my head into the crook of her neck, enjoying being so close to her after what had felt like ages.

"I missed you," I told her.

I could feel her sniffing the air, evidently the smell of the lasagne creeping into her senses.

"Lasagne?" she asked hesitantly, her voice filled with hope.

I chuckled, pulling away from the hug and leading her into the kitchen.

"I thought it'd be nice to make you something, plus you deserve it with that goal, stunning. Here, come, I'm live on Instagram,"

"You really made me lasagne?" she asked happily.

"Your mum’s recipe,"

She pulled me back into a hug from behind as I was facing my phone, watching the messages on my live fly past. Her chin nestled into my neck.

"I love you so much," she whispered quietly before pressing a kiss into my skin, giving me goosebumps.

"Alright, get off you big lump," I told her, but my tone was light and there was a smile plastered on my face, "I'll serve it up,"

She withdrew from the embrace and sat up on one of the stools.

We talked with each other and with the live as I dished up the lasagne for us both.

"Here, pass," I indicated to my phone which she was holding and propped it up to get a video of her trying the dish I'd slaved over for more than an hour.

"It's good," she said with a grin, it came out muffled with her cheeks stuffed with pasta, and I could tell she really meant it, "it's really good. Mmm! Exactly what I needed,"

"Yayy. I'm glad it's good," I responded, and then we ended the live a few minutes later with a wave to the camera.

"Now that's off, I can do this," I said and turned to her.

I pulled her in for a kiss. It tasted like lasagne. She pulled away when we both ended up smiling into each other's lips.

"You couldn't do that before we ended the live?" she teased. I know she didn't mean it, we'd both talked about pda before, deciding not everyone needed to see it. Best not to encourage the tiktok edits.

"You really did play amazing today Less, I was so proud. You made it look easy,"

She chuckled a little.

"Come back here," she mumbled, putting her hand on the back of my neck to kiss me again. It was more this time, our lips moving together perfectly until she cheekily bit down on my lip.

"Less!" I cried out, pulling back sharply.

"Sorry," she said, clearly not meaning it by the brazen smirk on her face, "you tasted too good I thought you were lasagne,"

[htttg]

Argument - Alessia Russo x Reader

Summary: You spend a day getting ignored by your girlfriend until she realises...

1.3k words

"Babe!" I heard Less call from the bedroom and I paused my show to go and check on her. She was standing in our room, holding her hairspray in her hand.

"Yeah?"

"Have you been using my hairspray?" she asked

"No, why?"

"Are you sure?"

"Very sure, yeah, Less you know I don't ever really use hairspray, and I would ask you anyway,"

"I don't remember finishing it, that's all,"

I had the feeling she didn't really believe me, but I genuinely hadn't touched her hairspray, so I guessed she'd just forget it eventually.

"Okay, you wanna come watch a film together?"

"I might join you in a little bit,"

I went back down to the tv, expecting Less to join me at some point, but she never did. I could hear her rummaging around the bathroom and bedroom, opening all the cupboards and going through the drawers.

I would usually have helped her find for what she was looing for, but my muscles were aching at the moment after a particularly hard workout this morning.

Eventually, Less came backdown stairs and grabbed sat in the kitchen to eat something. I felt like I hadn't seen her much today, so I went and joined her.

I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, kissing her cheek as I hugged me. To my genuine surprise, she drew away from me.

"I'm trying to eat," she muttered, her voice flat, sounding annoyed.

"Sorry," I apologised sheepishly, and backed off, deciding to get something to eat as well seeing as it was almost dinner time, "are you going somewhere?" I asked, noticing she was wearing her nice perfume and a little more makeup than normal

"Yeah, I'm going round to Tooney's, I'm leaving in like an hour,"

"Were you going to tell me?" I asked, feeling a little out of the loop and dejected.

"At some point, yeah course,"

"I can give you a lift-"

"No, that's fine Ella said she'd come get me,"

"Alright then, have fun,"

I put my salad together, and sat down next to her, expecting a conversation to start soon after like it normally did. Something felt a little off, a little cold. I took my salad and finished it in front of the tv.

She went out soon after that, she didn't say goodbye to me or anything. No goodbye kiss or hug like normal. The house felt so empty after she'd gone, so quiet.

I got restless sitting on the sofa, and decided to go on a walk. I went upstairs to grab a jacket. I slid on one of Lessi's jackets, and was about to leave the bedroom when the bin caught my eye. I stared at the empty hairspray can in the bin, remembering the conversation we'd had earlier.

Is that why she was being weird? She thought I'd used her hairspray?

Anger and hurt stung my insides. There's no way she thought I'd just lie to her face like that, right?

I pulled her jacket off, hanging it back up in the wardrobe and grabbed one of my own.

I didn't want to give her another reason to ice me out.

I expected the walk to clear my head, but my emotions just sort of multiplied. I was hurt that she'd been so cold, and I was angry that she hadn't believed me. I mean, she didn't even talk to me about it, she just ran off to Ella.

I wondered if she was talking to Ella about it now, telling her I'd lied to her face. I tried to push away the anger, begging some more understanding feelings to take over, but I couldn't seem to manage to understand her.

I got back home about half an hour later, mind fogged. I tried to forget it, and instead texted Less asking what time she'd be home.

Me: any idea what time you'll be back? Should I wait up?

I took a while for her to reply, but an hour later she texted back

Less: not after midnight - dont wait up

I watched to clock tick over to midnight, no Less. I watched as the time turned 1, no Less. I wanted to text, to make sure she was alright, but I knew she was. Either she'd lost track of the time, or she wasn't planning on coming back anytime soon. There was no text saying she'd be out later than expected, which she'd normally do even before she was due to get back.

I could text Tooney, but I figured I was a hot topic for them today, and just couldn't be bothered. I sighed, and just got into bed and tried to sleep.

The next morning, she still wasn't back. I couldn't really focus on my day, couldn't really be bothered to get out of bed or get changed, but I wasn't about to ruin my mood just because my girlfriend couldn't trust me not to use her hairspray.

I texted Leah, hoping she was free.

Me: ru free today I need a reason to get up cl

Leah: sure, shopping?

Me: perf, I'll pick u up in an hr

I forced myself out of bed, and into a cute outfit. I did some light makeup and had a cereal bar before leaving to house.

I got back before Less did, which hurt a little bit, but I just decided to do some baking or something to keep myself busy.

Less got back as I was sifted in the flour. She didn't call out a hello like she normally would. I left the baking and went to see her.

"I didn't realise when you said midnight you meant the next day," I muttered to her, watching her untie her laces

"Sorry, we had a bit to drink and lost track of time, Tooney said I could stay over and I didn't think you'd want to deal with me drunk,"

"A text would've been nice. I was worried,"

I hadn't been worried, I knew she was blanking me, but she didn't have to know that.

"Well, I told you not to wait up,"

"Alright," I answered, going back to my cookies

She followed me into the kitchen a few moments later, and I saw her stop short at the shopping on the side. I knew what she'd seen. I didn't look at her, instead focusing on my cookies as she processed it.

I scooped them onto a baking tray, and turned around, jumping back when she was right behind me, a new can of hairspray in her hands.

"You- you bought me a new one?"

"Well yeah," I shrugged, "I was out anyway and you mentioned you ran out, so I grabbed another can,"

I tried to walk away, put she took my hand and pulled me back, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, hugging me tightly.

It took me a second to process the action, but once she'd nestled her head into the crook of my neck, I returned the hug, my arms snaking around her waist.

I relaxed into the hug, pulling her closer and breathing into her gently. The familiar feeling washed over me, and a smile tugged at my lips.

"I was such a bitch," she mumbled into the hug, "I'm sorry,"

I pulled away, and pressed a kiss into her cheek.

"It's okay," I mumbled

She shook her head.

"I knew you were telling the truth, I just-"

"It's okay, really,"

It was a bit of a lie, but I could tell she was really hating herself for it, so I nodded reassuringly.

"You're too perfect for me,"

I chuckled softly.

"That might be true,"

She hit my arm softly, a small smile on her face.

"I buy you hairspray and you hit me, wow I feel appreciated,"

"Oh shut up. Can we have the rest of the day in? I fancy watching that film now," 

I nodded, "course Less,"

[htttg]

I fell for you - Alessia Russo x reader

Summary: You and Alessia Russo are both strikers on the England team, but you've never got along. The friction between you two explodes after a drunken night and leads to a whole bunch of unresolved feelings being brought up.

Angst -> Resolution

6k words (longer than I expected)

It was getting later as I pulled into the McDonald's drive thru line after having a quiet evening to myself for the first time in forever. It was weirdly busy for a late evening, and I had been waiting to order for about five minutes when I got a call from Tooney, one of my best mates.

"Tooney? What's up?"

"Are you doing anything right now?"

"No nothing really. Why?"

"Can you do me a favour?"

"Sure,"

"Can you go get Less for me?"

"You want me to... go get Russo for you?" I asked, a little baffled at the request for multiple reasons.

Firstly, I didn't know what the situation was where I'd have to go and pick up Toone's friend for her. Secondly, when Tooney wanted a favour is was normally picking up something from the shops for her. Thirdly, although Alessia Russo was a really great friend of Ella's, the football player had made it very clear in the past that she didn't want anything to do with me.

"Yes please, it's important,"

"Okay firstly why? Secondly why can't you? And third where from?"

"Oh my god, so you'll do it,"

"Yes, yes if you need me to, but answer my questions at least,"

I pulled out of the drive thru, annoyingly I was next in line, but I reluctantly drove off.

"She's in the pub we went to for Mary's birthday, and well I got a call from Leah, saying they'd gone out with a few friends and apparently she's got really drunk really quick. Leah asked if I could pick her up because they're all drunk but I'm with my family and I've been drinking as well so I can't go. You're the only person I know who's close enough,"

"Alright, yeah I'm on my way. I'll be there in 10,"

"You are genuinely fantastic, I owe you alright?"

"Yes, you really do owe me big time,"

"Text me with any updates, mkay?"

"Sure, yeah, talk to you later,"

"Bye! Thank you!"

I sighed after I hung up, and continued the drive to the pub. I parked in the car park around the back of the pub, and went in, becoming oddly conscious of my sweats and tshirt, not something I'd usually wear to a pub.

I went in, and caught Leah's eye, and she came over to me quickly.

"Tooney sent you?" she asked, just as confused as I'd been when I got the call.

"Yeah. She's drinking and I was nearby,"

She nodded, but her furrowed brow told me she still didn't really get it.

"Well you really are saving us right now. We were gonna head to a club after this, but I don't even know how she got so drunk. She's been really up and down all day though,"

"Alright, well I'll just take her home and you can get on with your night out,"

"Genuinely thank you so much," Leah said, and led me over to a booth where a couple of the girls were sat, Alessia in the middle, evidently extremely drunk, talking to Keira very loudly about something that happened in training.

She made herself laugh, and giggled obnoxiously. Keira chuckled at her antics, but looked very relieved to see me come up to the table.

"C'mon Russo, let's go," I muttered. The girl turned to look at me sharply, her smile dropping.

"What are you doing here?"

"Taking your stupid arse home because you got wasted at pre's,"

"I'm not drunk!"

"I really don't care, but I'm taking you home, alright, because Tooney asked me to,"

"I'm not going anywhere with you,"

With a lot of persuading from the girls and the promise of another night out soon, the forward finally climbed out the booth and stood up to come with me.

She wobbled on her feet and fell into me a little. I tried to help steady her, but she just pushed me away.

"Just take me home or whatever,"

"Whatever you say," I mumbled.

I said goodbye to the girls, who gave me some very thankful looks and with Russo stumbling behind me, left them to it.

I made sure to go to the bar first and buy a couple bottles of water, which because it was a pub, cost me 12 quid. A stupid price really, but at least it was quick.

I helped Russo into the passenger seat of my car, which she ended up mostly falling into, and passed her a bottle of water, telling her to drink. I grabbed a carrier bag from my boot, just in case and handed it to her as I got into the drivers seat.

"Why are here? Huh? No one told me you'd be here. You weren't invited,"

"I was, actually, but decided to have a day to myself. That's gone to shit now because you can't handle your fucking drink,"

I started the car, with Russo mumbling incoherent insults beside me.

"Right, you're gonna have to help me out a little bit here and tell me where you live,"

"No,"

"Well, it's either that or you're coming back to mine instead, which would you rather,"

"I'm not telling you where I live," she said stubbornly with a pout.

"Are you-" I started to argue but stopped myself. It wasn't the time to start this whole thing, not with her barely seeing straight, "never mind, to my house it is,"

I turned out of the car park, conscious of Alessia fiddling with my car, searching the glovebox and cupholders and every other little pockets for something.

"I don't- I don't like this car," she complained right when I'd pulled onto a busy road. She started fiddling with her seat belt.

"Russo! What are you- don't!"

She'd undone her seatbelt and I had to last minute pull aside, causing the car behind me to beep at me. I grab Alessia's arm to stop her from trying to get out the car completely.

"Get off me!"

"Alessia fucking Russo sit the fuck down. I don't care if you don't like me and I don't care if you don't like my car but you didn't leave a whole lot of options when you got super wasted at a random bar on a Saturday night, alright? You thinking I want to be spending my night driving someone who hates my guts back home? I didn't get a whole lot of options either darling so just shut up and sit down and don't you dare move,"

I surprised myself with my outburst, and evidently shocked her too as she stopped trying to get out the car and sat there, stroppy expression on her face and arms folded.

"Ok, good," I mumbled, "seatbelt back on. Russo? Alessia, seatbelt!"

She didn't move, so I grumbled and leant over her to pull her belt across her. I was expecting her to complain or shove me away, but she stayed deadly still and just let me.

I pulled back onto the road and continued the drive to my house. It was silent in the car for all of five minutes before she started complaining again.

"Why did Tooney send you? Huh? Trying to punish me for having a little drink?"

That continued until I pulled into my driveway.

"Where are we?" she asked, confused.

"My house. You wouldn't let me take you to your house remember?"

I got out and went to her side of the car, opening her door and helping her out. She was even less stable on her feet now, and she let me walk her to the front door and into the house.

I sat her down on the stairs, took off her shoes as she drank some more water, took her coat off and hung it on the bannisters and then took her upstairs. She knocked down some pictures on the wall as she went, I gritted my teeth.

"I need to piss," she mumbled.

"What do you want me to do about that?"

"I-" she sighed, "nothing,"

I took her to the bathroom, and then let her get herself on the toilet. She was unaware of her movements and ended up hitting stuff off the sink and stuff.

"Wow, such a big girl going to the toilet all by yourself," I teased, ribbing her as I watched her struggle as I left the bathroom.

As she did that, I went to my bedroom and started tidying it up and gathering some spare blankets and pillows. Downstairs, I set up a bed on the sofa and then went back upstairs when I heard retching from the bathroom.

"Oh, in my bath, great!" I mumbled but went up to her and tied her hair back. I shifted her to the toilet instead and sat with her on my bathroom floor until she stopped throwing up. She pushed herself away from the toilet, which I flushed, and she curled into a ball on the floor.

"This is so soft," she hummed, stroking my bathmat.

"You wanna know what's even softer? The bed, okay? Come here,"

I helped her stand and took her to my bedroom, sitting her down on the bed. She quickly started pulling off her clothes, which took me by surprise a bit, but I grabbed a spare t-shirt and shorts and threw them towards her.

As she struggled to pull them on, I refused to help with this part and just kept tidying my room so that if she decided to spew vomit everywhere, my stuff was safe.

"Right, I'm gonna put a bowl here, alright, now please don't throw up in my bed,"

"Your bed?" she asked a little puzzled.

"Yes,"

She was quiet as I continued to prep my room for her to sleep - closing the windows and curtains etc.

"Y'know, I don't really hate you that much,"

"Oh wow, best compliment ever!"

"Well- I mean at all,"

"If this conversation is going to happen, let's wait ‘till morning. Here drink some more water,"

I sat next to her to prompt her to drink water, which she did.

"You're being nice,"

"Funny enough I don't think now really is the right time to be pissed at you. You're drunk, almost everyone deserves a little bit of help when they can't even walk straight,"

"Why are you pissed at me?" she asked, which made me roll my eyes.

"You're joking, right? I'm clearly not your favourite person ever but you could've at least tried to be a little nice to me."

"No, I couldn't,"

"And why now, ay?"

"Just because,"

"Right. Just because, now it all makes sense,"

"Because otherwise I would like you too much,"

I froze at hearing that come out her mouth. I didn't know what she was trying to say, just it couldn't have been anything like what came out, no way.

"Sleep. We can talk in the morning. I'll look forward to your post-drunk clarity,"

I got up to leave, hearing her say one more thing as she crawled under the covers.

"You're funny,"

I left the room and did some general chores. I made sure to put her phone on charge and tidied up the house after Russo had knocked some things over.

I headed to my make-shift bed on the sofa, and crawled under the blankets and tried to sleep, but it was obvious that it wasn't going to work. That thing that Russo had said, obviously she mixed up her words - right? She was too drunk to know what she was saying - right?

-- The next morning --

I was woken up by a million texts coming through on my phones. Tooney.

"Hey Tooney,"

"Hey, did it all go alright last night?"

"Oh fuck," I mumbled, suddenly remembering the events of yesterday and that Alessia Russo was asleep in my bed.

"What?!"

"Oh, no it went fine, you just woke me up is all,"

I stood up and wandered to my kitchen and made myself a coffee.

"God, I'm never sleeping on my sofa again - that thing is uncomfortable!"

"Why are you sleeping on your sofa?"

"Because there's a hungover sleeping footballer in my bed. She refused to let me take her to her own place yesterday, so now we're here. You owe me 12 quid from water by the way,"

"12 quid?"

"Yeah, absolute rip off for water and just because it comes in a glass bottle, I guess it suddenly becomes liquid gold," I groaned with a yawn.

"So it really went okay last night?"

"I don't know, I mean I haven't checked on her at all but yeah, we're all alive,"

"Good,"

"She said something really weird to me yesterday,"

"What'd she say?"

"Hmm, to be fair she was absolutely shitheaded and obviously didn't know what she was saying, but she said something about having to hate me because otherwise she'd like me too much. Whatever that means,"

"Yeah, that's weird, but if she was that bad, I guess it can't mean too much. Look just- I have to go but thank you so much for last night, I wouldn't have known what to do without you,"

"Yeah, I would say no problem but eh, that wouldn't be so true, but yeah. You owe me, and you better make it up to me, blah blah blah, I'll talk to you later,"

"Course, yeah, bye,"

"Bye,"

I drank my coffee and had a banana for breakfast and then heard the sound of footsteps upstairs. I made some toast and got a glass of water and shortly after, Russo came downstairs, rubbing her temples and squinting in the bright light.

"You look like shit," I mumbled as she sat down on a stool.

She gave no reply, and I just nudged the food and drink towards her.

"God, I can't," she groaned.

"Suit yourself," I responded and just grabbed a drink from the fridge for myself, "you got a ride home?"

"Really?"

"What?" I asked bluntly.

She just rolled her eyes and I saw her jaw clench.

I ignored it, and went to the living room, where I tidied up the makeshift bed on the sofa and dumped the blankets and pillows in the corner of the room. I sat down and put on a film.

A couple minutes later, Russo walked in. She was actually eating the toast I'd given her and had the water in the other hand.

"Tooney's picking me up in 10,"

I gave no reply and kept my gaze fixed on the tv. I didn't know whether or not I should ask her about what she said yesterday or not. She probably doesn't even remember, but the sentence was circling my brain.

"You could at least acknowledge what I just said," she huffed as she sat down on the opposite side of the sofa.

"And you could acknowledge the fact that I gave up my evening to pick you up yesterday,"

"And to think you were actually somewhat nice to me yesterday,"

"I made you toast. Speaking of don't get crumbs on my sofa,"

"Did you sleep here yesterday?"

"Wasn't about to climb into bed next to you for a cuddle,"

"You're so-" she stopped herself from what she was about to say.

"I'm so what? Say it,"

"This film is boring,"

"So leave,"

"Tooney's on the way, what do you want me to do? Walk the two hours walk back to my house?"

"I'd prefer it, yeah,"

"You're so frustrating, my god!" She stormed back to the kitchen, but for some reason I couldn't let it go and followed her.

"I think you forget sometimes that I was actually nice to you when we met. Like I actually wanted to be friends and you just started icing me out,"

She was silent, and just took another bite of toast.

"I picked you up last night. I let you sleep in my bed. I-"

"Alright I get it. I'm too hungover for this right now,"

"Oh wow, the consequences of your own actions, surprise surprise," I calmed down a little, "look, I picked you up yesterday as a favour for Ella, so you don't wanna say a word of thanks then fine. You do owe the girls an apology though, stressing them out and shit,"

We fell into silence once again.

The doorbell went, and I went to get it, being greeted by Tooney outside. We would've talked for a bit, but I had no energy. She sensed the tense atmosphere, deciding not to make any jokes or anything.

"She's in here," I said, leading Tooney to the kitchen.

Russo was sat up on the counter, which weirdly bugged me, finishing off her toast.

"Ready to go Less?" Ella asked.

"Yeah,"

"God, you look rough," she commented, which normally would've earned a chuckle from Russo, but she just didn't react.

She finished the last bite of toast and hopped off the counter. She left the plate on the side, which I then moved next to the sink. To be honest it was a purposeful decision, just to make her see how I had been picking up her shit all night.

"Let's go then," Tooney spoke.

"Mm, please," Russo replied, making me roll my eyes.

"Keep the clothes, I don't want them back," I muttered, which went ignored by Russo.

They left, and I was finally alone. I ventured upstairs to my room, which now smelt like a mixture of perfume and vodka. I grimaced, and just changed the sheets on the bed.

I spent most of that day deep cleaning my house, which I knew wasn't necessary, but I didn't want a single reminder of any of it.

At training the next day, I showed up early to get the kit out, help set up, and get a head start on the warmup. Tooney was there too, and we talked and joked a little as we went. The girls started showing up gradually, and Russo walked onto the pitch.

Part of me had hoped she wouldn't turn up, which was stupid, I know, especially considering that playing for England was a big deal, not something you skip just because you want to. Well, here she was, right on time and walking up to me.

I had been playing two-touch with a few of the girls and stepped away when I saw Russo call me over.

I gave Tooney a bit of a look, a mix of confused and annoyed.

"Your clothes. Washes and dried," Russo said, handing me a bag.

"I said I didn't want them back,"

"I know you did, but still. Also, I think we should talk,"

"About what exactly?"

"Hating each other doesn't make us play better, okay? So either we talk or Sarina's gonna notice us avoiding each other and make us talk. I don't know about you but I'd rather do it on my own terms,"

Before I could respond, Sarina called us over and she started setting up a quick game.

She allocated teams, and I stuck on a bib. Russo was on my team, annoying but fine.

The game was standard enough, there was a lot of back and forth but both sides got a couple goals in.

About half an hour later, and the ball ended up at my feet. I reacted quickly, dribbling it over to the goal, speeding past the defenders on the other side.

I was getting closer to the goal and could see two defenders coming towards me from different sides.

"I'm here," I heard Russo call from a little distance away. She had a better position, and also didn't have two defenders and a keeper focused on her, but I kept the ball.

I got into the penalty area and kicked the ball just as I got tackled to the ground. I landed on my hip, sending pain through my body but I didn't care, and followed the ball with my eyes.

It breezed past Mary's fingertips and went right into the back of the net. I breathed a sigh of relief and bounced to my feet. I held out a hand for Greenwood, who had tackled me and helped her to her feet.

"Sorry, that was a bit heavy," she apologised, but I tapped her shoulder and shrugged, dismissing it. She ran off.

A hand landed on my shoulder, a bit roughly and it caught me off guard, so I tripped forward a little. It was Russo.

"I was right there, why didn't you pass?"

"I got the goal, no one cares," I shrugged, avoiding making any eye contact. I jogged away.

The interaction didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the team, or Sarina. A couple glances were exchanged, making me grit my teeth but the game continued.

After the game, Sarina told us to get on with some drills, and started pulling each of us aside to talk and give some feedback.

"Y/N," I heard my name eventually be called up and I jogged over to the England coach, "right, you looked good today, good job. Stamina, great. Ball control, great. Just improve that drive a little more, maybe you were a little distracted or something but keep it up. Some lovely goals,"

"Thanks coach," I replied.

"Ok, who's next," she muttered to herself, "Russo!" she called to the forward who promptly left her exercise.

I turned to leave, retreating back to my drill.

"Hold on, Y/N I didn't say go,"

I froze and turned back to Sarina, my nerves and heart rate increasing and my jaw clenching.

Russo reached us, and I sensed her glance at me.

"You know what I will say, and I don't really wish to comment, but I want it sorted by practice tomorrow,"

"Yes coach," Russo responded and Sarina turned to me for a reply

"Yeah, course,"

She dismissed me, and I went back to my drill.

After practice, I headed to the showers along with a few others. I'd normally just wait till I got home to have a shower, but I was a little more muddy than usual and my muscles ached a little, so I hopped in now.

I turned the hot water up, enjoying the heat.

I got out and went over to the big mirror, where some of the team were chatting and brushing their hair. I joined them, brushing through the tangles in my hair whilst we talked.

Eventually I packed up my stuff and headed to my car. I stopped short seeing Russo standing by my car. I wanted to go back inside and hide out until she left, but that was stupid, so I just went over.

"I think you've got the wrong car," I told her, making her look up from her phone. I didn't mean it solely as an insult, but it came out that way.

"Can we just go for a drive or something?"

"Fine,"

The first few minutes of the drive were silent, an awkward air hovering. I broke the silence with the question that had been playing in my mind for days.

"I couldn't be nice to you because otherwise I would like you too much,"

"What?" she asked, completely puzzled.

"That's what you said to me, in your hammered state you said that. I wanna know what you meant by it,"

"I- What? That- doesn't matter," she stammered.

"Except it does,"

It was quiet for a moment.

"You should’ve made that pass to me today,"

"Well, I didn't, I don't know what you want me to do about it now,"

"Can we- can we just not speak like this? It's tiring and pointless,"

I sighed, silently agreeing.

"I- I honestly don't know how to talk to you any other way," I mumbled.

"God, I wish we could just start over. I shouldn't have ever treated you the way I did, and honestly, I don't know why I still kind of do,"

"That's nice to hear," I said truthfully, "wanna go get a coffee?"

"Sure, that'd be nice,"

We drove in silence to the Starbucks drive thru.

"What d'you want?" I asked.

"Iced vanilla latte, thanks,"

I ordered her latte and got myself a caramel macchiato and we hit the road again.

"Tomorrow, at training, I'll make that pass to you. I know I should've done it today,"

"It was a nice shot though,"

"It was. I don't- it's- I'm normally better when it comes to those things. Like, leave the baggage at the door type of thing. When I play normally people just- just become shirts really, maybe that's weird. But I get asked sometimes how I feel about playing against a friend of mine, and to be honest I just don't care much. It doesn't normally change anything about the way I play,"

"I get that, it's not even that you're picking your team over your friend, it's just instinct,"

"Yeah, exactly. I guess I broke that pattern today,"

"Mhmm, wow I feel a little special now," she teased.

I gave her a sarcastic look, a smirk finding its way onto my face.

"Don't think I've ever seen you smile properly, not anywhere near me at least,"

"Been watching me Russo?" I joked, but she actually went a little quiet. I brushed it off and had a sip of coffee.

After the momentary silence lifted, we continued chatting. Surprisingly to both of us, we actually got on well. Talking was pretty easy when I pushed the past to the back of my mind. However, I couldn't shake the confusion about what she'd said still.

We were getting along, so why had she been so against this when we met?

"Russo, I know you said it doesn't matter, but I think it does. I still don't get what you meant the other day, about liking me too much, and I'm trying to forget it, but-"

"It was a drunken mumble," she quickly became defensive, "I guess I just saw you being kinda nice to me and got my words mixed up,"

"I- I don't think that was it,"

"It's getting late, I think we should just call it a day,"

"No! No let's not do that, I can forget it, it's fine,"

I knew now that if we couldn't become civil after today then it might never happen, and Sarina would be on our arses, and we'd lose some cohesion in the team. It would go downhill very fast and wouldn't be good for anyone.

I started a new conversation, leaving my nagging thoughts to eat away at me, remaining unanswered. It was best.

When we did end up saying goodbye, it was well into the evening and ended up being a nice day.

At training the next day, it was clear something had improved. Sarina nodded reassuringly, giving me some new confidence in me and Russo, despite the fact that I still had questions.

I went home that day, mind fogged. It was starting to really eat at me from the inside, but I shoved it down, way down, and tried to get on with my day.

I got a call from Leah in the evening, asking if she could come over for a little evening in and some drinks. I quickly agreed, in need of a distraction and she was over 20 minutes later.

We snacked on some popcorn as we chatted over some random film on in the background.

"You've actually been playing really well recently," Leah mumbled.

"Don't sound too surprised Hun, I can play football funny enough,"

"Well, maybe on your good days,"

I giggled a little and slapped her arm jokingly. The effect of a few beers starting to make me a little merry.

"What's going on between you and Russo lately though, it's been really weird,"

"Ugh, I don't wanna get into it," I groaned.

"Oh okay, you don't have to,"

"Actually, I do," I stated bluntly, realising now how I needed to unpack everything, "but please don't tell anyone Leah, I just need to unpack a little,"

"I wouldn't do that,"

"I know you wouldn't. Normally this is the type of thing I'd talk to Tooney about, but to be honest I'm a little nervous that it would get back to Russo, considering how close they are and how chatty Tooney can be, especially when she's tipsy or something,"

"So, what's going on?"

"You remember when Russo and I first met, I thought we were gonna be friends, but she acted like she wanted nothing to do with me?"

"Yeah, I remember,"

"Well after I picked her up the other day from the pub, she crashed at mine, and I was actually being somewhat nice to her, cause obviously she needed some help being so drunk. But she kept ribbing me in the car and what not, just sort of our standard stuff really, except worse because she was drunk,"

"Right,"

"Anyway, we've actually got a little closer from it, partly because we weren't arguing at the whole time for once, and also partly cause Sarina basically told us to get our act together,"

"I saw that conversation, didn't look fun,"

"It wasn't, but we went for a drive that day and actually got along, like it was pretty fun,"

"So what's been eating away at you then? I can tell there's something on your mind,"

"It's this one thing she said to me whilst she was drunk. She said something along the lines of 'I couldn't be nice to you otherwise I would like you too much' and I haven't been able to figure out what she actually meant. I mean that's weird, right? Whenever I push her on it she just gets defensive and it ends up worse than before,"

"Yeah, yeah that's definitely weird," Leah agreed, but it looked like she was suppressing a small smirk.

"What?" she just laughed a little, "Leah what is it? What do you know that I don't. C'mon please tell me,"

"No, no I can't. I think you need to figure this one out yourself,"

"Leah, please, it's been on my mind constantly. It's affecting the way I play, it's affecting my life, I just can't deal with it anymore,"

Leah had a look on her face now, as if she was contemplating something really hard. I guessed she was debating explaining what she knew to me.

"Look, I think you should talk to Russo, she's rational and I'm sure-"

"I can't Leah, she'll just get irritated, and then it'll make it all worse again,"

"Okay, okay fine," she said and paused a lot.

"Leah, please-"

"Yeah, yeah it's just- look, when you two met, everyone thought that Russo might, well, might- no, no I just can't. It's not my place,"

I groaned dramatically at her back and forth with herself.

"You have to tell me now, you can't just leave it at that,"

"Well, everyone thought that Russo might have, well, a little... thing for you,"

She cringed at herself, and looked over to me, studying my blank expression. My head had exploded with thoughts.

"Obviously, we didn't know if it was true, I mean sure she'd stare at you when you played, and- what am I saying, oh god. Look I shouldn't have said anything, can you just pretend you didn't hear any of that... Y/N?"

I was staring off into space, mouth hanging open a little and eyebrows furrowed.

"Oh," is all I could manage to respond with.

"You should talk to her, okay. it wasn't my place to say anything and what do I know anyway. You should talk to her, it's not fair on anyone to just keep secrets,"

"No, I- I'm glad you told me. I will talk to her, I will,"

"For now, can we just- watch the film or something,"

"Yeah,"

"Popcorn?" she offered the bowl to me.

"Umm, no, thanks,"

She had a bit of a guilty expression on her face as she turned to the tv. I couldn't focus on the screen, or on anything really, my brain flicked between buzzing with questions to completely empty.

I got to talk to Russo the next day, she picked me up from my house in her car and we drove into town.

"Russo, I-"

"I know what you're gonna say, and I don't want you to say it,"

"Russo, okay please, it's been eating away at me, and I've tried to push it down but I just can't,"

I wanted to hear it from her, so I didn't mention anything Leah had said the day before. Russo kept her focus strictly on the road, acting as if I hadn't said anything.

"Russo, you said you couldn't be nice to me otherwise you'd like me too much. I hate to push you; I really do but I just have to get something from you. I don't know what you meant by that, and it's making me questions everything. I just can't keep thinking about it, I want to know, please,"

"I didn't mean anything by it, and I don't get why you can't just drop it,"

"I've tried!"

"I don't know what you want me to say,"

"I want you to tell me what it meant,"

"It didn't mean anything! I was drunk off my head, I couldn't even see straight I don't understand why you're holding me to something I said when I didn't even know what I was saying, and I don't even remember it!"

I couldn't think of anything else to say. She absolutely refused to explain what she'd said. If anything, her defensiveness just confirmed my suspicions that it had actually meant something - something she didn't want to admit.

"Alessia-"

"No, stop, I can't have this conversation right now,"

"Alessia, you've treated my awfully since we met, and granted I did the same to you, yes, but now you're telling me that maybe those years of resentment between us could've been avoided. And they can be avoided now if you tell me what you meant,"

"I can't believe you're still going on about this,"

"Of course I'm still going on about it, you won't tell me what it means and I can't eat I can't sleep I can't focus and I-" she interrupted my rambling

"Okay fine, I had this-" she started to say, but she stopped herself. It broke me when she was so close to giving an explanation but stopped. I felt sick at this point, there were tears starting to roll down my cheeks and my heart hurt.

"Pull over,"

"What?"

"Pull over, I need to get out. Pull over right now!"

"I'm in the middle of the road, there's nowhere to pull over, I can't just-"

"Alessia Russo pull over goddammit!"

"I fucking fell for you, ok, fuck. I'd known you for two days and I fell for you and I couldn't stop thinking about you and it hurt so much. I just couldn't live my days having feelings for you and shoving them back. I was the one who couldn't eat. I was the one who couldn't sleep or focus or breath or function. It hurt to see you laughing with someone else, it hurt to feel so much for someone who would never ever feel the same way. I just-"

"Please pull over," I whispered, and finally she did, the person behind her honking.

"I- shit. I- no- I," she started to stutter as I tried to organise my thoughts. I couldn't listen to her voice anymore, I just couldn't.

I kissed her. She was finally quiet. I kissed her, she kissed back. Her lips felt perfect. Her hand resting on my cheek felt perfect. Eventually I pulled away for air.

"I-" I started but this time it was her turn to interrupt me, pulling me back to her lips.

This time the kiss was deeper, more passionate. It was everything. Our lips moved together in sync; it was desperate, hungry. Our teeth were clashing, the occasional nibble on my lips. She shuffled around to get more comfortable, settling into the kiss until she accidentally hit the horn.

I jumped in surprise and pulled back. We sat back in our seats, not saying anything, just breathing heavily.

"I- I don't know what this means," she mumbled after a while of just sitting in contemplative silence.

"It means I fell for you too,"

I'm actually pretty proud of this, so hope you enjoyed!