#Like joe gets captured?

[eternal-sunflowers]

Oh god I wish I could release ya

Wind it back and never be with ya

Then I'd be happy just for me, ya

One heart could bleed for the future us

If we were young

But this is done

[digging-trenches]

Lieb!!!!!

[zeestuff]

sorry this is through my main and not my mcyt blog, but the way you draw Juppet Joe brings me so much joy

Thank you!! Im so glad I got around to drawing the juppet! I was so happy when I saw that was his skin for the season, puppetry is such a cool medium and its fun to see it represented! (I only noticed recently but the top of his mc skin torso having the tongue and the bottom of his head having the teeth so when he bobs his head to talk it makes that puppet mouth type looks, its so good) When I give it another go I'm probably going to change up the design a little: 1) To try out a design that doesn't have a nose to reflect his skin better 2) Try out a 3 handed puppet type design, similar to fozzie bears/ralph the dog of the muppets because I think realistic hand movements that come from those puppets fit joe's vibes. The specificity of how he talks sometimes = the acute hand movements contrasted with the purposely roundabout and/or silly ways he tackles things = exaggerated personas that come from muppet like characters, yknow

[heavyhitterheaux]

Good Graces (NSFW)

Synopsis: You and Joe have been together since his start at LSU and his transition to the NFL. The picture perfect couple who everyone thought would be together forever. It wasn't until a shift began to take place when you began to question if the two of you were truly meant to be. But when you least expect it, the relationship ends, and soon Joe realizes the mistake he made.

Pairing: Boyfriend!Joe Burrow x Girlfriend!Reader

Requested by: @a-moment-captured 😘💕

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

Looking into the mirror in your bathroom in your newly purchased condo, you started applying a face mask as you thought about how just weeks ago you thought that you were going to spend forever with someone that you had loved through thick and thin and the ups and downs all for him to pull the rug out from beneath you and send you catapulting into an abyss of sadness.

The tears had been off and on since that day and in order to give yourself somewhat of a piece of mind, you tried to make sense of it.

But even then, more than likely that would make you cry even more.

The two of you were the picture perfect couple that complimented each other well in every aspect. Having been together through his time at LSU and him moving onto the NFL as well as him supporting your career as a sports journalist, the world was at your feet.

Until it wasn’t.

There started to be a shift, especially after his season ending wrist injury and it was a feeling that you couldn’t quite shake. You had been supportive as always and helped him in every way that you could, but the feeling in the pit of your stomach remained. The two of you even stopped having sex and it was like every day you were just going through the motions. Knowing that this was the person you wanted to be married to, you proposed the idea of going to couples therapy and to your surprise he actually agreed.

It had gotten better, at least for a short period of time and you were happy to have your Joe back. 

Except you didn’t have him back and the night of your anniversary was when you found out.

This was the night that you just knew he was going to propose so of course, a good amount of time was spent on your nails, your hair and your outfit that was ultimately picked out by Joe. He told you to be ready at a certain time so that the two of you can head to the restaurant for your reservation. It’s not like the two of you hadn’t talked about marriage before, and how many kids you both wanted, etc.

You still remember the last thing he said to you before the two of you left the house as you were admiring yourself in the mirror while adding jewelry for the final touch. Joe came up behind you and wrapped his arms around you as he rested his head on your shoulder and looked at you through the mirror making a smile appear on your face.

“I knew I picked the perfect dress for tonight, you look gorgeous.”

Once at the restaurant, you noticed that the two of you went into a section that was closed off which you figured was for the best so that you two could have privacy without the prying eyes of the public. Everything seemed to be going well and the two of you had just finished dessert when Joe had caught your attention.

“Y/N, I have something that I need to tell you.” Joe said which you thought was somewhat odd. He almost never called you by your full name unless he was being serious. 

This was it, you were getting your ring and would officially be becoming Mrs. Joseph Lee Burrow. You had been waiting for this moment for so long and it was only right that it happened on your anniversary.

“Sure, babe. Go ahead, I’m listening.” You had your eyes on him and he took a deep sigh before saying anything else.

“I think we need to break up. This isn’t working for me anymore.”

It took you a few seconds for your brain to register exactly what he had just said to you, but once it did you had a look of disbelief on your face.

“Excuse me? What? What are you talking about? What isn’t working for you?”

“I feel like we’ve grown apart and we don’t want the same things out of life anymore.”

“That is utter bullshit.” You told him without backing down and crossing your arms over your chest. 

“Y/N, this isn’t meant to hurt you, but…”

“Let me cut your ass off right there because what do you mean this isn’t meant to hurt me? You tell me to dress up, get my hair and nails done all for you to break up with me and on OUR anniversary? Un-fucking-believable.”

“I…”

“We talked about marriage and having kids and I have been with you through fucking EVERYTHING. Who was there when you won the Hesiman? When you entered the draft? When you blew out your fucking knee your rookie year? So, this is the thanks I get? Really? That’s the best answer you can come up with?” You asked him and he sat there and looked at you as he ran a hand through his hair.

“Who is she? Because there has to be someone else. That’s the only other logical explanation for this.”

“There isn’t anyone, I never cheated on you. Ever.”

“Hmm, I don’t know if I believe that. But at this point, it doesn’t really matter anymore, does it?”

“Believe what you want, but I’m telling you the truth. I’m not happy anymore and I haven’t been for a long time.”

Hearing him say that broke your heart and it took everything in you to not erupt in tears at the table.

“Well, I guess I should go then, huh? Thanks for dinner and ruining our anniversary.”

“Y/N, it wasn't my intention to ruin anything. But I needed to be honest with you. Let me at least drive you back.”

“No need. All my stuff will be out of our… well now it's just your house by midnight and take my name off the deed.”

That was February 14th, 2024 and you were still feeling the effects months later. Once the news broke that the picture perfect couple of the NFL was no more, your Instagram comments were flooded on the daily with people claiming that you used him and now he could finally get someone who deserved him and deserved him back sending you further into a deeper depression.

While on the other hand, there were men and women in your comments begging to give them a chance.

You disappeared for a while and moved back to your hometown of Atlanta spending a good amount of time with your parents and trying to focus on moving forward. Your parents felt some type of way about the break up and how he did it, but you told them that there was nothing to do but move on. Obviously, your parents had also grown close to him and thought of him as their ‘bonus son’ and they were literally waiting for him to pop the question.

The question that never came. 

During that time, you started your own clothing line that focused on all 32 teams in the NFL from shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, gloves, and more. Your best friend Sage had been trying to keep your spirits up during the summer and had treated you to a 14 day cruise where you could truly disconnect from the world around you.

After you and Joe had ended your relationship, your friendship with both Ja’Marr and Justin seemed to end as well. All four of you were extremely close at LSU, but all in all you get it. The only reason you knew them was because of Joe and he had been friends with them first, except for Justin. But it still hurt nonetheless. Many calls and texts would go unanswered by the both of them to the point where you had just given up and moved on.

The new season was approaching and you were extremely nervous because you knew that crossing paths with Joe was bound to be inevitable. But you were going to hold your head high and remain professional. In the end, it was his loss and he would have to live with the decision that he made. The first game of the season that you would be covering was the Ravens vs. Chiefs and you were currently packing a bag in order to catch your flight later that evening.

Sage was supposed to be helping you pack, but instead she was helping herself to your newly stocked wine cabinet.

“Sage! Isn't that your third glass?” You asked her as you were packing up your toiletries while she made herself comfortable on the couch that was situated in your bedroom.

“And it’s almost gone so I'll probably need a fourth.” She replied as she shrugged her shoulders.

“I need to put a lock on that cabinet when you come over.”

“I think I'm more nervous than you are for this season.” She confessed and you looked at her confused. 

“What for?”

“Uh? What do you mean what for? The person who broke your heart is an NFL quarterback last time I checked. And you are an analyst who has to interview players all the time.”

“And? That isn't going to stop me from doing my job. I worked hard for everything I have and a little break up isn't the end of the world.” You told her and you weren’t quite sure if you were trying to convince her or yourself. At this point, it was probably both.

“Bestie, this wasn't a little break up. You cried everyday for two months straight.” She told you as she finished off her third glass and mumbled the last part.

“Please don't remind me. Why are we talking about him anyway? No point in dwelling on the past and what could have been.”

“You’re right, sorry. It doesn't matter and you're going to be amazing as always.”

“It’s his loss and he will never be in my good graces for as long as he still walks this earth. How could I possibly forgive him for what he did?”

“Oh…”

“Oh, what?”

“So, you mean to tell me if he were to walk through that door right now and beg for forgiveness you would tell him no?” She asked and you stopped what you were doing to come and sit down next to her.

“Sage, I thought that I was going to spend the rest of my life with him…”

“We all did to be quite honest…”

“And when he broke up with me out of nowhere, that was a type of hurt that I never ever want to feel again. And I damn sure don’t want my future son or daughter to end up going through what I did. And it looked as if he didn’t even care and wasn’t even sad about it. I think that was what hurt me the most. He swore up and down that there wasn’t anyone else and I honestly don’t know if he was telling the truth now that I think about it.”

“But… okay to me the entire thing just didn’t make any sense. The two of you had been together since 2018, fell off a little bit, went to therapy, we think we’re in the clear and then he just goes and breaks up with you on Valentine’s Day out of nowhere?”

“And it was our anniversary.”

Sage sighed and looked down at her empty wine glass before looking back up at you.

“Well, you know what they say…”

“And what is that exactly?”

“He was obviously just a placeholder for your actual husband and now you just have to find him. And you still never answered my question.”

“What was your question?”

“If Joe were to walk through this door right now and beg for forgiveness, would you be willing to accept it and the two of you start fresh?”

“He has to prove to me that he even deserves to have a second chance and then I’ll be able to decide.”

—

Joe was feeling confident about the new season and coming back from his wrist injury that cut his season short the previous year. It wasn’t quite where he wanted it to be and he could tell that he didn’t throw the ball the same, but he was a lot further along than he had been. 

He had worked the absolute hardest he had ever worked in his entire life after the injury to get back to at least 95% of where he had been before it happened. At first it started off with you being by his side and when he decided to end things between the both of you, he was on his own. Which he admits was hard for him to adjust to seeing as he hasn’t had to do it since the two of you met in 2018.

When he had really sat down and thought about the relationship between you and him, he could honestly say that he loved you, but he wasn’t in love with you anymore as hard as that was to actually admit. But he needed to be honest with himself and stop stringing you along because he knew in the end that it wasn’t fair. 

He had tried everything that he could think of to make it work between the two of you since the last thing he wanted was to just throw those precious years away, but he couldn’t hold on any longer and figured that the relationship had run its course and now it was in his best interest to let it go, not only for his sake, but also for yours.

When the relationship was no more and when the news of it broke, it seemed like you had fallen off the face of the earth. It was known that you would also cover the NBA during the NFL’s off-season, but after it happened you weren’t doing coverage of games anymore. Not that he cared how you were spending your time now, but it just happened to be something that he noticed. 

One thing this season he was honestly dreading–well not exactly dreading, but he knew that it was probably going to be awkward was you having to interview him after games if the Bengals had won which you did with every quarterback on each of the winning teams. But, he’ll worry about it once the time came and for now was going to focus on trying to make this season the best one yet. 

Looking down at his phone, he saw that it was his mom calling and he quickly picked it up to answer it.

“Hey mom.”

“Hi, have you and Y/N gotten back together yet?” She asked all in one breath, making Joe sigh and roll his eyes. This conversation would happen weekly, only for his mom to be disappointed because his answer hadn’t changed. 

“No, my answer is still the same from last week and I’m fine, thanks for asking.”

“Well, when are you going to talk to her and beg for forgiveness for being stupid? Because that was stupid of you, I miss my daughter.”

“We just grew apart, that’s it. We’ve been together since we’ve been in college and sometimes that transition to the real world works and sometimes it doesn’t.” He answered as he was trying to decide what to make for dinner. 

“It was working just fine until you went and ruined it. Blindsided that poor girl.”

“Seriously?”

“Just being honest, don’t get mad at me because you decided to let an amazing girl go. She was with you through everything and you don’t just fall out of love with someone like that overnight.”

“Mom, I’m not doing this again with you. We’re over. We’re done. And you need to accept it.”

“Fine, I’ll just get your father to talk about it with you and I’ll probably never accept it to be honest. I was over here ready to plan for the wedding and then you tell me that you two broke up? Yeah, no. I’m still going to wedding plan for when you two get back together. I have so many ideas already.”

“Mom…. that probably isn’t going to happen.”

“Last time I checked, you couldn’t see the future so I’m holding out hope. But put it this way, whoever she does marry I know for a fact that I’m going to be invited to the wedding. I’m just hoping that you’ll be the groom waiting at the end of the aisle for her.”

Liked by nfl, y/nsbabydaddy, sagethegeminii, robinburrow, and 762,903 others

y/nsanders: oh hi. long time, no see. we are back and live for Thursday Night Football 😘

sagethegeminii: ultimate baddie of the NFL 😍

y/nsbabydaddy: Joe dumb as FUCK. How and WHY would you let her get away?

nfl: glad to see you back and always happy to have you

--

Joe had a text come through on his phone as he was getting dressed to head out to the field. The regular season had officially started and the Bengals were taking on the Commanders at home and he was hoping that they would be leaving the stadium with a win.

He glanced at his phone to see that the text was from his mom with a photo attached. Once he fully opened the message, he saw that it was a picture of you and his breath hitched. Purple had always been one of his favorite colors that you would wear, but pink was always number one. He immediately got a frown on his face once he saw what his mom said underneath.

Mom- And this is what you gave up, remember that. But good luck, today! Love you! Call her after the game. I know you miss her.

Noticing Joe's face, Ja'Marr quickly asked him what was wrong.

“You good bro? Why do you have that look on your face?” He asked as he sat down to lace up his cleats.

“My mom asks me every week when me and Y/N are going to get back together and she definitely just sent me a picture of her. I'm guessing it's her latest one that she posted on Instagram.”

“She’s still on that? It's been months.”

“I know and she doesn’t have a problem telling me how stupid I was to break up with her. I can't help that I wasn't in love with her anymore. She shouldn't be holding that against me.”

“It’s probably going to be a while before she does. I mean think about it, yall were together for six years and she saw her as her daughter.”

“I guess but I can't think about this right now. But have you talked to her?” Joe asked and Ja’Marr shook his head no.

“I uhh… it just felt awkward if I did. I mean the two of you aren't together anymore, so why would I? She did call and text a few times after it happened and then she just stopped.”

“Oh…”

“You were my friend first and I don’t know… I just felt weird about it.”

“That’s fair, I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable so that was probably for the best.”

“Apparently Justin hasn't talked to her either.”

Hearing this surprised Joe because Justin was how the two of you actually met. You and Justin had been friends first and once he brought you around Joe and Ja’Marr that was all she wrote. The two of you were extremely close and he just hoped he wasn't the reason that a riff had possibly formed.

But deep down he knew that he probably was. 

“I just…. I hope she's happy.” Joe quietly said before slipping on his helmet.

It was now the beginning of the following week and it was 5:45 in the morning when Joe pulled his Porsche into Paycor stadium. He was never one to really browse social media, but something told him to check Instagram and once he did, he got a feeling in the pit of his stomach.

There Justin was.

And you were hanging off of his arm.

It almost looked as if the two of you were on a date and Joe didn't like that one bit. As he closed the app, he then placed his phone in the pocket of his sweatpants before getting out of the car and grabbing his backpack. A few moments later, Ja'Marr pulled in next to him and quickly got out so that they could walk into the building together.

“I thought you said her and Justin weren't talking?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Good morning to you too by the way.” Ja'Marr said as he turned his nose up at him.

“Morning, now EXPLAIN this.” Joe said as he opened his phone once again and shoved it in Ja’Marr's face.

“Well, that's what he told me the last time I talked to him. But my thing is that what are you so upset about? You aren't together anymore and you're the one who broke up with her. On Valentine’s Day might I add. And did you forget that they were friends before she dated you? It's probably nothing and your ass is paranoid for no good reason.”

“I'm not upset, I just….” Joe started to say, but then trailed off which led to Ja'Marr raising his eyebrows.

“You miss her no matter how much you don't want to admit it.”

“No!”

“You do and I don't know why you can't say that you do. You are literally having a temper tantrum over her going to dinner with someone who isn't you. Every chance you get, you bring her up when she probably isn't thinking about you. Maybe we wouldn't be having this losing streak if the two of you were still together.”

“What!?”

“Just saying. She was always the good luck charm.” Ja’Marr told him as he held his hands up in defense as the two of them finally started to walk inside.

Joe had a blank look on his face and Ja’Marr spoke up again.

“I know for a fact that you're miserable without her even if you are trying to put up a front right now. So, when you told me that you weren't in love with her, I felt it was bullshit.”

“No it wasn't and no I'm not!”

“Okay, if she was in front of you right now at this exact moment you're telling me that you wouldn't be begging for her to take you back?”

When Joe was quiet, Ja'Marr knew that he had his answer.

“Maybe your mom has been right this entire time and you just didn't want to admit it.”

A few more weeks had passed and it was now Thursday Night Football that would be taking place in Baltimore with the Bengals going against the Ravens. Joe knew for a fact that you would be there as an analyst, and his stomach was honestly in knots.

He couldn't remember the last time he was this nervous and honestly couldn't wait for the game to be over and done with. And not to mention that this was the game last year that he suffered his wrist injury in.

But, he had to do his best in order to remain focused.

As soon as he ran onto the field with the rest of the team, he spotted you.

And you looked absolutely gorgeous.

Just like he knew you would.

You were sporting a bright smile and the pink outfit you wore complimented your skin well. He knew that for a fact you did this on purpose.

“And there she is. Our good luck charm so hopefully we come away with a win.” Ja’Marr muttered as Joe just sighed.

“And she's wearing pink.”

“So?”

“She knows that pink is my favorite color on her. She did that on purpose.”

“You really do give yourself too much credit. I mean what if that was the outfit her stylist picked?”

“Oh, you mean her stylist Chanel who also knows this information?” Joe replied sarcastically as Ja'Marr rolled his eyes.

“Once again, this shit was your fault. She never wanted to break up with you. So deal with it.”

“How many times are you going to remind me?!”

“As many times as it takes for you to grow some balls and beg here to take you back. 90s style, on your knees, wearing leather in the desert in 100 degree heat.”

“That…. That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”

“I’m telling you it’ll work, but I did my part and gave you advice. Do what you want.” Ja’Marr told him as he held his hands up in defense. 

The game had now gone into overtime and Joe's extra motivation was winning so that you would interview him. The win was so close, he could taste it. He also planned to ask you when the cameras stopped rolling if you two could talk.

Not about football.

But about the two of you.

He had a strong feeling that you were probably going to say no, but he had to at least try.

Another reason for him trying to talk to you was to get his mom to stop harassing him about trying to fix things between the two of you. Because she probably wasn't going to stop until he did.

Maybe she had been right this entire time. 

Joe's plans of talking to you were crushed as he looked at the scoreboard from the bench glaring back at him. He looked to his left to see you smiling at something Richard Sherman said and threw his helmet before starting to make his way towards the tunnel to the locker room. But what he didn't see until he turned back around was Ja’Marr jogging up to you. 

“Y/N.” You heard from behind and turned around to be met with the face of Ja’Marr as you were interrupted from walking towards Erin Andrews in order to say hi to her since the night had now come to a close.

You gave him a blank stare before he spoke up again.

“I don't have much time and need to head to the locker room, but maybe we can catch up soon. You still live in Cincinnati, right?”

“No and for what? Why would I live in the same city as the person who broke my heart? Nothing left for me there anymore.”

“Because we're friends and I get that. That was a stupid question.” He answered as he was shifting his weight back and forth, clearly nervous about what you were going to say to him.

“Are we friends? That's news to me considering that friends actually answer each other's calls and text messages and don't ignore them especially after a break up.” You replied which earned you a sigh from Ja'Marr in response.

“I know and I feel bad about that.”

“You only feel bad because I'm standing in front of you right now, otherwise you wouldn't care. But I get it. You were his friend first.”

“Y/N, that's not fair. Just… I'll call you so we can talk.”

“Did your best friend put you up to this?”

“No, and he doesn't even know I'm talking to you right now.”

“Hmm, you sure? Because the way he is shooting daggers in the back of your head right now says otherwise.” You told him before he turned around and was met with the sight of Joe looking at him from the tunnel. 

“Have a good rest of your night Ja'Marr.” Was the last thing you said before walking off as he did a light jog towards the tunnel headed to the locker room. As soon as he reached Joe, the questions started firing off at a rapid speed.

“What did she say? No wait, what did YOU say? Was she looking at me? Is she mad at you? Because I know she's probably still mad at me.” 

“I… bro… can you breathe for a second? I'll tell you later.”

“Later? How much later? Does she want to talk to me?” Joe shyly asked as he was now fidgeting.

“Uh, negative. And later as in I'll tell you on the plane later.”

–

Ja'Marr was sitting in his game room while he dialed your number to see if you would answer when he got the alert of someone being at his door.

He quickly opened the app and saw that it was Joe. Closing it just as quickly, he pulled up his text messages and told him to come in and that he was in the game room. The goal wasn't to call you until later, but Joe hadn't shown up at the time he had originally told Ja'Marr and didn't quite know what to expect. 

Because now he was bound to hear the entire conversation.

As soon as he heard your soft voice say “Hello,” was of course when Joe made his presence known and took a seat on the couch next to Ja'Marr.

“Um, hey. Honestly, I didn't think that you would answer. He told you and he could hear a scoff coming from your end.

“You asked to talk, so go ahead and talk.” As soon as Joe heard your voice, his eyes went wide.

They both looked at each other and Joe attempted to reach over and take the phone, but Ja’Marr smacked his hand away, making Joe glare at him.

“First things first, how have you been?”

“Okay I guess. Had to get used to a new normal and I think I've finally adjusted.” You proudly told him as you sipped on your smoothie.

“So where are you living now?”

“I moved back home to Atlanta after everything happened and I have a really nice condo down here. Maybe during the off season, you can come and see it.”

“I'd like that. Have you talked to Justin at all?”

“Ja'Marr, stop bullshitting me. You saw the pics didn't you? And then your best friend asked you if you knew anything about it, am I right?”

“I uh…”

“I've been around you for how many years? I think I know how all three of you operate by now.”

“Justin had told me you two hadn't talked in a while and that's why I wanted to ask. Usually it was when you saw one, you saw the other.”

“That was the first time that we talked since it happened. He apologized to me because I told him that it felt like he chose to be friends with that person instead of me so it felt that my friendship to neither of you was important.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is what it is at this point. Whatever.” You replied as you brushed him off.

“I know it's bad if you don't even want to say his name. And I'm sorry for making you feel that way.”

“Say it for what? I don't have a reason to. And I appreciate the apology. Even if it's months late.”

Joe once again attempted to take the phone and mouthed to Ja'Marr ‘Let me talk to her.’ And once again shook his head no.

“Ja’Marr?”

“Oh, huh?”

“You okay? You seem a little distracted. I called your name twice.”

“I'm fine.”

“Yeah, I know you didn't hear me because I said I've been on a few dates.”

“WITH WHO!?” Joe immediately yelled and Ja'Marr looked like he was damn near ready to tackle him.

It was quiet for a few seconds when both Joe and Ja'Marr were looking at each other anticipating what you would say since they both knew for a fact that you knew Joe's voice like the back of your hand.

They looked at each other, down at Ja'Marr's phone and then back at each other once more.

“I know that voice anywhere. You mean to tell me that he's been listening this entire time and is there with you?!” You asked Ja'Marr who was very close to kicking Joe out of his house.

“I…”

“Y/N! Just talk to me… Please.” Joe was trying to plead with you, but you weren't having it.

“Joseph, you must have lost your fucking mind if you think that I'm going to talk to you. And Ja'Marr I should have known your ass would do this.”

“But I didn't! Joe just….”

“I have things to do so bye. Do me a favor, both of you? Don't call me again.”

Once you hung up, it was silent in the room before Ja'Marr finally broke it.

“Your ass literally had ONE JOB. To stay quiet. And you couldn't do that?”

“I can't help that I miss her.”

“Oh, so now we admit it? A little late for that.”

From that day on, Joe consistently called you at least once a week and it was right after Thanksgiving and Black Friday when you had finally given in and responded to a text that he had sent you.

Ex- Boyfriend that was meant to be my husband- Y/N, you left your LSU sweatshirt here. Do you want to come and get it?

You- Throw it away

Ex- Boyfriend that was meant to be my husband- But it's one of your favorite ones. And I obviously can't fit it. Oh and I found one of your earrings.

When you saw the photo come through on your phone, you sighed.

It was the one you had been looking for for months.

You- You bought them for me and so I don't want them. Throw them out too.

Ex-boyfriend that was meant to be my husband- I'm not throwing those out. They were expensive as hell. And it's your favorite pair.

You- Give them to the girl you cheated on me with

Ex-boyfriend that was meant to be my husband- I NEVER cheated on you and I'm going to give someone one earring?

You- Or so you say and I don't care what the fuck you do at this point.

Ex-boyfriend that was meant to be my husband- You can literally go through my phone and I can prove I'm not lying

You- Do you really think I'm that dumb? It's been months and you have had plenty of time to delete whatever evidence was left.

Ex-boyfriend that was meant to be my husband- I know you aren't dumb and I’m not lying. You also left this here. 

It was another picture and it was your favorite lingerie set that Joe had bought you.

And of course it was pink.

Ex-boyfriend that was meant to be my husband- I figured you probably wanted it 

You- I'm coming to get my things and then I'm leaving.

Ex-boyfriend that was meant to be my husband- What day are you coming?

You- When is your next off day?

Ex-boyfriend that was meant to be my husband- Wednesday 

You- I'll be there around 3 pm.

Wednesday was finally here and Joe being excited was an understatement. He knew that it was a long shot, but he filled the fridge as well as the pantry with your favorite food and snacks just in case.

Sure enough the doorbell rang at 3 pm as promised and Joe just about sprinted to the door in order not to delay seeing you any longer. Once he opened the door he tried to contain his excitement, but failed miserably.

“Hey.” Joe greeted you as you just stared at him before greeting him as well.

“Hi, let's make this quick. Where are my things?” You said as Joe then moved to the side to let you pass by him to get into the house.

You were trying to quiet the butterflies in your stomach as you walked past him.

“Wait, can we please talk? I mean I have you here, so…” He replied while rubbing the back of his neck which was a tell tale sign of him being nervous and you turned around to face him.

“I don't have time for this. I told you that I needed to make this quick.”

“Where do you even have to be right now? And you would have probably kept dodging my calls if I even attempted to do it that way.”

“Very far away from my ex-boyfriend is where I need to be and you have a point. Besides, I told your mom that I would see her while I was here.”

“Wait, what!? So, you'll go and see my mom, but won't talk to me?” Joe asked and you crossed your arms.

“Last time I checked, your mother isn't the one who broke up with me. Far as I'm concerned, she's still in my good graces while you sir are far from it. Very far actually. At this point, you are galaxies away from it. You like outer space so I know you'll get that reference.”

“Just give me ten minutes. Twenty if you’re feeling generous.”

“I'm not feeling generous, but you probably won't let me leave anyway until I do so I might as well.” You sarcastically commented as you went to sit on the couch in the living room with Joe coming to sit next to you.

“Okay so… I miss you and breaking up with you was probably the stupidest thing I've ever done.”

“Joseph…” You started to say as you pinched the bridge of your nose and took a deep breath.

You literally just wanted your clothes.

That's it.

“Let me finish. I… I know it's been months, but I haven't been sleeping properly and it seems that everything around me is also turning to shit. But, you were always there for me and you were my number one supporter, no matter what. Even when I look back on some situations, I probably wouldn't have considered myself the best boyfriend and that wasn't fair to you. I honestly have no idea why I thought breaking up with you was a good idea. But at the same time, it got to the point where I felt like I was living with a roommate and not my actual girlfriend because I had given up and took you for granted. You were the one who kept trying, but I honestly couldn't see it getting any better in the future for us.”

Silence hung in the air for at least a minute before you deeply sighed once more. 

“I honestly thought that you were going to ask me to marry you that day, but instead you broke up with me.” You quietly said as Joe then nodded his head before you said anything else. 

“And out of all the days to do it? Our official anniversary and Valentine’s Day?” You added while looking at him.

“Definitely not my best moment.”

“Yeah, no shit.”

“But that's why I'm apologizing now and trying to make this right.”

“Let me ask you this. Why do you think that you deserve another chance?”

“Because I need to show you that I can be the boyfriend that you deserve. I’m going to make sure that I treat you like a priority and not put you on the backburner because of whatever else that I have going on. And I definitely came to the conclusion that you were right.”

“About?”

“Telling me that it was bullshit when I said that I wasn't in love with you anymore.”

“Hmm, funny how that played out, huh?” You replied without looking impressed by Joe's explanation. 

“I promise you that you won't regret it. Giving me a second chance I mean.”

“I need to think about it.”

“And that's fine. Take all the time you need. But I can grab your stuff for you so you can be on your way. It's upstairs.”

“You can't pack a bag to save your life, no matter how simple it is. I'll go get it.” You told Joe and hopped off the couch before he could protest. As soon as you walked into what was once your master bedroom, there the bag was sitting at the end of the bed.

You unzipped it to see your sweatshirt, the earring in a small jewelry box, and your lingerie as Joe had promised. What you didn't expect was your neon green vibrator as well as your rose toy to be underneath everything. 

As you were playing with the rose in your hand, you heard Joe's voice behind you.

“I figured that you would want those back too.”

“I was in such a rush to get all of my things that I completely forgot about them.”

That was when Joe came closer to you and leaned down to whisper in your ear.

“But I know for a fact that as many times as you make yourself cum with your vibrator that it'll never be on the same level as me.” 

“Hmm…”

“Hmm, what?”

“Then prove it.” You whispered and Joe immediately turned you around to face him. One hand went around your waist as the other reached up to stroke your cheek.

“You sure about that?” He asked while a smirk started to form on his face.

“If I wasn’t sure then I wouldn’t have said it.”

—

“Right there, stay right there.” You moaned out and Joe abided by your command while also placing the rose toy on your clit at the same time.

Your right hand went over your mouth as your orgasm hit you and obviously noticing, Joe then slid out and stood up from the bed to gaze at you before he pulled you by your ankles to the bottom making you yelp as he began to use his tongue to pleasure you. 

The hold that he had on your hips was tightened as he felt you squirming and came up for air while also scolding you to stay still.

“You told me to prove it, but I can't do that if you keep moving. Stay still, baby.” He told you before going back to his previous task.

After some time had passed there seemed to be a pattern with his movements and then a sudden realization hit you.

He was spelling his name over and over again with his tongue over your clit.

Not just his first name either, but literally 

Joseph

Lee

Burrow 

Joe was marking his territory as you felt that you were going to absolutely lose it. 

“Shit, oh my gosh. Fuckkk.”

At this point, your eyes were closed but when you opened them, you looked down to see Joe staring directly at you with his gaze not faltering for a second.

“Take your eyes off me again and I won't let you cum.”

Listening to directions, you did as you were told and your hands found a way into his hair. The tugging on it that you were doing was an attempt in order to keep him as close to you as possible.

Feeling that you were close once more, you began grinding against his face as Joe began to suck on your clit.

Not even thirty seconds later, you squirted all over his face and could tell that the sheets underneath you were definitely ruined. As you were trying to move away from him in an attempt to recover, he pulled you back and still continued to eat you out making you scream in protest.

“Fuck, Joeyyyy I can't take it.”

“You can and you will. Give me one more, just one. I know my pretty girl can give me one more.”

Hearing him call you ‘pretty girl’ sent you completely over the edge and you damn near fell off the bed before Joe caught you and pulled you back. 

As soon as he let you catch your breath, he peered up at you and smirked.

No words were spoken as he immediately flipped you over onto your stomach and you knew what was coming next.

“I thought you said one more!?”

“Well I lied. Arch your back for me. Unless you don't want me to?” Joe asked as he leaned forward to plant a kiss on your shoulder.

“You haven't had me inside for damn near a year. Don't tell me you want to tap out already. Hmm, pretty girl? You got one more in you?”

Not responding to him with words, you laid your head to rest on your arms as you lifted your hips and arched your back like he originally told you.

Joe let out a small laugh before lining himself up with your entrance and slowly sliding in making a gasp escape from your mouth.

“That’s what I thought.”

–

“This doesn't mean that I forgive you.” You told him as both of you were trying to catch your breath as you rested your head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around you.

“But it's a good start, right?” He asked while leaning over to kiss your cheek and all you did was look at him.

“I knew that you couldn’t resist and did I prove you right?”

“Don't push it. And now because of you distracting me, I don't have enough time to go and see your mom before my flight leaves. She has literally been begging me to come and see her.”

“You were the one who told me to prove it and it was a good distraction but how about this? You fly back and spend my birthday with me. I mean if your schedule allows it that is. You're only covering Thursday's night game, right?” Joe asked hopeful and proceeded to give you puppy dog eyes which he knew was your weakness and knew that more than likely you weren't going to say no.

“I…”

“Please? We're flying back on Monday since we're playing at 8 on Sunday. I would love to have you here waiting for me.”

“Please don't let me regret this.”

“I promise that you won't.” He replied as you propped your head on your arm to look at him.

“I didn't think I would regret it the first time, but look at what happened.” You quietly said and Joe lowkey looked offended.

“Wait, you regret being with me?”

“No, I didn't word it right. I don't regret being with you. But towards the end, I thought we were back on the same page, but apparently we weren't. I regret letting it get as bad as it did.”

“I guess that's fair. And I can imagine at one point that I wasn't the easiest person to be around.” Joe confessed as you nodded.

“You weren't, but because of the type of person that I am, I was there to be as supportive as possible because I knew that you would do the same thing for me. Or at least at one time I thought you would.” You trailed off as Joe nodded his head meaning that he understood. 

“If you are willing to give me another chance, I promise that it won't happen again. I took you for granted and have been feeling the effects since February.”

“I'll be back here on Saturday and stay until Tuesday so that way I'm able to spend your birthday with you.” You told him and Joe couldn't hide the smile that graced his face and squeezed you tighter and kissed your forehead.

“Don't kiss me, I don't know where your mouth has been.”

“You do know. I just spent 45 minutes eating you out.”

“Oh. Good point. I guess I'll allow it.”

“And I'm not done so sit on my face.”

“You literally don't want me to be able to walk do you?”

“Just following directions you gave. Don't be mad at me for listening.”

As promised, you flew back in on Saturday and saw Joe off before his flight, went to lunch with Robin and it was currently Sunday. You had been watching the games since they started with an occasional nap during halftime.

It was now time for the Bengals to take the field against the Cowboys and you were wrapped in a burrito blanket in what used to be your shared bed with Joe.

As much as you didn't want to admit it, once you caught the scent of Joe’s pillow it gave you a feeling of comfort. Which was the usual thing before the two of you broke up.

Positioning yourself so that you were laying directly on it and still in view of the television, you settled in as you got comfortable.

You missed him more than you wanted to admit at the moment and had to think long and hard about giving him another chance seeing as you never gave him a final answer. 

Did he deserve one?

You weren't quite sure if he did.

All that was running through your mind as kickoff began and the camera was quickly put onto him showing him on the sideline grabbing his helmet was if he happened to be really sorry for what he did and truly wanted to make a change.

Or was it just the convenience of it all?

Starting all over after being with someone for six years? You didn't exactly want to do that either, but you had already been making those small steps to do so since you believed that you were done with him for good.

But seeing as you were underneath him just twenty four hours before proved you wrong.

Yes, football was a priority and his career, but you were a priority too and expected to be treated as such. Because even though you also had your career as well, you always made sure to let him know how important he was to you by your actions.

So, the question was even though it had been almost an entire year, were things actually going to be different?

You couldn't hold it in any longer and picked up your phone to quickly dial Sage's number, but decided against it and ultimately came to the conclusion that a facetime call might be better. Once she came into view after she answered, she made a face at you.

“I was waiting for you to call me.”

“Oh?”

“Where are you because you turned off your location and don't think I didn't notice.”

“Um..”

“Um, what?” Sage started to say, but then her eyes went wide.

“So, would the nature of this call happen to concern someone with the name Joseph Lee Burrow? I mean I guess it does seeing as you're in his bed.. well what once was your bed… and not watching the game with me. You had sex with him, didn't you? I love when I'm right. Tell me I'm right.”

“Three times Wednesday and once on Saturday before he left on his flight to Dallas.”

“I knew you were going to take that man back!” Sage yelled as she smiled at you.

“Hold on! I literally never said that.”

“I give you 24 hours to make it official. His birthday is tomorrow after all. Was that his gift? Or did you actually get him something?” She asked as you had now sat against the headboard.

“I'm actually giving him the gift that he was going to get on Valentine’s Day.”

“Yeah, yall are back together.”

“That's just it. I was here thinking that I wasn't sure if I should give him another chance.” You told her as the Cowboys kicked it back to the Bengals and it was Joe's turn to take the field once again.

“You two are meant to be together, but I get you being hesitant because the way you two broke up was diabolical.”

“It started with Ja'Marr wanting to talk to me, which I knew was about the pictures of me and Justin and to be nosey. However, Joe was listening the entire time and ended up blowing his cover and was pleading for me to talk to him.”

“What ended up blowing his cover?”

“I said to Ja'Marr that I had been on a few dates.”

“But you haven't…”

“I know and I did that on purpose. Ja'Marr was acting weird and I had a feeling that Joe was there with him and my theory proved to be right. Then Joe begged to talk to me and I told him in not so many words to fuck off.”

“But now you're in his bed….”

“He kept calling me for like a week straight and I finally answered a text where he said that he still had some of my things. And now here we are.”

“You're my best friend and I want you to be happy. Bottom line is that the little white boy from Athens makes you happy. I don't know why you're fighting this. Yes he fucked up but is trying to make it up to you.”

Hearing her say this made you sigh and nod your head in agreement at the same time.

“What if we break up again?”

“I highly doubt that. I think now he realizes what he lost, so therefore he knows better.”

“I had lunch with his mom yesterday too.”

“Ms. Robin goes harder for you than she does her own children and it is honestly hilarious. Best type of in law to have.

“And she also told me that she's been planning our wedding and she's been harassing Joe to apologize to me for, in her words, ‘being incredibly stupid’.”

“Well she does have a point.”

“I'm taking a chance and going to see how it goes.”

Feeling the bed dip, you opened your eyes to see Joe attempting to slide in next to you, but it proved to be slightly difficult since you were literally sprawled out across the bed like a starfish.

It made Joe laugh to himself as he opened his bedroom door and saw you. He had stood there for a few minutes simply admiring you and thought to himself that if you did end up getting him another chance, he better not do anything to fuck it up.

Otherwise, his mom probably would never let him live it down.

After taking a quick shower, he crawled into the bed next to you and felt you stir as he moved your head to lay on his chest.

He heard your quiet voice and then knew his attempt to try and not wake you up had failed.

“What time is it?”

“6 am, go back to sleep. I didn't mean to wake you up.”

“Why are you here so early? You're not supposed to be back until later.” You sleepily mumbled as he wrapped his arms around you.

“Because I missed you and wanted to spend as much time with you as I possibly could.”

“Happy birthday and I have your gift for you.”

“Wait, you didn't have to get me anything. Just you talking to me is a gift in itself.” Joe told you as he mumbled the last part.

“This is actually your gift from Valentine’s Day. I don't want it anymore so I figured that I should give it to you.” 

“We can do all that later. Just go back to sleep.”

“Fine.” You told him as you buried your face in his chest making him laugh.

It was quiet for a few minutes and Joe thought you had fallen back asleep and was starting to drift off himself when he heard you call his name.

“Joseph….”

“Hmm?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“I'll give you another chance, but if you fuck this up don't expect another one.”

“I promise I won't.”

“And I'm telling your mom.”

“I figured. You and her are best friends so when it comes to the two of you nothing surprises me. Any time I call her she never asks how I am, just if I had talked to you yet. And also never missed an opportunity to tell me how stupid I was for breaking up with you.”

“Because it was stupid and now look who came crawling back because he missed me? And you definitely failed to mention that she had been planning for a wedding even after we had broken up. She has an entire pinterest board she showed me when I went to see her.”

“And she’ll be excited when I tell her that we’re back together, but it’s probably going to take a lot of making up for you to even consider wanting to share my last name.”

“Play your cards right and there will be no reason for my answer to be anything other than yes.”

“Oh, and I should probably also mention that I never took your name off the deed so this is still your house just as much as it is mine.” 

A few days later, Ja’Marr was confused as to why he hadn’t seen Joe come out of his house yet in order to head to practice. He had sent him a text and called him multiple times, yet no response. The two of them would typically leave at the same time and lately Ja’Marr had been listening to Joe’s constant rants about you.

Walking over to his house, Ja’Marr banged on the front door in an attempt to wake him up if he was still sleeping because this wasn’t like him at all.

“Joe! Wake your ass up! We got shit to do! And because your ass is late, I can’t stop on the way and get McDonalds! So you owe me!”

About a minute and a half had passed before Ja’Marr banged on the door once again and when he was mid knock, the door flew open to reveal you behind it in one of Joe’s shirts and Ja’Marr’s eyes went wide before a smirk graced his face.

“Y/N?!? What?!”

“Ja’Marr, shut the fuck up because I’m still mad at you for what you did. But he’s getting ready now and will be down here in five minutes so can you please stop banging on the door and yelling at the top of your lungs?”

“I uh… um… it’s good to see you again. And you can be mad at me all you want, but I see my plan worked.” He said as he gestured to your outfit. 

“You don’t know that.”

“Y/N, you literally answered Joe’s front door in just his t-shirt. I know enough and I also know that yall were clearly fucking and Joe probably slept through his alarm.”

“No, he actually woke up early and I sucked his dick into another dimension and that’s why he’s late. I fucked him last night, but I’m still mad at you.”

“Spare me the details! I didn’t need to know all that.”

“Well I told you so deal with it.” You replied while crossing your arms across your chest.

Just then Joe came up behind you and turned you around to lean down and place several kisses on your lips which you gladly accepted as you wrapped your arms around him. 

“Okay, cut it out with the PDA! It’s too early!” Ja’Marr said as he was looking at the two of you. 

“Uh? Last time I checked, you were standing at my front door?” Joe told him as he smirked and Ja’Marr rolled his eyes.

“About time you two got back together. Now can we PLEASE leave? We’re going to have to do at least 80 to make it on time!”

“You worry too much, we’ll get there. Anyway, see you later, babe.”

“I’ll be here when you get back with nothing on laying in your bed.” You told him as you reached up to kiss him as he bit his lip while looking at you.

“Okay! ENOUGH! JOE, GET YOUR ASS TO THE CAR, NOW.”

“Stop being such a cockblocker.” He told him and you handed him the keys to his Porsche and Ja’Marr was following close behind as he walked to his car. 

“Apparently from what I’ve been told, I’m not blocking a damn thing.”

When both of them had their seatbelts on, Joe started the car and quickly backed out the driveway. The entire time Ja’Marr had been looking at him smiling.

Joe noticed as he looked over at him and started laughing.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“About time she took your ass back. But if you fuck up again, you’re on your own.”

Liked by joeyb_9, nfl, lahjay10_, sagethegeminii, cincinnatibengals, and 2,382,096 others

y/nsanders: had to spin the block one time real quick. happy super bowl week 😘💕

sagethegeminii: now where's the ring?

y/nsanders: sage, slow your roll

robinburrow: I'm psychic and no one can tell me otherwise. my daughter looks so pretty!

joeyb_9: robinburrow log out because you're being messy smh

y/nsanders: joeyb_9 mama burrow stays. It's already bad enough she had to push your big headed ass out. leave her alone.

joeyb_9: 🙄🙄🙄

lahjay10_: my favorite couple back together again. I expect a shoutout in the wedding vows.

y/nsanders: lahjay10_ we'll think about it

[honeyncherry]

after party - joe burrow

summary while celebrities chase invites to exclusive after parties, joe slips away knowing the only invitation that matters is waiting in his hotel suite

content 18+, porn w/ more plot this time, edited repost

"C'mon," Joe hums, voice half-drunk on desire, fingers unforgiving where they work between your thighs. "Show me how much you missed me."

The California King sprawls beneath you, a cloud of soft white sheets and plush pillows that envelop you as he hooks his arm under your knee, spreading you wider. His dress pants remain on, belt undone, white shirt hanging open with its sleeves pushed to his elbows. There's something devastatingly intimate about him being partially dressed while you're completely bare—as if he’s maintaining the last semblance of control while demanding your complete surrender, a reminder of the power he holds so effortlessly.

The air is suffocating, a mix of warmth and tension that presses against your skin, laden with the scent of him—spice and sweat from whatever that cologne is, the one he always wears back home. The one that clung to you for days after he left. New York, Miami, back to New York again. Each night, only his voice on the phone.

But texts and blurry FaceTime calls weren’t enough. Not when yesterday, in the middle of his fitting, he sent you a quick text asking what you were doing. Before that was a mirror selfie, the kind he knew exactly what he was doing with.

He stood in his hotel room, presumably in this outfit for The Met, chin tipped down as he stared at himself through the screen. The top two buttons of his shirt were left open, exposing the thick lines of his collarbone and the shadowed dip between his pecs. The jacket was hanging loose as if he couldn’t be bothered to finish getting dressed. His belt hung low, the buckle unfastened, his pants unbuttoned, the V of his hips on full display. His eyes were dark, daring, and the angle was purposeful, like he wanted you to look. Like he knew you would.

You couldn't tear your eyes away. Couldn't stop imagining your hands undoing the rest of those buttons, the way the fabric would slip from his hips.

So you snapped a picture in response.

You were stretched out by the pool, the water glinting in front of you in a way that made your skin glow. The thin strap of your bikini slipped low over one shoulder, the angle strategic enough to reveal the curve of your hip and the slight dip between your thighs. A book was propped against your stomach, a finger resting on the page, your other hand holding the phone just high enough to make sure the angle captured the way your body arched over the lounge chair.

Just to push him a little further, you sent a text alongside the image.

wishing you were here :(

His reply came fast.

You think that’s funny?

You bit your lip, fingers hovering over the keyboard, debating how far you wanted to push it. But he went silent. Hours dragged by. The sky shifted from blue to gold to dark, and your phone stayed quiet. The last thing you sent hung there, unanswered, taunting you:

what do you want to do about it?

Hours later, the call came.

You were already in bed, lights off, sheets tangled around your legs. His voice was rough with whiskey and something darker.

"You know what you’re doing to me, don’t you?"

You swallowed, fingers twisting in the sheets. "What do you mean?"

"Don’t play with me," he said, the sound of a laugh in the background echoing. You could hear the din of people behind him but all you could picture was the way he’d looked in that mirror. 

"What are you doing?" he repeated his earlier question, the words hushed and edged with something almost desperate.

You told him. And then you told him more. What you would do if he were there. How you’d slip his jacket from his shoulders, let your mouth trail down his throat, taste his skin. How you’d let him press you against the mattress, let him spread you open and—

The call ended abruptly.

In the silence that followed, the ache for him only worsened, and longing well overwhelmed reason. You booked a last-minute flight, landed at sunset, and convinced his security to let you in without telling him. The suite waited empty, lights low, city glow seeping through the curtains like liquid gold.

You indulged in his spa shower, letting the hot water roll over your shoulders, the steam curling around you. Afterward, you wrapped a towel around yourself, skin still warm as you smoothed on his favorite lotion. And then, as you reached for your phone on the counter, the screen lit up.

Impatient, are we?

Now you're cradled against him, back flush to his chest, his hand moving with devastating precision between your legs. Every touch feels like a follow-up to that call—a reminder of every word said and every word he cut off before you could finish.

His breath is hot against your ear, dragging over your skin like he’s marking you from the inside out. His fingers work you open, thumb gliding over your clit drawing a fresh wave of heat that has your thighs shaking.

"You think sending me that picture was a good idea?" his lips graze your shoulder, every word heavy with lingering frustration.

You whimper, hips tilting to meet each thrust of his fingers. "Didn’t hear you complain," you manage, breathless.

A dark, breathy chuckle spills out from him. "You think I would?" His thumb presses down harder in a way that makes your spine arch. "You knew what you were doing, baby. Pushing me like that. Laying there all pretty by the pool while I was stuck in meetings. Was staring at that picture like a fucking idiot, hard as a rock."

His hand slides up, fingers wrapping around your throat as he tilts your head back against his shoulder, forcing you to meet his eyes. The room is dim, shadows stretching over his jaw, but you can still see the way his pupils are blown wide, the way his mouth twitches like he’s barely holding himself together.

"That what you wanted?" he asks, voice deepening to a growl. "Wanted me to lose it? Wanted me to rush back and fuck you senseless?"

You swallow hard, your throat tight beneath his palm, heat pooling deep in your belly as his fingers keep working you—curling, pressing, stroking until you're boneless against him.

"Look at you," he says. "Couldn’t wait, could you? Couldn’t wait to get me alone."

Your lips part, a shuddering breath spilling out. "Talked so much last night," he traces along your jaw, tongue flicking against the sensitive skin just beneath your ear. "Now you’re so quiet. What happened, baby? Run out of things to say?"

You shake your head. Every nerve feels like it’s on fire, every inch of your skin buzzing with the memory of his voice through the phone.

Now, it’s like he’s making good on every word. Every promise. Every curse.

He maintains his merciless pace—even as your hips start to tremble, your thighs clenching around his wrist, muscles quaking as the first orgasm rips through you. It hits hard, every muscle locking up as his name spills from your lips.

"Fuck," he groans, the sound guttural against your ear. "That’s it. Just like that. So good, baby."

But he doesn’t stop. Doesn’t even slow down.

His fingers keep working you, coaxing out every aftershock, pulling every noise from you as he moves down your neck, teeth scraping along your skin.

"You can take it," he breathes. "Come on, let me feel you."

Your eyes flutter shut as your hips continue to move in time with his fingers. The wet, obscene sounds fill the room, his fingers working you open, more and more as the tension builds again. Every part of you tightens up, your composure breaking apart as that aching coil in your belly winds and winds and—

"No, J—"

"I know," he breathes, thumb pressing down in a way that make you choke on your words. "Gotta, let go for me."

"Joey," your voice cracks as another wave hits you, so intense it pulls a sob from your throat. Your thighs clamp down around his wrist as you come again, the sensation washing over you like a fever. Your vision blurs at the edges, reality narrowing to just his touch, his voice, and the overwhelming pleasure he draws from you.

Instead of stopping, he gets rougher. His fingers pump deep, dragging through your slick with, coaxing every reaction from you until it’s too much.

You’re panting, hands scrabbling at his arm, hips bucking, trying to twist away. "Joe, no, I can’t—"

His fingers finally still, buried to the knuckle inside you, the sudden stillness almost more jarring than before. Joe’s mouth moves to your jaw, brushing over your skin in soft, open-mouthed kisses.

"Okay," he says, voice softer now, thumb stroking a soothing pattern over that sensitive spot. "Okay, baby. You’re okay."

His kisses are gentle, deceptively so. They linger a second too long like he’s savoring the taste of you, like he’s plotting what comes next.

Then he shifts behind you, muscles flexing as he lifts you from his lap to the mattress. You watch through half-lidded eyes as he leans back against the headboard, broad chest heaving. His hands drop to the waistband of his slacks, fingers hooking under the belt loops, and he shoves them down his hips. 

The muscles of his thighs flex as he pushes them lower, revealing more tanned skin. There’s something mesmerizing about the way he moves—the way his focus never leaves your face as he undresses.

The second his pants are low enough, he grabs you by the hips, hauling you back into his lap. Your back is pressed to his chest again and he settles you right where he wants you—the heat of his length sliding through your folds, blunt tip catching against your clit.

"God, look at you," he rasps. "Prettiest like this. All spread out for me."

You shiver, pelvis shifting away as he slides himself through your sensitive flesh.

"Shh," he soothes, free hand traveling up your side to smooth over your breast, working your nipple between his fingers. "I know, honey. Just relax. Let me take care of you."

You can sense him sliding through your folds, every movement of his hips sending another jolt of heat spiraling through you. Each motion feels like a silent reminder of everything you’ve been craving.

And then he adjusts, angling his hips just so, his thickness pressing against your entrance. He’s so substantial, the weight of him making you freeze in place as you struggle to keep still.

"See?" he chuckles. "Told you it was okay."

The need builds until it’s almost unbearable, your body taut and strung tight with the need to be filled.

"Gonna let me fuck you?"

You cry out, head tipping back against his shoulder, nails digging into his forearm."Yes," you whimper, a fragile sound that makes him huff out a satisfied breath. "Yes, Joe, please. Need it. Need you."

His jaw clenches, muscles taut as he watches you squirm. "Fuck," he sighs, cock nudging against your entrance. "That’s what I wanted to hear."

And then he’s moving, his hands descending as he lifts you once more, flipping you beneath him.

The air between you is electric, a taut current that pulses through every inch of your skin. Joe pushes forward, the sheer size of him forcing you open, and in that breathless, burning moment, you feel yourself shatter beneath him.

His chest rises and falls in labored breaths, jaw tight, blown pupils fixed on your face as he watches you struggle to take him. The stretch is so complete it borders between pleasure and pain, each inch pressing further until it feels like he’s found parts of you no one else has ever touched.

"Fucking hell," he mutters, a broken rumble that vibrates through your chest. His hands splay over your hips, fingers digging in as he pulls back just a fraction—enough to leave you clenching around nothing and whimper from the emptiness.

Then he thrusts forward, filling you again in one powerful, unbroken glide. The head of him nudges so deep it leaves you speechless, his hips forcing shudders through your body.

Your hands fly to his biceps, fingers pressing into the hard muscle as he sets a rhythm that’s just as demanding as it is consuming. The bed creaks beneath you, the force rocking you up the mattress. The sound of skin against skin mingles with ragged sounds spilling from his throat, all mixing together with your cries

Joe leans down, forehead pressing to yours, his breath hot and heavy against your mouth. Every roll of his hips grinds against that spot that makes your clench around him, that sends you spiraling higher, heat coiling tight in your belly.

"You like that?" he pants, voice unsteady as his hips jerk forward again. "So good. My best girl. Taking me so fucking well."

His words wrap around you like another embrace, the praise pulling you closer to release.

Your body bows beneath him, every muscle taut, hips lifting to meet his relentless thrusts. The ache swells, every plunge pushing you higher, the sensation so intense it’s almost unbearable.

His mouth finds the side of your neck, teeth scraping over your skin, a ravenous sound rumbling from his chest as he pulls out all the way again, hips snapping forward. The impact sends you skidding up the mattress, drawing a cry that breaks into a sob as the pleasure crests and finally crashes over you.

Your body arches, a shockwave of heat and white-hot bliss coursing through you. Your fingers tangle in his hair as waves of bliss ripple through you, your entire being pulsing beneath his unrelenting pace.

Joe’s jaw clenches, muscles straining as he chases his own release. His grip on you tightens, the tendons in his arms standing out as he slams deeper, his thrusts now brutal drives that make you gasp with each impact.

His jaw drops open, hips faltering and rhythm breaking as a guttural moan spills from him. He shudders against you, chest heaving, eyes squeezed shut as he spills, the sensation of him inside you prolongs the ache, keeping you suspended in that heightened state of pleasure.

For a moment, there’s nothing but the sound of your breaths mingling in the heavy silence, the weight of his body pressing you into the mattress. Sweat drips from his brow to your skin, the cool trace of it a startling contrast to the heat still throbbing where the two of you are connected.

Then his grip loosens, fingers tracing lazy circles over the curve of your hip. He brushes a gentle kiss against your neck, his lips dragging slowly over your jaw, his hand sliding to your front as his hips roll forward—grinding into you again, a silent reminder that he’s still there and this is far from over.

[pixelatedquarter]

A THIRD FALL OUT BOY IS OUT OF THE ENCLOSURE

he can do what he wants

[goldfades]

hotel room ! — BURROW

— idk what this is, tbh! i've been swarmed with school so literally have not been able to sit down and write, so here's a random and very short smut that was collecting dust in my drafts.

idk what this is, it's just a very self indulgent dirty piece of writing, nonetheless lmk what yall think!!!

NSFW under the cut!!!! read @ ur own discretion

"Fuck, you're already so wet," Joe groans, his fingers rubbing slow circles over your clothed slit. "So fucking ready for me."

Joe leans down, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin of your neck as he sucks a dark hickey into your flesh. He wants everyone to see his mark on you, wants them to know that you belong to him. He sits back on his knees, his hands gripping the waistband of your panties. With one sharp tug, he rips them off, tossing the torn scrap of red lace aside. He takes a moment to admire your naked pussy, his eyes dark with desire as he takes in the sight of your glistening folds.

"Spread your legs for me, sweetheart," he commands, his voice low and demanding. "Show me that pretty little cunt, baby. Let me see how much you need me."

You did as you were told, spreading your legs despite the heat radiating from your cheeks. His hands then slide between your thighs, his fingers parting your pussy, exposing your dripping slit to his hungry gaze.

"Fuck, you're gorgeous," he murmurs, his thumb circling your clit, teasing the sensitive nub until your hips buck up off the bed. "Gonna fuck you so good, baby."

You let out a shaky moan as you sit up, pulling him by his belt. “Fuck, Joe. Take this shit off now.”

You then began unbuttoning his shirt quickly, the desperation practically vibrating off your body. “Just want you to fuck me, baby,” you continued, your voice filed with unadulterated need.

Joe's eyes darken at your desperate plea, a wide grin spreading across his face. He loves seeing you like this—wanton, needy, completely consumed by your desire for him. With a low growl, he sits back and practically tears off his shirt, throwing it somewhere on the hotel bedroom floor.

"Fuck, love it when you talk like that," he rasps, his voice thick with lust. "So fucking hot, baby."

He stands up just long enough to shove down his slacks and boxer briefs, his thick, hard cock springing free. It's long and thick, the shaft veined and pulsing with need. The swollen head is already leaking precum, a bead of moisture dripping down to the base. He crawls back over you, settling between your spread thighs. He grits his teeth, his control slipping as he lines himself up with your entrance.

"You want my cock so bad, sweetheart?" he growls, rubbing the leaking head of his cock against your slit, teasing your folds. "Want me to split you open on my cock?"

He leans down, his lips brushing against your ear as he speaks. "Beg for it, baby." His voice is a low rumble, filled with dark promise and desire. "Tell me how much you need it, how much you need me to fill you up."

You shuddered at his teasing and I couldn’t help but moan. You glared up at him, my whole body practically shaking with need. “Joe, if you don’t fuck me right now—“ I cried out in desperation and slight annoyance. “I can’t fucking wait any longer, Joe!”

Joe's eyes flash with a mix of lust and amusement at your desperate, annoyed cry. He fucking loves it when you get like this—so needy and impatient for his cock. It makes him feel powerful, in control, like the king of his fucking castle.

"Mmm, there's my girl," he purrs, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "So fucking eager for my dick, can feel it."

He leans down, capturing your lips in a filthy, dominating kiss. His tongue plunges into your mouth, consuming you completely. At the same time, he thrusts his hips forward, burying his thick cock deep inside your soaked, needy pussy with one brutal stroke.

He doesn't stop until he's balls-deep, until he can feel your cervix kissing the tip of his cock. He groans into your mouth, the sound vibrating against your lips as he savors the feel of your silky walls clenching around him.

"Fuck, baby," he gasps, pulling back just enough to look at you. He starts to move, pulling out until just the tip remains inside, before slamming back in, setting a hard, fast pace. "Gonna ruin this pussy, baby. Gonna fucking wreck you."

His hands grip your hips, squeezing the soft flesh hard enough to leave finger-shaped bruises. He pulls you into each thrust, meeting him halfway, the obscene sound of skin slapping against skin filling the hotel room. He pistons into you, grunting and growling with each brutal thrust, determined to claim every inch of your cunt.

[joeybluvs]

Like That?

warnings: soft dom! joe, smut (literally all this fic is 😭), also I haven't written since last December, so this is probably bad, but I hope y'all still like it😭💀

description: y/n and Joe hookup in a hotel room.

As the door to the hotel room shuts Joe pushes you up against it and begins making out with you. As you two are making put against the door y/n let's out a soft moan.

Joe slowly pulls back just enough to whisper against your lips "You're fucking perfect..." His fingers trail down your sides, making you shiver.

Y/n looks into his eyes "Thank you." Y/n says, still breathless from them making out.

Joe smirks softly "No need to thank me. Just stating facts..." His other hand moves to your lower back, pulling you closer "You know what?" Whispers teasingly "I think I need to kiss you more." Smiles playfully "For science, of course..."

"I think you should." Y/n laughs. "For science obviously."

Joe laughs and leans in to press his lips against yours again, the kiss quickly deepening as his tongue explores your mouth. His hands roam over your body, leaving trails of heat in their wake.

"Okay, science experiment complete. And the results are... you're even more amazing than I thought." *Grins and pulls you into his arms, and leans in to kiss you again, this one softer and sweeter.

Y/n pulls away slowly and let's out a small laugh. "So are you Joe." Y/n says.

Joe gives you a playful smirk "You think I'm amazing, huh? Chuckles softly I must be doing something right then..." His hands slide down to your hips, keeping you close "So... what should we do now?"

"You tell me." Y/n smirks.

Joe leans down and whispers in your ear "Maybe we could get more comfortable... smirks I believe there's a very nice bed just a few steps away..." trails kisses down your neck "Or we could stay here... I'm not picky."

Y/n looks over at the bed.

Noticing your gaze, Joe smiles and scoops you up into his arms, carrying you to the bed. He gently lays you down on the soft comforter and crawls on the bed beside you, looking at you with a mischievous grin. "Much better..." Joe smiles and leans down to capture your lips in a passionate kiss, his body pressing against yours. His hands start to explore, caressing your curves through your clothes. "You're so beautiful..." He murmurs against your lips, his voice low and husky with desire.

Y/n smiles against his lips.

Joe holds your face with one hand while continuing to kiss you, his other hand slowly moving down your body, tracing gentle patterns on your skin Breaks the kiss occasionally to place soft kisses along your jawline and neck. His hand moves to the hem of your shirt, slowly pulling it up "You okay if I take this off?"

Y/n looks at Joe and slowly nods in approval and smiles. "Yeah..."

Joe carefully removes your shirt, revealing your stomach. He places his hand on your stomach and looks into your eyes, his expression softening "You're so fucking pretty.." His hands move up your sides, unhooking your bra and tossing it aside.

His words make Y/n smile even more. "Thank you Joe."

Jos smiles and moves down to slowly unbuttons your jeans. You lift your hips to let him easily slide them down your legs along with your underwear. He takes a moment to appreciate the view before crawling back up your body, pressing gentle kisses along the way. "You're perfect..."

Joe looks up at you with desire in his eyes as he takes off his own shirt, tossing it aside.

Y/n looks at Joe. "Fuck Joe you look so good."

Joe blushes slightly at the compliment and leans in to kiss you again, his muscular frame pressing against you. His fingers trail down your side, making you shiver "I could say the same thing... and more." He whispers between kisses "You okay with this? Want to keep going?" He asks, and you slowly nod yes in response.

Joe grins and kisses down your neck, nipping gently at your skin "Good..." He says quietly as he begins to trail kisses lower, making you let out a soft moan in response

He laughs softly, clearly pleased with the reaction. "Like that, huh?" He asks as he continues his trail of kisses, eventually reaching your chest. "And you're so pretty..." He whispers, placing soft kisses around your nipples before gently sucking on one, which makes you let out another soft moan.

Joe smirks against your skin "God, you sound amazing..." He says as he moves lower, kissing and nipping at your stomach "Do you like when I touch you like this?" His words come out husky and low as he begins to runs his fingers along your thighs.

You nod yes in response, as you are beginning to not be able to form whole thoughts.

Joe positions himself between your legs, placing soft kisses along your inner thigh "I can tell..." His hand traces gentle patterns on your waist while his lips move closer to where you really want them, making you let out a moan.

Joe leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to your center. His tongue flicks out to taste you, a soft moan rumbling in his chest. "Fuck, you taste so good..." He starts to lick and suck, his fingers joining in to spread you open for him.

"Fuck Joe." Y/n moans.

Joe smirks mischievously and buries his face deeper, his hands hooking under your thighs to hold you still as he feasts on you. "Look at me..." His voice commands, his eyes locking with yours as he continues to eat you out.

As your eyes lock Joe sees the desperation in your eyes and loves it. "That's it, look at me... let me see how much you want it..." His fingers rubbing your clit in circles.

He slips a finger inside of you, slowly pumpingit in and out. He can feel you getting closer, your hips bucking against his face. "You're gonna break if I keep doing this, aren't you?"

Y/n can't even respond. The feeling of him eating you out, and fingering taking over making you just moan in response.

Joe grins against your skin and continues his eating you out as he adds another finger beginning to scissor them inside you as his tongue laps at your clit. He can feel your legs starting to shake, you're close.

His eyes lock with yours as he curls his fingers inside you, hitting that spot perfectly. He sucks hard on your clit and you're done for. "That's it, cum for me..." He commands, making you cum hard.

He laps up your release, his fingers still curled inside you as he draws out your climax. Only when you start to come down from your high does he finally pull his fingers out, sucking them clean. "Perfect..." He whispers, crawling up your body.

Joe leans down to capture your lips in a kiss, letting you taste yourself on him. "I love how you taste..." He murmurs against your mouth, his hand reaching between you two to unbuckle his own pants.

He breaks the kiss just long enough to push his pants and boxers down, kicking them off along with his shoes. He settles back between your legs, his hard length pressing against your core. "You okay with this next part?" He asks, his voice low and husky with desire. "Definitely." Y/n nods.

Joe positions himself at your entrance, rubbing his tip teasingly against you "Good..." He whispers, leaning down to capture your lips in a passionate kiss as he slowly pushes inside "You're so tight..." He moans against your mouth

Joe breaks the kiss to look into your eyes as he slowly pushes in. "Look at me..." His voice is low and commanding, his hands reaching up to cup your face as he slowly pushes inside.

His eyes lock with yours as he slowly pushes in, stopping to let you stretch around him. "You're gonna have to look at me the whole time..." His voice is firm, his hand reaching down to hook your leg over his arm, opening you up even more.

Joe smiles and starts to pull out slowly before pushing back in, setting a slow and steady pace. "That's it... look at me..." He keeps his eyes locked on yours, his hand holding your leg in place as he starts to pick up speed. "Fuck, you're so beautiful..."

"Joe." Y/n moans out.

Joe buries his face in the crook of your neck, his breath hot against your skin as he picks up speed. "Fuck, I love hearing you say my name like that..." He grunts, his hips slapping against yours with each thrust. "You okay?" Joe asks, and you nod in response.

He pulls back to look at you, his eyes searching yours for any sign of discomfort. "You sure? I can slow down..." He says, his voice laced with concern, but his hips still moving in a steady rhythm.

Y/n nods. "I'm sure...thanks for checking though."

Relieved, he leans down to capture your lips in a passionate kiss, his hips never stopping their movement. "Good..." He murmurs against your mouth as he starts to pick up speed again.

Joe smirks and quickens his pace, hitting that perfect spot inside you "Like that?" He asks, his voice thick with desire as he adjusts the angle slightly. "Tell me you don't love how my big cock feels inside you..."

Y/n moans, "Yes Joe...Fuck right there it feels perfect!" You moan out as you wrap your legs around his waist, pulling him deeper.

Joe continues to thrust deep inside of you before pulling put and positioning you to be sitting on his lap as he begins to thrust up into you.

Joe wraps your legs around his waist and starts to bounce you on his lap, his large hands supporting your backside. "You like that?" He pants, his face contorted with pleasure as he looks down to watch himself fill you up.

"Yes fuck." You moan out and bury your face in his neck.

Joe wraps his arms around you and holds you even closer as he continues to bounce you on his lap, his powerful thighs providing the leverage he needs to lift you up and slam you back down on him.

Joe nips at your throat as he picks up speed, his hips driving up into yours with increased force. "Fuck I love feeling how perfectly you're taking me in... every inch of that big dick stretching your tight little pussy..."

"You love it, don't you? He pants, pulling back slightly to look down at where you're connected. "The way I fucking destroy your pussy with my cock."

One of Joe's hands move up to grip your chin possessively "Tell me who's fucking you this good..." He demands, slamming up into you harder with each word "Say it..." His eyes darken with desire as he maintains eye contact

"Fuck...Joe you are...you're fucking me this good." You moan.

Joe smirks satisfactorily and leans in to capture your lips in a searing kiss, his tongue invading your mouth as he continues to pound into you. "Fuck yeah I am... He breaks the kiss to pant against your lips "Now be a good girl and cum on my dick..."

At his words you cum hard on his cock.

Joe Moans loudly as he feels your pussy clench around him, pulling out at the last second and stroking himself to completion, his cock pulsing as thick ropes of cum shoot onto your stomach and chest. "God damn..." He pants heavily, leaning forward to press his forehead against yours.

After a moment, he lifts his head and looks at you, a soft smile on his face. "You okay, baby?" He asks gently, reaching out to brush a strand of hair out of your face. "I got a little rough there..."

"Yeah Joe." You responded with a soft smile

Joe nods and leans in to press a gentle kiss to your lips, his touch soothing and tender. "Good... He murmurs against your mouth "You're so fucking perfect, you know that? He says making you blush.

Authors note:

anyways I hope you guys liked it even though it's probably bad lol 😭. I wanna start posting on here more so if you did like it, look out for more fics by me 🫶 ly guys.

[v6quewrlds]

I know requests are closed (sad face) but can we get a quick blurb of reader being at the bengals game tonight. reader cheering Joe on. dealing with the rollercoaster of emotions. meets him in front of the locker room and congratulates him. once they arrive home, reader rewards him with some sexy timeeee. plz plz plzzzz

i need to learn how to say no to y'all 😭 anyways, it’s much longer than i anticipated. second person (she/her) because i wasn’t feeling you/your. hope you enjoy anon <3

She stood in front of the suite's glass wall, her heart racing as the final minutes of the game ticked away. The stadium lights cast an orange glow on her skin as the Cincinnati Bengals and the Broncos battled it out on the field below. She was consumed by painful anticipation, her eyes glued to field, watching the home team's every move. Each play felt like an eternity as she silently cheered for him, unable to sit down since halfway through the 4th quarter.

As Joe took the field for the final drive in overtime, a cold shiver shot down her spine. The tension was palpable, even from this high above the action. She and Robin held onto each other, eyes darting between the jumbotron and the field. The crowd's roar grew deafening as Joe dropped back into the pocket, his eyes scanning the field like a hawk hunting prey. Then, with a grace that defied the chaos around him, he released the ball in a perfect arc towards Tee Higgins.

Tee's fingers stretched out, catching the football just as he crossed the goal line, securing the victory for the Bengals. She had barely processed what she was seeing when the stadium erupted into a frenzy. Her scream melded with the cheers around her, her eyes brimming with joyous tears. She turned to Joe's mother, Robin, and they shared a moment of pure elation, their arms flying around each other in a tight embrace. Joe's father Jimmy and her own parents - were equally ecstatic, pumping their fists, exchanging hugs, and shouting into the buzz of the celebration.

She couldn't stop her fidgeting even as the game ended. Her heart pounded in her chest, echoing the rhythm of the fans' chanting below. She watched Joe jog off the field, the weight of the moment etched on his sweat-drenched face. It was a victory they all needed, a victory that tasted so much sweeter after such a rollercoaster of a game. As the players began to disperse and head towards the locker room, she couldn't wait any longer. She had to be with Joe.

The wait to see him after showers and locker room debriefs and post-game pressers was agonizing. She paced in the makeshift reception area for the Bengals' family members, the sixty degree Ohio air outside somehow feeling like a blast from a sauna compared to the cool suite. Her legs trembled slightly with pent-up energy, her eyes darting to the clock on her lockscreen that seemed to tick away in slow motion. Every bubble of excited noise from the lingering fans outside the stadium walls was like a tease, a reminder of the victory she hadn't yet been able to share with Joe.

When Joe finally emerged, his eyes locked onto hers from across the walkway. The chaos of the celebration around them faded into a distant hum as he made a beeline for her.

It was unusual, Joe was never one to break tradition, typically greeting his parents first, then her parents, and then her. But today, the desire to claim his victory with her first was too intense to resist. His stride was purposeful, his eyes dark with a hunger that sent a jolt of anticipation through her core. As he reached her, she nearly gasped out loud as he pulled her into his arms, his grip around her waist tight and possessive.

Their eyes met, and she could see the fire in his gaze, a reflection of the passion that had fueled him on the field. Without a word, he leaned in, capturing her mouth in a fierce kiss that left no doubt of his intentions. The taste of victory was on his lips, and she devoured it hungrily. Her hands roamed over his shoulder, feeling the muscles that had propelled him to greatness just minutes ago. The smell of sweat, grass, and victory melded into a scent that was uniquely his.

When they finally broke apart, she whispered against his cheek, "I can't wait to get you home." Joe's grip tightened, his voice gruff with desire as he replied, "You and me both."

He turned to greet the parents, his arm still wrapped tight aroundher waist. They all offered congratulations, a mix of pride and relief in their eyes. The stress of the long game lingered in the air, but Joe's win had brought them all together in a shared triumph.

She playfully groaned as her mother demanded she pose with Joe for a picture, the flash of the camera phone blinding them briefly. The excitement in the air was contagious, and she felt a thrill run down her spine as she leaned into his side, her hand poised on his broad chest. The fabric of his Dior jacket was cool, mirroring the gentle December chill, but it was the heat of his body beneath that truly scorched her. His heart thundered against her palm, a tempo that matched her own racing pulse.

Once the flurry of photos and congratulations had died down, Joe whispered in her ear, "Let's get out of here, I need to get my hands on you." His breath was hot and sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn't agree more. They parted, deciding to ride with their respective parents back home, hoping the distance would help cool their need for each other.

By the time they each pulled into the driveway, the heat between them was returning in full force. The moment they stepped inside, Joe's hand found hers, squeezing upon contact as if promising that the wait was almost over. They settled into the living room, surrounded by the warm glow of Christmas lights and the faint scent of evergreen from the tree. The conversation was a blend of excitement over the game and their belated holiday festivities planned for tomorrow.

Their parents, caught in their own chatter, didn't notice the way she leaned into Joe, her legs resting over his parted thighs, her head resting on his broad shoulder. Every so often, Joe would lean down to whisper something into her ear, something that made her skin tingle and her breath hitch. His hands wandered over her body, exploring under the guise of comfort and casual affection. She felt her resolve to wait until their parents retreated to their rooms wavering with every brush of his fingers.

Finally, the night grew late and the conversation began to wind down. With a yawn, Jimmy suggested everyone get some rest before the festivities tomorrow. Her parents agreed, their eyes sparkling with the same excitement she felt.

"Goodnight, you two," Robin said, standing up. "We're so proud of you, Joey. We'll let you two lovebirds have some time to celebrate privately." She winked, gaining a reciprocal laugh from her mother.

The parents disappeared into their designated guest rooms, the click of the doors echoing through the hallway like a starting gun. She and Joe looked at each other, the anticipation thick enough to cut with a knife. "You heard the woman," Joe said, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm fuckin' you into our mattress tonight."

He took her hand and led her upstairs, their footsteps barely audible on the plush carpet. The house was still, the only sound their heavy breaths and racing hearts. They reached the sanctuary of their bedroom, and Joe closed the door with a gentle click. "Strip," he ordered, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "Keep that jersey on, though."

She smirked, the heat in Joe's eyes making her skin sizzle. She peeled off her jeans and bra, letting them fall to the floor with a soft thud. Standing in nothing but her panties and Joe's oversized jersey, she felt both exposed and incredibly powerful. His gaze roved over her, imagination running wild as he picture her hidden curves before returning to her face, his eyes dark with need. She took a step between his spread thighs. Joe reached out, his thumbs hooking under the band of her underwear. With a firm tug, they were around her ankles and she stepped out of them.

The room was filled with a charged silence as Joe took in the sight of her. His hands kneading the soft, brown flesh of her ass, pulling her closer to him, the heat from his touch radiating across her skin. She felt like she could combust from the intensity of his gaze. She leaned over him, humming softly as he took in the sight of her, the jersey riding up, exposing her plush thighs.

"Mm, you're so fuckin’ beautiful," Joe murmured, his breath hot against her skin as he reached up to cup her breasts. She felt her nipples harden under his touch, a warmth pooling between her legs. She leaned down, her mouth capturing his in a kiss that was both sweet and demanding, her tongue dancing with his as he unbuttoned his jacket. Her hands pushed the fabric of the expensive material away from his body, revealing the bare muscular physique that had carried him to victory today.

"I fuckin' knew you were naked under here," she murmured as she straddled him. His hands slid under the fabric of the jersey, caressing her smooth, bare skin, his fingertips grazing her waist and sliding up to cup her breasts. She moaned into his mouth as his thumbs brushed against her sensitive nipples, sending waves of pleasure through her body.

Joe's own need was palpable. "God, baby," he murmured, his voice thick with desire as he continued to palm her breasts. She felt the tension in his shoulders, the power coiled in his arms as he held her close, his kiss growing more urgent by the second. She could feel his cock, already hard and insistent, pressing against her through his pants.

With a smirk, she slid off Joe, standing before him as she sank to her knees, the jersey riding up even more. She reached for his belt, her eyes never leaving his as she unbuckled it and pulled it free from his waist. The sound of his zipper echoed through the room as she slowly pulled his pants down. His cock sprang free, thick and proud, and she couldn't resist the urge to lick her lips.

Joe's breath hitched as she wrapped her hand around the base of his shaft, giving it a gentle squeeze before leaning in to kiss the tip. Her warm breath ghosted over him, making him twitch in anticipation. She took her time, savoring the taste of him, the smell of his arousal, the feel of his hand in her hair, his gentle tugs guiding her rhythm as she took him deeper into her mouth.

Her tongue swirled around the head, teasing him mercilessly as she sucked him in further. The wet sounds of her ministrations filled the room, a stark contrast to the quiet outside their door. Nyla's eyes never left Joe's, watching the way his pupils dilated with pleasure, the way his jaw tightened and his breathing grew ragged. His hands gripped the bed sheets, cursing under his breath before deciding to stop fighting the urge to take control.

With a groan, he pulled her off him, standing to remove the last of his clothing. She watched, eyes hooded and mouth watering, as Joe's muscular body was revealed to her. He slowly ordered her to stand, his voice gruff with desire. He took her face in his hand, thumb pressing against her plumb lips. "I've been thinking about this all night," he confessed, his voice low and urgent.

"Yeah?" she responded, her voice equally thick with want. She allowed his thumb to push past her lips, sucking gently, her eyes never leaving his. The hunger in Joe's gaze was unmistakable. He stepped closer to her, their bodies no longer apart, the heat from their desire warming the nonexistent space between them. He bent his head, capturing her mouth in a kiss that was both tender and possessive. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her body arching into his as their tongues tangled together. His hands trailed from their place on her waist, down to her ass, squeezing and lifting her to wrap her legs around him, making her whimper.

He carried her to the bed, laying her down gently. His eyes never left hers as he positioned himself between her legs, his cock brushing against her wet folds, teasing her entrance. "Gonna be sweet for me?" he murmured against her neck, his breath hot and ragged. She nodded, biting her lower lip as his hand slid between them, guiding himself inside her with a slow, deliberate stroke that made her toes curl.

They began to move together, their bodies fitting like two pieces of a puzzle made for one another. Each thrust was a silent declaration of victory, a celebration of passion that mirrored the game's intensity. Her hands clawed at his hair, her breaths coming out in soft whimpers as Joe's pace remained steady. His hips grinded into her with an agonizingly slow pace, their gasps and moans dissolving into each other's mouths.

The bed's springs squeaked faintly with each movement, a rhythmic tune that matched their muffled sounds of pleasure. They had to keep it down, their parents just a few walls away, but the urgency of their union was too great to be fully contained. She felt her orgasm building, the tension coiling deep within her like a tight spring.

He really was fucking her into the mattress, and she was loving every second of it. The way his body felt over hers, his weight pressing her down into the bed, was like nothing she had ever experienced. Her pussy tightened around him, eager for more, and Joe responded by picking up the pace. The headboard knocked gently against the wall, but the sound was muffled by the intentionally selected thick walls and their hushed moans.

Joe's muscular thighs flexed with each thrust, his skin slick with a sheen of sweat that made her hands glide over his body with ease. Her legs were wrapped around him, her heels digging into his back as she held on tightly, her nails digging deliciously into his skin. His cock filled her completely, the friction sending sparks of pleasure shooting through her body. She could feel the veins along his length, throbbing with his pulse, the heat of him setting her alight from the inside out.

Their movements grew more urgent, their kisses more desperate, as their orgasms approached like a runaway train. Her breath was hot against his neck, her teeth grazing the sensitive skin just below his ear. He groaned, the sensation sending a shiver down his spine, his hips moving faster, the head of his cock brushing against her g-spot with every deep thrust.

Joe's eyes bore into hers, the blue depths dark with need. He leaned down, capturing her mouth in a deep, claiming kiss as he pushed into her harder and faster, the urgency of their passion growing with each passing second. His skin slapped against hers as his hips switched from their slow, deliberate pace to a more bruising tempo that had her eyes rolling back in her head; his hand coming down to squeeze at the sides of her neck. She felt the coil of pleasure tighten within her, the sweet ache of a climax that was just out of reach.

As if it wasn't enough, Joe paused for a moment, distracting her with a nibble on her earlobe before flipping her onto her stomach and pulling her back towards him. She gasped in surprise and pleasure as he buried his face into her neck, his teeth grazing her skin lightly. His cock slid into her from behind, filling her completely, and she had to bite the pillow to keep from screaming out.

He began to move again, his strokes deep and forceful, her body jolting with each impact. The jersey she was still wearing had ridden up, exposing her round, firm ass to him, and he couldn't help but admire it as he took her. Her hands clutched the bed sheets, body straining with the effort of keeping their passionate sounds contained. Her voice broke through their muffled silence, a string of curses and pleas for more, more, more.

Joe's hand slid down her spine, his fingers dancing over her curves, his grip tightening as he pulled her ass back into him, holding her tight against his pelvis, the angle of his thrusts changing to hit her in just the right spot. She felt the heat building inside her, a pressure that grew with each stroke. Her breathing grew erratic, her body tightening around him as the orgasm crashed over her like a wave. She bit down on the pillow, muffling her scream as her muscles clenched, her pussy pulsing around Joe's thick cock.

"Mmm, fuck, baby," Joe groaned, feeling her walls spasm around him, pushing him closer to his own release. "You're so goddamn perfect." His rhythm grew erratic, his hips slapping against her ass as he lost control, leaning over her blissed out body, entrapping her with a growl. She could feel the tremors of his approaching climax, the tension in his body a delicious prelude to what was to come. She pushed her ass back into him, urging him on, her own breaths coming in ragged gasps.

"Joey," she moaned, arching her back to meet his dark gaze. "You played so good today." Her words were breathless, a gentle praise that sent a shot of pride through Joe's veins.

He leaned further, teeth grazing her skin as he goaded her lowly, "Keep talking, baby. Tell me how good I was tonight."

Her cheeks grew hot, the heat from her climax still simmering as she whimpered into the pillow, her voice shaky with passion. "Fuck — best fuckin' quarterback in the league. You were a god out there, baby. Carrying the team on your back, ‘m so fuckin’ proud, baby." Joe's strokes grew more fervent at her words, the praise driving him closer to the edge. He loved how she talked dirty, how she'd moan and writhe under him, telling him exactly how she felt.

He leaned over her, his chest pressing against her back, his cock still deep inside her. His teeth grazed her ear. "You think so?" he murmured, his voice thick with lust. "You think I deserve this prize?" She nodded, her body trembling as she felt him swell even more. "Come on, baby," Joe urged, his hips slapping against her ass with more force. "Gimme my prize, come for me again, make a mess, pretty girl."

The pressure grew, her body tightening around him as he pumped into her. She could feel her orgasm building once more, the tension coiling tighter and tighter. Her nails dug into the bed, her breaths coming out in pants as she neared the peak. "Fuck, Joe, I'm dammit—" she began, but her words were cut off by a muffled cry as she climaxed again, her body shaking beneath him.

Joe groaned, his own orgasm following closely behind. He thrust into her one final time, his cock pulsing as he emptied himself inside her. His grip on her hips tightened as he held onto her, his breath hot against her neck. The quiet was only pierced by their harsh breaths and the sound of their skin slicking against each other as Joe slowly pulled out of her.

She collapsed onto the bed with a sigh, Joe following closely behind, his body heavy and satisfied. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close, the sticky warmth between them a testament to their passion.

"I've never come like that before," she confessed with an embarrassed laugh, her voice still shaky with pleasure as she lay sprawled on the bed, Joe's arms around her waist. She felt his chest rise and fall with his labored breaths, the weight of him a comforting pressure.

Joe's lips curled into a smug smile against her neck. "My ego just tripled in size," he murmured, his voice a mix of satisfaction and exhaustion. He rolled onto his side, his arms still wrapped around her.

She turned to face him, a goofy grin on her face. "You didn't need me for that," she said, brushing soft curls from his face. "My mom was saying you looked like your LSU self. Like you were possessed or something."

He chuckled, his eyes glazed with the aftermath of pleasure. "I guess that explains the griddy," Joe teased, kissing her gently.

[non-un-topo]

Siggy's Old Guard Fic Favourites Masterlist!

Welcome back, fandom! I decided to finally make a big fic rec list and there are a lot. You know the drill: some have definitely been on lists before, though I tried to highlight some lesser-known ones.

This is also a compilation that reflects my specific interests. As such, the vast majority of these are canon-universe, or pre-canon historical. I will separate them by canon universe and AU/canon-divergent for convenience.

In no particular order:

Canon Universe

A Glacier Moving Through You (10k) - harryhotspur

An exploration of Joe and Nicky’s life in New York during the AIDS crisis. Painfully beautiful and viscerally realistic. Reminds me of what we take for granted. Those who know me know I never shut up about this fic.

Some favourite lines: Their eyes met in a way that said wordlessly, I see you. I am part of your family. Nicky saw David’s shoulders relax and the tears fell from his eyes. He sniffed and wiped them away. Other recs from this author: everything feels too large (the steadings and the fields) (22k), An Unexpected Disruption (2.6k).

Old Olives (21k) - aeili_kindara

A crusades-era fic that I read years ago and it just glued itself into my brain. The author has a slightly different take on Yusuf and Nicolo’s first meeting, in which they actually cross each other at a few different battles on the way to Jerusalem. It’s just incredibly well-written and detailed. Feels like reading a novel or watching a movie.

Some favourite lines: Yusuf’s grin hovers, then broadens. “See you around, then.” Nicolo gives him a bow. “I expect you will.” As he’s walking away, he hears the arrow rather than sees it. He tips his head sideways; it whirs over his shoulder and thunks into the heart of an olive tree. Nicolo doesn’t turn back to look. He twangs the quivering arrow with one finger as he walks by, and hears a voice laughing from the walls. All the way back to camp, he doesn’t stop smiling.

Conviction (21k) - fadagaski

Unfinished, but I urge people to read this one because it is so worth it. Set before the events of the movie, while Andy is travelling alone, the boys take on a job in the Philippines where they end up on either side of a conflict that runs deeper than they expect. This author is so good at tension and details, I was hooked.

Some favourite lines: Nicky pats his shoulder. “Poor Booker,” he says to Joe, “he’s been drinking so much crap since we left him that it has rotted his brain.” Booker shoves him flat, landing in a sprawl across Joe, all three of them laughing as Booker leans across the pair of them to try to steal the bottle from Joe, but Nicky gets there first. It’s been a very long time since Booker has felt a smile on his face. His cheeks ache with the unfamiliar arrangement of muscle.

for i have sinned (8.5k) - apocryphal

Can’t say much about this, to avoid spoilers. I recommend going in blind. It’s just a fantastic character study, with a huge gut punch.

Some favourite lines: Immortality breeds muscle memory by necessity, a brain overloaded with a thousand years of life, seizing on any opportunity it can find to run on autopilot. Joe still reaches for a waterskin he hasn’t carried in seven hundred years. He regularly finds his sword in his hand with no recollection of drawing it.  And he will never remember whether or not he finished strapping Andy’s kevlar, that day.

the axe forgets, the tree remembers (19k) - Flamingbluepanda

Post-movie. After being captured and tortured by some of Kozak’s new guys, Joe loses all of his memories and has to start over again in New York. Meanwhile, the team search for him everywhere.

Some favourite lines: Nicky let out an angry roar and punched a wall hard enough that one of his fingers broke and sent the proximal phalanx pushing through the skin. He didn’t even care or hesitate; he just shook his hand through the air and turned to walk away.  And that was when Andy shot him in the leg.  Nicky collapsed, then rolled smoothly onto his back and raised his gun, eyes wild. “Che cazzo, Andy?” “You wanna get angry and fight something, you fight me,” Andy said, voice low and cold. Nicky narrowed his eyes.

no one does it better (13.8k) - maddielle

While Nile decides to go back to school and take a sexualities elective, Nicky delves into one of her textbooks. He and Joe decide to try their own hand at porn and accidentally get really into it. It’s just a delightful read, and reminds me how old and in love these guys are.

Some favourite lines: “I know what sex is,” Nicky tells him confidently. “I’ve been having sex for nine hundred years. It isn’t this.” “It is for some people, love,” Joe comments, warmly amused, but Nicky shakes his head. “No, this is- There’s no passion. No connection. No one looks like this.” He catches a thumbnail of a slight woman strung up in ropes, all of the knots tied wrong. “It’s irresponsible.” Other recs from this author: come as you are (6k), older now (but not done hoping) (2.5k)

Cabinet of Nonperishable Curiosities (3k) - KushielsMercy

A meditation on Joe and Nicky as a 900-year-old unit. Made me really think about what it means to be together for so many centuries, and it stayed with me for long time after reading. This author always writes so vividly and beautifully too, and I especially love the playfulness between Joe and Nicky in this one.

Some favourite lines: They sit in silence, Nicky’s feet knocking gently back and forth against Joe’s shoulders. Joe always processes Nicky’s body as an extension of his own, but he’s uncomfortably aware of it this morning. Why is it he feels an absence of self when Nicky’s heels float away?  “How much of us,” Nicky finally murmurs, “is each other?” Other recs from this author: Daughter of Dust (1k)

if i’d have lived longer (i still would have waited) (5.4k)- knoepfchen

Pre-canon. An exploration of Joe and parenthood. I re-read this one often, since it’s become very special and personal to me. Truly a beautiful fic.

Some favourite lines: He would have expected Nicolò to be with them, seeing as his skills with a bow nearly rival Quynh’s by now, but he is not. Yusuf rounds the square and finally spots Nicolò crouching in the awning of a side street leading away from the square, surrounded by a throng of children. For a moment, it looks like Nicolò is telling them a story, and Yusuf can picture it, that earnest way of his—but then Nicolò stands to his full height again, one of the children hanging onto his back like a little bear. Yusuf is too far away to hear, but he sees Nicolò’s lips move as he makes what is undoubtedly a whooshing sound, spinning on the spot, arms outstretched. The children shriek in delight, the one on his back the loudest. Other recs from this author: all this time (15.9k), a thicket of shadows is a poor coat (32.8k)

world enough and time (9.5k) - raedear

Post-canon. A delightful fic in which Nicky takes a reluctant Andy to the dentist, and Joe and Nile talk after Joe tells her about a recurring nightmare Nicky has. It has all the emerging found family feels that we all love, as well as that ancient love between Andy and the boys.

Some favourite lines: ‘Nicky had a dream,’ Joe says, as though that explains why he’s the one out of sorts. Maybe it does. Maybe after nine hundred years, they dream the same dreams too. ‘He almost died on the crossing to Jerusalem, you know.’ She didn’t. ‘He dreams sometimes that he did, and because of that he walks alone through this life. It always leaves him shaken.’  It’s not Nicky sitting in front of her, pale at the edges and clutching his coffee like a lifeline. Other recs from this author: I can tell (we are gonna be friends) (1.9k), an astonishment of form (3.7k)

beholder (19k) - liadan14

A throughout-history compilation of Joe and the muse, with himself as the muse, and times he was inspired by others. There’s a story at the end of this fic that Joe wrote that is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read, and I think about it so much. There’s also Joe being a total dumbass in love.

Some favourite lines: For a moment, Nicolò simply continued looking at him, the humor in his eyes softening to something kinder and gentler. Then, he said, “Yusuf, I love you.” “I need to take those bowls to Ahmed,” Yusuf said. Other recs from this author: constant stars (1.5k)

I live on kindness, faith and constant courage (37.7k) - Tam_Cranver

A medieval queer quartet fic set in France that is just incredibly well written. What else can I say? The details, the plot, and the dynamics between the immortals are all perfect. This author is incredible.

Some favourite lines: Yusuf barked out a surprised laugh. “Alas, I’m still not certain I’m up to the task of being Andromache’s husband,” he said in mock mournfulness. “Few men are,” she said, waggling her eyebrows at him. “Now come, help me see if this dress will work for me.” Other recs from this author: Stop, listen, feel, believe (17.2k), The Plate of the Eclipses (90.5k)

whatever here that’s left of me (12.7k) - paigian

After Booker’s departure, the team takes some time off, and Nicky develops an old recurring pain in his shoulder that gets increasingly worse. This fic is all about loss, love, betrayal, and the sheer weight of these things. Gorgeous and timeless.

Some favourite lines: What are these shoulders for? Holding up the weight of Booker’s loneliness; the backs of Joe’s knees; keeping a rifle steady for the kill. Catching a bullet next to the scapula meant for Andy as they escaped that awful building; as a place for Nile to lean against as every bone in her body stitched back together- Other recs from this author: you made a fool of death with your beauty (15.6k), the deaths of nicolo di genova, in ascending order of sexiness and descending order of actual dying (14.2k), the Beyond Measure and Reason series (61.9k)

As The World Falls Down (5.2k) - superblackmarket

One of the first fics I ever read in this fandom. What can I say about superblackmarket? Just fantastic and gorgeously written, every fic.

Some favourite lines: Then one day he woke up—he couldn’t have said what time it was, whether it was morning or evening—and Nicky was sitting at the foot of his bed, looking at him. “Hello, Booker,” he said. He wore a grey kameez over military fatigues and his eyes were like chips of jade. Probably a hallucination, Booker thought. “What’re you doing here?” he asked, slurring his words. “Thought you were up in, uh, whatchamacallit, the…” “How long have you been like this?” Nicky said. Other recs from this author: Tales of Burning Love (5.8k), Ere Babylon Was Dust (7.2k)……… all of them.

Gentle (2.7k) - AphroditesTummyRolls

A very sweet fic about Nicolo and his mama. Made me very misty-eyed. It’s always emotional to think that these war-seasoned immortals were once little children.

Some favourite lines: Her heart squeezed in her chest, and she smoothed his soft hair where it stuck up in a cowlicky tuft. She loved her baby, she loved him.  He was so big now, he weighed on her arms. He gripped at her with his little dumpling fists, and she prayed he’d never let her go. She never wanted to stop holding him.

Centuries and Centuries (102.4k) - marbletopempire

Possibly one of the first crusades-era getting together fics in this fandom, and a famous one but I’m still putting it here. This fic is incredibly written, and such an intimate look into Yusuf and Nicolo’s past. Part of the reason for this is that it’s written entirely in first-person, which I’m a sucker for.

Some favourite lines: Once, when I was a child, I sat on my father’s shoulders and watched as a man was hanged. The crowd was thick, full of laughter, and had the air of a festival. I watched as the man was led up to the gallows, his hands drawn behind his back. His face was one of terror – even at my young age I could tell – and as he looked out over the crowd his wild eyes locked onto mine. People jeered and threw rotten food at him but he did not flinch. He smiled at me briefly before they obscured his head with a sack. Sodomite, I heard whispered around me.

though i’m dying to (fall in love with you) (19.6k) - yusufsmoon

Nicky finds himself hopping between alternate dimensions, finding Joe in each one. This is a comfort classic to me, it just fills me with so much joy.

Some favourite lines: He takes in the way Joe’s eyes are regarding him; there’s an assuredness in those brown depths, that he realizes reminds him of Andy, of Quynh, even, before they lost her. Like they could take on the weight of the world with a smile.

life is very long (7k) - kaydeefalls

The OG description does it perfectly: Nicky and his immortal family, over the centuries. This fic is a forever favourite, full of love and wonder for the world and the immortal family.

Some favourite lines: "Come, habibi," Yusuf murmurs, so close that his beard tickles along Nicolo's neck. "Will you not join me?" Nicolo closes his eyes, trying to keep his breathing even. "I cannot dance." Yusuf presses a kiss into the soft skin just below his ear. "I promise you, this is a dance you know." Other recs from this author: Carthaginians (53k), catch you when the current lets you go (5.4k)

July 1982 (9k) - WarriorOmen

I read this one every summer, I swear. It’s got Joe on a motorcycle, clubbing, and the immortal husbands just being absolutely smitten for each other.

Some favourite lines: 900 years old. He’s 900 years old and completely rooted to the ground from surging lust and excitement because, sitting in the parking lot of this store, is Joe. But it’s not just Joe, it’s some iteration of Joe that is currently straddling a massive black motorcycle, leaning over the handlebars like he owns the thing (which Nicky really hopes he does) and staring straight at Nicky with all the confidence of someone who has well and truly surprised his husband. Other recs from this author: My Blade, My Love (2k)

Rain Season (6k) - yu_gin

This fic takes place after the Chernobyl disaster, where Joe is in a period of depression. The way the reactor is described is so scary, I feel like it’s this ever-surveying, hulking, breathing beast. And the way the effect of radiation on the immortals is described… there’s one small scene that will forever be in my head.

Some favourite lines: That night he went to the reactor once again. He pushed himself closer than ever, determined to look the monster in the eyes. He could feel the heat increasing and the air burning his lungs. He knew what would come, he was familiar with the excruciating pain, but he couldn’t stop himself.

Fast Car (7.9k) - PastyPirate

Joe and Nicky go for a Thanksgiving road trip in the 90s. This fic has one of the best and goofiest representations of the immortal husbands’ relationships I’ve ever read, and the dialogue is so realistic. A major comfort read that I think about all the time.

Some favourite lines: “This is more of a general present,” He held up the cassette, tilting it where Nicky could read the label. Nicky tilted his head to read, and burst into laughter, “you asshole.” Joe looked at the label, Sad Songs for Nicky written in clear script for this very moment, “What? No good? I have another.” He held up the second cassette Happy Songs for Joe scribbled on it.

James Copley’s No Good Very Bad Year (12.7k) - Dr_Amuly

Absolutely delightful fic about the cleanup after Merrick’s, where Joe and Nicky “help” Copley (they fuck with him) go through the old pictures, while Copley hasn’t figured out that they’re a couple.

Some favourite lines: “Joe,” Nicky gentled. “We are nearly a thousand years old.” “I’m thirty-three!” Joe protested. “Anno di Cristi…” Nicky sing-songed under his breath. Joe kicked him—lovingly, of course—under the table.

the profession of my fingers (24.9k) - mellyflori

A classic. This is one of those fics that reminds me why I love these characters so so much. Basically a compilation throughout history of Nicky worshipping Joe’s curls. It’s got some of the tenderest moments. Their love feels really tangible and believable here.

Some favourite lines: "Surely, Lord, you’ve sent this man to test me.” “Did you want me to test you? Because I can—“ “Thank you, Lord, for the gift of this great compassionate spirit in my life.” Other recs from this author: there’s a trick with a knife (i’m learning to do) (65.2k)

Impelled by the Persuasion of Love (2.4k) - Lolo (TheLittleLo)

The queer quartet + courtly love! I read this when the zine came out years ago, then re-read it while I was taking a class in Arthurian literature, and it really has it all. Short but sweet, and I adore how the author writes the dynamic between the four immortals. Feels like a lovely bedtime story.

Some favourite lines: “Can I stay with you tonight?” “I think we can risk one night. You are meant to be the brother of my lady wife, after all.” Nico made a face of disgust. “Do not remind me,” Nico said, and he titled his head up to press his lips to Joseph’s.

the dark matter of you (12.9k) - Syysmyrsky (Arktikko)

Gorgeously written meditation on Yusuf and Nicolo’s early love through Yusuf’s account of an old relationship, and through Nicolo’s eyes. Very vivid and realistic, goofy at times, gets me right in the gut and feels so believable as a conversation between these two. Reminds me why I love their love.

Some favourite lines: It feels so natural, he thinks as he looks at Yusuf, to be with this man, to love him. The more he does, the more it feels like perhaps loving Yusuf is what he has always been meant to do. It certainly had felt like destiny when Yusuf had kissed him that rainy afternoon, urgent and just a little desperate. Hurried, until Nicolò, hands still wet from the rain but so careful, had stroked his palm down Yusuf’s broad back slowly, sweetly, and something in both of them slowed down and settled. Calm like coming home. Other recs from this author: The Devil’s Eye (6.2k)

Per usual it didn’t go as planned (but as it should) (19.8k)- linascribbles

Post-movie. The team spends some time in Peru. I come back to this fic every time I need comfort and some Nile love, it’s just so soft and good.

Some favourite lines: "Nile!" Andy exclaims suddenly, eyes going wide and bright on the mirror. "I'm gonna get wrinkles!" She sounds thrilled about it.  "You'll finally get to contest Joe on that," Nile replies, voice full of laughter. Andy pumps her fist.

The Lamp of Nicholas (20.5k) - ViridianPanther

A crusades-era fic in which Yusuf and Nicolo part ways, and Yusuf finds himself captured and imprisoned in a tower. Such a fun one that feels like a bedtime story or legend. It also got me obsessed with the word “defenestrate.”

Some favourite lines: “—and I saw why the Almighty chose to bless us both with a reprieve from death. Because I have been the receiver of his kindness. And now I will never be able to thank him for that, I will never be able to tell him how much I loved him. Because I let him go back to the place that turned him into a monster, and now—” Other recs from this author: The Death of You (22.7k)

Ten Ounces (3.5k) - suchA_Consequentialist

Post-canon, the aftermath of Joe being kidnapped and tortured. A beautiful fic with a gut-punch. This author is a master of bildup and the gut-punch, I am so so obsessed with it. Can’t say much without spoiling, I think it’s just best to go into this one blind.

Some favourite lines: Against Joe’s chest, Nicky’s hand stays still and flat. He looks stricken and desperate as his hand presses harder against the skin. There is no scar. There can't be. So, Nicky can't know. Other recs from this author: A River Arrives in the House of the Dead Men (The Prodigious Flowering Rage) (4.8k)

To kindle a spark in the darkness (7k) - Nary

Pre-canon outsider POV in the 15th century. This fic has everything I love, following a man named Hassan who encounters the immortals at different times in his life. Follows the thesis of the movie perfectly, and it’s gorgeously written. Feels like watching a movie.

Some favourite lines: Then Yusuf gave a sharp gasp, sitting up. Hassan scrambled back in alarm. Yusuf felt his chest with one hand, fumbling for his weapon with the other. "Ugh, one of them has an arquebus," he said, almost to himself, and then, noticing Hassan a few feet away, he gave a rueful smile. "I didn't mean for you to see that, little one."

Making the Marauders (62.2k) - nizzuto

A medieval Yusuf and Nicolo adventure, a Robin Hood story. They work together covertly to try and convince a greedy duke to have some compassion for his people, and this goes as well as one would expect. This author is a master of epics and tension, so it’s hard to choose a favourite, but this one always has me on the edge of my seat.

Some favourite lines (my favourite line is a spoiler, so): “I,” Nicolò starts and stops and starts again, “He believes I am a harbinger of the Lord. I told him that I was to spread a message of mercy and altruism.” “My Nicolò,” Yusuf says breathlessly. “An angel!” Other recs from this author: He, Dreamless (126.7k), A Man Called Mercy (17k)

The Extraordinarily Complex Task of Condensing a 920-Year-Old Romance into a 145-Word Speech (While Being Abducted) (47.3k) - Liketheriver

An anthology following Yusuf and Nicolo through the centuries, with each scene relating to one line in Joe’s van speech. This fic has everything, everything. It’s such a tasty treat when you’re looking for action, angst, hurt and comfort, romance, and historical accuracy.

Some favourite lines: “Oh, Yusuf,”  Nicolo’s breath hitched, and Yusuf could feel warm tears against his neck.  “It’s gone. All of it is gone.” Yusuf cupped the back of Nicolo’s head, held him tighter.  “I know, my soul, but at least you are not.”

Guiding You Through (6.2k) - mekana47

Post-canon, Booker & Nicky centric. The team is on an undercover mission when Nicky is given a truth serum, and Booker watches over a screen. I’m a sucker for the Nicky & Booker brotherly dynamic, and this fic just hits it right on the head.

Some favourite lines: “He signaled,” Booker traces over the screen. Nicky’s head has dropped to one side, but his hand closest to the camera has two fingers pressed flat against his leg and the other three tucked into a fist. “You have a signal for truth serums,” Nile says flatly. Other recs from this author: Code Pink (700 words), Hold Tight (3.3k)

Illustrious Pagans (6k) - saintsideways

Exactly as it says: Five times Joe and Nicky did drugs. There’s something about this fic that I just want to eat. It’s silly and delightful at times, sexy and mind-bendy at others.

Some favourite lines: “Someone’s house, I guess,” Yusuf said, drowsily. “Is this your hallucination or mine?” “Does it matter?” IT DOES NOT said the eyes, watching them benignly.

AU

Take What You Can (15.7k) - theoxfordcommando

An Old Guard x Pirates of the Caribbean au, executed flawlessly. What more could I ever want? Incomplete, but still very worth the read. The author fit the characters into their roles so perfectly, I just adore it.

Some favourite lines: “I dreamed about you last night.” The words came out much softer than Yusuf had meant them to. Like a whispered confession in the dark hours of night. Nicolò’s eyes widened just a fraction and there, that look he knew. Nicolò was embarrassed. “About the day we met,” Yusuf quickly clarified, less of a whisper this time. “Do you remember it?” Other recs from this author: Lingering Aches (1.6k), The Ballad of Robin Hood and Nicolo (7k)

right where you left me (115.4k) - dreamtiwasanarchitect, liadan14

Canon-divergent au. I can’t say much about this one without spoilers, just… God. Please read this one. I’ve never been able to get it out of my head.

Some favourite lines: Sometimes, he wonders what signal got crossed there, how it is that Nicky’s body takes pain and humiliation and turns them into bright, incandescent pleasure so well.

The Town By The Empty Lake (89.4k) - OldMagpie (Magpie Morality)

This fic deserves so much more everything — kudos, comments, bookmarks. It’s a gorgeous Lovecraftian mystery with an ensemble cast, incredible art and a playlist to match. Just fully immersive. I could picture it all so clearly in my mind.

Some favourite lines: She rears back, heart thumping wildly, unsure what had prompted such a visceral reaction. She only knows she does not want to look at the painting again. Poor Yusuf al-Kaysani, maybe he is going mad - to have painted this and then placed it in his room to watch while he sleeps…

i love the way you see the world (series) (40k) - flightofwonder

A canon-divergent au series in which Joe is deaf. I just want to rec the whole series, because it’s hard to pick one out of it. A true classic.

Some favourite lines: He had never needed to hear the prayers, only to feel them. He trusted in Allah to guide him with the rest.

.....and so many more.

[justcruisingaroundrevived]

Yandere reader made me imagine how all the boys would feel (Yandere or not) if reader has a fetish for geek guys

Boys Boys Boys! We Love Them!

Summary: Yandere! TEC x Geek obsessed! Reader

TW/CW: Yandere tendencies, obsessive behavior, animal bones, online and irl stalking, toxic relationship

A/N: Why do you anons love feeding to these incels ego?/Aff

Reblogs are appreciated!

- You’re a weird one to Bill

- He’s seen some people who say they like geek/nerdy guys, but then turn around and reject them on the spot. Too many times has been faked asked out or been made to be the butt of the joke

- Still, you caught him, and you caught him good. He hated you for it. Here he was, someone with the biggest collection of comics and superheroes, and yet fell for a normie. A FUCKING NORMIE!

- He would scribble down every single detail about you, your body, routine, activities, the way you breathe…only for him to scratch it out out of frustration

- ARGH! Stuffing those love letters (threats really) into your locker was not enough for him. He needed more! MORE! Willing to carve your skin off of the bone just to feel you closer to him

- …wait why are you at Joe’s? You stand out like a sore thumb. You’re running his space, HIS SAFE SPACE!

- Whatever. He walks up to you and threatens you (at least, as much as a nerd can). You shouldn’t be here, this is for the hard core geeks at this store! Even someone like you, who has captured his attention to the point of causing mental mayhem in his body, should understand that

- He didn’t notice how red your face had become. How your eyes gleam with joy as he went on this rant. It was all consuming to you

- You finally found him; an actual nerd.

- You internally squeal once he finally stop, handing him your phone number…

- “…WHAT THE F-“

- Cuts to him awkwardly explaining his collection to you while you sit on his couch. The way you stare at him while he explains, it’s driving him fucking nuts

- God, this just feels weird in general. Shouldn’t you be concerned about his behavior? The way he barks at people for mistaking Mystique as part of the blue man group, or how he wakes you up for a midnight release of comics?!

- And yet, you’re still here. Almost oblivious to this behavior, doting on him while you take him to every nerdy place in every corner of the universe

- Fuck, you probably actually got him a Valentine’s Day gift that was meaningful (Think Bobba Fett figure or a signed Major Violence Poster). He just stares at it while you giggle.

- It sits perfectly still in his room. He hates you, hates you so much…but god, it’s like he found his other half.

- Josh was in a similar way, except he turns into insecurities

- You’re just faking it for attention. Maybe Bill payed you to toy with him, or worse! The popular kids decided it be funny to see Josh loose it on you and genuinely having to be dragged away for the sake of him and you

- But you haunt his dreams, fucker! Always in the Leia slave outfit or in a vixen costume.

- He definitely wrote fanfics of you and him in a far, far away galaxy, always being the damsel in distress.

- However, you seemed too optimistic when you found his McDonald’s collection. You probably even gave him an extra one because you accidentally got it in your Big Mac Meal

- …you got to be fucking with him, right? I mean, no one (but him) is THAT happy hearing him ramble about Firefly or Akira

- What’s more concerning to him is how you coo whenever he brings up his insecurities to you. Sure, it’s projection, but the way you run his head and explain that he’s right, no one really understands how he feels about a franchise and that you’ll always be there for him is driving him up the wall

- Worse is if you start getting his inside jokes. Oh, it would drive him M A D! A normie shouldn’t be able to understand this, and YET!

- You’ll consume his every being. No one should be able to get him, and yet you do. You’ve taken control over his thoughts and even when he nerds out, you’re in the back of his mind

- You should be a hallucination. You SHOULD! But, dear god, please don’t let it end

- “Hell fucking yeah!”

- FINALLY! Someone who agrees that fast zombies are bullshit! Someone who jams out to ICP and actually GETS “Basket Case”

- You’re one of the “weird” ones, and it drives him crazy

- Sure, you’re kind of creeped out by the animal skulls or blood vails he sends to your house…but explaining that it’s a prop from a movie, and you immediately dismiss it

- It’s perfect! Unlike the others, he could sniff out that you actually know your shit. Someone who actually likes and watches Lucifer Valentine and could do a deep dive into “Cannibal Holocaust”!

- You? Absolutely loving how freaky Pete can get honestly. An ACTUAL horror fan, as you say

- Probably bond with seeing live leaks and actual snuff films. You two probably even laugh at how “ridiculous” those videos are

- Media wise, you two can go for HOURS on the latest “Final Destination” installment like it’s no one’s business. Like, to the point where people are giving you weird looks because it seems like you two know more than you’re leading on

- Could convince you to give a drop of blood or even carve each other’s name for the sake of “accuracy” from a stupid horror movie or something (bonus if there’s not pain meds involved)

- He loves being a creep around you. Nice to actually bag a babe who doesn’t mind seeing chopped up bodies from one of the classics

- Huh. According to Jerry, your profiles never indicated the you enjoy the same geeky type of stuff he be into.

- In fact, none of your family’s profile suggests anything honestly. Weird.

- However, he doesn’t find you at a MtG tournament, watching each and every nerd closely, eyes always coming back to him. His face was burning red by the end of the hour

- He doesn’t approach you, not yet. Instead, he found your name in the guest book and “collected your lore” (cyber stalking)

- He hates being this obsessed with a normie, but he won’t show it. He just stares at you from afar while you talk to your friends

- It isn’t until you gasp excitedly and talk about how “cute” it was that he had a whole Xena collection that it peaks his interest

- He “keeps you around” not knowing what to do when you get excited seeing him try to explain how DnD works. Even getting excited to making your own character has his head spinning

- Worst of all? You KNOW Buck Rodgers?! Like, actually know Twinky when he says “Bedeep Bedeep Bedeep?!” Were you also stalking him?!

- He never drops the online harassment, but keeps it more at bay when he realizes you’re the real deal

- Would secretly love watching you play TLoZ on his N64, or talk about special gaming pieces he has on display

- Fuck, I can see you two bonding over a store that has just board games, him feeling a sense of pride while explaining the rules of a complicated fantasy game (you’re kicking your feet)

- Hubba hubba, buck! He’s sold!

[burreauxsworld]

Can we get dad Joe where he has five boys all mini him and wife is pregnant with baby girl🌸

This is such a vastly different thing for me to write because I imagine Joe being the biggest girl dad but I’m gonna give it a shot!

~~~

The Burrow household is nothing short of chaos. A controlled chaos though. The kind of chaos that brings a smile to your face as you watch your four rambunctious little boys run around. You and your husband, Joe, have 4 little boys and a little girl on the way.

There’s Jackson and Joseph Jr, the twins and the two oldest at 7 years old. Then there’s Dylan, who’s 5. Lastly, Colby, who’s 3. All of them are carbon copies of your husband. With their big ocean blue eyes and curly dirty blonde hair.

Jackson, like Joe, is big into football. The two of them throw the ball back and forth for hours. Joseph on the other hand, is more of a mama’s boy. Just like his father before him. Whenever you went, little Joey went. Whenever Joe went, Jackson wasn’t far behind. The two little ones, however, could go either way. Sometimes they wanted you, sometimes they wanted Joe. It just depended on the day.

Today, it was the latter. You leaned against the door frame of the sliding glass doors leading to your backyard, watching as your husband and four boys played a game of football. Well, Colby attempted to play, but he mostly just stumbled around the yard messing with whatever random toys he could find.

A smile graced your lips as you watched your husband show his boys how to throw the perfect spiral. You laid a gentle hand on your baby bump, glancing down.

“Be prepared. This is your life” you mumble, looking back up at your boys. “Mama,” Colby babbles, while he stumbles toward you. “Mommy’s home!” Dylan tells, capturing the attention of his brothers and father. “And she brought dinner, because she doesn’t feel like cooking” you tell them, as little arms wrap around your lower half.

“Alright boys, careful. Don’t be too rough” Joe reminds them, planting a kiss on your forehead while the boys ran toward the kitchen table.

“How’s baby Gracie?” He asks with a smile. “Very active today. I think she might be the bengals newest kicker” you joke and he beams with pride. One thing Joe couldn’t wait for, was the arrival of his little girl.

[spaghettioverdose]

Also I'm sorry but do you genuinely think Trump is a fascist or that uniquely bad compared to other US presidents? Literally none of his policies are that particularly fucked up in the grand scheme of US politics. Not even in recent years. He is more blatant about being racist, and his target audience is fascists, but as far as his actions, he is very much a liberal. Also deeply annoying that many of you have an understanding of "liberal" as meaning vaguely civil and progressive, and therefore call liberal or even feudal systems fascist when they do genocide or slavery.

I get hating Trump, I get not wanting that guy to be your president, but the way people talk about Trump is like if he's about to set up a military junta and somehow voting will stop it.

A lot of people also bring up the "coup attempt" as proof that he will end democracy in the US or whatever and like two things:

1. Very notably, that happened after Trump DIDN'T win. Like he was not in power. There was no requirement for him to win to do that. Kinda how the whole thing started is some people were mad that he lost. He wasn't the president when it happened.

2. Do you think a bunch of idiots storming a building is how coups happen? Are you dumb? Do you think it's like capture the flag or control points or something? If shit was that easy, there would be a coup every other day.

The whole thing even only went as far as it did because the local police had sympathy for the those guys. If there's a point where there is popular support for a fascist coup within the military, you're fucked either way. If there isn't, and a bunch of disorganised idiots with only small arms try it, they're probably just gonna get killed by the national guard.

Like ok whatever you wanna vote for genocide Joe but at least stop having just a purely vibes based understanding of politics. 💀💀💀

[mrs-delaney]

Behind The Lens | Part 2

Reader Request: Reader has been working for the bengals since Joe got drafted. She can be a social media admin, public relations liaison or even a physical therapist. She’s been in love with him but it is unrequited while he was with Olivia and when they break up she thought that she had a chance but he starts seeing the influencer but please make it a happy ending. Angst as fuck but happy ending.  I want to see this girl yearning for fucking years before she gets him and I want him to realize that she is the love of his life. 

Pairing: Joe Burrow x Reader

Word Count: 15.2k

Requested: No | Yes

Warnings: Professional boundaries being strengthened and tested, Mediterranean escapes, new haircuts that say more than words, painfully nice girlfriends, awkward charity galas, confrontations on terraces, dating apps that go nowhere because they're not him, coworkers who see too much, the specific ache of working with someone you're trying to get over, honest conversations that arrive too late, and the realization that creating distance doesn't always create freedom.

Part One

Author's Note: Part Two explores what happens when someone decides to build boundaries after years without them. It's about the struggle to reclaim your identity when you've defined yourself through someone else's orbit for so long.

I wanted to capture the delicate balance between protecting your heart and doing your job, especially when those two needs are constantly at odds. It's about the quiet courage of choosing yourself, even when it feels like loss.

After writing the slow-burn and unrequited feelings of Part One, this section is about the messy reality of what comes next - the aftershocks of realizations, the awkward attempts at distance, and the complicated emotions that remain despite our best efforts to suppress them.

Thank you for following Y/N's journey as she navigates these uncharted waters, trying to find solid ground while the tide keeps shifting beneath her feet.

There is immediately a Part 3 coming! All of this was too long for just one post. What started as what I thought was going to be a one shot is going to have at least one more part.

A Few Quick Notes:

📌 This story is ONLY posted on Wattpad and Tumblr under miss_delaney. If you see it anywhere else, it’s been stolen. Do NOT copy, repost, translate, or distribute my work on any other platform. Please respect my writing.

📌 Want to be added to the taglist? Drop a comment or message me!

📌 Requests: Open for now, but it may take a minute to get to them, I’ve got several in the inbox.

Author's Note: So here’s Part One. I’m hoping this will be a two-parter, but let’s be real, I’m long-winded so we’ll see. My goal with this section was to really sit in the unrequited part. The slow burn. The quiet ache. The years of showing up, holding back, staying professional, and still falling deeper anyway. The almosts. The not-quites. The timing that never seemed to line up.

Taglist: @honeydippedfiction

* * *

Louisville Retreat

Y/N stood on her oldest brother Matt's back deck, coffee warming her hands against the December chill. The Louisville skyline stretched before her, familiar yet distant after years in Cincinnati. Behind her, the sounds of her brothers making breakfast floated through the open kitchen window.

This impromptu trip home had been exactly what she needed – an escape from the suffocating reality of Joe's relationship with Ellie, from the professional smile she'd maintained while documenting it all.

"Coffee refill?" Aaron appeared beside her with the pot, studying her face. "You've been staring at nothing for ten minutes."

Y/N extended her mug. "Just thinking."

"About Burrow?" The directness in Aaron's voice made her tense.

"About work," she corrected automatically.

Aaron leaned against the railing, unconvinced. "Same thing for you, isn't it?"

The question hung in the air, too perceptive to brush off. Y/N had never explicitly confirmed her feelings for Joe to her brothers, maintaining the same professional boundaries in her personal life that she did at work. But four years of carefully worded stories of changing the subject when Joe's relationships came up, had apparently been transparent enough.

"Not anymore," she finally answered, meeting her brother's eyes. "I'm creating some distance."

Aaron nodded slowly. "Because of the model?"

"Because it's time," Y/N replied. "Four years is long enough to... to feel something that isn't going anywhere."

The back door opened as Lucas and Matt joined them, plates of eggs and toast in hand. "Family meeting on the deck?" Lucas asked, setting the food down on the patio table.

"Y/N's creating professional boundaries with Burrow," Aaron explained, earning a sharp look from his sister.

"About time," Matt said, handing her a plate. "You've been his shadow for four years."

"I've been doing my job," Y/N corrected, but the defensiveness in her voice betrayed her.

"Your job was to document the quarterback," Lucas pointed out gently. "Not fall in love with him."

Y/N stared at her plate, the directness catching her off guard. They'd never been this explicit about it before, always dancing around the subject with teasing questions about Joe rather than her feelings for him.

"We've watched you for four years," Matt continued, his usual brashness softened. "Every time you'd visit, every video call. The way you'd light up talking about work, but your voice would change when you mentioned him specifically."

"It wasn't exactly subtle, sis," Aaron added. "We just figured you'd handle it in your own time."

Y/N felt exposed, years of careful compartmentalization crumbling under her brothers' matter-of-fact assessment. "I did handle it. I kept things professional."

"At what cost?" Lucas asked. "Every time his relationships hit the news; you'd go radio silent for days."

Y/N looked out at the Louisville skyline, her hometown horizon a stark contrast to the Cincinnati view that had become so familiar. "I'm handling it now," she said finally. "When I go back, things will be different."

"Different how?" Matt asked.

"Professional distance. No more lunches, no more texting, no more..." she paused, searching for the words, "no more pretending we're friends when we're just colleagues who got too close."

Her brothers exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them.

"What?" Y/N demanded.

"Nothing," Lucas said. "Just... make sure you're creating boundaries for the right reasons. Not just running away."

"I'm not running," Y/N insisted. "I'm protecting myself. Finally."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics – Matt's kids, Aaron's promotion, Lucas's new house – but Y/N's mind kept returning to the decision she'd made. Professional distance. Clear boundaries. It was long overdue.

By Sunday evening, as she packed for her return to Cincinnati, Y/N had formulated a clear plan. No more direct oversight of Joe's media. No more private lunches. No more letting herself hope for something that was never going to happen.

It was time to see Joe Burrow as just another player on the team she covered. Nothing more, nothing less.

* * *

The Buffer System

"You want to delegate quarterback media coverage?" Kayla's eyebrows rose as she reviewed Y/N's proposal in her office Monday morning. "That's... unexpected. You've personally handled Joe's content since his rookie year."

"Exactly," Y/N replied, keeping her voice professionally neutral. "It's created an imbalance in our coverage workflow. We have three junior staff members who need experience with higher-profile players. This redistribution makes more sense organizationally."

Kayla studied her for a moment. "This wouldn't have anything to do with what happened before your sudden trip to Louisville. The Ellie James situation?"

"Of course not," Y/N said smoothly. "That's Joe's personal business. This is about team workflow efficiency."

After a moment's consideration, Kayla nodded. "If you think this is best from a content perspective, I trust your judgment. But Joe might have questions. He's used to working directly with you."

"I'm still overseeing all content," Y/N clarified. "Just not handling the day-to-day personally. I've prepared a transition document for the team, and I'll explain the changes to Joe myself."

Y/N had planned for every professional objection, mapped out every logistical detail. What she hadn’t accounted for was how hard it would be to actually put her buffer system into action. The first real test came that afternoon, when she spotted Joe walking toward her in the hallway, his eyes lighting up the moment he saw her.

"Y/N!" he called, quickening his pace slightly. "You're back. How was Louisville?"

"Good, thanks," she replied, keeping her tone pleasant but not warm, her pace steady. "Family time was exactly what I needed."

Joe fell into step beside her. "I tried texting you a couple times. Wasn't sure if you got the messages."

Sorry,” she said, not breaking her stride. “I was trying to stay present with family.

They reached the media suite, and Y/N paused by the door, creating a natural endpoint to their conversation. "I actually need to catch up with my team. We're implementing some workflow changes this week."

"Oh," Joe said, disappointment flickering across his features before his expression shifted to something more calculating. "Coffee later, then? We should talk about the charity event coming up."

Y/N maintained her professional smile. "I'm swamped today, but Tyler's going to be handling your media appearances going forward. He'll reach out to discuss the charity event."

Joe's eyes narrowed slightly; the shift so subtle anyone who hadn't spent four years documenting his expressions might have missed it. "Tyler? That's... interesting. Any particular reason for the change?"

"We're redistributing workload across the team," Y/N explained, the practiced words coming easily. "Tyler's very capable. You'll be in good hands."

“Right,” Joe said, after a pause that felt longer than it was. “Professional development. If you say so.”

“I do say so,” Y/N replied evenly. “Now, I’ve got a meeting starting. Tyler will be in touch about the charity event.”

She stepped into the media suite before Joe could press further, closing the door behind her and leaning against it momentarily, eyes closed. The look he'd given her – not confusion but something closer to assessment – lingered in her mind. He had for sure seen through her professional excuse. She pushed the thought aside. This was necessary. Better for everyone.

Within days, Y/N had her buffer system fully in place. Team meetings replaced one-on-ones whenever Joe was involved. She sat at the opposite end of conference tables and only spoke to him when others were present, keeping every conversation focused on media plans and strategy.

In edit sessions, she focused on technical aspects rather than making the personal suggestions that had once been their norm. "We should use more of the tunnel walk footage" replaced "That shot really captures your focus before the game."

The system worked, technically. But it didn't stop her from noticing Joe's increasingly confused glances, the way his eyes followed her across rooms, the aborted attempts to catch her alone that she carefully, systematically avoided.

* * *

Joe Tries to Reconnect

Three weeks into Y/N's new approach, Joe caught her outside the edit room as she was reviewing footage.

"Coffee this week?" he asked, the casual question belied by the intensity in his eyes. "We haven't really caught up since you got back from Louisville."

Y/N didn't make eye contact, focusing instead on the tablet in her hands. "Crazy schedule right now. Maybe next time."

"That's what you said last week," Joe pointed out, a hint of frustration breaking through his usually controlled tone. "And the week before."

"End of season push," Y/N replied with practiced ease. "You know how it is."

"Y/N," Joe's voice dropped, taking on an unfamiliar edge. "I know something's going on. This isn't just about workload."

For a brief moment, Y/N's resolve wavered. The directness in his eyes suggested he understood more than he was letting on, that his confusion in previous interactions had been at least partly performative.

"Nothing's going on," she said instead, finally looking up with a perfectly professional smile. "Just managing workflow. Speaking of which, I need to get these edits to the team."

"You've been avoiding me since Louisville," he pressed, not letting her escape so easily. "Since the Ellie thing hit the news."

Y/N froze, her heart racing. He'd connected those dots more directly than she'd realized.

 "I'm not avoiding anyone," she replied, voice carefully modulated. "I'm re-prioritizing assignments based on team needs."

Joe’s eyes narrowed slightly, less confused now than resolved. “If you say so.” He gave her space, but his voice followed her. “We’ll talk again soon.”

She walked away, jaw tight with the effort of maintaining composure, feeling his eyes on her back. Four years of documenting Joe Burrow had taught her exactly what his expressions meant. The one he wore now – not confusion but determined patience – was new territory.

"Everything okay?" Sam asked as Y/N entered the media suite, her friend's perceptive gaze taking in her rigid posture.

"Fine," Y/N replied, setting down her tablet with more force than necessary. "Just work."

Sam glanced through the glass toward where Joe still stood in the hallway, watching the media suite door with an unreadable expression before finally turning away.

"Doesn't look like 'just work' to me," Sam observed quietly.

Y/N didn't answer, focusing intently on her screen. This was going to be harder than she'd anticipated.

* * *

The Professional Mask

By the time the playoffs arrived, Y/N had perfected her professional mask. She'd created a persona specifically for interactions with Joe, polite, efficient, impersonal. The same tone she used with sponsors and press. No warmth, no inside jokes, no personal questions.

In production meetings, she addressed him as she would any player, not with the easy familiarity they'd developed over four years. "We'll need you for the promotional shoot Thursday, Joe" instead of "Thursday work for you, Joe?" The subtle shift was noticeable to anyone who'd observed their previous dynamic.

Joe had stopped trying to corner her for coffee or private conversations, but she caught him watching her during team gatherings, his eyes tracking her movements with a puzzled intensity that made maintaining her distance even more difficult.

During a staff meeting, Y/N outlined the playoff media strategy, deliberately focusing on other players and assigning Tyler to continue handling Joe's coverage.

"I'd prefer Y/N for the post-game segment," Joe interjected, the first time he'd directly challenged the new arrangement. "We have a workflow that works."

Y/N kept her expression neutral. "Tyler's been handling your segments for weeks now. Consistency is important during playoffs."

"Y/N knows my cues better," Joe persisted, eyes fixed on her. "It makes more sense."

"Tyler's done an excellent job," Y/N countered smoothly. "And I'll be overseeing all content production. The current assignments stand."

The room went quiet, the unusual tension between quarterback and media coordinator palpable. Kayla cleared her throat, quickly moving to the next agenda item, but the moment lingered.

After the meeting, Y/N escaped to her office, closing the door before allowing her professional mask to slip momentarily. Four years of working closely with Joe had created habits that were hard to break, the instinct to catch his eye during meetings, to anticipate his questions, to fall into the easy rhythm they'd established.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. Sam entered without waiting for a response, closing the door behind her.

"Okay, what exactly was that?" she demanded. "The entire room felt the ice age between you two."

"Just maintaining professional boundaries," Y/N replied, straightening papers on her desk.

"That wasn't professional boundaries," Sam countered. "That was Arctic permafrost. Even Kayla noticed."

Y/N exhaled, her voice quieter now. “It’s just… less complicated this way.”

“For who?” Sam pressed. “Because Joe’s not confused anymore. And you’re not exactly thriving.”

Y/N hesitated, then shook her head. “It’s not forever. He’ll get used to working with Tyler. And I’ll… adjust. This is what I should’ve done a long time ago.”

Sam leaned against the desk; arms crossed. "Has he tried to talk to you about it?"

“He made a few attempts. I kept it professional, and that was that.”

"And you think that's a good thing?"

Y/N didn't answer immediately, the weight of the past few weeks settling heavily on her shoulders. "It has to be. This is the only way I can do my job without..." she trailed off.

"Without your heart breaking every time, you look at him?" Sam finished gently.

"Something like that," Y/N conceded.

Later that afternoon, Y/N overheard Joe's voice in the hallway outside the media suite. Instinctively, she took a different route to avoid an encounter, only to hear him ask Sam what was going on.

"Y/N's been different since she got back from Louisville," Joe said, no confusion in his voice now, just certainty and frustration. "Right after the Ellie news broke."

"Ask her," Sam replied simply, though Y/N knew her friend would never betray her confidence.

"I have," Joe's frustration was audible even from a distance. "She gives me the professional development line every time. We both know that's not it."

"Then maybe that's your answer," Sam suggested, her tone careful. "Maybe she doesn't want to talk about it."

Joe didn’t answer right away. “Maybe,” he said finally. “But I’m not done.”

Y/N slipped away before they could see her, but not before she heard him. The knot in her chest tightened. This was necessary, she told herself. The only way to protect her heart and keep her career intact.

Joe Burrow had never been hers to lose. But somehow, creating this distance hurt almost as much as watching him with someone else had.

She just needed to hold firm. Wait for the feelings to fade. Wait for the day Joe Burrow became just another player on the team she covered.

She just wasn't sure when, or if, that would ever happen.

* * *

January 2025 - Bengals Facility

The playoffs brought a different energy to the facility. Despite Y/N's carefully constructed buffer system, the intensity of postseason preparation made complete avoidance impossible. Every player was needed for content, every staff member working extended hours, every corner of the building humming with focused activity.

Y/N stood in the main corridor, clipboard in hand, directing her team as they prepared for the wildcard weekend shoot. "Marcus, I need you on locker room B-roll. Jess, player arrivals at the south entrance. Tyler—"

"Quarterback interview, conference room three," Tyler finished with a knowing nod. "Already set up."

Y/N gave him an appreciative smile. After a month of handling Joe's media, Tyler had developed a solid workflow, though she occasionally still caught hints of confusion from both of them about the abrupt change.

"Social media call time?" she asked, keeping her tone brisk.

"Thirty minutes. Burrow's already in the building though."

Y/N nodded, glancing at her watch. "Perfect. I'll be in the edit bay if you need anything. We need that hype reel finalized by three."

As the team dispersed, Y/N headed toward the edit room, mentally reviewing the shot list for their playoff content. The Bengals' late-season surge had secured a wildcard spot, turning what many had written off as a disappointing season into a potential redemption story. It made for compelling content, even as it extended the time, she'd need to maintain her careful distance.

"Y/N."

She froze at the sound of his voice, too distinctive to pretend she hadn't heard. Taking a steadying breath, she turned to find Joe standing in the doorway of the weight room, practice gear already on, tablet in hand.

"Joe," she replied, her tone pleasant but neutral. "Something you need?"

He stepped into the hallway, closing the distance between them with a few casual strides. He looked good—focused, playoff-ready, the intensity in his eyes that always emerged this time of year.

"Just wanted to confirm the gameday shoot schedule. Tyler sent it over, but there's a conflict with the offensive meeting."

"I can have him adjust it," Y/N replied, already reaching for her phone. "We're flexible."

Joe studied her face, something calculating in his expression. "You could adjust it. You've been handling the playoff schedule for four seasons."

Y/N kept her expression calm. "Tyler's got it covered."

He gave a small nod, his voice low. “Sure. If that’s the approach.”

They stood in awkward silence for a moment, the easy rapport that had once defined their interactions now replaced by this stilted exchange. Y/N noticed him glance at her clipboard, then back to her face.

"How was Louisville?" he asked suddenly, the personal question catching her off guard.

"Good," she answered, then added almost reflexively, "Nice to be home for the holidays."

Joe nodded, eyes searching her face for something. "Your brothers seemed happy to have you back. Saw Matt's post."

The casual mention of her oldest brother's Instagram post threw her. She hadn't realized Joe still followed her family on social media.

"Family time is always good," she said simply, glancing at her watch. "I should get to the edit bay."

Joe didn't move immediately, his tall frame still partially blocking her path. "You know," he said, voice dropping slightly, "this whole distance thing doesn't actually work if everyone notices it."

Y/N kept her expression neutral despite the small spike of alarm. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Chase asked me yesterday what happened between us," Joe continued, his eyes never leaving hers. "Says the whole offense has noticed you don't work with me directly anymore."

"I work with the entire team," Y/N countered smoothly. "Staff adjustments happen all the time."

"Not like this," Joe said quietly. "Not after four years."

Y/N felt her mask start to slip under his direct gaze. "Is there a point to this conversation, Joe? Because I really do have a deadline."

Something shifted in his expression, frustration, perhaps, or resolve. "The point is, whatever's going on with you, people are noticing. And they're asking me about it, as if I have answers." He paused. "Which I don't, because someone won't actually talk to me."

The accusation hung in the air between them. Y/N squared her shoulders slightly, reclaiming her composure.

"There's nothing to talk about," she insisted. "And frankly, if players are gossiping instead of focusing on playoff prep, that's concerning."

Joe almost smiled, though there was no humor in it. "Always deflecting." He stepped aside finally, giving her space to pass. "Good luck with the edit, Y/N."

She nodded crisply and walked past him, refusing to acknowledge the way her heart hammered in her chest or how desperately she wanted to turn back. She had nearly reached the edit bay when his voice caught her once more.

"For what it's worth," he called after her, "I miss working with you."

Y/N didn't turn around, couldn't risk him seeing whatever might show on her face. Instead, she kept walking, shoulders straight, steps steady, the shield she'd built firmly in place against feelings she couldn't afford to have.

Inside the edit bay, she closed the door and leaned against it, eyes closed, allowing herself just five seconds of weakness before straightening up and getting to work. Playoff content wouldn't create itself, and she had a job to do.

A job that had once brought her closer to Joe Burrow than almost anyone else in the organization and now served as the very structure that kept them apart.

* * *

Late January 2025 - Playoff Elimination Weekend

The season ended not with a dramatic Super Bowl run but with a tough divisional round loss that left the facility somber and subdued. Y/N moved through the locker room with her camera, capturing the quiet moments of players packing up, exchanging contact information, making offseason plans. End-of-season content was always bittersweet, but this year carried an additional weight for her, the knowledge that she'd successfully maintained her distance from Joe throughout the playoff run, and now the offseason would make that distance physical as well as emotional.

"That's a wrap for player interviews," Sam said, joining her as they finished the final exit day shoot. "Coaches tomorrow, then season retrospective editing for the next two weeks."

Y/N nodded, reviewing the footage on her camera's display screen. "Got some good reflection pieces. Uno gave us gold for the season highlight reel."

"And Burrow?"

Y/N kept her expression neutral at Sam's casual mention. "Tyler handled his exit interview. Said it went well, plenty of usable content."

Sam studied her friend's face. "You know, you've managed to go nearly two months without directly interviewing the starting quarterback. That might be some kind of record."

"Just creating opportunities for the team," Y/N replied with practiced ease.

"Uh-huh," Sam said skeptically. "And it has nothing to do with the fact that he'll be gone for months now, so your buffer system won't be necessary."

Y/N lowered the camera, meeting her friend's knowing gaze. "Does it matter? It's working. The content's solid. The workflow's efficient."

"And you're miserable," Sam pointed out quietly.

"I'm fine," Y/N corrected. "There's a difference."

Before Sam could press further, they were interrupted by the appearance of Joe himself, dressed in street clothes, a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He nodded to them both, though his eyes lingered on Y/N.

"Exit interviews done?" he asked.

"Just wrapping up," Sam replied when it became clear Y/N wasn't going to. "Tyler said yours went well."

"Tyler's good," Joe acknowledged, then added with deliberate emphasis, "Different perspective."

Y/N finally met his gaze, her composure firmly in place. "Heading out already?"

"Flight to California tonight," he confirmed. "Offseason training starts next week."

California. Where Ellie frequently worked. The unspoken reality hung in the air between them.

"Have a good offseason," Y/N said, the bland pleasantry feeling woefully inadequate after four years of more personal end-of-season conversations.

Joe studied her face for a long moment, something like resignation settling in his expression. "You too, Y/N." He glanced at Sam, adding, "Both of you."

After he walked away, Sam let out a low whistle. “Well, that wasn’t awkward at all.”

Y/N turned her attention back to her camera, refusing to watch Joe's departing figure. "It's fine."

"It's sad is what it is," Sam countered gently. "Four years of working together, and that's how you leave things?"

"It's better this way," Y/N insisted, though the words felt hollow even to her own ears. "Clean break for the offseason."

As players continued filing out, Y/N focused on her work, deliberately pushing away the realization that for the first time in four years, she hadn't been the one to document Joe Burrow's final day of the season. Hadn't captured his reflections, his plans, his quiet determination that always emerged after a playoff loss.

That evening, as she packed up her equipment for the day, Y/N found herself alone in the media suite, most staff having already headed home. The facility had that peculiar emptiness that always followed elimination—the sudden absence of purpose after months of intensity.

Her phone buzzed with a text. She expected Sam or one of her brothers but instead found a message from Joe.

Joe: Wish you'd done my exit interview. Tyler didn't ask the right questions.

Y/N stared at the text, her carefully constructed walls wavering. After a moment's hesitation, she replied.

Y/N: Safe travels. Good luck with offseason training.

The response came quickly.

Joe: Still shutting me out. At least you're consistent.

She could almost hear the edge in his voice, could picture his expression as he typed it.

Y/N: Not shutting you out. Just refocusing priorities.

The response was immediate.

Joe: Whatever you need to tell yourself.

Y/N stared at the text, the finality of it hitting harder than she expected. Maybe this was better - a clean break rather than lingering in uncomfortable limbo.

Y/N: Have a good offseason, Joe.

She tucked her phone away without waiting for his response, focusing instead on gathering her things. By the time OTAs rolled around, perhaps she'd have fully moved on. Perhaps these feelings would have faded enough that she could resume a normal working relationship with the quarterback.

Or perhaps, a quiet voice whispered in the back of her mind, by then she'd have found the courage to explore opportunities elsewhere, where she wouldn't have to see Joe Burrow every day and pretend, she felt nothing beyond respect.

As she walked through the empty facility toward the parking lot, Y/N allowed herself one moment of weakness—a glance back at the vacant quarterback's locker, now cleared of its contents for the offseason.

Four years she'd documented that space, the man who occupied it, the journey they'd both been on since his rookie season. Now, she was learning to document the Bengals without focusing quite so much on Joe Burrow.

She just wished it didn't feel so much like losing a part of herself in the process.

* * *

February 2025 - Bengals Facility

The offseason transformed the facility almost overnight. Where January had hummed with playoff intensity, February brought a different kind of quiet, coaches reviewing season footage, front office staff preparing for the draft, media team developing offseason content schedules. Most importantly for Y/N, it meant the absence of players, particularly one quarterback whose presence had complicated her professional life for months.

"Offseason content calendar," Y/N said, sliding a folder across the conference table to Kayla. "Draft prep, combine coverage, free agency tracking, and player highlight retrospectives."

Kayla flipped through the detailed plans, nodding appreciatively. "This is comprehensive. You've got Jess heading to Indianapolis for the combine?"

"With Marcus," Y/N confirmed. "They'll handle prospect interviews and testing coverage."

"And you?" Kayla asked, studying Y/N over the top of the folder.

"I'll coordinate from here, focus on draft strategy content, and finalize the season documentary."

Kayla set the folder down, her expression turning more contemplative. "You know, you usually request the combine assignment. Three years running."

Y/N kept her expression neutral. “Jess and Marcus deserve the opportunity.”

Kayla gave her a look. “You’ve been saying that a lot lately.”

Y/N shrugged. “It’s true.”

Kayla leaned back in her chair, regarding Y/N thoughtfully. "The buffer system with Joe was one thing. I understood that, even if you wouldn't admit the real reason. But now you're delegating prime assignments that you've always handled personally."

Y/N maintained her professional composure despite the direct challenge. "Is there a problem with my management approach?"

"Not from a results perspective," Kayla said carefully. "The content's excellent, the team's functioning well. I'm more concerned about you."

"I'm fine," Y/N insisted, perhaps too quickly.

"Are you?" Kayla pressed gently. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're systematically removing yourself from the parts of this job you used to love most."

The observation hit closer to home than Y/N cared to admit. She had been pulling back, not just from Joe but from aspects of her role that might eventually include him, like the combine, where she would traditionally interview prospects about potentially playing with the Bengals' star quarterback.

"I'm creating a sustainable workflow," Y/N said after a moment. "One that doesn't depend too heavily on any single person."

Kayla studied her for a long beat. "Including yourself?"

Y/N didn't immediately respond, the question hanging between them. Finally, she gathered her notes, standing to signal the end of the meeting.

"The calendar has everything you need. Let me know if there are any adjustments."

As she walked back to her office, Y/N knew Kayla wasn't wrong. She was pulling back, creating space not just from Joe but from the interconnected web of responsibilities that had defined her role for years. It wasn't conscious self-sabotage, but rather self-preservation, a gradual disentanglement from the professional identity that had become so intrinsically linked to Joe Burrow.

In her office, Y/N found Sam waiting, feet propped on the edge of her desk, scrolling through her phone.

"Don't you have work to do?" Y/N asked, though there was no real annoyance in her tone.

"Probably," Sam replied, not looking up. "But this is more interesting."

She turned her phone screen toward Y/N, revealing an Instagram post. Ellie James at some luxury California workout studio, a carefully staged post-training photo with expensive equipment in the background. Joe wasn't in the image, but the location tag matched where he'd mentioned training.

Y/N gave what she hoped was a disinterested glance. "Social media stalking isn't in your job description."

"Research," Sam corrected, taking her phone back. "And don't pretend you haven't looked."

"I haven't," Y/N said truthfully. She'd deliberately avoided Joe's social media accounts since implementing her buffer system, going so far as to mute notifications and unfollow certain mutual connections.

Sam studied her friend's face. "Really? Not even once?"

"Not even once," Y/N confirmed, sitting down at her desk. "What's the point?"

"The point is staying informed," Sam said, swinging her legs down. "The gossip sites are having a field day because he's barely in any of her posts, and when he does show up, he looks completely uncomfortable. There's one from some restaurant opening where he might as well be at a funeral."

Y/N kept her expression neutral even as something fluttered unexpectedly in her chest. "And this matters to me because...?"

"It doesn't," Sam conceded. "But it's interesting that Mr. Privacy is being dragged into the influencer spotlight and clearly hating every minute of it."

Sam rolled her eyes. "It doesn't. But it might matter to you personally, as someone who spent four years working closely with Joe before suddenly implementing an Arctic buffer zone the minute his girlfriend appeared."

"I'm not having this conversation again," Y/N said, turning to her computer. "Joe's personal life is his business. My professional boundaries are mine."

"Fine," Sam relented, standing to leave. "But just so you know, he asked about you."

Y/N's fingers paused over her keyboard. "What?"

"In his latest post-workout interview," Sam explained. "Reporter asked about offseason content plans, and he specifically mentioned hoping you'd be handling the quarterback feature series again when he gets back."

Y/N absorbed this information without visibly reacting. "Tyler's handling quarterback features now."

"Yeah, I don't think Joe got that memo," Sam replied, heading for the door. "Or he's ignoring it."

After Sam left, Y/N sat motionless for several minutes, staring at her screen without really seeing it. Despite her buffer system, despite the professional distance, despite literally being on opposite coasts, Joe was still finding ways to reach across the carefully constructed boundaries she'd established.

She opened her desk drawer and pulled out a small notepad, flipping to a blank page. At the top, she wrote "Professional Growth Opportunities" and began listing possibilities—conferences, workshops, industry networking events. Beneath those, she added a new section: "Career Advancement Considerations."

It was time to at least explore what else might be out there. Not running away, she told herself firmly. Just opening doors to new possibilities.

* * *

Late February 2025 - Y/N's Apartment

"You cut your hair!" Lucas exclaimed through the video call; his surprise evident even through the slightly pixelated connection.

Y/N ran a hand through her newly shortened locks, the blunt bob falling just above her shoulders. "Needed a change."

"It looks good," Aaron chimed in from his section of the screen. "Professional but edgy."

"Very 'new year, new me,'" Matt added with a knowing grin. "Any particular reason for the makeover?"

Y/N rolled her eyes at her oldest brother's transparent fishing. "Can't a woman change her hairstyle without it being some dramatic statement?"

"Sure," Matt agreed easily. "But this is you we're talking about. You've had the same haircut since college."

"Maybe I'm just embracing change," Y/N replied, adjusting her laptop on the kitchen counter as she poured herself a glass of wine. "It's already been a different kind of year."

"Different how?" Lucas asked, leaning closer to his camera. "Besides the whole Burrow-buffer situation."

Y/N shot him a warning look. "Different professionally. The team's reorganizing some workflows for the offseason, I'm delegating more responsibilities, focusing on bigger picture strategy."

"Sounds like progress," Aaron said supportively. "Taking on more leadership."

"Exactly," Y/N agreed, grateful for the positive framing. "And personally, I'm just... creating space for new experiences."

Matt's eyebrows rose. "New experiences? Like what? Or should I say who?"

"Not everything is about dating, Matt," Y/N said with exasperation. "I meant trying new things, new routines. I joined a recreational soccer league, I'm taking a photography workshop that has nothing to do with sports, I'm exploring Cincinnati beyond just the parts connected to work."

"All good things," Lucas conceded. "But also perfectly timed with a certain quarterback being away for months."

Y/N took a deliberate sip of wine before answering. "The offseason is always a good time for personal development. Slower pace at work, fewer immediate demands."

Her brothers exchanged knowing glances; a silent communication developed over decades of siblinghood.

"What?" Y/N demanded.

"Nothing," Aaron said innocently. "Just wondering if any of this personal development includes dating apps."

Y/N felt a flush rising in her cheeks. "Maybe. Just exploring options."

"Ha!" Matt crowed triumphantly. "I knew it!"

"It's not a big deal," Y/N insisted, already regretting the admission. "Just getting back out there. Meeting new people."

"Non-football people, I'm guessing," Lucas observed shrewdly.

"Preferably," Y/N acknowledged. "It's complicated enough dating in this city without the sports connection."

"Any promising prospects?" Aaron asked.

Y/N shrugged, attempting casual indifference. "A few matches, couple of conversations. Had coffee with an architect last week. Dinner with a biotech researcher tomorrow."

"Look at you go," Matt said with genuine enthusiasm. "The Y/L/N dating revival tour of 2025."

"Don't make it a bigger deal than it is," Y/N warned. "I'm just putting myself out there. Creating possibilities."

"Creating possibilities or creating distance?" Lucas asked quietly.

The question hung in the air, too perceptive to brush off entirely. Y/N took another sip of wine before responding.

"Both, maybe," she admitted. "Is that so wrong?"

Her brothers' expressions softened collectively, their teasing giving way to genuine concern.

"Not wrong," Aaron assured her. "Just make sure you're moving toward something, not just away from someone."

"I am," Y/N insisted, though even to her own ears the assertion lacked complete conviction. "This is about me taking control of my narrative. My happiness."

"Then we support you completely," Matt said firmly. "New hair, new dates, new Y/N. We're here for it."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, Matt's kids' latest sports achievements, Aaron's house renovation, Lucas's promotion. Y/N found herself relaxing into the familiar rhythm of family banter, grateful for the shift away from her personal life.

Later, after ending the call, Y/N stood before her bathroom mirror, studying her reflection. The new haircut did suit her, sharper, more sophisticated, a deliberate departure from the woman who had spent four years documenting Joe Burrow from behind a camera.

Her phone chimed with a dating app notification, the biotech researcher confirming tomorrow's dinner plans. Y/N sent a quick reply, then set her phone aside.

This was good, she told herself firmly. Creating new connections, exploring possibilities that had nothing to do with the Bengals or their quarterback. A healthy step forward, not just a retreat from complicated feelings.

She was finally putting herself first. It was long overdue.

* * *

March 2025 - Downtown Cincinnati

"To the most intimidating person at this table finally taking a vacation," Sam declared, raising her cocktail glass in a toast. "The social media world will somehow survive without you for ten days."

Y/N laughed, clinking her glass against Sam's. "The detailed content calendar I left should help with that."

"Of course you left a minute-by-minute workflow document," Sam rolled her eyes affectionately. "Heaven forbid anything be unplanned."

"Planning is what makes spontaneity possible," Y/N replied with a grin, taking a sip of her drink.

They were seated at a corner table in one of Cincinnati's trendier downtown restaurants, celebrating Y/N's imminent departure for a ten-day Mediterranean cruise, her first real vacation since joining the Bengals five years ago.

"I still can't believe you're actually going," Sam said, studying her friend across the table. "Five years of 'maybe next offseason' and suddenly you're jetting off to Europe."

Y/N shrugged; the gesture deliberately casual. "Seemed like the right time. Quiet period at work, no major content launches, draft prep well underway."

"Mmhmm," Sam hummed skeptically. "Nothing to do with creating distance from a certain situation?"

"Not everything is about Joe," Y/N said, though without the defensive edge that would have accompanied such a statement months ago. "This is about me taking time for myself."

"About time," Sam agreed, signaling the waiter for another round. "Though I'm guessing the dating experiment factoring into this too?"

Y/N made a face. "Let's just say five mediocre dates in three weeks was enough to convince me that Cincinnati's dating pool might not be my solution."

"That bad?"

"Not bad," Y/N clarified. "Just... nothing sparked. Nice enough guys, decent conversations, but no real connection."

"Because they're not—"

"Don't say it," Y/N interrupted, holding up a warning finger. "We're having a nice dinner celebrating my vacation, not psychoanalyzing my dating life."

Sam raised her hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. To Mediterranean adventures and leaving work behind."

They clinked glasses again as the waiter arrived with fresh drinks. The conversation shifted to vacation details—island stops, excursion plans, the novel Y/N had been saving for beach reading.

"Oh, I almost forgot to mention," Sam said casually as they were finishing dinner. "There was an interesting development today."

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Work related?"

"Sort of," Sam replied, stirring her drink. "Ellie James signed with a new modeling agency. The announcement went up on social media this morning."

Y/N kept her expression deliberately neutral. "And this is relevant because...?"

"The agency's based in New York," Sam explained. "According to the press release, she'll be relocating there immediately for a major campaign."

Y/N absorbed this information, carefully controlling her reaction. "Good for her career, I suppose."

"Interesting timing though," Sam observed. "Joe's still training in California for at least another month."

Y/N shrugged, feigning indifference. "Long distance relationships exist, especially with their jobs."

"True," Sam conceded. "Just thought you'd want to know before you disappear to the Mediterranean without Wi-Fi."

"I'll have Wi-Fi," Y/N corrected automatically. "Just limited access."

"The point is," Sam pressed gently, "things change quickly sometimes. Situations evolve."

Y/N studied her friend's face. "Are you suggesting I should care about Joe and Ellie's relationship status before going on vacation?"

"I'm suggesting that while you're out there finding yourself on Greek islands, remember that circumstances back home might not be exactly as you left them."

Y/N shook her head slightly. "You're reading too much into a modeling contract, Sam."

"Maybe," Sam allowed. "Or maybe I've watched you construct an elaborate professional fortress around yourself because of someone who might not even be in the picture much longer."

The statement hung between them, more direct than their usual carefully worded conversations about Joe. Y/N took a deliberate sip of her drink before responding.

"Whether Joe and Ellie are together or not doesn't change anything," she said finally. "The boundaries I've created are professional and necessary."

"If you say so," Sam replied, clearly unconvinced. "Just promise me one thing?"

"What's that?"

"While you're sailing the Mediterranean with your new haircut and your summer dresses, actually be present for it. Don't spend the whole time thinking about what you're avoiding back here."

Y/N smiled, a genuine one that reached her eyes. "That, I can promise. This trip is about me, not about leaving something behind."

Later that night, as Y/N finished packing her suitcase, her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.

Ted Karras: Hey, heard you’re taking off for a bit. Just wanted to say safe travels and good luck with whatever’s next. We’ll miss having you around…won’t be the same without you.

Y/N smiled at the thoughtful message from the center before typing back a quick thank you. As she set her phone down, she wondered briefly who else might have heard about her vacation plans, whether the news had traveled to California via team group chats or casual conversations.

She pushed the thought away firmly. It didn't matter. This trip wasn't about Joe Burrow, or her feelings for him, or the careful distance she'd constructed to protect herself.

This was about reclaiming parts of herself that had been overshadowed by four years of professional dedication. About remembering who Y/N Y/L/N was beyond her role with the Bengals, beyond the camera lens through which she'd watched Joe Burrow's career unfold.

As she zipped her suitcase closed, Y/N felt a sense of lightness she hadn't experienced in months. Ten days away from Cincinnati, from the facility, from everything that reminded her of complicated feelings and professional boundaries.

Ten days to just be herself, without the weight of unrequited love or the armor of professional distance.

She was more than ready.

* * *

Late March 2025 - Y/N's Apartment

Y/N set her keys on the kitchen counter, taking in the familiar sight of her apartment after ten days away. The space felt smaller somehow, or perhaps she was simply seeing it through new eyes—eyes that had gazed upon Mediterranean sunsets and ancient ruins, that had watched waves break against unfamiliar shores.

Her phone buzzed with an incoming call. Sam's name flashed on the screen.

"The world traveler returns," Sam declared when Y/N answered. "How does Cincinnati feel after the Greek Isles?"

"Familiar," Y/N replied, moving to open her balcony door, letting in fresh spring air. "But different too. Or maybe I'm the one who's different."

"That's usually how good vacations work," Sam said. "Get any perspective while you were floating in the Mediterranean?"

Y/N smiled, settling onto her couch. "Some. Remembered what it feels like to be completely removed from work, from deadlines, from content calendars."

"And from a certain quarterback situation?"

"That too," Y/N admitted. "Though apparently I needed to cross the Atlantic to stop thinking about it."

"But you did stop thinking about it?" Sam pressed.

Y/N considered this as she gazed out at the Cincinnati skyline. "Not entirely. But I found some clarity."

"Enlighten me with your Mediterranean wisdom," Sam prompted.

"I realized I've been letting my feelings for Joe define too much of my professional path," Y/N explained. "Creating distance, restructuring workflows, delegating assignments—all reactions to emotional complications rather than genuine professional strategy."

"That sounds remarkably self-aware," Sam observed. "What brought on this epiphany?"

"I was sitting on this perfect beach in Santorini," Y/N said, the memory vivid in her mind, "and I realized I couldn't remember the last time I made a decision that wasn't at least partially about Joe Burrow. Whether creating distance from him or manufacturing reasons to be near him, he's been this gravitational center I've been orbiting for years."

"And now?"

"Now I think it's time to make decisions that are truly about me. My career. My future. Not just reactions to complicated feelings."

There was a brief silence before Sam spoke again. "So... what does that mean practically?"

Y/N took a deep breath. "It means I'm going to return to normal professional interactions with Joe when he gets back for OTAs. No buffer system, no elaborate avoidance. Just appropriate boundaries like I have with any other player."

"That's... mature," Sam said, sounding surprised. "And you think you can maintain that without the old feelings complicating things?"

"I think I have to," Y/N replied simply. "For my own professional integrity. I can't keep restructuring an entire department around avoiding one person."

"Fair enough," Sam agreed. "Though I should probably mention that while you were gone—"

Y/N's other line beeped. "Hold that thought, Sam. It's my brother calling. Let me tell him I'll call back."

"This is actually important—" Sam began, but Y/N had already switched calls.

"Hey Matt, can I call you back in a few? I'm on the other line with Sam."

"Yeah, just checking when you're sending the pics from Greece. Mom's been asking."

"I'll send them tonight. Talk to you later." Y/N switched back to Sam. "Sorry about that. My family's been hounding me for vacation photos."

"As I was saying," Sam continued, "while you were gone, there's been some interesting movement in the Ellie situation. She's been in New York for some modeling thing while Joe's still training in California."

Y/N kept her expression carefully neutral. "Long-distance relationships exist, especially with their jobs."

“Maybe so,” Sam said. “But Uno heard from a trainer that things aren’t great. She’s still posting like everything’s fine, though.”

Y/N shook her head slightly. "I appreciate the intel, but I'm really trying not to focus on Joe's relationship status anymore."

"Fair enough," Sam conceded. "But speaking of status changes... any plans to get back on the dating apps now that you're home and refreshed?"

Y/N laughed, looking out at the Cincinnati skyline through her window. "I don't know. Five mediocre dates before vacation was enough to make me question the whole enterprise."

"The architect wasn't that bad," Sam countered.

"He spent forty-five minutes talking about load-bearing walls," Y/N deadpanned. "And the biotech researcher asked if I watched football because his ex-made him go to a game once."

"Okay, so those were duds," Sam admitted. "But there's a whole city of eligible men who aren't Joe Burrow."

"That's the problem, isn't it?" Y/N said quietly, the humor fading from her voice.

After hanging up, Y/N moved to her balcony, watching as evening settled over Cincinnati. Her vacation had given her clarity about many things, but returning to real life meant confronting the same challenges with hopefully a fresher perspective.

She scrolled through her phone to the dating app she'd downloaded before her trip. Five conversations that had fizzled, five dates that had gone nowhere. It wasn't that the men were terrible—they just weren't... well, they weren't Joe.

With a decisive swipe, Y/N deleted the app. Dating as a distraction wasn't the answer. Focusing on herself and her career was what mattered now.

As the city lights began to twinkle in the growing darkness, Y/N couldn't help wondering how different her life might look in a few months. Would she finally be free of these feelings? Would she be able to work with Joe without the constant ache? Or would she always be caught in this orbit around him, never quite able to break free?

Whatever happened, she was determined to stop letting Joe Burrow be the gravitational center of her existence. It was time to create her own center.

* * *

Mid-April 2025 - Bengals Facility

"I'm going to need you to run point on the draft content next week," Kayla said, leaning against Y/N's office doorframe. "The coverage plan you put together is excellent."

Y/N nodded, making a note on her calendar. "I've got Marcus and Jess already prepped for day one. We should have comprehensive coverage across all platforms."

"Great. And one more thing, Joe's back in the building today. Earlier than expected for the voluntary workouts."

Y/N's pencil paused mid-note, but her expression remained neutral. "Thanks for the heads up."

Kayla studied her for a moment. "You good with that? You've been handling quarterback content through Tyler since..."

"Since January," Y/N supplied, keeping her voice professionally even. "And yes, I'm fine. My approach has evolved since before vacation."

"Evolved how?"

"Professional but not distant," Y/N explained. "I realized I can't reorganize an entire department around avoiding one person."

Kayla nodded, looking slightly relieved. "That's... mature. Though for what it's worth, Tyler's done well with the quarterback content. If you wanted to keep that delegation, no one would question it."

"I appreciate that," Y/N said. "But I think normal professional interactions are the healthier approach long-term."

After Kayla left, Y/N sat motionless, processing this unexpected development. Joe wasn't supposed to return until next week, after most players began trickling in for the voluntary offseason program.

She'd planned to ease back into normal interactions with him, not be confronted with his presence on her first week back from vacation. Still, this was a test of her Mediterranean resolve, her commitment to making decisions based on professional merit rather than emotional complications.

Y/N glanced at her watch. She had a content review meeting in fifteen minutes on the opposite side of the facility. To get there, she'd need to pass directly by the weight room, the most likely place Joe would be this morning.

So much for easing back into normal professional interactions. Their first encounter in months was now imminent, and it would happen without the buffer time she'd hoped for.

Y/N gathered her tablet and notes, steeling herself for the inevitable. She'd spent ten days floating in the Mediterranean finding perspective, surely, she could handle a brief hallway encounter with the quarterback.

Even if that quarterback was Joe Burrow. Even if she hadn't seen him since January. Even if her newly cultivated self-awareness was about to be tested in the most direct way possible.

* * *

Same Day - Hallway Encounter

Y/N walked purposefully down the main corridor, tablet tucked against her chest, eyes focused ahead as if her survival depended on reaching the conference room without distraction. She'd almost made it past the weight room when the door swung open.

Joe stepped out, still mid-conversation with the strength coach, a towel draped around his neck. He wore standard issue Bengals training gear, his hair slightly damp from exertion. He looked good, California training clearly agreed with him.

Their eyes met before either could pretend not to notice the other. For a split second, Y/N saw genuine surprise register on his face before his expression settled into something more controlled.

"Y/N," he said, with a slight nod, his voice betraying nothing.

"Joe," she replied, maintaining her stride but slowing just enough to be polite. "Welcome back."

"Thanks," he said, then added with deliberate casualness, "Heard you've been busy while I was gone."

The comment could have been innocuous—referencing her vacation perhaps, or the draft preparations—but the subtle emphasis made it clear he'd heard more than that. Perhaps about her dating experiments, or more likely, about her increasingly independent approach to work.

"Just the usual pre-draft chaos," Y/N replied smoothly. "How was California?"

A flash of something, frustration perhaps, crossed his features before he answered. "Productive. Good to be back though."

An awkward silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken questions. The strength coach, sensing the tension, murmured something about paperwork and retreated to his office.

"I should get to my meeting," Y/N said, gesturing vaguely down the hall.

"Right," Joe agreed, though he made no move to continue on his way. Instead, he studied her face with unexpected intensity. "You cut your hair."

The observation caught Y/N off guard—such a personal notice after months of distance. "Yes. Before my trip."

"It looks good," he said simply, the comment landing somewhere between professional courtesy and personal appreciation.

"Thanks," Y/N replied, unsure how to respond to this strange middle ground they seemed to be occupying, not the cold distance of recent months, but not the easy rapport they'd once shared either.

Joe shifted his weight slightly, clearly contemplating saying more, then appeared to think better of it. "Good luck with your meeting," he said finally, stepping aside to let her pass.

"Thanks," Y/N repeated, hating how inadequate the word felt. "Good to have you back."

As she continued down the hall, Y/N could feel his eyes following her. She maintained her composure until turning the corner, then let out a slow breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

One brief encounter, and all her Mediterranean perspective threatened to evaporate. Joe Burrow was back in Cincinnati, apparently aware of the changes in her life during his absence, and somehow still able to throw her off balance with nothing more than a comment about her haircut.

This was going to be harder than she'd anticipated.

* * *

Late April 2025 - Bengals Facility

"And that's a wrap on the quarterback segment," Y/N announced, reviewing the footage on her camera's display. "Looks good. Thanks for your time, Joe."

Joe nodded but made no immediate move to leave the media room. He'd been professional throughout the shoot, following direction smoothly, answering questions with his usual thoughtful precision. But Y/N had felt his eyes on her whenever the camera lowered, studying her with a quiet intensity that made maintaining her composed façade increasingly difficult.

"New workflow seems to be working well," he commented as Y/N packed her equipment. "Though Tyler's approach is different from yours."

Y/N kept her movements methodical, not looking up. "Everyone has their own style. He's been doing great work with the quarterback content."

"He has," Joe agreed. "But it's good to have you back in the mix too."

Y/N finally met his gaze, keeping her expression professionally pleasant. "Just filling in today since he's covering the offensive line segments."

Something flickered in Joe's eyes, disappointment, perhaps, or frustration. "Right. Just filling in."

An uncomfortable silence stretched between them as Y/N continued packing. This was exactly the kind of interaction she'd been avoiding, loaded with unspoken tensions, complicated by history and feelings she was trying desperately to move past.

"I heard you've been dating," Joe said suddenly.

Y/N's hands fumbled slightly with her lens cap, but she recovered quickly. "Cincinnati's a small town."

"Tee mentioned something," Joe explained, his tone carefully casual. "Said you were... exploring options."

"Just getting out there," Y/N replied, striving for a neutral tone. "Nothing serious."

Joe nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Good. That's... good."

Another silence fell, heavier than before. Y/N snapped her camera bag closed with perhaps more force than necessary.

"Well, I should get this footage to editing," she said, slinging the bag over her shoulder. "Draft content won't produce itself."

"Y/N," Joe said, stopping her before she could reach the door. "Are we okay?"

The question caught her off guard, direct in a way their interactions rarely were. Y/N turned back, finding Joe watching her with an expression she couldn't quite decipher, something between concern and determination.

"We're fine," she said automatically. "Why wouldn't we be?"

"Because this is the first real conversation, we've had in months that wasn't strictly about work," Joe replied, his gaze steady. "Because you've been actively avoiding me since November. You created that buffer system, delegated all my media to Tyler, and now you're back from vacation with a new haircut and a new approach, and I feel like I'm constantly a step behind whatever's happening."

The directness of his assessment left Y/N momentarily speechless. She hadn't expected Joe, always so careful, so measured to lay things out so bluntly.

"I needed some perspective," she finally said, choosing her words with care. "The buffer system was about creating professional clarity. And yes, the vacation helped me realize some things needed to change. But that's not about you, Joe. It's about me figuring out who I am beyond this job."

"And dating random guys is part of that?" The question slipped out before Joe seemed to catch himself, a flash of something crossing his features before he schooled his expression.

Y/N felt a spark of indignation. "Who I date isn't really your concern, is it? Just like your relationship with Ellie isn't mine."

The mention of Ellie hung in the air between them, causing Joe to look away briefly.

"That's not—" he started, then stopped. "It's different."

"Is it?" Y/N replied, reaching for the door. "Look, Joe, we work together. We've always worked well together professionally. I'd like to keep it that way. Anything beyond that just... complicates things unnecessarily."

"So that's it?" Joe asked, a rare edge entering his voice. "We go back to player and media staff. Pretend the last four years never happened?"

"Not pretend they never happened," Y/N corrected gently. "Just acknowledge that professional boundaries exist for a reason. And I'm finally respecting them."

Before he could respond, she slipped out the door, heart hammering in her chest. She managed to make it to the empty edit bay before her careful composure cracked, leaning against the closed door as she drew a shaky breath.

This was so much harder than she'd anticipated. The wounded look in Joe's eyes, the direct confrontation about changes she'd made, the strange reaction when she'd mentioned her dating, none of it aligned with the carefully distanced relationship she was trying to establish.

But what did he expect? That she'd wait forever in this painful limbo while he built a life with someone else? That she'd continue putting her own needs aside to maintain whatever undefined connection had existed between them?

Y/N straightened, gathering her professional resolve once more. This conversation had been necessary, even if painful. Joe needed to understand that things had changed, that she had changed. That her Mediterranean epiphany wasn't just a temporary shift but a fundamental realignment of her priorities.

She was no longer defining herself through the lens of Joe Burrow. And painful as it was to see his confusion and frustration, it was a necessary step toward her own freedom.

A freedom that felt, for the moment, more like loss than liberation.

* * *

May 2025 - Bengals Facility

The organized team activities brought a renewed energy to the facility. Players filtering back, rookies finding their place, a steady rhythm of preparation beginning to build toward the new season. Y/N moved through this environment with calculated precision, overseeing content production, directing her team, and maintaining the professional boundaries she'd established with Joe.

Their interactions had settled into a workable pattern. Polite but not warm. Professional but not personal. She no longer actively avoided him, but neither did she seek out his company. When their paths crossed in professional contexts, she kept conversations focused on content needs, media strategies, and upcoming events.

"We need quarterback content for the season ticket promo," Kayla announced during the weekly planning meeting. "Y/N, can you handle that shoot, or do you want Tyler to take it?"

Y/N felt Joe's eyes on her from across the table but kept her attention on her notes. "Tyler's already scheduled for rookie breakout features that day. I can handle the quarterback segment."

She deliberately used the word "quarterback" rather than Joe's name, a small linguistic distance that helped maintain her professional frame of mind.

Kayla nodded, making a note. "Perfect. Joe, that work for your schedule?"

"Whatever works for the team," he replied, though his tone suggested more beneath the surface.

After the meeting dispersed, Y/N was gathering her materials when she realized Joe had lingered, waiting for the room to clear.

"You don't have to keep doing that, you know," he said quietly.

"Doing what?" Y/N asked, though she suspected she knew.

"Referring to me like I'm just a position on the team. 'Quarterback segment.' 'Quarterback content.' Like you can't even say my name."

Y/N met his gaze directly, maintaining her composure. "It's not intentional. Just professional shorthand."

"It's distance," Joe corrected, his voice low but firm. "And I get why you needed it before. But I thought after your vacation, after you said you wanted normal professional interactions, that maybe we'd at least be back to... I don't know, acknowledging we know each other?"

The hurt beneath his frustration was evident, and for a moment Y/N's resolve wavered. It had never been her intention to make him feel erased or depersonalized.

“You’re right,” she said quietly. “I'm sorry.”

Joe’s expression softened just a little. “I miss how we used to talk. Not about content. Just… you and me.”

The simple admission hung in the air between them, dangerously tempting. Y/N had missed those conversations too, the easy rhythm they'd once had, the way they could communicate volumes with just a look or gesture.

“I’ve been drawing a line,” she said. “Maybe I’ve drawn it too sharply.”

Joe seemed about to say more when his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his expression shifting as he read the screen.

Joe seemed about to say more when his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his expression shifting as he read the screen.

"Ellie's back from New York tomorrow," he said, the statement landing with a dull finality that reset the boundaries Y/N had been struggling to maintain.

"That's nice," Y/N replied, grateful for the reminder of reality. "I'm sure you've missed her."

Joe's expression was complicated, but he merely nodded. "See you at the promo shoot."

As he left, Y/N released a careful breath. This was exactly why boundaries were necessary. Whatever confusion existed between them, whatever unnamed feelings lingered, the reality remained unchanged: Joe was with Ellie. Their connection, however deep it might have once seemed, was professional at its core.

And Y/N was finally learning to accept that truth, however much it might ache.

* * *

June 2025 - Team Charity Event

The summer charity gala had become a centerpiece of the Bengals community calendar, bringing together players, staff, and Cincinnati's elite for an evening of fundraising and relationship building. Y/N checked her camera settings as she moved around the perimeter of the elegant ballroom, documenting the event for team content. After five years with the team, this was familiar territory - capturing candid moments of players interacting with donors, coaches mingling with corporate sponsors, all while remaining professionally invisible.

"Y/N, when you're done with the general shots, we need table photos," Sam said through her earpiece. As Social Media Manager, Y/N was overseeing the team's coverage strategy, even as she handled key photography herself. "The owner wants formal shots of each sponsored table."

"Got it," Y/N confirmed, adjusting her lens as she surveyed the room. "I'll start at the north end and work my way around."

She moved efficiently, her black cocktail dress allowing her to blend professionally with the event while still being able to maneuver for shots. Her newly shortened hair was pulled back in a sleek style that kept it out of her way as she worked. Despite being on duty, she had to admit it felt good to dress up occasionally, to step out from behind her usual casual work attire.

"Looking sharp tonight, Y/N," Coach Taylor said as he passed, stopping briefly. "The team's lucky to have you documenting these events. You always catch the moments everyone else misses."

"Thanks, Coach," she replied with a professional smile. "Just doing my job."

"Well, you do it better than most," he said, nodding toward her camera. "Make sure you get my good side when you hit our table."

Y/N laughed. "I always do."

As she continued her circuit of the room, Y/N spotted Joe's arrival with Ellie. It was impossible not to notice them – Ellie in a stunning red gown that seemed designed to draw every eye in the room, Joe in a perfectly tailored suit looking every inch the franchise quarterback. His expression carried its usual hint of reserve at these public events, the carefully maintained media face Y/N had documented for years.

She raised her camera reflexively, capturing their entrance from a professional distance. Though her buffer system had evolved into something less rigid since her vacation, she still maintained careful boundaries when it came to Joe. Especially in situations like this, where Ellie was prominently by his side.

For an hour, Y/N focused entirely on her work, moving from table to table, capturing the formal group photos requested by the organization. She was professional and efficient, directing groups into position, ensuring everyone was properly arranged, getting the shots needed for team publications and sponsor recognition.

Eventually, she reached table eleven.

"Joe Burrow's table is next," Sam's voice came through her earpiece. "Just a heads up."

Y/N approached the table professionally, camera ready. "Evening, everyone. Time for the official table photo."

Joe's eyes found her immediately, a flicker of something passing across his features before he settled into his media smile. Ellie sat beside him, her own camera-ready smile warming as Y/N approached.

"Y/N," Joe nodded in acknowledgment. "Didn't realize you'd be shooting tonight."

“Last-minute call,” she replied smoothly, adjusting the strap on her camera. “We needed a few extra hands.”

Before he could say more, Ellie turned toward her with a bright smile.

“You must be Y/N,” she said warmly, extending a hand. “Joe’s told me so much about you. I’ve seen your work, it’s amazing.”

Y/N blinked, just slightly caught off guard, but recovered quickly as she shook Ellie’s hand. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

"Just try to keep it authentic," Y/N replied, a bit thrown by the compliment coming indirectly from Joe. She raised her camera, moving to the side of the table. "Actually, I'm capturing candids tonight, so everyone just continue your conversations naturally. Pretend I'm not even here."

Joe's eyes found hers as she circled the table, capturing natural interactions between the guests. Ellie laughed at something a sponsor said, the sound genuine and warm. Y/N caught the moment perfectly, Ellie's natural charisma on full display.

When Joe tried to catch her eye with a questioning look, Y/N maintained her focus on the technical aspects of the shots, moving from angle to angle without engaging directly.

"Perfect, thank you everyone," Y/N said after capturing several options. "Enjoy your evening."

As she turned to move to the next table, Ellie touched her arm lightly. "I hope we get to talk more later. Joe says you have the best stories about the team."

Y/N managed a polite smile, unsure how to respond to Ellie's friendliness. It was much easier when she could imagine Joe's girlfriend as distant or intimidating, this genuine warmth was unexpected and, somehow, worse.

"Maybe next time," Y/N replied. "I've got quite a few tables left to photograph."

"Taking a break?"

Joe's voice came from behind her, and Y/N turned to find him approaching alone, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable in the dim terrace lighting.

"Just a quick breather," she replied, automatically raising her professional shield. "Lots of photos still to get."

Joe moved to stand beside her at the railing, looking out at the city lights. "Your buffer system has evolved, I see."

Y/N glanced at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You're actually speaking to me at public events now," he said, a hint of sharpness beneath the casual observation. "That's progress from January."

"I'm trying to be more normal about everything," Y/N replied carefully. "Like I said when I got back from vacation, appropriate professional boundaries, not complete avoidance."

“That why you practically sprinted away from our table?”

“I have other tables to shoot.”

Joe turned to her, more serious now. “Come on. We haven’t had a real conversation in months. And I’m supposed to pretend that’s normal?”

“Maybe you’re not supposed to pretend. Maybe you’re supposed to notice.”

He blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Y/N faced him fully now, heat rising in her chest. “It means one day we’re grabbing lunch and spending time together outside of work, and the next I find out you have a girlfriend because someone broke into your house.”

Joe’s face fell. “That’s not how I meant for you to find out—”

“But that’s how I did,” she cut in, voice rising. “And then I had to walk into a boardroom full of execs and help manage the media fallout. I had to craft a strategy, prep your talking points, anticipate questions—all while pretending like I wasn’t finding out in real time that you’d been lying by omission for half a year.”

“It wasn’t lying—”

“It was hiding,” she snapped. “You hid her. Not just from the world, but from me.”

Joe’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t interrupt this time.

“You didn’t owe me the details,” Y/N said. “But you knew what we were. What it felt like. You showed up in my life every day. You let it mean something. And when it stopped meaning something to you, you didn’t have the decency to say a word. You just let me show up to work and write press releases while I pretended it didn’t feel like a slap in the face.”

Joe’s voice was low. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“But you did,” she said. “Not by being with her. By making me feel like I never mattered in the first place.”

A beat passed. Joe stepped forward, something in his face shifting. “You mattered.”

“Not enough,” she said. “Not enough to be honest with.”

"There you are!"

Ellie's cheerful voice cut through the tension as she stepped onto the terrace, elegant and smiling in her red gown. "I've been looking everywhere for you, babe. They're about to do the team recognition on stage, and the owner specifically asked for you to join them."

Joe's expression froze, the moment shattered. He glanced from Ellie to Y/N, clearly caught between their interrupted conversation and his public obligations.

"I'll be right there," he said to Ellie, his voice carefully controlled.

Ellie's gaze shifted between them, noticing the tension but misreading its cause. "I'm not interrupting work talk, am I? I can tell them you'll be a minute."

"No interruption," Y/N said quickly, professional mask snapping back into place. "I was just about to head back in myself. I still have the owner's table to photograph."

Ellie smiled warmly. "Your photos have been amazing tonight. I peeked at some on the photographer's display earlier, you have a gift for capturing genuine moments."

"Thank you," Y/N managed, the sincerity in Ellie's compliment making her feel a complicated mix of guilt and confusion. "That's very kind."

Joe still hadn’t looked away. “Ellie, can you give us just a minute? We weren’t quite finished.”

Ellie blinked, surprised, but nodded. “Sure. I’ll tell them you’re on your way.”

Before she could step back, Y/N raised her camera between them like a barrier.

“I think we are,” she said. “You should go. They’re waiting for you.”

As Joe and Ellie walked away, her hand slipping naturally into his, Y/N remained on the terrace, the tension of the moment still vibrating beneath her skin. He hadn’t admitted anything—not really. But the way he looked at her, the way he’d tried to stay, it said more than he probably meant it to.

And still, it didn’t change the facts.

Joe was with someone. Publicly. Proudly. And whatever confusion lingered in his eyes didn’t undo the confusion that came before it.

More concerning, why was Ellie so genuinely nice? It would be so much easier if she were coldly dismissive or professionally distant. Instead, her warmth and friendliness only highlighted the impossibility of Y/N's situation.

Whatever that moment was, it didn’t undo the months that came before it. Joe had made his choices. Y/N had built walls around hers. And whatever crossed between them tonight would stay right here, unspoken, unfinished, and irrelevant to what came next.

* * *

June 2025 - Bengals Facility

Two weeks after the charity gala, Y/N settled into her desk chair, reviewing the content calendar for rookie development features. The confrontation with Joe on the terrace had shifted something between them, created a clarity that was both painful and necessary. She no longer avoided him completely, but their interactions had taken on a careful formality that others had begun to notice.

"Final approval on the draft recap?" Tyler asked, hovering in her doorway with tablet in hand.

"Almost done," Y/N replied, gesturing him in. "The rookie piece looks good. Strong narrative arc on Wilson's journey from D-II to first-round pick."

As they reviewed the footage together, Y/N's phone lit up with a text from Sam:

Sam: Lunch? Need to hear about your brother's new house before I explode from curiosity

Y/N smiled. Her weekend trip to Louisville had been a welcome distraction from the uncomfortable tension that had pervaded the facility since the charity event.

Y/N: Cafeteria in 15

"That's everything," Tyler said, accepting the tablet back. "Oh, heads up, quarterback's looking for footage from last season's Raiders game. Told him you'd know where to find the breakdowns."

Y/N maintained her neutral expression. "Email me the specific request and I'll have staff pull what he needs."

Tyler nodded, though his eyebrows lifted slightly at her response. Six months ago, she would have handled Joe's request personally.

After he left, Y/N leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. This was working. Professional distance without complete avoidance. Delegation without being obvious. Building a structure that allowed her to do her job without constantly inhabiting Joe Burrow's orbit.

* * *

In the cafeteria, Sam was already waiting, two salads on the table. "So," she said as Y/N sat down, "Louisville looked like it agreed with you."

"It was good," Y/N confirmed, spearing a cucumber. "Matt's new place is gorgeous, and Aaron's kids have gotten huge. Weird being the sister visiting from out of town now, but..." she shrugged. "That's growing up, I guess."

"And how's the facility vibe this week? Any more awkward terrace confrontations I should know about?"

Y/N rolled her eyes. "No, thank god. We're being perfectly professional adults."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning I forward his requests to staff, he acknowledges me in meetings with appropriate professionalism, and we exist in the same space without drama."

Sam took a sip of her water. "And that's progress?"

"That's reality," Y/N corrected. "It's not avoidance, just...appropriate boundaries."

Before Sam could respond, a familiar voice reached them from the service line. Joe stood with Chase and Higgins, tray in hand, laughing at something Chase had said. Y/N kept her focus on her salad, but felt the subtle shift in energy as Joe noticed her.

The three players settled at a table across the room. While Chase and Higgins continued their animated conversation, Y/N could feel Joe's occasional glance toward her table. Not obvious, not prolonged—just brief moments of awareness.

"So that's the new normal," Sam murmured, noticing the dynamic. "You both pretending not to notice each other while being hyper-aware of every move."

"It's just temporary," Y/N said quietly. "Eventually we'll find a truly neutral rhythm."

"And if that never happens?"

Y/N met her friend's gaze directly. "It has to. For both our sakes."

As lunch ended, Y/N gathered her things, deliberately maintaining her composure as she and Sam walked past the players' table. She offered a polite nod to the group, including Joe without focusing on him specifically.

"Y/N," Joe called as she passed, his voice carefully casual. "Did Tyler mention I was looking for those Raiders breakdowns?"

She turned, professional smile in place. "He did. I've got staff pulling them. Should be in your inbox by this afternoon."

Something flickered in Joe's eyes, recognition of her deliberate distancing, perhaps, or memory of what she'd said on the terrace. He gave a small nod. "Appreciate it."

That would have been the moment, before the charity gala, when one of them might have suggested reviewing the footage together, or when casual conversation would have extended the interaction. Now, they both simply nodded and moved on.

"Team meeting at two," Kayla announced, passing them in the hallway. "Full staff, content planning for training camp."

"We'll be there," Y/N confirmed, continuing toward her office with Sam.

Once they were alone in the elevator, Sam raised an eyebrow. "Still think this isn't avoidance?"

Y/N pressed the button for their floor. "It's not avoidance. It's creating space."

"And how long do you plan to keep creating this space?"

Y/N watched the floor numbers rise. "As long as it takes."

* * *

The full staff meeting filled the main conference room, coaches, PR team, and content staff gathered around the long table. Y/N took notes as Kayla outlined the training camp content expectations, deliberately choosing a seat that kept her sight line clear of where Joe typically sat.

"We'll need comprehensive coverage of the quarterbacks' dynamic," Kayla continued. "Media's focused on how Burrow is mentoring Thompson as the rookie develops."

Y/N glanced up at the mention of Joe's name and found him already looking at her from across the table, that thoughtful expression she knew so well. They both looked away quickly, returning to their notes.

"Y/N will lead the content strategy," Kayla was saying. "Her team has prepared an excellent coverage plan for both fan engagement and media needs."

With professional confidence, Y/N presented the content calendar she'd developed, outlining coverage plans, key storylines, and platform-specific approaches. Four years leading the team's social presence had given her a comprehensive understanding of what resonated with both casual fans and dedicated followers.

"We're focusing on four core narratives," she explained, moving through her slides with practiced ease. "Veteran leadership, rookie development, team culture, and community connections."

As she outlined each segment, Y/N maintained eye contact with various staff members around the table, deliberately including Joe in her gaze without allowing it to linger. This was her world, her expertise. Here, she was confident and assured, regardless of personal complications.

"Questions?" she asked, concluding her presentation.

"The quarterback development piece," Joe said, his voice measured. "How are you approaching the narrative balance there?"

Y/N met his gaze directly, professional mask firmly in place. "Equal coverage of both perspectives. Your veteran experience and leadership paired with Thompson's learning curve. We'll highlight the mentorship dynamic without manufacturing competition where there isn't any."

Joe nodded, something like approval flickering across his features. "Sounds right. If you need any specific content from either of us, just let us know."

"Tyler will coordinate those segments," Y/N replied smoothly. "He's been handling the quarterback features since January."

The slight narrowing of Joe's eyes was noticeable only to those who knew him well. The deliberate distance in her response, both the delegation and the phrasing, wasn't lost on him.

"Good," Kayla concluded, bringing the discussion back to logistics. "Let's finalize the practice schedule implications with Coach."

As the meeting continued, Y/N noticed Joe watching her when he thought she wasn't looking. Not with anger or confusion, but with something more contemplative, like he was working through a problem he couldn't quite solve.

Afterward, as everyone gathered their materials, Kayla approached Y/N. "That was excellent. The coverage plan is comprehensive and thoughtful."

"Thanks," Y/N smiled. "The team's put together some great concepts."

"Great work with the content calendar," Kayla said as they gathered their materials. "Your team's really stepped up with the position-specific features, especially Tyler with the quarterback coverage."

"Thanks," Y/N smiled. "Everyone's finding their strengths. Makes delegation easier."

Kayla nodded approvingly. "The workflow redistribution you implemented back in January has really paid off. Team's more balanced now."

As Kayla moved away, Y/N gathered her materials, aware of Joe still lingering at the table, clearly waiting for an opportunity to speak with her. She deliberately engaged another staff member in conversation as she exited, maintaining the careful distance she'd established.

This was the new rhythm, professional, composed, and constantly aware of the careful orbit they maintained around each other. Not too close, not too distant. Just enough space to breathe, to think, to remember who she was beyond the pull of Joe Burrow's gravity.

It wasn't perfect. But it was working. Most of the time.

* * *

July 2025 - Training Camp Preparation

The summer heat settled over Cincinnati as training camp approached. Y/N's days blurred into a steady rhythm of content planning, staff coordination, and careful navigation of facility spaces where she might encounter Joe.

Their new dynamic had stabilized into something workable, if not entirely comfortable. Professional exchanges. Brief acknowledgments in hallways. The occasional necessary conversation about media appearances or content needs, always conducted with others present.

Y/N had stopped watching for him in rooms, had trained herself not to track his movements or anticipate his schedule. But she remained aware, always, of his presence—like a swimmer conscious of a strong current nearby, not directly threatening but requiring constant adjustment.

"Final training camp content packages," Tyler announced, dropping a stack of folders on Y/N's desk. "Player features, community initiatives, and behind-the-scenes concepts all ready for approval."

"Perfect," Y/N said, already flipping through the materials. "The rookie series looks particularly strong."

"Thanks. I still need quarterback sit-downs for the leadership feature, though. Both Burrow and Thompson. When do you want to schedule those?"

Y/N looked up, keeping her expression neutral. "You and Marcus handle those interviews. I'll review the final edits."

Tyler hesitated. "Joe actually mentioned he was expecting you to conduct his segment. Something about continuity from previous training camps?"

The comment landed like a small stone in still water. Y/N set the folders down carefully, considering her response.

"I'll reach out to clarify," she said finally. "But the plan is for you to lead those pieces."

After Tyler left, Y/N stared at her computer screen, weighing her options. Joe was deliberately requesting her involvement, pushing against the boundaries she'd established. The professional approach would be to simply clarify the new workflow and maintain her distance.

Instead, she found herself typing a direct email:

Joe,

Tyler mentioned you were expecting me to conduct your training camp leadership interview. Our current workflow has shifted, with Tyler and Marcus handling player sit-downs while I focus on overall strategy and final approvals.

Please let me know if you have concerns about this approach. Happy to discuss alternatives that meet both content needs and current team structure.

Y/N

The response came less than ten minutes later:

Y/N,

No concerns. Just thought since you've handled my camp interviews for four years, there was an established approach. Context matters in how these pieces come together, as you've always understood.

Happy to work with Tyler and Marcus if that's the new direction.

Joe

Y/N read the message twice, noting the careful neutrality that nonetheless conveyed his disapproval. The implied question was clear: why change what worked? But the answer was equally clear, at least to her. Because what worked professionally had become personally unsustainable.

Before she could respond, Sam appeared in her doorway. "Lunch? I'm starving."

Y/N welcomed the interruption. "God, yes. Let me grab my phone."

As they walked toward the cafeteria, Sam nudged her gently. "You've got that look."

"What look?"

"The 'Joe Burrow is testing my professional boundaries' look. What happened?"

Y/N sighed. "He requested me specifically for his training camp interview. I redirected to Tyler and Marcus."

"And?"

"And he accepted it but made it clear he noticed the change."

Sam considered this as they collected their food. "Maybe he just values consistency. You know how quarterbacks are with their routines."

"Maybe," Y/N agreed, though she wasn't convinced. "Or maybe he's testing whether the boundaries are real."

They found a table near the window, away from the main section where players typically gathered. The cafeteria was quieter than usual, the late July lull before the full roster returned for camp.

"You know," Sam said after a few minutes of casual conversation, "you seem more balanced lately. More yourself."

Y/N looked up from her salad. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you're not constantly on alert for Joe's presence. You're not checking your phone for texts that might be from him. You're just... Y/N. Doing your job really well."

"Well, that was the point of creating distance," Y/N said, though she felt a quiet pride at Sam's observation. "To stop organizing my professional life around his orbit."

"It's working," Sam affirmed. "Whatever happened at that charity event, whatever you said to each other on that terrace, it seems to have cleared something."

Y/N thought back to that night, to the raw honesty of finally telling Joe how it felt to discover he'd hidden Ellie from her specifically. The hurt had been real, but expressing it had released something tight inside her chest.

"It helped," she admitted. "Saying it out loud instead of just thinking it."

They continued eating, conversation shifting to weekend plans and the upcoming preseason schedule. Y/N was laughing at Sam's story about a disastrous date when she looked up and froze.

Joe stood at the entrance to the cafeteria, eyes finding hers immediately. He wasn't alone. Ellie walked beside him, stunning in casual summer clothes, her hand resting lightly on his arm as they surveyed the room.

Y/N recovered quickly, returning her attention to Sam with practiced ease. But her heart hammered against her ribs, the unexpected sight of them together in her work sanctuary throwing her more than she wanted to admit.

"Heads up," Sam murmured. "Joe and Ellie, two o'clock."

"I saw," Y/N replied quietly. "Didn't realize she was visiting."

They continued their conversation, deliberately casual as Joe led Ellie to a table across the room. Y/N was acutely aware of them in her peripheral vision, of Ellie's animated gestures as she spoke, of Joe's more reserved responses.

"You good?" Sam asked, noticing Y/N's slightly too-tight grip on her water bottle.

"Fine," Y/N said with a quick smile. "Just surprised. She doesn't usually visit the facility."

"Want to leave?"

Y/N shook her head firmly. "No. This is my workplace too."

They finished their lunch without rushing, Y/N maintaining her composure through sheer determination. As they stood to leave, she nodded politely toward Joe and Ellie's table, professional acknowledgment without engagement.

"Y/N!" Ellie called, her voice warm and friendly. "How are you?"

Y/N paused, unable to ignore the direct greeting. "I'm good, thanks. Nice to see you again."

"You too," Ellie smiled. "Joe's been showing me around before everyone arrives for camp. This place is amazing."

"It is," Y/N agreed, keeping her tone light. "Enjoy the tour."

Joe watched this exchange with an unreadable expression, his eyes moving between the two women. "Y/N's been here since my rookie year," he said to Ellie. "She's documented pretty much every major moment of my NFL career."

There was something pointed in the observation, a reminder of their shared history that felt almost deliberate. Y/N maintained her professional smile.

"The whole media team has," she corrected gently. "It's been a collaborative effort."

"Not the rehab," Joe said, his gaze direct now. "That was all you."

The mention of those intimate rehabilitation sessions—hours spent documenting his pain, frustration, and determination—hung in the air between them. Y/N felt a flush threatening to rise to her cheeks.

"Well," she said, gathering her composure, "that's what made it such compelling content. Your journey back."

Ellie looked between them, clearly sensing the undercurrent but misreading its cause. "Joe mentioned how much those documentary pieces meant to fans. Your work really connected people to his recovery."

"That was the goal," Y/N replied, her professional mask firmly in place. "Glad it resonated." She glanced at her watch. "I should get back. Content review meeting in fifteen. Nice seeing you both."

As she walked away with Sam, Y/N could feel Joe's eyes following her. She maintained her stride, back straight, pace steady, the picture of professional composure until they rounded the corner toward the elevator.

"Holy awkward," Sam muttered as the doors closed. "What was that about?"

Y/N leaned against the elevator wall. "I have no idea. Why bring up the rehab documentation in front of Ellie?"

"Maybe because it was significant?" Sam suggested. "Those were pretty intense, personal shoots."

"Still. Strange timing to mention it."

Back in her office, Y/N tried to focus on the training camp content packages, but her mind kept returning to the cafeteria encounter. Joe rarely brought Ellie to the facility, and he'd never referenced their shared professional history so pointedly in front of her.

Her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number:

Unknown: It was lovely seeing you again! Joe's giving me the full tour. Mentioned you might have some photos from charity event for my portfolio? No pressure if not! -Ellie

Y/N stared at the message, surprised by the direct contact. After a moment's consideration, she saved the number and replied:

Y/N: Of course. Happy to share what we have I'll pull the files and get them to you.

The response came quickly:

Ellie: That would be amazing! Whatever you think shows my best angles 😊 Joe says you have a great eye.

Y/N set her phone down, unsure how to navigate this unexpected development. She had kept her distance from Ellie for obvious reasons, yet now Joe was apparently recommending her professional services to his girlfriend. The situation felt unnecessarily complicated.

A knock on her door frame pulled her from these thoughts. Joe stood there, alone, expression neutral but intent.

"Got a minute?" he asked.

Y/N nodded, maintaining her professional demeanor. "Of course."

He stepped inside but didn't sit, instead remaining standing near the door. "I wanted to apologize if that was awkward. Ellie wanting to see the facility was... unexpected."

"It's fine," Y/N said smoothly. "She's always welcome here. She is your girlfriend."

Joe nodded, though something flickered in his expression at her matter-of-fact acknowledgment. "She mentioned asking about photos. You don't need to handle that personally. Any of the staff can pull those."

"I already told her I would," Y/N replied. "It's not a problem."

Joe studied her for a moment, his gaze more direct than it had been in months. "You've changed since your vacation."

The observation caught her off guard with its directness. "Have I?"

"Yes," he said simply. "More confident. More... definitive about boundaries."

Y/N met his gaze steadily. "I gained some perspective. About what I need professionally."

"Just professionally?" The question hung in the air between them, more personal than anything he'd asked in months.

"That's what matters here," Y/N replied carefully. "We work together. Everything else is secondary."

Joe nodded slowly; his expression thoughtful. "If that's what you need."

"It is."

He turned to leave, then paused. "For what it's worth, I should have told you about Ellie directly. Before it became public like that. You deserved that much."

The admission, the first acknowledgment of what she'd confronted him about on the terrace, landed with unexpected weight. Y/N maintained her composure, though her heart beat a little faster.

"Thank you for saying that."

After he left, Y/N sat quietly, processing the interaction. It wasn't dramatic or emotional, yet something significant had shifted. Joe had acknowledged her perspective, had seen the changes in her approach, had even apologized for something that had hurt her deeply.

It didn't change anything fundamentally. She would maintain her professional boundaries. Their working relationship would continue in this careful new balance. But the acknowledgment mattered.

She turned back to her computer, focusing once more on the training camp content plans. She had found her footing in this new dynamic. Now she just needed to maintain it, through training camp, through the season, through whatever complications lay ahead.

One day at a time. One professional interaction at a time. Building a sustainable rhythm that protected her heart while honoring her career.

Part Three

[heavyhitterheaux]

Sink or Swim (NSFW)

AN: Joe girlies I have returned!

Synopsis: After the devastating loss to the Commanders, you knew that a bad mood would be evident with your boyfriend. So his idea of forgetting what happened at least for a few hours has to do with giving you his undivided attention

Requested by @a-moment-captured 💕

DO NOT ENGAGE IF UNDERAGE

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

There was a look of disbelief on your face as you watched the scene unfold in front of you and saw that the game was almost over when the two minute warning was indicated. The first two weeks in the season obviously had your boyfriend Joe upset and for good reason. But to see the high hopes that he had going into week three just get shot down hurt to watch.

On the sidelines you could see his helmet being thrown as he eventually sat down and the expression on his face was one that you couldn't quite read.

Pulling out your phone, you sent him a quick text knowing that he would read it when he got back to the locker room.

You- Still so proud of you bubs. You played amazing tonight and don't let anyone tell you otherwise 💕

Sighing to yourself, you stood up and began to make your exit out of the stadium to start making your way back to Joe’s condo. It was discussed earlier in the day when you had talked to Joe that you would come over right after the game in anticipation of celebrating with him, but now you weren't so sure if he would even want to be in the mood to have anyone around him right now. After he lost a game, he would understandably get into a mood but you had a feeling that tonight would be a lot worse and more than likely because of who he is, he would be blaming himself.

Climbing into your jeep, you had the radio on a low volume as you pulled out of the stadium parking lot and onto the highway. Joe didn't live very far from the stadium which you were thankful for and leaving before the game was over allowed you to beat some of the traffic that you knew would quickly come after.

Arriving in less than twenty minutes, you turned your car off before grabbing your bag and making your way inside. Your shoes got slipped off at the door as you made your way into the kitchen to find something to snack on since the mozzarella sticks you had at the game were only going to last you but so long.

Glancing at the clock, you noticed it wasn't too late to order a pizza seeing as Joe probably needed some comfort food. You opened up your DoorDash app and quickly ordered it while you waited for Joe to get there. Another 45 minutes had passed with the pizza being kept warm in the oven and you sitting on the couch re-watching Scandal when you heard his key in the door. Once it was opened, it was quickly slammed shut making you jump and the sound was quickly followed by him throwing his bag on the floor at his feet and hearing him sigh.

Still in your jersey from the game that had your boyfriend's name on the back of it, you got up to greet him by the door. His expression was still unreadable when you stood in front of him and slowly tried to take his hands into yours, but he moved away at the last second.

“Bubs….”

Joe didn’t even bother to respond to you as his eyes were closed and he was leaning back against the door.

“What do you need me to do?” You softly asked as you kissed the side of his mouth, trying to get an answer out of him.

When he finally opened his eyes and glanced down at you, his eyes had softened but only slightly as he saw the love of his life in front of him.

“Get upstairs and strip.”

“Mm, gladly. Your wish is my command.”

Nodding your head towards him, he then turned you around to face the stairs as you slowly walked over towards them. Your foot was on the first step when you heard his voice once more.

“You have two minutes to do what I told you, so I suggest you get a move on before I put you there myself.”

Hearing this made a river form in between your thighs and you loved how dominant he could get when the two of you were by yourselves. That happened to be the only good thing that would come out of him losing a game. If this is what he needed to help him get through it, the last thing that you were ever going to do was complain.

Reaching the last step, you still heard him moving around downstairs before you swung the door open to his bedroom which had been left ajar before he left for the game earlier.

Your clothes were then taken off slowly one by one in the hopes of Joe walking in and seeing you. Your shoes had already been thrown off at the door downstairs, the next thing to come off was your jeans that hugged your curves that he loved so much. Next was his jersey and the shirt that you were wearing underneath it in case you got cold. You had started to take off your bra next when you suddenly felt him behind you making you jump. You hadn’t heard him come in as he wrapped his arms around you before leaning down to whisper in your ear.

“I thought I told you to strip? So, why are you still wearing clothes? You like disobeying me?” He asked you before placing a soft kiss on your shoulder.

“No, I was….”

“I don’t want to hear excuses. Do as you’re told the first time so I don’t have to punish you. Now get the rest of those clothes off.” He told you as a light smack was felt across your ass.

You nodded your head and your bra as well as your black thong were quickly removed from your body and discarded onto the floor all while Joe was standing behind you watching you intensely. Once you were finished, he leaned down to your ear once more before he reached around to put two of his fingers up to your mouth that you slowly started to suck on before reaching down and rubbing small circles along your clit making you gasp.

“Mmm, look how wet my baby is. This all for me?” You nodded your head to answer his question because you knew that words were going to fail to come out of your mouth.

“Get on the bed and you better not make a sound unless I fucking tell you to. Face down, ass up.”

Walking over to the bed once Joe moved his fingers away from your core, you slowly got on the bed with the help of him since the bed was so high and crawled to the top of it as you rested your head down on your arms with your ass sticking high up in the air on display for him.

You could hear Joe behind you doing away with his clothes and in a matter of seconds you felt him crawl onto the bed and roughly grab a hold of your hips before slowly entering you and bottoming out as he threw his head back in pleasure.

“Fuck, you feel so good.”

It took everything in you not to let out a gasp and simply put your hand over your mouth as you felt him move out of you before he slammed back in.

His movements were intense and sloppy of course with him letting out his frustrations as you were doing your best to keep quiet. The more he pounded into you, the harder it was becoming and knew that being quiet would only last but so long.

You could feel yourself getting closer to reaching your peak and you soon felt Joe reach underneath of you to massage your clit as he continued to pound into you. This sent you over the edge and you couldn’t help but to let out a small moan but immediately put your hand back over your mouth. But the damage was already done and you tug knew that you would soon be in for it.

“Oooh fuck.”

Hearing this, Joe immediately flipped you over and a hand immediately went around your neck with him squeezing it.

“Did I tell you to fucking speak? I don’t think I did.”

You remained quiet as he let go of your neck as he trailed kisses along it and down your chest with him placing one of your nipples into his mouth as he was rolling the other one between his fingers. It was taking everything in you to stay quiet as your back arched up off of the mattress. His fingers moved on from playing with your nipple to insert two of them into you as he continued to suck on the other one.

Joe noticed that you were squirming and he took it as a sign that you were close and probably frustrated because he told you not to say anything.

“You close baby? I can tell.”

To answer him, you nodded your head as he added another finger making you gasp. His fingers were pumping in and out of you when he decided to replace his fingers with his tongue knowing that it was a matter of seconds before you would come undone in front of him.

“Shiiit!” You couldn’t help but to let out as your hands were directly to his hair to pull him closer to you.

At this point, your legs were wrapped around his neck as he began to suck on your clit making them shake the harder that he did.

“Baby…. I’m….” You started to say, but without warning a gush of liquid was now covering Joe’s face as he was still sucking on your clit making you squirm.

“That’s my good girl. Give me another one, baby. I know you can.”

You immediately shook your head no, but it was clear that Joe didn’t care since he went right back to sucking on your clit. After you squirted all over his face once more, he quickly crawled back up your body as he inserted himself into you.

His movements were more sloppy than before indicating that he was close as he put your legs onto his shoulders as you began to rub your clit.

You had reached your peak for the third time when you felt Joe slide out of you. Knowing what that meant, you immediately sat up and took him in your mouth as you tasted his cum hitting the back of your throat.

“That’s my pretty girl. You better swallow it and not waste a drop.”

Joe had now put your hair in a makeshift ponytail to get it out of the way since he remembered you one time promptly yelling at him when his cum had gotten in your hair after you had gotten it done just hours before.

Once you swallowed everything that didn’t leak out the side of your mouth, you promptly opened it to show Joe who then leaned down to place several kisses on your lips. Once you had laid back, Joe quickly followed suit with him laying on you as you held him tightly to your chest. It was quiet for a few minutes as both of you were trying to even your breathing when he finally spoke.

“We should have won.”

“I know.”

“And even though it wasn’t my fucking fault, I’m going to get the blame for it.”

“I know.”

“We’re 0 and 3 now and I don’t know what to fucking do.”

“The only thing you can do is to go out there and do your best. You played absolutely amazing tonight so this isn’t on you in the slightest even though people will put it on you anyway. I am still so proud of you and I’m always going to be proud of you.” You told him as you placed a kiss on top of his head.

“Proud of a loser boyfriend who can’t win an NFL game?”

“Joseph… talk about yourself like that again. I dare you. Just because you have a few setbacks doesn’t mean that it’s going to be like this forever. I will let you rant all you want tonight, but tomorrow I’m not having it. You are literally the highest paid quarterback in the NFL and you need to fucking act like it.”

“I... guess you’re right.”

“I know I'm right. It's only been three weeks. There's still time to turn this around for the better and I promise to be here through all of it. But did I perform my duties as your girlfriend to help you let your frustrations out?” You asked and he immediately smirked.

“You did more than help me through it, but I definitely didn't say that we were done.” He told you as he picked his head up off of your chest to look at you.

“Wait, what?”

“Switch places with me so you can ride me.”

Taglist

@a-moment-captured

@hoodharlow

@nattinatalia

@wickedfun9

@dandelionwrites8

@keiva1000

[starsinthesky5]

you wrote in the lingerie fic that joe had a polaroid of her, but would joe and songbird ever 🎥themselves or no bc of how famous they are? bc i fear that would send joe into cardiac arrest if he gets to see her everyday like that

a/n: ovulation once again has a strong hold on me im so sorry LMAO

warnings: nsfw, smut

───────⋆⋅☆⋅⋆───────

they don’t do it often, record themselves. not because they don’t want to. in fact, joe thinks about it more than he’d ever admit. the idea of watching her, of seeing her soft and needy and wrecked for him, playing it back when he’s away on the road or holed up in a hotel room aching for her, has haunted him more than once. he’s fantasized about it in the quiet of his own mind, her voice cracking on his name, the shimmer of sweat on her skin, the little “oh” she gasps out when he hits that spot just right—all of it captured. preserved. his. but they’re both famous. and fame makes everything a little less private, a little more terrifying.

joe’s cautious by nature. guarded. careful in the way he carries himself, the way he loves, the way he protects what’s his. even the idea of recording something intimate sends a million alarms through his head—he thinks of phone hacks, leaks, prying eyes, even teammates getting too curious in the wrong moment. he doesn’t even like leaving voicemails too often. so when the idea first comes up—half-jokingly, lazily tossed out while they’re tangled up under the covers on a bye week morning—his gut reaction is no. absolutely not. “baby,” he groans into her shoulder, “i’d have a heart attack. i’d spiral. i’d never sleep again,” and she laughs, sweet and sleepy, pressing kisses to his hair because of course he’s panicking already. of course he’s thinking ten steps ahead about the what-ifs and the leaks and the worst-case scenarios.

but eventually—maybe not that day, maybe not even that month—he changes his mind.

it happens one night when he’s home during the offseason, and she’s just glowing. soft light from the bedside lamp, skin dewy from the bath she took, wearing nothing but one of his old t-shirts (because what else would she be wearing). she climbs onto his lap with sleepy eyes and hips that roll like she knows she’s already got him undone. and something about the way she whispers, “can i ride you, baby?” with her lips brushing his ear—so confident, so fucking pretty, so herself—makes his brain short-circuit.

he asks her quietly, breathlessly, “can i film this?” and she pauses. blinks. “you sure?” and he is. because they’ve talked about it. because it’s them. he knows she trusts him completely, and he trusts her just the same.

joe props the camera on the edge of the dresser, angled just so. she’s already straddling him when he presses record—bare except for her thighs draped over his, that soft flush high on her cheeks, and the 'j' necklace she never takes off catching the light. her hips roll slow, teasing, and joe’s hands are on her waist, eyes never leaving her face. “fuck,” he mutters, already breathless. “you’re so pretty like this, baby,”. she smiles and leans in to kiss him, her fingers threading through the back of his hair. the lens captures the way her spine arches when he thrusts up into her, how her head tips back as a moan slips from her lips, the way his hand slides up her back like he can’t stand not touching every inch of her. it’s not just sex—it’s them, laid bare in the most honest way. his low, ruined whisper of her name. the way she gasps “just like that, don’t stop,” and his hand tightens on her hip because he can’t. not when she sounds like that. not when he knows he’ll be replaying this exact moment every time he’s desperate and missing her. and the camera captures all of it—the worship in his touch, the wrecked look in her eyes, and the raw, unfiltered kind of love that’s meant to be hidden from the world.

they’re so careful. it’s never shot on his actual phone—he buys a tiny, password-locked digital camera they ordered off some online tech shop together, something without bluetooth or cloud syncing or any risk of accident. it never touches wi-fi.

joe treats it like a damn national secret. after they record, he immediately transfers it to a flash drive. deletes the footage from the camcorder. then deletes the trash bin too. the flash drive never leaves his possession. he keeps it tucked in a little zipper pouch in his suitcase when he travels—never in a carry-on, never in a shared space, always locked. password protected. sometimes even double-encrypted. because yes, it turns him on like nothing else in the world, but it’s also sacred. it’s her. and he would rather die than let the world see her like that—not because he’s ashamed, but because that version of her is only meant for him.

and oh god, that version of her. hips rolling, thighs tight around him, hair messy and clinging to her damp neck, soft little gasp slipping out when he grabs her ass and thrusts up just right. there’s one video—his favorite—that starts with her whispering, “you’re gonna watch this when you miss me, huh?” and joe groans, “don’t tease me like that,” and then it’s so much worse when he’s lying in a hotel bed at 2 a.m., his fist wrapped tight around himself, watching her rock into him with that voice echoing in his ears.

they only watch them together occasionally—usually when they’re missing each other a little too much, or when she’s being a brat and he wants to remind her how sweet she sounds when she’s begging. but he watches alone more than she knows. when the nights get long. when practice has him on edge. when he needs to remember what’s waiting for him at home.

and she loves knowing it. loves that she’s the only one who gets to undo him like that. sometimes she’ll whisper in his ear, wicked and soft, “think about the video, baby,” and it wrecks him.

they don’t film often. maybe once every few months, only when the timing feels right. only when they both agree. but it’s never just sex on a screen—it’s them. captured in a way the world will never get to see. private. filthy. reverent.

and yeah. joe’s still so paranoid he checks that flash drive’s location like he’s protecting state secrets.

but it’s worth it. every single second of it.