#Running in Tenerife

[travellianna]

#tenerife #spain #canaryislands #sea #ocean #cliff #niceview #running #whereintheworldislianna (at Los Cristianos, Arona, Tenerife) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoPPbRotZcW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mowmentos]

mañanas

[occamstfs]

To The Ground Floor

Heyo- Saw this next picture and just had to use it so here’s a businessman to dumb sub twunk TF! 

If anyone wants to suggest a prompt for my 1K follower post here’s the link- https://forms.gle/NE66kaH4KJxkhgPk9

Probably be wrapping it up/posting a poll soon! -Occam

I don’t know what my company was thinking when they scheduled our conference in Tenerife. It would be one thing if it was a retreat or team vacation, but it is nearly impossible to get any real work done with all these tourists stomping around and getting in my way. I was set to make it early to our morning meeting, as I always do, before this twat forced his way in before I could get to the close door button. He surely noticed since he glared at me before returning to focus on the only thing that seems to matter to him, his vanity.

In retrospect I should have kept my mouth shut, but I couldn’t help but scoff as he started to take a picture of his reflection in the door. It was immature, but when dealing with this crowd of influencers or whatever these childish twits has put me off my usually stoic demeanor. He immediately responded with aggression, “You laughin’ mate? You lot all think you’re so much better than us eh?” He scowls once more at me and to his credit, I do think myself superior to him. Not afraid to say it either.

I open my mouth to shoot some clever insult at him but before I can the delinquent fully spits at me! Where does he get off! The elevator chimes as it stops at the sixth floor. I grab my handkerchief to wipe the spit off my dress shoes as I hear him run off, shouting “you’ll get yours ya git!” I look up to see the small of his back showing beneath his trailing coat and mesh top. I can’t help but stare as he runs, asshole he may be but, god, he is hot isn’t he?

I cough as I can’t believe I thought that! He’s absolute filth! Parading himself around dressed like that on a work day, my word! I don’t notice that there is no longer a handkerchief in my hand as I reach to wipe the spit off my shoes with my now empty hand. As I finally wrest my eyes from his pert body I notice that the villain pushed every button in the elevator. So help me god if I’m late to my meeting I will find him and- well, there’s not much I can do. I’m not exactly the peak specimen, unlike, uh him I suppose.

The doors click closed and begin to take me to the fifth floor. I consider hopping off to take the stairs but I’m sure he’ll be there waiting for me. I go to check my rolex when I notice I’m not wearing it? I would never go to a meeting without it though? My mind grows foggy as I thoughtlessly wipe the spit still on my hand on my suit. God it’s a little warm in this elevator isn’t it. I sniff the air and find that it still smells of that jerk. His cologne must’ve been something intense.

I continue to whiff the air before realizing that it is clearly not perfume but his natural body odor, blushing as I grow slightly jealous at his scent. I find my mind drifting as I think what a man he must be to smell so, mm. The only word I can think is, virile? Ugh, I need to get to work, this is going to set me back. The doors clink open to the fifth floor as the heat only continues to grow. Why am I wearing such a thick suit jacket anyway? It is so fucking hot on this island. I absolutely hate it here. I’ll just take it off for the rest of the elevator ride. Yeah, that couldn’t hurt right? My eyes glaze over as I think of his coat trailing off his head as he ran down the hallway and I bite my lip.

God that hot fucker. My jacket falls to the floor and before I can catch it it’s as if it was never there. I grunt as I think once more of my upcoming meeting. Surely they won’t judge right? My mind shuffles as I don’t even try to understand what has happened to my jacket. The fogginess in my head swiftly finds a form though as I see his smug smirk in my mind. Fuck I- I need to fuck him, or be fucked or? I grunt once more, my voice noticeably more dull. I try to fan my shirt open as the heat grows worse and I find myself growing hornier by the second. The elevator is already on the way to the fourth floor without my notice. I give up fanning my shirt and instead just open the buttons when I am suddenly met with something I cannot reconcile. When the fuck did I get, such, fuckable pecs? I press a finger into my own chest and start to drool as I see the depth of my muscle. I see my brown nipples grow and try to wipe the pooling drool from my mouth as I think how much my body looks like that uh, that twit? No that uh, that hot fucker?  I feel like I’m losing my mind. Or, losing myself? Uh..

The doors open and close on floor four as I struggle to think of absolutely anything but that, uh, stud. My own chest jutting out forces me to think of his own hearty pecs. The powerful curves of his body stretching his fishnet top, ugh. I see the biceps now on my own arms and struggle to not flex them thinking of that staring at himself in the elevator’s reflective wall and posing. I stare at the abs pushing out of my torso and think of his cinched waist peeking out from those sagging pants. God why didn’t I just try to fuck him then oohh.. Or no, Why didn’t I give myself to him..I moan as I loosen my belt, trying to allow my growing erection some air, instead giving my cock and ass more space to expand.

God his fuckable ass was impossible to miss even through those jeans. I bite my lip once more trying to stop myself from moaning as the doors open to the third floor. No one is there to see or hear me as my pants drop to the floor and disappear as if they were never there. As if I would wear pleated pants ever I think blushing. My cock begins to grow to fill my boxers. Or no hee hee- Surely I’m not wearing boxers right haha, giggling as I look down and see the clear imprint of my erection in my tight spandex. Mikey would never let me wear something so unattractive as boxers~

I feel an itch in my crotch as I think of Mikey once more, not hesitating to wonder how I could possibly know his name. Nor why he brings me such intense, feelings. It’s just, I’m so lucky to have him! Ah- I might lose control if I keep thinking about him, I need to keep it together for my uh, meeting? I shove my hand into my crotch to deal with whatever that itch is when I find it’s not my still growing cock, but a jungle of pubes that have begun to grow down there. I feel my fingers drag through them, now covered in sweat as the pubes begin to push themselves above my waistline. 

I giggle to myself as I see the thick black hair inch its way to create a perfect treasure trail up my stomach. I’ve gotta keep it looking good for Mikey after all! I play with the lengthening hair in my crotch, giggling to myself, as the elevator makes its landing on the second floor. I raise my sweaty hand to smell it as some prude stares in disbelief in the elevator lobby. I smile coily at him as he narrows his eyes in shock. He almost looks a little familiar but I’d certainly not waste any of my time on him haha!

He decides not to get on for some reason, not that I care as I look at my sharpening reflection. I play with my chest feeling the ebb and flow of my strength as I start to smell my own scent fill the elevator. I notice my feet are now bare on the dirty elevator’s floor. Ah, I hope Mikey won’t be upset if my feet are gross, smiling to myself as I think of him chewing me out. I feel a similar forest begin to grow in my pits as the elevator stops unceremoniously on the first floor before making its way to the ground floor.

I rub my hands all over on my now almost completely unclothed body as I feel my spandex shrink and tighten into a yellow speedo. My hands glide smoothly around the muscular curves, only ever getting caught on my tangled pubes as I giggle to myself. Wasn’t there something I had to do when I got to the ground floor? I raise my arm to bask in my scent as the elevator finally delivers me to my destination, and who could be standing there but Mikey!

“Mikey!” I shout at him! He looks so happy to see me, before responding, “well you’re looking great aren’t ya love.” He pushes and prods me as if he’s inspecting me as I proudly stand there giving him the doe eyes he demands. He smirks as he pulls me out of the elevator and plants his lips on mine. I can barely help but come right there as I feel my cock stretch at my speedo. I moan but keep it together, feeling his pursed lips grow into a smirk before he pulls away and laughs. 

I tilt my head at him before he speaks once more, “you remember what you’re supposed to be doing right now right, pet?” My face grows warm with blush, surely betraying my cluelessness as I struggle to remember. I had a meeting or? No, Haha As if! I, I could never work a stupid office job~ I try to look as coy as possible, inviting him to jog my memory. His eyes grow dark, not from aggression, but a hunger welling within him as he answers, “I need ya to get those posh wankers and bring them to me eh, doll? Need to them to submit yeh?”

My smile grows wide as my mind fills with excitement for this task. I’m gonna be so good and Mikey will be so proud of me! None of those boring businessmen will be able to resist me hehe! I begin to make my way out to the beach looking for any salarymen looking especially susceptible to my charms. I strut around, my body on display to everyone, monkeysuit suckers and other horny tourists alike. As if any of them have something more important going on hee hee! Soon they’ll all realize there is nothing more important than pleasuring Mikey!

[chrzzboo]

One of lando Norris and he is dating pedri sister

I wouldn’t want it any other way

Summary: After going to the Grand Prix in Barcelona with your brothers, a lot of things happen. Meeting your future boyfriend is one of them.

Pedri sister reader x Lando Norris

Note: thank you for your request anon! I tried my best, and accidentally wrote more than I intended to 🤪 I hope you guys enjoy this one and don’t be a silent reader! Love chrzzboo 🫶

Y/N’S POV

It was a very beautiful day in Barcelona I was visiting my older brothers Pedri and Fernando. I normally live with my parents in Tenerife but because I had a break from uni I decided to visit my dear brothers. I always had a special bond with both my brothers especially with Pedri since he’s only a year older than me. I was sat in front of the tv watching some Netflix when Pedri came to me and started talking. “Yo hermana I’ve got three tickets for the Barcelona’s Grand Prix this weekend, do you want to come with me and Fer?”. I looked at him confused, I did know about F1 and even knew a few drivers but didn’t really bother to watch every race so I was confused to why he asked me if he knew that I wasn’t really interested in it. “An F1 race? Since when do you like formula one?”. He looked at me annoyed. "Since they’ve invited me and they were kind enough to send me two extra tickets so you better come. Also mom and dad wouldn’t appreciate me leaving you all alone at home”. I started laughing imagining my parents beating up Pedri and Fer. “Alright I will come with you guys because I know you can’t live without me.” Pedri scoffed. “Now don’t get too confident hermana.” “With you as my brother I could never” I said laughing and pushing him over, running away from him. “Is that how you treat your older brother niñita?” He shouted running after me.

TIME SKIP

It was the day of the Grand Prix, although I didn’t know what to expect I was still very excited. We were currently in the car on the way to the Grand Prix, Pedri was driving and Fer sat next to him and I was sitting in the back. I was jamming to the music in the car when Fer turned to me and started talking.”Listen hermana, Grand Prix’s are often very busy so it’s important that we stick together because that place is way too big and easy to get lost in.” I rolled my eyes at my brother. “Fer are you serious? How old do you think I am? I can perfectly keep up with you guys. And besides that what if I get lost? It’s not like we don’t have phones?” Now it was Fernando’s turn to roll his eyes at me. “It might not be a big deal to you but to us it is. If mama heard that we’ve lost you she would go livid.” “Alright alright I promise I will stay close”. Both my brothers nodded at my words and we continued jamming to the music in the car until we’ve reached our destination.

We arrived a bit later than we were supposed to since it was so busy, Fer wasn’t lying when he said that this place can be very crowded. I was looking around and walking close to my brothers. I didn’t expect this place to be so cool honestly. I might visit these races more often. There are many pros to have an older brother who’s famous but there are also a lot of cons. Like right now, my brother was taking many pictures with people and also doing interviews. I was waiting for him to finish, already getting bored. Fer went to the toilet so I was alone waiting for Pedri. I was just scrolling on my phone when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turn around and frowned at the girl standing in front of me, I’ve never seen her before. “Hey you’re y/n right? Pedri’s little sister?” Ooh now I understood what she wanted. Well you see being the little sister of a pro athlete means that their fans will also know their family. “Hey yeah that’s me!” I replied enthusiastically. I didn’t realise but 10 minutes past, I had a lovely conversation with this girl but she had to leave. Looking around I started panicking since I couldn’t find my brothers anymore. They suddenly disappeared, I grabbed my phone planning on calling them but I cursed under my breath since my phone died. “Shit man, I should’ve brought my power bank.” I took matters in my own hands and started walking around the paddock looking for my brothers.

Like I mentioned before, this place is huge it feels like it’s never ending. Still looking around for my brothers, I wasn’t really paying attention to my surroundings in front of me since I was looking to the left side. That probably wasn’t a good idea because all of a sudden I bumped into a hard chest sending me straight to the ground eating shit. “I’m so sorry miss, are you alright?” Asked a manly voice, I looked at the person and I could see a pretty handsome brunette staring down at me reaching his hand out for me to hold. I grabbed his hand embarrassed by the fall I just made. “I’m alright, I’m so sorry I wasn’t really paying attention.” I told him. He chuckled looking in my eyes, just then I realised that he had very beautiful coloured eyes. “Don’t worry! It was my fault as well I was kinda distracted it wasn’t my intention to send you to the ground.” I laughed at him already liking his attitude. “Well yeah that was kinda embarrassing. But thanks for helping me, I’m looking for my brothers but ended up eating dirt instead.” He laughed at me still looking at me with those beautiful eyes. “Really are you lost?” “Yeah I kinda am, I’ve never been here before. I was waiting for my brothers and in the meantime a girl came up to me and started talking but when we finished our conversation I couldn’t find them anymore.” He looked at me with a confused expression. “You’ve never been here before? In the way of never visited the Barcelona GP or just to a F1 race in general?” I looked at him weird, what has that got to do with me losing my brothers? “Euhm I’ve never been to a F1 race at all, so I’m not really familiar with this.” He looked at me with a relieved expression? “So you don’t know who I’m?” I looked at him confused before answering.”Should I know who you are?” He chuckled at my response. “No don’t worry about it but you said that you’ve lost your brothers right? Have you tried calling them?” “No because my phone died that’s the main reason why I’m looking around here like a kid who’ve lost their parents.” I said with a laugh. He laughed as well. “Well miss if you give me your name I would gladly give you my phone so you can call them.” I forwarded my hand to him introducing myself to the handsome stranger. “I’m y/n, nice to meet you mister?” He took my hand and shook it, introducing himself as well. “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl, it’s nice to meet you my name is Lando.” Ngl that actually made me blush, so I quickly looked away from him but I could hear him slightly chuckle. He handed me his phone so I could call my probably worried brothers.

LANDO’S POV

After giving this beautiful girl my phone I started thinking. How come she doesn’t know me when there are literally pictures of me displayed all over the paddock. But honestly I was kinda relieved since I thought that I had bumped in a crazy fan earlier. Her not knowing who I am gave me the opportunity to kinda mess with her and also to feel like a normal person for once. Those thoughts were quickly interrupted by her giving me my phone back. “Here you go Lando, thank you so much for letting me use your phone I would’ve been doomed if it wasn’t for you! My brothers are at the restaurant at the entrance so I’m going over there.” I smiled at her happy face. “That’s no problem y/n, but do you know we’re the restaurant is because I don’t want you to get lost again.” She laughed at me not taking my words serious. “Don’t worry I remembered where it was located since I could smell the amazing pastries they had there earlier” she adds with an adorable laugh. “Alright pretty girl, hope to see you around.” After bidding her goodbye I couldn’t help but curse at myself for not asking her number or something, but before I could even look for her she was gone.

BACK TO Y/N

I couldn’t help but be a bit disappointed because I actually liked talking to Lando he seemed nice. Shaking those thoughts off I had better things to do and that was to find my brothers and hoping that they wouldn’t be mad at me. Finally reaching the restaurant, I could see my brothers standing near the entrance waiting for me. I called their names and soon both of them came running to me. “Y/n dios mío, we thought we lost you forever for a second.” Was heard from Fer. “Yeah we already started digging our own graves because non of us would’ve had the balls to tell mama.” Pedri says earning a laugh from all of us. “Alright you guys are so dramatic and this time it wasn’t even my fault that I got lost, you guys just disappeared.” Both of them looked at each other with guilty eyes and turned to me with a small smile. “Yeah alright this one was on us, but if you won’t tell mama we will buy you your favourite pastries.” “All of them?” I add with a smirk. Both my brothers rolled their eyes but agreed.

After we watched the race we were headed to the garages of some drivers since Pedri wanted to talk to them. I had to admit I did like watching the race, there was so much happening. The adrenaline, the speed, the loud engines it was just simply addicting. Arriving at the garages both my brothers headed to talk to some drivers but not without warning me to stay close to them and not wander off. I looked around me and noticed that each garage had their own colours. For example Ferrari had red, Mercedes had black and McLaren had orange more like a papaya colour. But wait a second, looking back at the McLaren garage I could see a familiar face. It was that Lando guy from earlier. Shocked I took a few steps closer to look at the poster better. 'Lando Norris driver for McLaren' it stated. So you're meant to tell me that I've talked to one of the drivers earlier? That's actually insane. I quickly returned to my brothers and let those thoughts sink in.

It’s been 10 minutes since my brothers were talking to the drivers with the names Verstappen and Pérez what I’ve learned after standing there for such a long time. I was starting to get thirsty because we’ve walked all day long plus it was so hot in Barcelona today. I looked around me and spotted a vending machine. I tapped Fer on his shoulder to gain his attention, soon he turned to me with a confused face. “I’m thirsty can I walk over there and get a drink from the machine.” Fer looked over to the vending machine seeing that it wasn’t too far and could still see me. “Alright, but only get your drink and come back we wouldn’t want the same events from earlier to happen again.” He added with a stern voice. “Okey sir, don’t worry I will be back in no time.” After getting his permission I started walking to the vending machine, I needed some money so as I was walking I started searching for some change in my purse. Unaware of my surroundings I again bumped into someone. But that’s when I heard the same voice again. “Second time we bumped into each other it’s really destiny at this point.” It was Lando, this time he was dressed in his racing attire still a bit sweaty from the race earlier. “Well it’s nice seeing you again Lando.” He smiled at me before talking again. “You haven’t lost your brothers again have you?” He laughed at me. I groaned at his response. “Listen that only happened once and that wasn’t even my fault. Also my brothers are over there talking to some drivers." I pointed at them so Lando could see them. Lando turned to me a bit shocked. “Wait your brother is Pedri, the football player?” I looked at him amused. “Yeah that’s him.” “Why didn’t you mention that earlier?” He asked still looking at Pedri. “Well mister Norris, you didn’t mention that you were a driver either.” I said with a smirk. He laughed. “You’ve got me there, I guess we both had our secrets.” I smiled agreeing to his words. “Hey y/n listen it was very nice talking to you, I really enjoyed our conversation. But I have to go, do you mind doing me the honour of giving me your phone number?”. I couldn’t believe my ears at first, did he really ask me for my number? Wait let’s get this straight a F1 driver wants my number? Yeah mental. I quickly composed myself so I wouldn’t make a fool out of myself. “Yeah sure give me your phone so I can type it in!” After exchanging our numbers we both separated our ways.

That was 6 months ago, me and Lando have been dating for 2 months now. Ever since we’ve exchanged numbers back then, we had been talking non stop. We would secretly meet up but it ended up with him visiting me most of the time since I still had uni. Our relationship was pretty much a secret, the only people that knew about it were some of his friends on the paddock, his best friend Max and his parents. For me the only people who knew were my parents and best friend. My brothers don’t know, I don’t what to tell them because I know how they would freak out since they’re very protective over me especially Pedri. Pedri can be very dramatic about this, so that’s why I decided to keep it from them but just for now.

I was currently visiting Lando in Monaco since I had a break from uni. I came with him to the paddock to keep him company since he’s been whining all morning long for me to come with him. I have been here for two weeks now I have to leave in two days to return home. I didn’t want to leave actually, I had a great time here in Monaco spending time with my boyfriend. My thoughts were quickly interrupted by a hand on my thigh. “Baby are you alright? You’ve been quiet ever since we woke up today.” I looked at him and could see the concern in his eyes. “Yeah I’m alright amor don’t worry about it.” I tried convincing him but if there was one thing Lando was good at it would be that he could read me like an open book. He scooted closer to me lifting me up slightly and seating me on his lap. He had both his arms secured around my waist and he kissed my shoulder lightly. “Babe you know damn well that I know when you’re lying. Now tell me what’s really going on, I’m your boyfriend I would do anything to make those worries of yours disappear.” He added with a chaste kiss on my cheek. I smiled at him slightly feeling better. “I’m just worried you know. I don’t want to return home tomorrow without you. The long distance has been killing me lately and now that we’ve spent two weeks together really made realise that I don’t want to be apart from you.” He looked at me with sad eyes. “I know love, I had an amazing time with you and I’m also not ready to let it go. But we’ve talked about this remember? You’re almost done with uni and then we can finally live together.” His words made me happier but there was still one thing that was bothering me. “You’re right but we still haven’t told my brothers, it just feels like I have a huge weight on my shoulders. I love them but I’m scared that they wouldn’t approve of our relationship.” Lando was quiet for a few seconds before speaking again. “Babe listen what if I came with you back home. You told me that your brothers will be there as well. We can’t keep postponing this. Think about it, it’s not fair towards your brothers as well you know.” He was right, I couldn’t keep this secret from them any longer. I want to be able to go out with Lando freely without having to worry about anything. I looked at him. “You’re right babe, we should do it.” Lando was so happy to hear that, he jumped up nearly dropping me to the ground but he quickly caught me. “Babe that’s amazing, I will sort out a private jet immediately. You just have to call your parents and let them know." He grabbed my face with his large hands and kissed me passionately. I couldn’t help but smile into the kiss excited but also nervous about telling the news to my brothers.

Me and Lando were currently seated in his private jet. I was so nervous, probably more nervous than Lando. I kept bouncing my leg up and down from the stress but Lando noticed it and held my thigh in place. “Babe calm down, you’re more nervous than me.” He said laughing and pecking my nose. “I’m sorry amor I can’t help it, I just hope my brothers won’t make a drama out of it especially Pedri.” I said looking down sadly imagining the worst scenario to happen. Lando tilted my chin with his fingers so I could look at him. “Hey hey baby don’t talk like that. Everything will go well alright? I know it’s a tough situation but your brothers only want to protect you but regardless of what happens today we both know that our love is stronger than anything else right?” His words made me feel lighter and so much better but I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Why are you laughing babe?” Lando looked at me confused especially after his little speech. I pecked his nose before answering. “Your words were beautiful babe but I would’ve never expected the Lando Norris to become such a sap for me.” I said laughing. Lando started whining. “C’mon babe way to ruin my perfect speech, now I’m cringing from myself.” He said hiding his face in my neck. “Alright I’m sorry my big baby I appreciate everything you do for me.” I said kissing him meaning everything I just said. “Look at who’s the sap now.” “Lando shut up before I wipe that smirk of your face.” Lando didn’t stop there. “And what if I don’t.” He said with a smirk. “Alright then you can pleasure yourself alone then tonight.” I said closing my eyes ready to take a nap leaving a whining Lando next to me.

We just landed not too long ago, me and Lando were currently sitting in the uber on the way to my parents house. The entire car journey I couldn’t help but overthink but Lando was quick to reassure me. We arrived and took our luggage out of the car and thanked the driver. This was it, this was the moment that could determine the rest of my relationship. Lando sensed my uneasiness and took my hand in his hand and gave it a light squeeze as a sign of reassurance. I rung the bell and soon my parents opened the door. “Hola hija mía, te extrañé mucho.” (Hello my daughter, I’ve missed you so much.)Was heard from my mother before she pulled me into a hug. “Mama I was only gone for two weeks.” I laughed at her dramatic antics. Soon both my parents greeted Lando. They had met him before and they were fond of him, treating him like their own son. That’s what I loved about it. Soon we made our way to my room, placing our luggage down. We both got refreshed and headed downstairs for dinner. Me and Lando sat down next to each other when I couldn’t help but ask my mother about my brothers. “Mama, where are Fer and Pedri? Weren’t they supposed to be here?” My mother turned to me and answered me. “I sent them out to get some stuff so they will be here soon." Not even 20 seconds later we could hear the bell. This was it, this was the moment I was dreading for so long. Lando sensed that I was nervous so he rubbed my thigh softly as reassurance. Soon I could hear the loud voices of my brothers coming closer. I stood up from my seat and so did Lando. “Hola Fer y Pedri, how are you guys?” I asked hugging them both. “Hola hermana we’re doing good.” Was heard from Pedri but before they could talk further I started talking. “I would like you guys to meet my boyfriend Lando.” They both fell silent for a bit before pushing me aside and going over to my boyfriend. The next thing really caught me off guard and so did it to my parents. “Dios mío, you’re Lando Norris!” “Fer our sister is dating a F1 driver!” Wait a second both my brothers were fangirling over my boyfriend? Is this what I was scared for all this time?. “Y/n why haven’t you told us that you were dating Lando Norris.” Before I could reply Fer interrupted me again. “Never mind I don’t even care anymore, Lando do you have any paddock passes for your next race for us?” “Can we have a test drive in your car once?” My boyfriend stood there not knowing what was going on. “Dios mío, leave the poor guy alone. He’s here as your sister’s boyfriend and not as the race driver. Now both of you sit down." They immediately listened to my mother’s words. It was safe to say that my brothers wouldn’t stop bothering my boyfriend with their silly questions but I couldn’t help but be happier since they’ve approved of our relationship.

Later in the evening, me and Lando were sitting together cuddled up on the coach enjoying each other’s presence. “You know I was actually surprised by your brothers’s reactions.” Lando said laughing. “Yeah you’re not alone I’ve never seen them react like that.” I said laughing. “But regardless of that I couldn’t be happier about it.” Lando smiles pecking my temple. “I told you everything will fall into place.” I smiled at him, both leaning in for a kiss but before our lips could even touch a pillow hit our faces. “You might be Lando Norris but I still don’t want any PDA in front of me.” “PEDRO ARE YOU SERIOUS?!” Before I could even hit that idiot back he was already gone leaving my boyfriend laughing his butt off at what just happened. Looking around me I realised one thing: I wouldn’t want it any other way.

The end.

[pedripics]

IBAI x PEDRI - January 2, 2024 (summary)

He’s doing okay but things are a bit tough at the moment

He spent Christmas at home in Tenerife with his family

They play 'Suika Game' a lot in the dressing room (but on the phone and not the PC because it's free there lol)

He laughed a lot with Piqué in the dressing room. Piqué didn't really like training sessions but he was very good in the matches

Have you ever looked at Pique and thought that if you wanted to, you could dribble past him 7 times? - "Yes (laughs)"

Ferran has supported him a lot and is always there for him

Ferran takes the shark mentality very seriously, so Pedri gave him some shark slippers and now Ferran wears them in the dressing room

He tries to help Gavi every day because he knows what it's like to be injured for a longer time and he's confident that he will come back in great condition

Pedri does pilates now after Puyol recommended it to him

Pedri has Aleix García in his Fantasy team (his brother is first, he is second)

He rarely uses Twitter, he uses Twitch and TikTok more

They are behind Xavi 100%

In his opinion, Neymar looks good with every hairstyle

Girona are playing very well and he thinks that they could win LaLiga

Jordi Alba and Piqué were always fighting but that's how they got on. They just liked to fight lmao

Vitor Roque is wonderful, he is always happy, whenever Pedri sees him he is smiling

He doesn't like press conferences at all because they are a bit disturbing as all the journalists stare at you while you just sit there

In the Premier League, they are able to spend 80 or 90 million for players which is unbelievable. In La Liga, academies are what makes the difference

They don't really talk about the Super League in the dressing room

Boca Juniors or River Plate? - He's only watched one game and Boca won, so Boca

For Pedri, Busquets is the best No. 6 in history

His favourite player is Iniesta (in case you somehow didn't know that yet)

His favourite XI in history: ter Stegen, Jordi Alba, Piqué, Ramos, Alves, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo (after being forced by Ibai), Messi and Luis Enrique as a Coach (he changed out Ronaldinho for Neymar later)

Luis Enrique doesn't have What's App. If you want to talk to him, you need to send him an SMS

He was nervous when scoring the decisive penalty against Real Betis because the goalkeeper was a giant

Hardest defeat: penalty shootout against Italy (Euros 2020)

He supported Argentina in the WC final (for Leo)

He would like Haaland to sign for Barça (in his words "as a replacement for Lewy because he won't play for us until he's 60") and he also really likes Julían Alvarez (agent Pedri 👀)

His first friend at Barça was Trincāo

A dream: to win the Champions League and the World Cup

Before games, he likes to listen to slow Spanish music (Julio Iglesias? - "Maybe (laughs)")

His favourite singer is Quevedo (everyone act surprised please)

Vitor is only 18 years old, you cannot ask him to be the new Pele, but he has a lot of confidence from the club

He normally always stops for fans but there are always the same 5-6 TikTokers in front of the training ground so he sometimes doesn't stop if it's just them

He is rewatching Prison Break at the moment, even though he's seen it two times already. The first season is the best one in his opinion

He used to watch anime but not anymore

Kounde has the confidence to wear anything

They should listen to the players more because the calendar is so tightly packed right now and there are too many injuries

He would like to score more goals

He found scoring goals strange when he was younger because he never knew how to celebrate and all he did was run and look stupid

Ibai breaks his computer mouse and engineer Pedri tells him to plug it out and in again (Pedri indeed managed to fix it)

Favourite place in Barcelona? - Camp Nou ❤️

Ibai and Pedri played 'Guess these 100 Players' and Pedri guessed 94/100 right (and Pedri realised he doesn't know enough South American players)

[strawberryblue-blog]

Love again. Part 1.—Pedri.

summary: You and Pedri were best friends since you were little but then you grew up and things changed between you two.

warnings: none. friends to strangers, strangers to lovers, a lot of jealousy, love triangle, angst.

word count: +4k.

song inspiration: The Last Time by Taylor Swift ft Gary Lightbody.

#SEXYNOTE: There will be more parts soon. Look forward to them. Thank u sm for the support, love youuuu 🩵

Summer nights were your favorite days since you had returned to Tenerife. There was nothing like home, like Bajamar. But you knew that coming back meant other things besides the happiness of being home again. Coming back to see your main problem.

The reason you had run away.

Yes, escaped. Because you had run away from home with the perfect excuse but you knew that at some point you were going to have to go back. And it would be a disaster.

"Look who we have here!" your friends squealed as you approached the group of people. You had been talking to them since your return to Spain and when you finished dinner with your parents, you had arranged to meet up.

You had missed them so much. When they told you they would meet at the beach, like old times, you didn't hesitate to come even knowing he would be here. Hoping that seeing him would change things between you. At least you hope so.

After a while of catching up with your friends, you walked to the bar to order something to drink. When you walk you could see his back from behind. There he was. Pedri with his friends. You recognized your best friend even from far away and not even seeing his face. Nostalgia came to your mind when you heard his laughter in the distance, you had really forgotten how it sounded and hearing it again made you feel butterflies in your belly.

Exactly one year and three months ago you had left Spain to go to the United States to study thanks to a scholarship. It had not been an easy decision but after certain circumstances, you had no other choice. You had spent your entire childhood here with your best friends, Pedro and Fernando, but as you grew up, you decided that the best thing for you was to go your own way.

"Things have changed since you left" said your best friend, Lucrecia. She knew what had happened between you and how hard it was to be here now. So she hugged your shoulders giving you encouragement. You were afraid to ask what had changed but you already knew the answer and that made you feel sad.

Not for Fernando, not for Lucrecia or your other friends.

But for you and Pedri.

Your story was a little complicated.

You had been in love with Pedro González all your life. Or better as you preferred to call him, Pepe.

The little brown boy of small stature who ran to catch you in the gardens when you were inseparable. The teenager who hid your backpack when you were at school or soiled your foul when you were sitting on the beach. The young man who had decided to pursue his life in another city and was completely ignorant.

The same young man who saw everyone but you.

Who had broken your heart and then abandoned you, forgetting your existence. Because that was the story, you were nothing. They never were and you were sure they never would be.

"Y/n?" you asked behind you.

"Fer!" you smiled at the sight of your childhood friend. Fernando opened his arms welcoming you into a hug. "I missed you so much" you whispered nostalgically.

"I thought you'd never come back!" he squealed as you broke away from his embrace.

"Well here I am" you said laughing.

Coming home had not been easy. Coming back was opening a wound you thought was sealed, coming back was remembering all your childhood and life spent with Pedri and Fer.

"Come on, the boys will be happy to see you" he took your hand to start pushing you. You couldn't refuse, it was obvious he didn't know what had happened between you and you couldn't let him suspect.

"Look who we have here" he shouted getting everyone's attention.

The guys were in a round with their bottles of beer as they talked, turning when you came to the group. You could recognize some of your old friends and some new ones. But you knew who they were, everyone in the Tenerife would recognize them. Pedri's new friends, players from Barcelona.

"H-hello I am…" you greeted shyly at the stares. Pedri blinked at you silently.

"You're Y/n?" one of them asked.

Oh my god. Pablo Gavi. You wanted to squeal with happiness at the sight of the player. He knew you? How was that possible?

"It's great to meet the girl who has put up with these two since forever" said another.

Your inner fan blushed at the laughing look of Ferran Torres, he was taller than you thought and super handsome.

Had Pedro told them about you? If he had told them about you, why had he never even thought of calling you? Did he think about you while he was in Barcelona? What had happened between you?

You gave them each two kisses as a greeting, disguising your fanaticism when you approach them like that. You smiled a little when you reached him, your best friend. You got close enough to hug him like old times, hoping to feel the warmth of his arms, but instead, Pedri stopped you and gave you two quick kisses on your cheeks.

As if he was pulling you away from him.

Your heart broke into a thousand pieces. Everything had definitely changed. Pedri. You. The relationship you had. Nothing was the same.

"I'll be back with the girls" you announced, approaching Fernando as the others continued their chatter. You were feeling out of place and what happened with Pedri had left you shocked.

You didn't expect him to behave as if you were best friends again but at least you hoped he wouldn't treat you like a stranger.

"It's okay" he said. "There's a beach party tomorrow, you're coming right?" he asked pointing to the girls. You grimaced not knowing what to answer.

"You have to come, Y/n" Fermin said and you smiled kindly at him.

"And bring your friends" Ferran commented winking his eye. You nodded shyly. "Here" he said reaching into his pants, pulling out his cell phone. "Write down your number and we'll agree"

Everyone was taken aback by his move. Even you.

"Sure" you took it when Fer elbowed you making you respond with an accomplice look. You quickly wrote down your number and handed him back his cell phone, smiling at him. Out of the corner of your eye you saw Pedri roll his eyes with a grimace.

"See you around" you said, waving at them. Everyone waved back. You turned to walk towards your friends starting to leave the group of boys.

"Y/n!" someone shouted. A shiver ran down your back.

You stopped as your feet dug into the sand. You sighed hearing footsteps behind you.

How were you supposed to respond to that? Ignore it and pretend not to hear it? Or turn and fall back on your feet?

With a feigned smile you turned to look at him. Him. Pedro Gonzalez.

"You didn't tell me you were coming back" he mumbled and looked somewhat annoyed. You tried to calm your nerves so you wouldn't say or do anything stupid.

"We didn't talk again since a while and I just wanted to come back and see how everything was" you said lifting your shoulders. He nodded sighing.

And it wasn't your fault they didn't talk. It was his fault, you wanted to tell him.

"So are you coming back to stay?" he asked.

"I don't know yet" you answered flatly.

A silence fell, you couldn't hold his gaze without feeling your legs shaking. Pedri looked different, his words sounded cheerless and he hadn't even asked you how you were.

"Did you know I was coming to Bajamar?" he asked again. You shook at his distant words.

You didn't know what exactly to say. Was he supposed to ask that doubting your return? Did he think it was all about him?

"There was a vacation and I was able to get a flight" you laughed a little to mask the bad mood.

He nodded again.

"I missed you, Pepe" you whispered wistfully, taking his hand. Electric currents shot up for your back with his touch. He just looked at you, though.

"Yeah me too, Y/n" he pleaded smiling a little in response. "But we'd better each go our separate ways as before" he finished saying, your smile immediately wiped away. "We are no longer the same as before, we have different lives now. You with your friends and me with my friends"

You froze at his words.

Why would I say something like that? You had always been friends since you all went to school together. Your friends knew their friends, they were from the same place and they all had contact.

Was he asking you to stay away from him? And his friends? What the fuck was going on with him?

You couldn't even say anything, he let go of your hand and you saw his back go towards his friends. An echo echoed in your chest.

You should never have said that. You shouldn't have come back. You should not have gotten your hopes up.

Your "relationship" with Pedri was over. You only had memories of you. It was clear that he would never love someone like you. You were just that.

Childhood friends. A memory that vanished in the wind. He felt nothing for you, but you felt everything for him.

Confessing your feelings to him before he left for Barcelona had ruined everything. You had ruined it, he only saw you as his friend.

And now he didn't even care about you.

[spidybaby]

Begin Again | Part Five

Summary: I've been spending the last few months thinking all love ever does is break, burn, and end, but when I look at you shining eyes, I watch it Begin Again.

Warnings: cursing.

A/N: Hello loves ❤️ thank you so much for being there for me on this journey, I'm so thankful for all the messages, the comments, the likes, and the reblogs. I'm so thankful for all of you who supported this story. I really hope this ending is worthy and you liked it 💛✨️

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Extra One Shot

"Un hijo?" (A child?) He asks confused.

You can hear your dad scuffing like the whole situation was funny to him.

"Pedro," you walk slowly, getting closer. "Dejame explicarte" (Let me explain)

"This is what you were talking about?"

"Por favor." You grab his arm. "Let me explain everything to you. Just not here."

You push him slightly, not wanting to have that conversation in front of your parents.

"Y/n," you mom calls for you. "Por favor, dime que vas a volver. Tenemos que terminar esta conversación." (Please tell me you're coming back, we have to finish this conversation)

"Es enserio?" You scuff. "Adiós." (Are you for real? Goodbye.)

You close the door and walk over to where Pedro is standing.

"Can we go back to your place?"

"Cómo se llama?" (What's his name?) He asks, you can tell his trying to control himself.

Pedro is known to be a calm person, a very cold head one.

But you knew him from the inside, and you know that even with all the patience that he has, when that runs out, it's like a bomb. You can run, but it's not going to help.

"Por favor, no aquí." (Please, not here)

He unlocked the car doors. And without even looking at you he enters the driver's side.

"Pedro," you say as you do the same as he. "Please don't hate me."

He laughs. But not that funny laugh that you loved, this is a dry one. No emotions.

"Vamos a ir a mi casa y no te vas a ir de ahí hasta que me cuentes todo." (We're going back to my house, and you're not leaving until you tell me everything) "Seat belt on."

The way he's driving is scary. But you're can't find the courage to ask him to slow down.

When he parked outside of his house, he turned the car off, hands you the keys, and got out slamming the door.

"Mierda."

You compose yourself before following him. The door is open for you.

"Quieres apurarte?" (Can you hurry) He says from his front door.

You nod slowly, closing the door behind you and walking inside. He sits on the couch, hands hiding his face.

It's not like you're afraid of him. You don't have a reason to be, no matter how mad he was at you, he never laid a hand on you.

"Polo," you say sitting next to him. "His name is Polo."

He sinks further into the couch. He wants to scream, but won't do it.

"He's six months old and has so much of you."

"Six?" He interrupts you. "That means you."

He's mentally doing the math, realizing that the last time you were together was when you got pregnant.

"I found out because I passed out and ended up at the hospital, I was so confused." You say honestly, done with the lies and hiding things out. "Elena asked me if I was going to tell you and I was, believe me I was."

"But" he interrupts.

"But then I saw the tweets about you with that girl. You took her to tenerife with you. It was like a piece of reality. You were living your life and having fun, and I was depressed and crying myself to sleep to the memory of us."

"I can explain."

"You don't have to." You cut him off. "We were over, you didn't know."

"Ella no significó nada" (she meant nothing) even when you told him not to explain, he needed to. "She was just there at the right time. And I was such an idiot."

"You're not. I was the idiot here. When I find out about the gender I wanted to tell you, I was done with the whole angry part. But my mom persuaded me into thinking I was going to be fine, that if you wanted, you would have been there and I was heartbroken, I was pregnant and alone. I just said yes and moved on with my life. Paulo and Elena tried to get some sense into my head, but mom always told them off. Now I know why."

The silence falls between you. No one knows what to say.

You wanted to keep apologizing for not thinking straight and letting the jealousy overpower you.

He wanted to be mad at you, but he couldn't blame you for your decisions. If he were you, he would probably have done the same thing.

"Polo" he says after a while.

You smile at him, nodding, "es una bolita de amor, definitivamente un González." (He's a bundle of love, definitely a González)

"Polo," he repeats. "Is that the name you had on your list since you were a kid?"

"Yes" you laugh remembering the list. "The top one."

"Dios, amo su nombre." (God, I love this name)

"Se lo puse pensando en ti." (I named him thinking on you) You confess. "Not because of that list."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember that trip to Ibiza?" You look at him with a funny expression. "Well, we had our first pregnancy scare after that."

"Joder, claro que recuerdo" (fuck, of course I remember) he laughs. "Fer went to the market to get us the pregnancy tests. Elena was lighting up candles and we were locked in the bathroom."

"Elena, did what?" You laugh confused. "Why I never knew that?"

"You were shitting yourself, "Pedro, my mom is going to kill me. I'm living in the streets if this came back positive." He imitates your voice in a very not accurate way.

"Okay, first of all," you point one finger out. "I don't sound like that. And second, I was panicking, okay?"

"To be fair with you, I was panicking too"

"You weren't, you started saying that if I was pregnant we could elope and move together"

"I was optimistic."

"Well, how did that go?" You joke. "After we found I was not pregnant, you took me to drink as a celebration. You got so drunk that you were saying a lot of dump stuff. But you said that you wanted two kids with me, a boy named Polo, to keep with the PG initials from your name and a girl named Georgina."

"I still want that" he says looking at you. "We just need to fight again, give it time and boom baby Gio"

"Don't you dare," you laugh again. "It's not easy to be pregnant. It's so scary, you feel everything differently."

"Why you tell me? I can't become pregnant"

You scuff, even on the worst times you can easily talk to him.

"Perdón, Pepi." You take his hand. "I know I can't take back the time and the memories, and I regret that so much. I was stupid and let all the anger and jealousy get into that. I dont want you to hate me after this."

"I won't. I can't hate you, I love you" he brings your hand to his mouth, kissing it.

You stayed there for a while, enjoying the gesture, enjoying not having to worry. Being yourselves again.

Suddenly you get up from the couch. Pulling him up with you.

"Ven conmigo." You grab your purse from the coffee table in front of the couch and walk quickly to your car.

He doesn't question your actions, following you outside.

"Get inside." You close the door of his house, pushing him to the passenger side. You drive fast but not crazy like he did.

"Where are we?" He asks, undoing his seat belt and getting out like you did.

"Ven" you extend your arm for him to take your hand. "You need to meet someone."

With the other hand you take your keys and open your door.

"Elena" you call.

"In the room."

"Wait here."

You rushed to the room. Elena is laying down with Polo. She has a face mask on.

"Why are you back so early? We were expecting your walk of shame in the morning, verdad bebé?" She asks, checking the time.

"Pedro está en la sala." You say so casually. (Pedro's in the living room)

"Qué." She yells.

"Callate" you say closing the door.

"Callate tú." He whisper yell at you. "Ya lo sabe?" (He knows?)

You nod.

"Me muero," she sits on the bed.

You both look at each other. You nodding and she was surprised.

"Y que esperas?" She asks. "Ten" (and what are you waiting for? Here)

You took your baby into your arms.

You thank her and turn to the door.

But you can't seem to open it.

"Y/n?"

"I'm fine." You answer. "I just, need minute."

"Cuál minuto ni que nada, ya tuviste seis meses, shu fuera." (Minute my ass, you had six whole months, shu, get out)

She opens the door lightly, pushing you outside and closing the door after you're out.

"Okay." You breathe. "Mi amor, vas a conocer a alguien muy especial." (My love, you're meeting someone really special)

You make a mental note to thank Elena for keeping Polo awake.

You walk slowly, swaying Polo.

Pedro was focused on a picture. It was a picture of Polo right after being born.

He has caressing the glass.

"Pedro."

His head snaps to your direction.

"Joder. Es él?" (Fuck, it's him?) He puts the picture down. "Sorry, language."

You laugh, nodding at his question.

"Polo," you grab his attention, turning him so he can be face to face with his father. "Este de acá es Pedro." (This is Pedro)

You notice the tears in Pedro's eyes matching the ones on yours.

"Pedro, this is Polo."

You get closet to him.

"Hola Polito"

He can't help but to sob. You were right. He looked so much like him.

"Quieres cargarlo?" (Do you want to hold him?)

He nods smiling.

You carefully instruct him on how to hold him.

But he was a natural, hugging him tight but careful not to hurt him.

"He smells so good." Pedro says out of the blue.

You can't help the laugh.

"Bueno, mami lo bañó bien." (Well, mommy gave him a nice bath)

He changes the way Polo is laying on his arms. He wants to appreciate his face.

His hand caresses his face. The child in his arms has his eyes only on him.

"Polo, él es tu papi."

"Papi" Pedro repeat. "Fuck, that sounds so good."

Polo grabbed Pedro's finger, and Pedro kissed his little hand multiple times.

"Eres hermoso." He kisses his cheeks.

You took a step back, searching for your phone. You needed to capture the moment.

You take several pictures, not wanting to forget this moment.

"Mami va a estar tan emocionada." He says, looking at you. "Fer y mi padre." (Mami is going to be so excited, Fer and my father)

Pedro take your hand pulling you into his arms.

"Dios, no sabes cuanto te amo." (God, you have no idea how much I love you) He says, kissing your head. The moment being interrupted by Polo fussing. "A ti también, hermoso" (I love you too) he kisses his cheek now.

"Ay que lindos se miran." (Aww, you guys look so cute like that) Elena says while she takes a picture.

"Where are you going?" You ask her, she has her night bag in one hand.

"Well, Einstein. Obviously, I'm not ruining the moment, plus I don't think you're making Pedro leave Polo's side any time soon. So I'm leaving so you can be together."

She air kissed you both and left.

"La tenemos que hacer madrina." (We have yo make her the Godmother) Pedro laughs

"She already is."

"Puede mi hermano ser el padrino?" (Can my brother be the Godfather?)

You nod excited.

"You heard that, hermoso?" He says to the baby. "You have a Godfather now."

"Actually, he has two."

"Paulo?" He asks smiling.

"Yep, he'll fight me if I took him out of the list."

"It's okay, two is better than one."

"Let's go to my room" you say noticing how Polo is yawning. "Mister here needs to sleep."

"Can I stay?" He asks.

"Will you leave if I say no?"

"No"

"Okay, but yes you can stay."

"Pedro, I'm here." Fernando yells.

When Fer called Pedro to find out the details of the night. Pedro invited him over for lunch.

The idea was for him to know the truth and to meet Polo.

"Coming." He yells back.

You can tell he's nervous.

"Oye, cálmate, es tu hermano." (Hey, calm down, it's just just brother) you hug him. "Everything's going to be fine."

"Yes, just Fer."

"Do you want me to got say hi to him while you calm down?" You ask noticing the anxious body language he has.

"Can you?"

"Yep, so take a breath and you two can meet us downstairs."

You hand him the baby.

"Another thing," you say before leaving the room. "Polo will start fussing if he doesn't see me for a while, specifically since it's almost his feeding time. So you better hurry."

"Joder, me pones más nervioso." (Fuck, you're making me nervous)

"Bye." You say closing the door.

You walk downstairs, finding Fer looking at his phone uninterested.

He's sitting on the couch, his back to you.

You walk silently, wanting to scare him. Something you used to do to each other.

"It's not going to work." He says once you're close to him. Back still facing you "Your perfume gives you away."

"Ay, por favor."

He laughs and turns his face to you. You hurry to his side and hug him.

"Te extrañé como no tienes idea." He says kissing you cheek. (I missed you like crazy)

"I missed you too, Fer."

"So you two?" He asks raisins his eyebrows.

"We are working on it."

"Please do, he needs you."

"I need him too."

You can see Pedro walking to where you to are slowly.

"We have something to tell you."

"Fer." Pedro calls, his bother turn his head to him.

Fernando wants to ask, but he can't.

"Este es Polo." You say standing next to Pedro.

"He's our son."

Fer is trying to say something but he's short of words.

"I know, I just find out too." Pedro jokes. "Ven tio, you have to hold him."

Pedro handed the baby to a very shocked Fer. He's looking at the baby and back to his brother

"Why is he so fat?" He says in a judging tone.

You scuff and Pedro laugh.

"Excuse me, he's not fat." You say taking the baby from him. "He's well fed"

"He's fat," he corrects you. "He's like a brick. You fed him rocks or what?"

Pedro is laughing his ass out.

"Don't listen to your tío, mi amor." Pedro says once he stops laughing."The fat one is him."

"Tío Fer." Fernando says. "That actually sounds good."

"Right?" Pedro says,"yo dije lo mismo cuando Y/n le dijo que yo era su papi." (I said the same thing when y/n told him I was his daddy).

"Damelo, I need to hold him one more time."

"Don't judge him."

"You look like daddy." He says to Polo. "But you're lucky. You have some good genes from Mommy."

"Hey, that's mean."

"Shhh, I'm bonding over here."

You hug Pedro while Fernando is talking to Polo. Telling him all the things he can teach him.

"One down, we have two more." You say.

"Si me andaba cagando del miedo con mi hermano, no me imagino con mis padres." (If I was hyperventilating with my brother, I can't imagine with mom and dad)

"I still think you're just fat, but if your mother says you're "well fed", okay."

"Okay, give me my kid back."

You were currently at his parents' house in Tenerife. He wanted them to find out as soon as possible, so he suggested taking a quick flight back home.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" You ask before he exits the vehicle. "Y si hablas con ellos primero?" (What if you have a chat with them first?)

"No sé" (I don't know)

"Pepi, it's okay."

"But it's not. What if they get mad? What if they stop talking to me? What if we had to tell Polo his grandparents are far far away?"

"Pedro, your parents are not going to be mad at you." You stop his rambling. "If they get mad at someone that will be me."

"Why you?"

"Did you really just ask that?" Fer ask.

"Okay," he puts his hands in the air. "Well, we have to go now, you can't stay here alone."

"You didn't think this through, Huh."

"Well, in my opinion." Adrian, Pedro's cousin, "She can wait here while Fer and you talk with your parents."

"Fer as me?" He asks, confused. "Wait, I don't want them to yell at me."

"Well I don't want them to only yell at me."

"Nobody's yelling at you guys," Adrian yells.

"You are."

"Well because you're assholes."

"Hey don't call me that in front of my kid."

"Oh please, he will find out either way."

"Pedro, this is your mess. Go, be a man." Fernando points at him.

"But why can't you come with me?"

"Fernando, go with him."

"You go with him."

"Okay, that's enough." You yell. "Pedro, your parents are not yelling at you." You say, looking at him. "Fernando, don't be a bitch, Pedro face worse for you, and never complain." You point at him. "And Adrian, can you bring the air down? It's kind of cold."

"Jolin, si que eres una mamá." Fer laughs. (Fuck, you're such a mom) "but you're right, let's go Pepi."

Fer gets out of the car, opening Pedro's door for him to do the same.

"Deseame suerte, si?" He kisses your cheek quickly, getting out. (Wish me luck)

"No la necesitas, todo va a estar bien." (You don't need it. Everything's going to be fine.)

Fernando is about to knock on the door. Even when it's not him telling his parents they are grandparents, he's feeling the pressure of it.

"Fer, tenemos llaves." (Fer, we have the house keys)

"Las perdí." (I lost them)

"Eres un gilipollas, quítate." (You're such an idiot, move)

They walk in silence, finding both parents in the kitchen cooking.

"Mira quien llego," (look who's here) Fernando father says, "Come here."

They do their typical greeting, hugging each other, kiss here, kiss there.

Fer is looking at his brother, noticing how slow he is moving. He knows Pedro's scared, but making things slow is not the answer.

"Pedro necesita decirles algo," he announces. "Pueden apagar ahí y venir a la sala?" (Pedro has to tell you something, can you turn the stove off and take a sit?)

"Is this about Manchester?" Rosy asks

"Let's just take a sit."

They hurry to the living room. Expecting the news about his decision to transfer or stay.

"It's not about the transfer. Actually it's more important than that."

"Entonces dilo mijo, deja el misterio." (Then say it, stop with the mystery.)

"Are you okay?" Rosy ask him. "Sabes que puedes decirnos lo que sea, Pedro." (You know you can tell us everything, Pedro.)

"Like three days ago, Y/n and I reunite."

"That's amazing, Pedro, I knew you guys were finding each other again."

"Yeah, that's so good. Don't miss this opportunity."

"The thing here is." He cut them off. "Something happened in that time we were apart."

"Is she okay?" Rosy, ask.

"Yes, she is." He nods nervously.

He doesn't know how to explain the situation. Does he spit the news? Does he explain piece by piece?

"Before broking up, we weren't exactly being the most careful in the protection area of our life."

"Protection area? What?" His father asks confused. "Pedro, please go to the point."

"She was pregnant. We didn't know anything until now. She reached for me now that she's back in Barcelona. And our baby is six months old." He smiles.

Fer hides his face in his hands. He was more embarrassed than Pedro is for that lame explanation.

"You." Rosy points at him. "Have a baby?"

"Wait. Did you know she was pregnant when you broke up with her?" His father asks.

"No, God no. I didn't. We didn't."

"Were you with her after the breakup?"

"No, it's not that. We were together before the breakup, and well, that's how things happen. She finds out months later, but it's a lot to explain."

"What do you mean is a lot?"

"I think I'm lost."

While Pedro is trying to explain the situation and timeline to his parents, Fernando make his way out of the house.

"Hey, como estuvo?" (Hey, how was it?) Adrian asks when Fernando get back in the car.

"Pedro es un capullo de primera, te juro que el niño abre la boca y la caga cada vez más." (Pedro is such an asshole, I swear all he does is open his mouth to fuck this up)

"Is that bad?" You ask worried. "Are they mad?"

"No, they're not mad. They just don't understand the whole situation, thanks to Pedro being an idiot at explaining things out."

"Let's hope Polo doesn't get that from Pedro." Adrian laughs.

"Should I help him?"

"Nah, finish with the feeding, and then you can join him."

"I just can't believe he's a football player, does tons of interviews, goes to television shows, and can't even explain something to your parents."

"I know, he's like another dude in front of the cameras."

While they make small talk, you stay quiet, wondering if Rosy and Fernando would understand your reasons.

Even if you think that your motives were the right ones, you can't control what they think of that. Maybe they'll be mad that they choose to only engage with the baby and not with you.

You can't help but to worry. You love Pedro's parents like your own. They were so special to you. You can't deal with the idea of them not being in your life again.

"Y/n"

Fer shakes your knee to call your attention.

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"You okay?"

Are you tho?

You can't even answer that to yourself.

In very little time, all these things are happening in your life.

Your parents lying to you, Pedro finding out, Fer finding out, Pedro's parents finding out and maybe not liking you anymore.

"Yes?" You say more as a question than as an answer.

"Hey Adri, give us a minute." He pats his cousin arm. "Please."

"I'm going to the store." Adrian says getting out of the car.

"A ver, no me mientas." (Look, don't lie to me) he turns his whole body to be able to see you. "I know you're worried about this whole thing. You did what you thought was the right choice. You fucked up, but so did my brother. No matter what, you are part of the family, apart from him or not, baby or not. Mom and dad loved you like their own child."

"What if they stop doing that?"

"They won't. If only you could have seen the way they got so excited about the idea of Pedro and you being together again."

"They did?"

"Yes, mom almost jumped of excitement." He laughs. "And they're going to be more happy to meet this little one right here. So shall we?"

"Yes, just give me a minute."

"Okay."

You fix your top, comb the little hair Polo has, and check if his diaper is clean.

"Let me help you, come here, gordo." Fer take Polo from your arms, holding a hand out for you to support yourself.

"I just know that nickname is not going away any time soon"

"Noup," he says, laughing. "After you"

You walk inside the house. You can hear Pedro and his parents talking. You stop abruptly, feeling dizzy from the emotions.

"Noup, sigue caminando." (Noup, keed walking) Fernando pushed you. Holding a hand on your back to move you. "Hey, someone's here to see you."

You can't help but blush. This is like the first time you met them. With the difference that now you were taking your son to meet them.

"Y/n, mija hola." Rosy says, hugging you. "No sabes como te extrañamos" (you have no idea how much we missed you)

"Yo los extrañé también." (I missed you too)

"Estas bien? Como te sientes?" (Are you okay? How are you feeling?)

"I'm fine, I'm good. Don't worry."

"You must be so tired, I'm sorry you had to go through all that alone. But we're here now, and we're going to help Pedro and you in everything we can."

"I'm sorry, I never meant to hide him from you guys, I was dumb and very immature."

"Don't say that, Pedro told us everything." Fernando says, "we're not mad, you did what you thought was right for you and your son."

"Thank you, for understanding."

Fernando and Rosy are both hugging you.

"Ey que corra el aire, venga." (Okay, let's separate) Fer says making all laugh.

"Mami, papi." Pedro call their attention. "This is Polo, he's our son."

"Pero mira que hermosura." (Oh, look how at this beauty) Rosy took the baby out of Pedro's arms. "Es igual a ti cuando eras pequeñito." (Just like you when you were a baby)

"Ven." He grabs your hand taking you to the kitchen.

Fernando, Rosy and Fer are focus on the baby, leaving the space for Pedro and you to be able to speak.

"We can breathe now." You laugh. "I was so scared."

"Thank God we got this over with. But I think you'll have to stay here, cause there's no way mom is letting him go. We lost him for the day."

"That's okay. I don't have any interest on keeping them apart."

"So you're staying here with me ?"

"What happened to going slow?"

"We have a kid together. Don't you think we left the slow out the door already?"

"Well if you put it like that."

You lock your arms behind his neck, pulling him close so you can kiss him. It's like time never happened, the feelings, the passion, the love still there.

"We can say you're here to stay." He jokes.

"And I don't plan on leaving."

"Not like I'm letting you, never again."

You stayed apart for a while. Letting his family enjoy the arrival of the new González member.

"Okay, enough you two." Fer says entering the kitchen. "Come here. You can appreciate each other later in a private room with the door locked. I can take care of fatty."

"I'll have to beat you if you keep calling him Fatty, gordo, etc"

"Deal with it. He loves it."

"Capullo" You say hitting the back of his head.

"A man can't lovely nickname his nephew now?"

"No" both Pedro and you answer.

"I hate you guys."

You find Rosy taking a picture of Fernando and Polo. Your heart is full with happiness.

"Our baby is going to be so spoiled and loved. I can't wait to see that." Pedro says hugging you from behind.

"I can't wait either."

"Fer, toma una foto de tu padre y yo con Polito." (Fer, take a picture of your father and I with polito). She hands the phone to her son. "Vente precioso." (Come here, baby.)

"Pero saca la sonrisa, mami." Pedro jokes. "Venga, más grande." (But smile, mom. C'mon, bigger than that)

"Done, I think I took like a thousand pictures."

"Exagerado."

"Not to be rude, but Y/n, honey. What are you feeding this kid with? He's so big."

"Ha! I told you, he's a fatty."

"So this picture or this one?" Pedro asks you, showing you the options.

"It's the same picture with a different filter."

"I know, I can't decide if I want b&w or Juno."

"Pedro." You laugh at him.

"I just want it to be perfect."

"Are you covering his face?"

"Yes, I know you don't mind if I don't, but I think for now it's the best."

"Okay, whatever you say."

"Hermoso, what picture are you feeling the most, this one or this one?"

Polo smiled at him, not even interested in the phone but on him instead. Pedro kiss his chubby cheek multipletimes.

He erupted in laughs at his father's actions.

"papa"

"Good choice."

"What? He didn't even look at the phone"

"Shhh, woman. This is between my son and I." He sticks his tongue out. "Don't worry Hermoso, she's just mad because you can't say mama."

You open your mouth, pretending to be shocked. "Yes, he can"

"So this one, right?" He asks Polo one more time, ignoring you.

"Can you just post the damn picture and hand me the kid?" Fer says, waiting for Pedro to let the baby go. "You say twenty minutes, and it's been an hour."

"Do you want me to make it two?"

He shakes his head quickly. "No, just post it, and give him to me."

" I can't believe that we took that picture five months ago." You say liking the post. "God, time flies."

"And now we're planning his first birthday party." Rosy says, handing you the pack of invitations. "He's getting too big."

"Petition for you and Pedro to give Fatty a sibling." Fer jokes.

"Excuse me, idiot." You laugh. "I think you're the one who should be giving my kid a cousin."

"I'm too young. Plus, fatty would be mad. He's the center of attention and won't accept any changes."

"Well, Polo has to accept that he's not having any play date friend in a while."

Fer and you continue throwing jokes at each other.

You can't complain about anything. Coming back to Barcelona, fixing your mistakes, and giving yourself a chance to be happy again was the right decision.

You have everything you ever dreamed about, a family with the man you love, a happy and healthy child. You won't change a thing.

Tag list:

@alwaysclassyeagle @footballerficsposts @gulphulp @cinderellawithashoe @jajajhaahaha @bellinghambby22 @pablogavisgirl @lunamelona @christinabae @103009 @pedrileclerc @pampeop @magicalfundragon @helanahaadock @eau-rougee @unstablefemme @lina1407 @percysley

[futbol16]

Mi Vida · Irene Paredes

Request: ”Hiyaaaa, could u do one where the reader suffer a cardiac arrest in the middle of the match and her teammates worries about her (gf a barca girl, one of makes you feel comfortable)”

Hope this turned out okay!

Word count: 1k

Running towards the penalty box you look up just in time to react as Caro crosses the ball to you. The defenders around you are quick to run towards you and you manage to nutmeg two of them before sending a powerful shot towards the goal. 

You watch as the ball seems to go a bit too high before descending lower, hitting the crossbar and then the back of the net. Arms open, you catch Caro as she jumps on you, the rest of the team following close as you were now leading 2-0 against Granadilla Tenerife. 

A few minutes later the teams are gathered near the goal as they wait for Mapi to take the corner kick. 

You stand back a little, the nod of the blonde’s head confirms your plans and you soon receive the ball. Running towards the left goal post you quickly kick the ball towards Mapi and you chest the ball when she passes it back.

 The ball bounces on the turf once before Caroline’s foot connects with it and the crowd roars. 

Caro turns to where you stood with an excited face before that morphs into confusion. The referee blows her whistle again but she runs towards where she stands, Irene and Mapi sprinting as well. 

Running past her she looks after them as the two kneel, it’s only then that she notices your still body splayed out on the ground. 

The Barca team moves in sync as they run towards you, everyone trying to help. The two medics arrive soon and it’s only Irene and Mapi that stay kneeled next to you, the rest of your team stand in a circle as they try to block the direct view of you. 

They stand holding onto each other's waist, tears running down their faces, many of them looking up to the sky as they pray you’ll be okay. 

The crowd is silent as they watch you receive CPR, your body unmoving and the Barcelona girls are sure they’ve never heard Irene sobbing as much as she was right now.

 Irene can barely see as her tears blur her sight but she’s still holding onto your head, trying to stabilize it and do as the medical team says. A louder sob rips through her as they still don’t feel your pulse coming back and Mapi clenches her jaw at the sound.

 No one wanted to lose you, you were their family.

“Please bébé, please wake up!” Irene leans down, crying into your neck. She feels your body shake as the medics perform CPR and suddenly your chest moves as you finally breathe. 

The team stand a bit more relieved as they make space for the stretcher and they watch with sad faces as you’re rushed off the field and immediately put into an ambulance. 

Irene looks towards the bench and as the coach points after the ambulance she doesn’t waste any time as she sprints towards it, barely making it in time to get in and drive away with you.

It only takes 30 minutes for the team to make it to the hospital after an early ending to the game and they stand confused as they spot Irene in one of the chairs outside of what presumably was your room.

 The brunette looks up as the team approaches her and she smiles at them tiredly. They fear the worst as she stays silent, but it’s Aitana who speaks up.

“She’s not…” the girl doesn’t finish her question, afraid of the answer she’d receive. Irene is quick to understand what she wants though and stands up abruptly, startling the team.

“No, no she’s okay, they said she’s okay. So she must be okay, right?” she rants nervously. Mapi raises her eyebrows at her words.

“You haven’t been in there?” she only receives a shake of the head.

“Is she awake?” a nurse walking by hears the question and stops as she explains that you were awake just resting and if they wanted to see you they could. 

The team makes their way into your room in groups of four and you’re sure you’ve seen everyone except the one person you wanted to see the most when waking up.

“She’s asking for you, you know.” Caro tells Irene as she exits your room and Irene nods at her, slowly standing up and walking in.

Her heart breaks at the sight of you, you look weak and tired, an oxygen mask helping your lungs get air. 

She stands still for a few moments until you reach out to her. You instantaneously notice the tears welling up in her eyes again and as you open your mouth to reassure her, you’re quickly cut off as she cries out.

“I thought I lost you, mi vida. You were there and you weren’t moving a-and you weren’t breathing and - “ she lets out another sob and you gently tug her down to your level, an arm around her shoulders, the other holding onto her hand as you squeeze it.

“I’m okay, mi amor, I’m here.” you assure her but her crying doesn’t seize.

 You move the hand holding yours upwards until you place her palm over your heart and wait as she slowly relaxes at the steady beating of it. Letting out a sigh of relief into your neck, she places a series of kisses onto your skin. 

Pulling the mask off your face you give her a gentle kiss on the lips, one that she melts into before she pulls away, scolding you for not using the oxygen mask properly. 

You let out a chuckle as she makes you promise to stay close to her next time, knowing it wasn’t possible with the positions the two of you played in.

[jiangwanyinsimp]

An Incomplete (and Very Long) list of thing Edwin Payne missed while he was stuck in Hell

This list emerged because I was talking about how he would have missed the end of World War One and then the list kept going. It is not complete or in order, and is provided simply for posterity

ww2

spanish flu

the hindenburg disaster

the rise of public radio

Irish independence

fast food as a concept

the hinterkaifeck murders

the extinction of the california grizzly

the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb

television

jet aircraft

supersonic aircraft

the moon landing

THE OFFICIAL FOUNDING OF THE SOVIET UNION

the jazz age

surrealism

the first woman to swim the english channel

the BBC

Amelia Earhart

Tintin

the discovery of Pluto

the crash of airship R101

the founding of porsche

the geneva convention

UK abandonment of the gold standard

the discovery of 22 elements on the periodic table

technicolor

Australia starting and losing the Emu war

the creation of the Royal Christmas message

the Great Depression

FM radio

the first canned beer

pre-sliced bread

the recognition of stress as a biological condition

the extinction of the thylacine

the destruction of the Crystal Palace

the first full feature length animated film (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

the nylon bristle toothbrush

Batman

the last use of the guillotine for an official state execution

Gone With the Wind (the book AND the film)

the founding of Greggs

Looney Tunes

the discovery of the Lascaux cave paintings

Agatha Christie's works

Cheerios

the discovery of nuclear fission and all subsequent nuclear discoveries

the airplane ejection seat

The Little Prince

LSD

the lifting of the prohibition of married British women working as teachers

the disappearance of flight 19

the first formula one grand prix

Mensa

the invention of the magic 8 ball

the Doomsday Clock

the AK-47

the first commercial microwave

the Kinsey reports

the first time Idaho Fish and Game parachuted beavers into the wild

humanity's entry to space

the beginning of the broadcast of the Archers (the longest running present day drama by number of episodes)

the Korean War

the polio vaccine

the first nuclear powered submarine

The Lord of the Rings

Moomins

transistor radio

the TV dinner/ready meal

ICBMs

the entire life of Elvis Presley

Kermit the Frog

My Fair Lady (the film and musical adaptations)

Grace Kelly's wedding

the Entire Life Of Marilyn Monroe

the Beat Generation

Eurovision

Helvetica typeface

the peace symbol

the Cod Wars

computer games

Dyatlov Pass incident

Barbie

Missile Mail

the Declaration of the Rights of the Child

the MOSFET

particle accelerators

the Beatles

the recovery of the Vasa

the first Six Flags

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Catch-22

the Vietnam War

Silent Spring

The Rolling Stones

the night of the long knives

Vatican II

James Bond

the Cuban Missile Crisis

Thích Quảng Đức's self-immolation

the "I Have A Dream" speech

JFK Assassination

the smiley face

Mary Poppins (1964)

IntelSat

the last British execution

high speed rail

the first time "fuck" was said on british tv

the Moors Murders

the Grateful Dead

the British parliament decriminalizing homosexuality

most of the literary career of Pablo Neruda

Fleetwood Mac

the Parker Morris Standards

the end of steam passenger travel in the UK

Led Zeppelin

Earth Day

the first temporary artificial heart

the first person to row an ocean solo

Woodstock

the Zodiac Killer

the nationalization of Rolls-Royce

decimalisation of UK currency

the first e-book

the first microprocessor

DB Cooper

the first email

the Biological Weapons Convention

Watergate

the start of the Troubles

The Joy of Sex

all attempts to climb Mount Everest and the eventual first ascent

ABBA

the invention of the Rubik's Cube

the Moorgate tube crash

the first Cricket World Cup

the global eradication of Smallpox

Star Wars

the Tenerife airport disaster

the discovery of the rings of Uranus

Red Rum winning three Grand Nationals

the Concorde

the start of the broadcast of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Jonestown

Synthetic insulin

the Thorpe affair

the release of God Save the Queen by the Sex Pistols

Monty Python

the election of Margaret Thatcher

Star Trek

Iron Maiden

the incident where the dingo ate a baby in Australia

the end of iron and steel production in the UK's Black Country

the first London Marathon

Charles and Diana's wedding

the church of England votes to elect women to holy orders

the 1981 UK tornado outbreak

the first child born by IVF

the Falklands War

the raising of the Mary Rose

the invention of ciabatta bread

the discovery of the Titanic

the King's Cross Fire

Top Gun

Lockerbie bombing

[milawritesstuff]

Hey there 🫶

I'm so obsessed with your writing can you write where pedri and reader are best friends but oneday pedri went out with another girl without telling reader

I forgot to post this one. Hope you like it.

•••

You pulled your carry on through the Barcelona airport after having spent two weeks at home in Tenerife. You smiled as the glass doors opened and he smiled at you. Your best friend was your designated driver, always the one who picked you up and dropped you off from the airport. To you it didn’t matter that he was the city’s golden boy, to you he was just Pedri, your best friend from childhood.

He pulled you in to place a kiss on either cheek and took your luggage from you. The two of you began to walk towards the parking lot in search of his car.

-Me has echado de menos?- Have you missed me? You asked. He turned over to look at you and shrugged his shoulder. A smirk on his face. -A little.- You rolled your eyes as the two of you laughed and continued to walk.

It was weird but lately you had been feeling different towards Pedri. You figured it was the fact that you were away from your family and friends. But lately he felt like home. You felt anxious but once your eyes met his in the airport all of that anxiety went away and you knew you were home, safe, with him. You wished nothing but for those feelings to go away because you didn’t want to lose him, but maybe it was too late.

Pedri put your luggage in the back of his mini cooper and opened the door for you. -Always a gentleman.- You said as you stepped into the car. He rolled his eyes at you. -One day I won’t do it and I won’t hear the end of it.- You laughed as he walked over and got into the car through his door.

-Did you eat? Do you want to stop somewhere to eat?- He asked as he began to drive from the outskirts into the city center.

-I think I just want to go home and sleep.- You answered as you yawned. He looked over at you and smiled followed by a shake of his head letting you know he would have you home safe in no time.

-What did you do while I was gone?- You asked him, a thought in the back of your head, pictures you had seen of him with a girl you didn’t know.

-Just hung it with Gavi. Practice. Did you watch the match?-

-Of course. You guys did well.-

-Who was better, me or Gavi?- He asked with a smile. He loves to taunt you ever since you had told him you thought Gavi was cute.

-Joder, of course you.- You responded rolling your eyes. He chuckled and continued to drive.

The thought of those pictures kept on eating at you. You knew everyone he had ever dated or even had a fling with. In fact, since moving to Barcelona he would run every girl pass you. But this time he hadn’t and it seemed like he wasn’t even going to mention it. You were stubborn and curious and knew that if you didn’t bring it up you wouldn’t be able to sleep. You needed to know who this girl was.

-I saw the pictures.- You blurted out catching him off guard. He looked over at you with furrowed brows.

-The pictures from the match?-

-No, tonto. Your date?-

He laughed and shook his head. -Oh that. Yeah, I didn’t realize there was cameras around.-

-Why didn’t you tell me? Who is she?-

-Pero vamos Y/N, I didn’t want to bother you, you seemed to be having fun with Carlos back home.-

You looked out the car window as Pedri drove towards your house. You rolled your eyes at his words although he couldn’t see your face.

-Pedri, I’ve known Carlos all my life. You know he’s just a friend. I was seeing all of our friends, not just him.-

-Well, whatever it is, I didn’t want to bother you. And I guess you’ve known me all your life too, I’m just like Carlos.-

-You know that’s not true.- You said. -Carlos is Carlos and you, well you’re …-

He interrupted you.

-I’m what, Y/N?- He looked at you with hopeful eyes. You shrugged your shoulders. -You’re Pedri. Now tell me who is she?-

He turned his attention to the road.

-Just some girl I met when Gavi and I went to play Paddle. I figured I would take one for the team so she wouldn’t go out with Gavi.-

-You know I don’t like Gavi like that.-

-You said he was cute.- Pedri responded.

-And I’ve said that about 100 other guys. Doesn’t mean I like them.-

Pedri stayed quiet as he continued to drive with a smirk on his face.

-Are you ever going to admit it?- He finally said. The car stopped at a red light as he turned to look at you. His brown eyes captivating every thought in your mind.

-Admit what?-

-Never mind.- He continued to drive, finally turning into your street.

-Just say it.- You spat back now somewhat annoyed he was acting like this trying to avoid talking about that girl.

-Why do you care? If Carlos or any of our other friends had been seen with a girl you wouldn’t bat an eye.-

He pulled up in front of your building and parked his car. He turned over to face you.

-Well I’m sorry that I care about you.-

-That’s not what you should be sorry about.- He said. You looked at him confused.

-You should be sorry you can’t admit what you feel for me.-

You grabbed the door handle. -Vamos ya, Pedri. You’re my best friend. I care for you.-

-Ya, ya I’ve heard it all before.- He said as you stepped out of the car. He quickly walked out and took out your luggage.

-Do you want me to come up?- He asked. You took the luggage from him.

-No, I’m tired.-

-Now you’re mad at me?- He smirked.

-I’m just tired, Pedri.-

-Fine. But just so you know, I haven’t answered her calls or messages since then. I just needed someone to go have lunch with because you were gone and Gavi was being annoying.-

You turned around and began to walk towards the building front door.

-I don’t really care, Pedri.- You yelled back. You heard his laugh.

-When you’re ready to admit you do care, you know where to find me.-

-Good night, Pedri.-

-Buenas noches Y/N.-

TAG LIST: @cinderellawithashoe @httpswiftie @simpingmyassoff @bubblebeep69 @fictional-l0v3r @httpspedri26 @0alanasworld0 @l0verl4ne @gaviypedrisbride @footballerficsposts @fashphotolife @beaschampagneproblems @jvsgnjrtpdar5stkd-tv-m @ikkehehe @jjishotasf @quemirasboboandapaya @maricciardo @gaviswh0re @pedriwifefrfr @dustell @elijahslover @formula1mount

[canirove]

In The Name of Love | Chapter 21

Previous chapter | Next chapter

Masterlist

"This fucking phone!"

"Marina, language!"

"Sorry" she says. "But urgh, it is so annoying. It crashes every time I try to edit a video, I need a new one."

"Is this your way of asking me to get you one for Christmas?" I chuckle.

"No… But if you want to get me one…" she smiles. "Can I use your phone? I need this video for the weekend."

"Why for the weekend?"

"It is… It's for my Instagram account. For Pedri's birthday."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry, Val. I shouldn't have said anything, I…"

"No, it's ok. Here" I say, giving her my phone.

"Are you sure?" 

"I'm sure."

"Thank you, Val" she says, giving me a hug.

"Yes, yes" I reply, patting her on the arm. "Now can I go back to work?"

"Of course!" she says, laying down on the sofa again. "I didn't know you had him as your lock screen."

"Uh?"

"Pedri."

"Oh, yes. I actually got that photo from your account. It's from the first goal he dedicated to me."

"That's cute" Marina says. "Password?"

"I don't have one."

"What? Why? What if someone steals your phone and finds all your naked photos with Pedri?"

"I don't have that on my phone" I chuckle.

"Wait… Does that mean you have photos like that?"

"Marina, focus on the video and don't ask more questions."

"Ok… But the fact that you are as red as my jumper says it all" she giggles.

"Whatever" I reply.

"Aww, this photo is cute. And hot. Did you take it?" she says, showing me my phone.

"I did. It's from our first trip to Tenerife and it's been my phone background since then."

"Haven't you taken more photos that are background worth it?"

"I have. But that one is special" I say. Because it was taken the moment I knew I wanted Pedri to be my boyfriend. The moment I knew I wanted him in my life, by my side. The moment I realized I was not only falling in love with him but already in love even if completely accepting it and saying it aloud took me my time. 

I had woken up before him and was in the kitchen making us some breakfast when he walked in. 

"Good morning, gorgeous" he says from the door.

"Good mor… Don't move."

"What?" Pedri laughs.

"Don't move, let me grab my phone."

"Your phone?" 

"Yes. I need to take a photo."

"A photo of what?" he asks.

"You" I reply. 

He had never looked better than he did in that moment. He was, as usual, leaning against the door frame, shirtless with his arms crossed over his chest, and his biceps in all their glory. His hair was a mess, but it was the fluffiest mess ever, asking you to run your fingers through it. And for once, he had listened to me and hadn't shaved. 

But what had made my heart skip a beat and the butterflies in my stomach go crazy, had been his smile. It was that smirk, the one he had given me the night we met, the one that had completely disarmed me.

He had never looked more boyfriend like the internet says, and I wanted that. I wanted to wake up every morning to him looking like that, to that smile. I wanted him. 

"Val, are you ok?" Marina asks, bringing me back to reality.

"Yes, yes. I was just thinking."

"About Pedri?"

"Yeah" I sigh.

"You miss him, don't you?"

"You can't even imagine" I say, trying really hard not to cry.

"Then why aren't you getting back together? It's been months! And he misses you too, just look at how horribly he's been playing this season."

"It isn't that easy, Marina."

"Yes, it is. You go to his house, tell him that you love him, make out, and problem fixed."

"Sounds like a plan" I chuckle. "I just need to find the guts to do it, tho."

"I'll go with you. I'll walk you to his door myself if needed. Let's go."

"Now?" I laugh.

"Why not?" Marina shrugs.

"Well, he isn't home. He is away with the national team."

"Oh, shit. That's true. But wait, let me check something" she says, scrolling on my phone. "Yes! Perfect! Have you ever been to Sevilla, Val?"

"What?"

"They are playing in Sevilla on Saturday. And Saturday also is…"

"Pedri's birthday."

"Exactly!" Marina says. "This is perfect, Val! We will go to Sevilla with our shirts to watch him play, and as his birthday gift you will tell him that you love him, that everything is forgiven and that you want to get back together!"

"We?" I chuckle.

"Yes, we. I'm not missing this."

"Marina… It is too much. I already sneaked in once, I can't do it again. And how am I going to get tickets?"

"You can always ask Gavi."

“That's… true. But I already did the shirts thing and going to another city to watch him play. The fact that it worked once doesn't mean it will work again."

"It will, Val. He loves you! So c'mon. Please" she pouts.

"Ok, fine" I sigh, giving up. "I'll text Gavi."

"Yes!" she says, jumping on the sofa.

"But you are not coming with me."

"Val!" Marina protests.

"I can't take care of you and focus on fixing my relationship all at the same time."

"Then ask one of the girls to come with us."

"Emma is busy and Silvia is in London with Pau."

"Then… Then… Oh! Oh!"

"Now what?" I ask.

"David!"

"What?"

"Let's call David! I'm sure he will say yes. Besides me, he is your biggest shipper" she says.

"Please don't say that. We are real people, not characters from a movie."

"Sorry, sorry. We are your bigger supporters. Is that better?"

"I guess."

"Then let's call David and text Gavi. Let operation Veldri getting back together begin!" Marina says, clapping her hands.

"Veldri?"

"Let me at least keep the ship name, Val. It took me ages to find one that didn't sound weird."

"Ok" I chuckle. Let's hope this crazy idea works… 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

"Happy birthday dear Pedri, happy birthday to you!" everyone sings.

"Don't forget to make a wish!" Unai says.

"Done" Pedri smiles after blowing all the candles.

"What did you wish for? Or about who was your wish about?" Unai asks once their other teammates have gone back to their breakfast.

"If he tells you it won't happen" Gavi says.

"I'm pretty sure it is happening anyway. And rather sooner than… Gavi! Why did you kick me?"

"I didn't" he shrugs.

"Yes, you did. Do you want to injure me?" Unai says.

"What did you mean with happening rather sooner than later?" Pedri asks him.

"Nothing. He meant nothing. Didn't you, Unai?" Gavi says, giving him a murderous look.

"I meant that you two love each other and rather sooner than later will get back together."

"I don't believe you" Pedri says. "What do you know about Val?"

"Nothing, I swear" Unai insists.

"Gavi…"

"He knows nothing. None of us know a thing."

"Then why do you look so nervous?"

"Who? Me?" Gavi chuckles.

"Yes, you, Pablo."

"I'm not nervous."

"And I'm blonde. Spill it. What do you know about Val?"

"Nothing, I swear."

"I don't believe you. Her cousin David posted a story yesterday on a plane and she was with him, I heard her voice. Is she coming?"

"I don't know, Pedri. And that voice could have belonged to anyone" Gavi says, crossing his arms over his chest.

"It was Val's. I would recognize it anywhere."

"Then maybe that's why you imagined it. You miss her and hear her everywhere."

"I didn't."

"I don't know, bro" Gavi shrugs. 

"For the love of God" Unai says, rolling his eyes. "She's coming to tonight's game. There. I said it."

"Unai!"

"What? He was going to get it out of you whether you liked it or not."

"I was" Pedri chuckles. "Is that true, then? She's coming?"

"Yeah" Gavi sighs. "She, Marina and David."

"So she wants us to get back together?"

"Yes, Pedro. She does" Unai says.

"Wow. That's… wow" he laughs.

"Your birthday wish is happening!"

"But at what cost. I'm too young to die" Gavi says.

"You aren't going to die. I won't let her touch a single hair on that pretty head of yours" Pedri smiles.

"You better."

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, boys" one of the staff members says. "But Gavi, there is someone asking for you at reception."

"Oh, ok. Thank you" he says, getting up from his chair.

"Is it her?" Pedri asks him.

"What?"

"Val. Is she coming to the hotel again?"

"It isn't her, Pedri. It's just some of my cousins, they wanted to meet before the game."

"Oh, ok."

"Don't look so sad, bro" Unai says. "You already know she's in the city and that she wants you back."

"Yeah… she does" he smiles again.

"Anyway, I'm gonna go meet my cousins. See you later" Gavi says before leaving.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

"Pedri, Gavi is waiting for you on the patio where we did some stretching earlier today" one of the national team manager's tells him. "I believe one of his cousins wants to take a photo with you."

"Oh, ok. Thank you" he smiles.  

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

"Gavi? Gavi, where are you?" Pedri asks as he walks into the patio. The hotel had closed it just for them, not allowing other guests to go there. Yet he could swear he had just seen someone's shadow. "Hello? Gavi, is that you?"

"Hi" a voice says behind him. Her voice.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

"Val?" Pedri says, slowly turning around to face me.

"Hi" I repeat. 

"You are here."

"I am" I smile.

"You really are here" he whispers before running towards me and hugging me.

"Wow, careful" I chuckle when he wraps his arms around my body with such force that he makes me lose my balance.

"You are here" he says once again against my neck.

"I am, Pedri. I am" I say, caressing the back of his head. 

"I've missed you so much, Val. So much."

"I've missed you too."

“Aren't you mad anymore? Have you forgiven me? Because I promise you there won't be more secrets between us, Val. I'll tell you everything" he says, lifting his head.

"I'm not mad anymore, no. I've forgiven you and myself. And you can keep a few things for yourself, you know? Like when you are planning to surprise with something, for example" I smile, wiping away his tears.

"Ok, I'll keep that to myself" he chuckles.

"The things your friends do in their love lives and especially their sex lives is something I don't need to know either. Unless it is very juicy gossip."

"Ok" he smiles. 

"But I want to know what happens inside that pretty head of yours. And here" I say, putting my hand on his chest. "Especially here."

"What happens in there isn't a secret and has never been."

"Uh?"

"I love you, Val" Pedri says, putting his hand over mine and interlacing our fingers. "I love you like I've never loved anyone before. And I'm pretty sure I will never love anyone the way I love you. My heart is yours, Val. Only yours."

"I hadn't missed you being this cheesy" I say with a teasing smile, trying to focus on that to not cry.

"Oh, I know. You just missed my hot body and the way I fuck you."

"You are such an idiot, Pedro" I reply, rolling my eyes. "Always thinking with what you have between your legs."

"But I am your favourite idiot, am I not?" he smirks.

"My most favourite one, yes. I love you, Pedri."

"I love you too" he whispers before kissing me. 

[redhairedwolfwitch]

Alongside Her Goalie - Clàudia Pina x Reader

A/n: The next part from the Score A Goalie universe, since I burnt out from this series during the February international break, but if anyone has any ideas for anything, I am all ears/eyes. This is also very long and if you want linking to the previous parts, send an ask, hyperlinks still break the tags for fics.

///

None of the players at Atleti had been able to get a response from you since your message about a loan to Barcelona, and social media confirming your message as you confused fans to no end. With Cata Coll returning to training in December too, Barcelona was juggling five potential goalkeepers, and your contract dictated you get minutes or Atleti would recall you.

Atleti were scrambling to keep a hold on you, since Lola had re-signed with Atleti until 2026. As much as you loved Lola, you had drifted from your team mother, and were now stuck trying to get out of her shadow, your desire for minutes and not getting them was affecting your mental health. 

Your mental health ended up being a reason that you had not been present at Atleti’s training leading up to Three Kings Day on September 6th, not that your loan was pending and you would be training at a more intense level at Barcelona, coming back from the break, and the fact that Barcelona were pushing you in a way that made your heart ache.

Whilst Clàudia was getting ready for the match against Sevilla, you were on the phone with Barcelona, organising how things would go in January. You needed to pick up some things from Madrid, and you didn’t want to impose on the shared home of Patri and Clàudia for too long, even as they both complained that you’d be lost in Barcelona without them.

So, currently, you were packing up what you needed from your place in Madrid to take to Barcelona, in the form of two large suitcases and a backpack. You froze as you glanced around your place for anything else, your eyes landing on the two photo frames. Wrapping each of the frames in a hoodie, you strategically packed them so they would not shatter on the journey back to Barcelona.

It would be weird, not wearing the Atleti logo or colours for a while, especially after wearing them for three seasons now. Running over the plaster on your left ring finger that Clàudia had put there after you gave her your gift from New York, you sat down on your couch, taking out your phone to finally do something you had been avoiding doing with your Atleti teammates.

They hadn’t made it easy to talk to last year, and you were in a time crunch before your flight back to Barcelona, but you still began to reply to their messages after checking that they were in fact heading to Tenerife for the away game and couldn’t reply immediately. Yes, you were still slightly avoiding them.

It was easier to talk after you went through the messages that you had been sent, but your heart still ached as you messaged Virginia, then Carmen, then finally Lola. Each had long paragraphs that you probably could have split up for easier reading, but you were busy wiping tears from your face, turning off plugs and making sure your fridge was completely empty before heading out to get to the airport.

You’d have to rush with your suitcases, but Barcelona had a home game against Sevilla later on in the evening and you had been invited to watch it with the injured players.

Biting your lip nervously as Clàudia and Patri went to get ready for the game, you were caught off guard as a hand tapped your shoulder, but Alexia’s smile was warm as she welcomed you, checking you were okay as she noticed how nervous you looked.

��I’m fine… just… need to turn this off before the game.” You replied, trying to avoid looking at your notifications as you turned your phone off, you small talked with Alexia as she led you to where the rest of the injured Barcelona players would be watching the game against Sevilla.

“What happened to your finger?”

“Pancake flipping accident.” A blatant lie, but you weren’t going to say the real reason why your left ring finger had a plaster on it, Clàudia had promised it was only temporary.

Hearing a quiet chuckle, you met Alexia’s gaze, you knew she didn’t believe what you said, but she didn’t press as the game began to begin.

“Where are you staying? With Pina and Patri?”

“Sí. I tried sleeping on the couch but Patri sat on me.” You didn’t elaborate as your focus was stolen by the game, watching intently as Clàudia had started the game, the rest of the injured players falling silent as everyone watched carefully.

You were practically vibrating with energy when Clàudia scored at the 34th minute, amusing Alexia, Caro and Jana who were sitting near you and able to see your excitement, and how tense you were when Clàudia had to take a penalty before the half-time break.

Your eyes widened as you spotted Sampedro, your former captain at Atleti before she left last year. You nervously waved to her as she was subbed off two minutes after Clàudia, Lucy and Mariona were subbed off.

You spent your Saturday night curled up with Clàudia, realising that you had left your car in Madrid when you got up Sunday morning to head to the Barcelona facility for check-ups before you could start to join official training.

“We’ll drive you.” Patri volunteered, making you raise an eyebrow but Clàudia shrugged, asking if you needed a road trip to get your car, or if you wanted it somehow to be delivered to Barcelona.

Whilst you were at your check-up, Atleti were at their away game against Granadilla Tenerife, a game that if you had been watching, would have sent you into an anxious flurry as Lola went down twice in the first half. The first time for a boot to the head, the second for her left hip.

You also didn’t see the Barcelona Femeni had updated their social media stories with a short video of you running on a treadmill, although your lack of Barcelona training kit was obvious, it told fans that you were starting your training at your loan team.

Clàudia found you sitting in the corridor later on, staring at your phone in thought. Sitting down next to you, you rested your head on her shoulder, letting out a tired breath.

“They’re not mad at me, just disappointed, upset and a few more adjectives describing their feelings towards me going on loan and not telling any of them-” you were cut off by a notification of a message, but you didn’t expect Jenni to message from Mexico, checking in on you and asking how you were doing.

Reading over your texts, you didn’t realise you were talking aloud but Clàudia kept quiet, listening to what each of those closest to you in Madrid had said and your replies.

“‘please pick up the phone, nobody has heard from you since before Christmas’… ‘sorry Vir, I’ll call when you’re free later?’

‘You could have talked to me’ you didn’t make it easy Lola, ‘I'm sorry, can I call you later?’

‘i’m always here for you, just be safe in Barcelona, call me any time’ thanks Carmen...

oh there’s another ‘please tell Lola you did not run away and get eloped’ well… we’re not eloped, so?” You smiled slightly, looking at Clàudia, who smiled back at you, her gaze drifting to the plaster on your finger.

Typing a reply to Jenni, you chewed your lip for a moment.

“Shall we take a proof of life photo?” Your joke made Clàudia frown for a moment until she realised what you were asking, taking your phone to hold up at a better angle, the two of you smiled at the camera.

“Hopefully, this photo, plus a ‘i am alive’ update will mean we have the rest of the afternoon to ourselves.” You murmured, uploading to your close friends instagram stories with ‘estoy viva’ update that you were alive, then ignoring your notifications for the rest of the afternoon as Clàudia and yourself tracked down Patri and headed back.

You missed your balcony in Madrid, instead looking out the window in Barcelona as you listened to the dial tone, waiting for the person on the other end to pick up the phone. Letting out a shaky breath, you listened as the person picked up.

“Hola Lola.”

“Hola, mini-me.”

“You were right. I should have talked to you about what was going on. But, it was hard. You were always so busy with your captain duties, so I kept it to myself, trying not to waste your time. Then when you weren’t doing captain stuff, you were busy with Medina or… I couldn’t talk to you, or anyone at Atleti. I felt alone, I have not played at all this season and it was messing with my head. I missed playing, and I missed my girlfriend, so I asked for a loan with the hopes that I’d get some minutes somewhere. I didn’t think Barcelona would be interested and I don’t know how it works with them having five goalkeepers, but my loan states I have to get minutes. I wanted to talk to someone, but everyone was busy with their own lives, so I fell through the cracks. Lola, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m sorry I didn’t tell any of you about any of this, you’re my family, and I love you.”

Lola was silent as your talking turned into muffled sobs, processing what you had said as shuffling on the other side caught her attention, hearing Pina softly comforting you.

Lola couldn’t ignore how her stomach twisted, reminding her of how withdrawn you had been from the start of the season to the last time she had seen you in person.

That last time was before Christmas, but you had been nervous about something at the annual holiday meal, she had noticed it, Carmen had noticed it, and Virginia had pointed out your odd behaviour at training after the meal.

It was like ice water had been dumped over her, realising it had been right in front of her for a while now.

“I’m sorry mini-me, I should have been there for you. I should have realised you were withdrawing and struggling…” Lola began to apologise, reflecting on how her focus had drifted and she had failed to check in on you properly, the conversation continuing until Lola had to go.

“Uh, by the way, Carmen texted me to tell you I did not run away to get eloped, but um, we’re not engaged, but, it’s just, uh, I bought Clàudia a promise ring in New York, okay, buenas noches!” You scrambled to spit out the news, hanging up the phone before Lola could respond, and turning to your girlfriend who immediately looked at your phone with wide eyes. Lola was trying to call back.

Flicking your phone across the room, you opened your mouth to begin to apologise, but you were cut off as lips met yours, quietening you as you were led back to the bed the two of you were sharing. Arms wrapping around each other, you laid in silence together with your fingers running through her hair before eventually falling asleep together for an early night with training tomorrow.

///

Excitement overruled anxiety for the morning, it would lead up to your first official training with the Barcelona team. You still weren’t sure how things would work, but the Copa De La Reina Round of 16 was coming up, you weren’t on the squad list for it but you were ready to throw yourself into training. You didn’t have Lola here, having left her and Atleti behind in Madrid. You didn’t have Carmen or Virginia either, but Clàudia didn’t have Jenni, and Alexia was doing her own training separate to the group.

Sandra spotted you almost instantly, pacing up and down the goal area with something on your mind.

“Hola! Bienvenida a Barcelona, estás bien?” Sandra checked in with you, pulling you into a hug to stop your pacing.

“Hola, muchas gracias, I’m, I’m okay, just… Clàudia is with the physio, and I don’t know what I’m doing.” You admitted, fiddling with your goalie gloves in your hand. They had your number on from Atleti, a number you were not at Barcelona.

“Vamos, mini Lola.” Sandra replied, gesturing for you to run with her around the training field, the two of you eventually joined by Gemma Font, continuing to jog around until everyone else was gathered to warm-up for training.

You were still a bit awkward when you crashed at Clàudia and Patri’s place after New Years turned into staying with them for longer. You had suggested finding a place to rent for your loan, but without your car (that you had left in Madrid in your hurry to get back for Barcelona’s game against Sevilla) you were stuck in a city you didn’t know as well as you knew Madrid. Clàudia knew this, and asked you to stay, the two of you able to function in the same space since staying together. 

You still worried about Patri being uncomfortable by living with a couple, but she didn’t seem to mind. You weren’t sure how she hadn’t figured out anything about the promise ring, or if she had heard anything from when you’d shown Clàudia the ring.

The awkwardness washed over you like a wave when Patri and Clàudia had a few more teammates over after training that night, another Barcelona goalkeeper, Cata Coll, Jana, Laia and Aitana included as you ended up hiding out in Clàudia’s room, or, your shared room now. Sat on the bed, you ended up on the phone with Carmen, and then Virginia, who pointed out that you should be bonding with your teammates at Barcelona.

“I know, I know, I just… don’t text Clàudia- wow, thanks, Vir…” You murmured, hearing the Spanish woman hang up on you.

“Bebé, ¿por qué te escondes?” Clàudia enquired, entering the room with her phone in hand, sitting down next to you and leaning into your side. She wondered why you were hiding in your shared bedroom.

“Lo siento. I felt awkward.” You apologised, running your fingers over the plaster that Clàudia had put on your finger. Clàudia took your hand, bringing it to her mouth to kiss with a smile.

“Vamos bebé, we have dinner. You need to eat.” Your lover persuaded you to leave your hideaway, feeling awkward to join the others until Patri cut in with teasing the two of you for taking so long, but you both made a beeline for the food in the kitchen instead.

“How is it you two have been dating for over a year and we barely know you?”

“Madrid to Barcelona is an over six hour drive, or a maximum three hour train journey or an hour and a bit by aeroplane. Circumstances meant I have spent time with some Barcelona players more than others-”

“No shit, Jenni said she and Alexia lost you two in the streets of Barcelona once.” Patri pointed out, making you chuckle, biting your lip as Clàudia flustered slightly, but she still had a smirk on her face at the memories.

“Lola was ready to kill me after she found out that we ditched them, and Carmen and Virginia were not far behind…” you began to recall the story, not realising how relaxed you were until Clàudia was leaning into you, the two of you curled up together until the girls called it a night.

“Te amo, Pina.” You whispered into the darkness, pausing as Clàudia rolled over to bury her face in your neck, holding you closely.

“Te amo, mi amor.”

///

You didn’t play in the Copa De La Reina round of sixteen, instead you, Patri and Pina were at the park. Those two were supposed to be resting, but they were running goalkeeper drills with you in the park. Your confidence was growing as you pushed your worries out of your mind, preventing Patri and Pina from scoring, or making it harder if you couldn’t stop the ball completely. You hadn’t seen how Patri had set her phone up, showing you the pictures she had caught after for you to upload to your socials.

Your drive was relentless as you developed yourself with the training at Barcelona. The hopelessness you felt at Atleti when it came to actually getting minutes had evolved into a hopefulness, even if the loan in general was bittersweet. Barcelona were gearing up to keep Sandra, Gemma and Cata, and with Meritxell with team B, you knew your loan would just be a loan.

It was haunting how it felt like your roots were being ripped out from under you, your family in Madrid with Lola, Carmen, Virginia and Andrea, then your girlfriend/partner/soon fiancee, Clàudia in Barcelona. You were a great goalkeeper, but what you wanted was impossible.

You had tripped over your words as you explained the ring to Clàudia, giving her the option to have it as just a regular ring, if she didn’t want it to be a promise ring, or the relationship to be what it would be with that ring. She didn’t even have to wear it, but at that point you were rambling.

You had a feeling that Barcelona would not keep you, and you would not get many minutes at Atleti now, since Lola had re-signed until 2026. It was too early to make a prediction, but you had a feeling you would be loaned out for next season, because whilst Atleti wanted to keep you, but you wanted minutes, and to be close to the people you care about. Too bad the clubs were rather scattered… you really needed to get your car from Madrid.

Every time Atleti played a match, you texted your teammates a red and white heart if it was a home game, a purple and black heart for the second kit, or an orange heart for the third kit. Especially since Carmen had been playing again since the round of sixteen, and Virginia was finally subbed on against Villareal.

The Supercopa de España Femenina semi-final against Real Madrid left you watching intensely with Jana and Cata, the two slowly coming back into training whilst you were not required on the roster for the match, Barcelona had already listed three goalkeepers, but you were fine watching. 

El Clásico matches were something you didn’t want to miss, especially when Clàudia scored. Or when Irene got her second yellow, turning into a red card and ejecting her from the game. The extra time left you tense, even after Clàudia had been subbed off, but Mariona’s penalty, followed by Salma’s goal in the 120th minute left you, Jana and Cata jumping around in celebration. 

Eventually everyone gathered down on the pitch, hugging and grinning. You let out a breath, glancing around as you spotted the Real Madrid players, your stomach twisting as you recalled something Lola said last year, before keeping your attention on the team you were loaned to, smiling as Sandra pulled you into the celebrations.

The final of the Supercopa de España Femenina would be Barcelona against Real Sociedad, with the players out with injuries coming to watch the match.

“I feel like a traffic cone in this orange.” You murmured to yourself, pulling the coat further around yourself as you heard Alexia chuckle.

“It is very bright, but it is like Atleti’s third kit, yes?”

“Not the goalie kits, black, pink or green.” You fiddled with the zip of your coat, frowning slightly as Alexia asked her next question.

“You are not used to being here, at Barcelona yet, are you?”

“I feel like a fan wearing my fia- wearing Clàudia’s jersey, watching, then it was the same at Atleti last year, sat watching Lola for half a season. Am I just not good enough as a goalie to play? I thought I was good enough, they even put me in against Barcelona last season, but I haven’t had any minutes since,” fiddling with the zip, you didn’t see the frown on Alexia’s face, “I requested the loan to get minutes because it messes with my head to not play at all… I, I need to stop talking, the match is starting.”

Compared to the semi finals, the finals of the Supercopa went quicker, with you making quiet observations under your breath about the defensive lines and goalkeeping, to being completely silent when one of Real Sociedad’s players was taken off the pitch in a stretcher.

Your foot bounced against the floor as you watched everything going on, Barcelona winning the Supercopa 3-0. You grinned as you watched the team flood from the bench onto the pitch, lingering on the sidelines as the team got their medals and began to celebrate with the Supercopa trophy.

It looked strange, but you weren’t on the list for Barcelona for the Supercopa, and Atleti hadn’t qualified this season. It was only when Clàudia ran to you, a Barcelona flag around her shoulders like a cape as she jumped into your arms.

“Felicidades, mi supercampeona.” You smiled, holding Pina in your arms as her nose brushed yours.

“Gracias, mi amor. Vamos!” She grinned, taking your hand and guiding you to where Patri was stood with the cup, which somehow made its way onto the top of Patri’s head in Pina’s hands, before the three of you took a photo, Clàudia holding the cup, with Patri grinning at the camera, and you grinning at Clàudia with pride in your eyes.

You heard Clàudia let out a confused noise from where she sat next to Patri on the coach on the way back, Patri was next to the window so you and Clàudia could hold hands across the aisle when nobody was looking, unless you both wanted to be teased by the others.

“Qué?” you murmured, opening your eyes to look at Clàudia, who was on your phone.

“There are only two photos with you in.” Clàudia pouted, showing you the two photos. One was of you, Clàudia and Patri, whilst the other was you and Clàudia walking around the pitch together.

“Main focus was the trophy winners. Not the fourth goalie, technically fifth once Cata is back.” You whispered, half asleep somehow even with the celebrations on the coach.

Clàudia pouted again, about to open her mouth but instead she was nudging Patri to look at the camera as you got your phone out, holding it up to take a selfie with the two.

“Three photos.” You smiled, texting the photo over to Clàudia, who beamed at you.

“Ey!” Patri jokingly complained as Clàudia stood up, sliding into the seat next to you as you shuffled back against the window.

“You are not fourth choice, or fifth.” Your lover whispered, kissing your cheek before the two of you continued to snuggle, much to Patri’s teasing.

“You know, if I had known, I could have given everyone their medals, shake hands and stuff, since nobody gave them out to you all, maybe it would piss some people off but I’ve not played on a national level so…” You admitted, playing with Clàudia’s hair as she snuggled into you, the two of you in a entanglement of limbs after less than five seconds.

///

“Hey, cariño, do you know how to use photoshop? My attempts aren’t exactly great, I think I’m messing up the layers?” Turning your laptop to Clàudia, who paused, taking a closer look before shaking your head.

“Photoshop?” Patri raised an eyebrow, walking over to see what you were working on.

“I’m not in the team picture for Atleti this season, and I’m not in the Barça one either, so I’m photoshopping myself in… badly.” You grimaced, about to ask Patri for help but she shrugged too, suggesting you try to find a tutorial on youtube.

Later that evening, you uploaded the two photoshopped images to your instagram, captioning the post with ‘fixed it’, gaining the attention of your Atleti teammates and your Barcelona ones, liking and commenting on your post. Andrea had even commented, whilst Lola deadpanned you could have picked a photo where you were wearing your goalie kit.

Your drive had increased. Everyone could see it, your skills were improving, desperate not to plateau your abilities, but also you wanted to enjoy yourself. You started football because you enjoyed it, and you loved being a goalkeeper. So when you got to hold your own in goal during training, Clàudia couldn’t help but grin at the smile on your face. Sandra spotted it too, taking time to bond, and making sure the goalkeeper union got along after the slightly tense realisation Barcelona had five goalkeepers at different stages this season.

Watching Barcelona play Levante Las Planas, your foot bounced up and down, thoughts running through your mind as the minutes went by. Atleti would start playing against Madrid CFF soon, but you pushed it back, quietly talking strategy with Sandra, much to her amusement.

“You will play in February, I know it.” Sandra patted your shoulder, nodding to you as you hummed, watching Clàudia before she was subbed off at the 67th minute, coming over to sit with you both.

Atleti played Sevilla earlier in the day than when Barcelona had an away game against Granadilla Tenerife. You’d eyed the line-ups for the game, feeling your stomach twist at Lola captaining Atleti against former Atleti captain, now captain of Sevilla, Sampedro. Alteti had drawn against Madrid CFF, the score 2-2 in a 15 minute scramble, but as much as you adored Atleti, your focus was on Barcelona.

“I think I’m going to get my car from Madrid during February’s international break…” you decided, your leg bouncing against the floor of the bus as you had to lean across to talk to Clàudia, who sat in the seats adjacent to you with Patri.

“What if you are called up?” Patri enquired but you let out a huff, shaking your head.

“They have enough goalkeepers.”

You knew Lola would be beating herself up about Sevilla’s equaliser goal at the 90th minute, Atleti drawing for the fourth time in a row in the league, but you didn’t have a chance to text her anything too long, as a jersey hit you in the face.

“You know I wear a goalkeeper kit, right? Wow, this kit is reminding me of that Barcelona away shirt from 2019, maybe? It was before I was at Atleti…” You reminisced, smiling as you gently folded the jersey that was thrown at you.

“Where were you before Atleti?”

“I was at-” you were cut off as the staff asked to talk to you, your eyes meeting your girlfriend’s confused gaze which you mirrored.

Your confused look was exchanged for a nervous one as you returned from talking to the staff, getting Patri and Pina’s attention as you wrapped up a conversation with Gemma, and Sandra was not far behind you.

“What’s-”

“Um, against Granadilla Tenerife, I’m starting… they’re resting Gemma and Sandra has some muscle discomfort? I don’t know… but, I’m starting, I’m getting minutes?” Your voice was shaky with disbelief, glancing towards Sandra with concern but the older goalkeeper was supportive, pulling you into a side hug as Pina rushed towards you to hug you too.

For over an entire season, Lola and Carmen had been a part of your pre-match preparations after they took you under their wing upon Lola’s return to Atleti for the 2021/22 season. Now you were preparing for a match miles away from them in the Canary Islands, but unlike your first season at Atleti back in 2020, you had someone by your side. Clàudia squeezed your hand as she reached over for it on the bus, smiling softly as you met her eyes with as much of a smile as you could muster.

No doubt your Atleti teammates would see your name on Barcelona line-ups, you didn’t have the same number as you did at Atleti, taking Lola’s number 13 after Lola was shuffled up to number 1 there. But at Barcelona, your jersey number was more than triple that.

The first half of the game, you had a few touches on the ball, but Barcelona had more of a handle on it at 5-0 by halftime. You were hopeful that the cameras hadn’t caught you grinning at Clàudia’s goal in the 5th minute, but the cameras and the fans had caught it, just like they had caught you jumping up to grab the crossbar, in a perfect world you would have done a pull-up, but instead you got down quickly, waiting for the game to begin.

The second half of the game, your drive was in overdrive, anticipating as much as you could as you slipped into the zone, retrieving a stray ball to send back to Mapi. With Alexia and Sandra out, and Marta on the bench, Patri was wearing the captain’s armband for the match.

Glancing to the sidelines after one of the Granadilla Tenerife players was down, you spotted the substitutions getting ready to come on soon for both teams. The captain’s armband eventually made its way to Marta as she was subbed on. Asisat, Patri, Rolfö, Mariona and Irene eventually make way for Emma, Nuria, María, Marta and Laia to come onto the pitch.

The scoreline was unchanged since halftime, but you headed onto the field, retrieving another stray ball to send back to your defenders. Nearing the 89th minute, Mapi sent the ball back to you, sending it back to her once the Granadilla Tenerife players moved around a bit to try to anticipate your move.

You let out a breath as the two minutes of stoppage time arrived, Clàudia’s goal attempt falling flat as the Granadilla Tenerife goalkeeper managed to keep the scoreline the same since before halftime, until Lucy’s head sent the ball into the net.

The final score of the match was 6-0 as you made your way around, shaking hands with the opposing players and complimenting Noelia Ramos on her goalkeeping as she let out a sigh.

You were about to mention the shots and shots on target statistics in comparison to how many goals Barcelona did score, when a warm body wrapped around your side, kissing your cheek.

“Hola, cariño, well done today.” You whispered, smiling at the first goalscorer of the game, and your love.

“Well done, bebé. You were amazing.” Pina whispered back, smirking slightly as you glanced over her kit, the fourth kit jersey having grasped your attention from the moment her jersey hit you in the face earlier.

“Vamos, we both stink…” You paused, frowning slightly at the memory of when you and Pina would run away from team mothers who had played the full 90 minutes, but you pushed it back, following your team back to the locker room, where Sandra congratulated you on your performance as you got in the door.

“Gracias!” you grinned back, cut off as a jersey hit you in the face again.

///

The next match was an away game against Valencia, with Sandra still out on precaution due to the muscle strain, it was almost a toss up between who would be selected to start. The next matches after were against Real Betis, then Alavés before the international break.

You didn’t play internationally, so you would be able to retrieve your car from Madrid when it rolled around.

But right now, you were in Barcelona’s yellow goalkeeper kit, standing in goal watching carefully. Valencia’s attempts at goal were good, but Barcelona had already scored twice. A free kick almost had you stood on, but it went your way as the whistle was blown.

Twenty two minutes in, and your captain, Marta had scored, taking the scoreline up to 3-0. You were tested twice more before the twenty fifth minute, the ball being carried away down to the other goal for Barcelona to have more attempts. You wouldn’t admit it, but you were enjoying the challenge of this match, especially with how Patri was in control of the game.

Valencia’s Chacón hurtling down towards goal had you and Nuria hurrying into action, before the ball met your gloves less than two minutes later. Valencia’s determination to take away the clean sheet as half-time approached had you on high alert as you sent the ball back into play. You were done comparing yourself to anyone else’s goalkeeping. You glanced over at the bench as the half-time whistle went, walking over to the tunnel.

The music playing coming out of the tunnel was dramatic as you headed over to the goal, hopping up to attempt to reach the crossbar, you smiled at Pina on the bench as she smiled back.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Aitana had taken the score up to 4-0. Punching a ball away near the 58th minute, you caught it again as it was sent back at you, sending the ball away before Valencia could try again.

Two substitutions were made for each time, for Barcelona, Marta and Aitana went off for Lucy and Keira, Patri getting the armband in the process.

A corner to Valencia in the 69th minute ended up hitting the post as you watched, Geyse being subbed off for Ana not long after as you went to retrieve the ball. Another attempt at the 79th minute after a really good cross from Valencia had you smiling to yourself, the ball having clipped the goal frame, going out for a goal kick.

More substitutions came for Barcelona as Vicky came on for Rolfö, whilst Pina came on for Mariona, you had to fight back the excitement as you schooled your features. There were still five minutes left and you couldn’t let yourself get distracted.

Three minutes of stoppage time went by and the whistle was blown, you held back from jogging over to your teammates, instead taking a moment to stand in goal and reflect on everything.

“Hola, mi amor…” you went to hug Pina, but she smirked, looking you up and down before teasingly pulling away.

“Go shower, you smell.”

“Wow… I mean it’s not like you can join me here so…” you teased, heading away when you were pulled back.

“We’re lucky our team mothers are not here, they’d never let us be alone in the same room.” Pina pointed out, smiling as you chuckled.

“Yeah, that sounds like Lola and Carmen, and Jenni and Alexia… time flies…” you began to reminisce, feeling your eyes water for a moment before everyone was heading back to the tunnel, Patri and Aitana coming over to get you and Pina in the process.

Atleti didn’t have another game until the 5th, the same day as Barcelona’s home game against Real Betis. But that didn’t mean you expected to find a missed call from Lola whilst on the trip back, listening to the voicemail as you watched the sun begin to set.

“Capitana Aitana!” you grinned, the Real Betis squad revealed, and although you were resting on the bench this match, you were excited to watch Aitana take the captain’s armband when the game began. Right now though, you were heading out to warm up with Gemma, who was starting this match.

“Atleti won against Huelva.” 

“3-1, Huelva’s goal in stoppage time.” You didn’t take your eyes off of the pitch as you watched your team, Geyse already having scored but you were hooked on everything happening.

“Uva?”

“What? Oh, a grape! Gracias- oh, shit, yes Keira!” you exclaimed, spotting Keira score her first goal for Barcelona, whilst you held the tub of grapes in your hand.

Pulling the blanket over your legs, you wrapped your arms around yourself, watching the second half get ready to start, with Human by The Killers playing in the Estadi, giving you something to dance to, and make Bruna laugh too.

Barcelona’s third goal of the game belonged to your lover, your celebration making Bruna laugh again, followed by Patri playfully nudging you to sit down.

“What, can you really blame me? Go, warm up!” you sassed, leaning back in your seat to watch the rest of the game.

It hadn’t taken long for the Barcelona substitutes to make an impact, with Asisat and Mariona both scoring goals quickly. More substitutions and more goals came, with Asisat scoring her third hattrick in twelve days by the end of the match.

///

Your instagram stories, and Pina’s, were full of reposts of Barcelona posts, but every so often, the two of you would post something different. This time, the two of you had posted your plates, having dinner together after the match.

Sandra was back by the time the last game before the February international break, so she was starting, whilst you and Gemma sat on the bench, discussing possible gameplays and the international break. You were not called up, so you’d talked to the Barcelona staff, finding a gap where you could go to Madrid to get your car, and drive it back to Barcelona.

The game against Alavés was already going quickly, the offside flag being called before the first goal of the match. It took longer for Barcelona to score against Alavés, compared to the game back in November, being at 2-0 by half-time, (a goal from Asisat, and an own goal from Alavés) compared to the 5-0 that Barcelona were at in the November game.

“Why do you sound weird?”

“I have come to the conclusion that I am going to get ill every time Clàudia does…” you explained, wrapping your coat further around yourself as the second half commenced. Aitana took the score up to 3-0 in the 64th minute, substitutions occurring as Rolfö sat down next to you to observe the rest of the match.

Clàudia took the score up to 4-0 in the 84th minute, your reaction making Rolfö chuckle as you snapped out of whatever half-awake state you were in, the brunt of whatever bug you had caught from the girl you shared a bed with hitting you hard.

“You know you could have told them you’re sick-”

“I felt fine before, that’s what is so silly.” You admitted, sticking your tongue out playfully as Clàudia walked over to you post-match, pulling you into a hug.

“I think I caught what you had.”

///

Carmen didn’t expect to get a text message from Clàudia, or that there would be an attached photo of you bundled up in blankets, visually ill, watching the Atleti vs Athletic Club match, then a video of you celebrating Carmen’s goal before almost coughing your lungs up from over doing it.

It might have taken you a little while to go get your car from Madrid.

[taz-ma-raz-skylar]

All credits to Taz.

AND HIS MESSAGE FOR ALL THE HATERS!!!!

By taz_skylar on Instagram!

To anyone who may have interpreted my fundraiser for The Red Cross as remotely political in any way, It was not and I’d like to kindly clarify a few things:

The Red Cross/ Red Crescent movement does not take sides in hostilities or engage. That makes the work they do possible.

I have said nothing about conflict, yet many assumptions have been made without me uttering a word.

All I have done is wake up at 6am on New Years Day, with my parents beside me, to run, cycle and swim for 11 hours and 48 minutes straight… In the hopes of getting medical aid to victims of war, disease and natural disasters… Including the refugees that arrive on the shores of my home town in Tenerife, on a daily basis, whom The Red Cross aids and have been aiding since I was too young to understand what that meant.

To anyone referencing my Lebanese heritage. Yes I am proudly half Lebanese… And this also has nothing to do with believing in humanitarian aid for innocent people, on both sides of any conflict.

My only job is to do what I can to help the victims of circumstances that are less fortunate than mine.

⁠The innocent casualties around the world are the people I was and will continue to be raising money to help.

My efforts will never be in aid of supporting any aggression. It will only ever be in aid of helping those whom are affected by them.

If a human being is injured and needs help, I want them to receive the help they need.

If they are hungry, I want them to be fed.

And if they are thirsty, I wish them to have water… Regardless of where they are from or what they believe in.

Much love,

Taz

[oneminutefiftysixseconds]

ohhhh... For put that guy in a situation could I get matejtadej / pogiyates / dealers choice of a pog rarepair and 40 - major secret reveal?

for these put that guy in a situation prompts <3

yes!! absolutely yes!! however: this did start out more pogiyates focused but quickly became Oops! Mostly Adam! however he has most definitely been put into a situation -- the setting of which is pre-tour training camp 2023, M rating, and there is a content warning for doping discussion/references

>> want to come visit before altitude?

He ignores the message and Zoe pads after him into the kitchen, big eyes keen. He tries to hide the rattle of the medicine bottle. An enthusiastic bark when the fridge is opened. “Shh, shh. Down, Zoe, down. Not yet.”

Lisa took her to the vet after the Dauphiné, and she’ll look after Zoe when Adam leaves for the thin air next week. She’s getting lunch in town, so his chat history with Tadej can sit open and glowing guilty on his phone screen while Adam coaxes Zoe with one of her favourite treats.

It’s greasy on his fingers as he smothers the pill in a spoonful of soft cheese, covering up the evidence. Squats down and Zoe comes running quickly, tail wagging and expectant. “Good girl, good girl.” With his clean hand he pats her on the cheek, medicine taken without a fuss. Then, he responds to Tadej’s message.

Can’t, sorry! Zoe’s sick 🐕🤢 <<

The next messages arrive almost instantly.

>> 😰 ah no!!! get well soon zoe!

>> see you at isola 🤙

***

The chalet on Isola is much nicer than the INEOS place in Tenerife, wood-panelled cosiness keeping the thin air outside. Riding with the guys comes so naturally, the camp starting off with long days and some shorter efforts mixed in. Like now – “Adam, Marc, Rafał, Tadej – four hundred and fifteen to the top, please?” – Iñigo’s voice is muffled through the radio but the four of them look at each other and do as they’re told. Tadej laughs them up the mountain, one hand on his handlebars while Adam’s doing all he can to cling to Rafał’s wheel.

It's often too easy to go along with Tadej's suggestions – an extra lap around the chalet, a dip in the pool or a late-night FIFA match. Today's game is more serious by the looks of it; he catches Adam by the elbow when they’re heading to their rooms.

“Yatesy – you want to come to the sauna? Heat training?” Tadej jokes, good at keeping things light. Keeping things free of the memories of January and a shared room and impulsive, stupid choices.

Adam hesitates at the doorway. Marc’s lounging on the highest bench, eyes closed. He glances at them once, then checks something on his watch and leaves. The motion of the door swinging shut creates little eddies in the hazy air.

Tadej pours some water over the sauna stones. The narrow shapes of his body are smoothed, tan-lines blurred by the steam. Even sitting on the lower bench is stifling Adam, feeling like he’s almost struggling to get enough air into each breath. 

“Come on, take it off. Is what you do in sauna, we’ve all got changed on the team bus before.” Tadej chuckles and sits close next to Adam, pinches his thigh through the towel still draped there.

Adam can feel a drop of sweat slide from the side of his neck to his collarbone. He moves slowly, shuffling the towel awkwardly around so he’s sat naked on it.

Tadej’s knee touches his, a hot point in the already sweltering room. Both of them look at the glow of the heater. 

“Urška knows I sometimes –” Tadej starts, toying with the corner of his towel. Stops, then starts again. “She’s okay with it.”

Maybe it’s the heat that leads him to do it, or the feel of Tadej’s sweaty skin against his own. He takes Tadej’s chin in his hand and kisses him again, feeling him smile immediately into it. Hardly a moment passes like that before Tadej’s straddling his lap for a better angle, sticky and too warm but just as sweet as he was in January. It occurs briefly that anyone could walk in, Marc could come back for something; but with Tadej so immediately close he can’t think about much else.

“I’m so happy you are on the Tour team,” he pulls away from Adam’s neck and pants, one hand on Adam’s shoulder and the other arm pressed between them, “You are the best for me, you could – hah – probably podium, if you work for it,” Tadej’s babbling right into Adam’s ear, shifting his thighs and pulling himself closer.

It’s not until they’re clean leaving the showers into shivering air that Adam feels the same sort of tightness under his skin as he did in January, after being treated to this, to Tadej. So many things happen at a long altitude camp, things that don’t need to be brought back down to sea level.

***

One of the doctors – the older Italian, Maurizio – is keen to talk after dinner, coming to Adam’s room rather than fetching him to the office or medical room. Black rucksack, deposited onto the desk, door closed firmly behind him.

“How have the legs been, Adam?”

Adam crosses his arms, sits on the edge of the bed.

“Pretty good, felt super strong on the ride today even when we had to go hard at the end, but you what Tadej’s like, filming some Instagram thing when we were all dying,” Adam nods to the window, trying to relax his shoulders.

Maurizio chuckles, crossing his arms “Ah, Tadej. He is so special. And your recovery, how has that been?” 

It’s not like being asked the same question by the media. Team doctors need the truth. Adam shrugs. “Not great, you know? I mean, it’s always hard to sleep when the Tour’s so close, and the thin air – the altitude always makes me super tired.”

Maurizio nods, as if he knew this already. Maybe he did. He speaks slowly. “Recovery is the most important thing – if you are to be good help for Tadej this Tour you need to be in absolute peak condition. He needs you at your best.” He turns around and hands something from the rucksack to Adam. A plastic bottle, mint green child-proof lid. No label. Through the coloured plastic he can see what look like orange Smarties.

Adam’s not there. He’s eighteen again, homesick and sleeping on bunkbeds with the other boys in the UVCA Troyes team house, racing in middle-of-nowhere corners of Europe and all desperately hoping to land a pro contract. Jules, one of the older French riders, once showed him his stash of ‘vitamin tablets’ he’d bought somewhere in Spain. He swore by them. Adam went home for Christmas, seeing the bottles’ bright red lids when he closed his eyes. Jules had moved out by the time Adam came back in January.

“These can help with muscle fatigue, they're – they are not on the list. Two a day before bed for the rest of camp. Tell Iñigo if you start.” His accent shapes the words into something smooth, slippery. In Adam’s hand, the medicine bottle is sticking to the sweat on his palm. It’d be easy to hide, rolled up in a sock in the bottom of a spare pair of trainers.

“I – okay. I’ll think about it.” His skin has broken out into goosebumps, despite the warmth and the soft team-branded jumper.

Maurizio pats Adam on the shoulder before he leaves. “Would be for Tadej, remember?”

[pedripics]

Pedri: The island boy with the world at his feet

(via The Athletic - December 2020)

“It is very easy to say it now but the people who know me know that it’s true,” Ruben Delgado tells The Athletic. “When Pedri was nine years old, he reminded me of Iniesta. I always say that the first time I saw him, I knew he had something special."

“His way of playing — everything very simple but very important at the same time. He was not looking to nutmeg people or do lots of stepovers: just the simple thing and the right thing. He was just different: the way he saw football, understood the game, found spaces nobody else could, the maturity he had compared to his team-mates. That is very difficult to find in the world of football but he does it. And it does remind you of Iniesta; looking for the simple thing. It’s a gift. Not very common in football.”

Delgado is a youth football coach with the team in Tegueste, a village on the island of Tenerife. When Pedro Gonzalez Lopez, known then as now as Pedri, turned nine, Andres Iniesta had scored Spain’s winning goal in the World Cup final the year before and later that season won the third of his eventual four Champions League trophies with Barcelona.

Iniesta was also then maybe the most popular footballer in Spain, winning over team-mates, opponents and neutrals with a becoming mix of quiet good manners off the pitch and unshowy genius as he decided games for club and country.

So it was quite something to say that this shy young kid was like Iniesta, but Delgado has not changed his mind over the eight years since he first started coaching a shy, unassuming boy with the gift for playing simple but special football who has settled naturally into the Barcelona midfield since his arrival last summer.

“Pedri just transmitted something different than the other kids of his age,” he says. “Not just how he played with the ball but the respect he showed to his teammates, rival players, the coaches, everyone. One game he scored a super goal, dribbling (past) many players and finishing it perfectly. All of us on the sideline — our fans, and the opposition too — all just had to applaud. At the end of the game, I asked him, ‘Pedri, how did you do that?’ and he just looked at me and said, ‘I don’t know. it just came out naturally’. And I told him, ‘No, no, Pedri — that is not natural’.”

Pedri was born in November 2002 — just a few weeks after Iniesta made his Barcelona first-team debut — in Tegueste, a small town in the northwest of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands.

He was also born into Barcelona — given that, eight years previously, his grandfather Fernando Rodriguez had established the Peña Barcelonista de Tenerife-Tegueste, one of the first official Barcelona supporters clubs in the Canary Islands. Pedri’s father, also Fernando, still runs it, along with family friend Oscar Ledesma.

“Tegueste is a small town of around 10,000 people, with a healthy rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid supporters, and the Rodriguez family were always known as ‘the Catalans’ as they were all Barca fans,” Ledesma tells The Athletic. “His grandfather was president of the town’s football club (Union Deportiva Tegueste) for many years and also president of the ‘Lucha Canaria’ club (a local form of wrestling developed by the Guanches, the earliest known natives of the archipelago off the north west African coast). His father was a goalkeeper for many years and had some trials with Tenerife, although he never played for them. The family has a restaurant here in Tegueste, which was established by his grandfather. His grandmother worked there, now his parents, his uncles; they all work together.”

Naturally, Pedri and his older brother Fernando (the third generation) began to play for Tegueste’s youth teams, where Delgado was their coach. Although two years younger than his brother, Pedri’s displays soon started to draw attention in their hometown and elsewhere on the island.

“There were people who came to our games just to watch Pedri,” Delgado says. “There was admiration from the parents of the other kids, from the opposition teams. He did not stand out just for the way he played: his dribbling or finishing, like some kids of this age do. With him, it was his maturity and way of understanding football, knowing very quickly to take the correct decision in every moment. You do not see that very often in a kid of nine or ten years old. People could see the potential that he had but also how humble he was, how normal. Tegueste is a small place where everybody knows their neighbours and it’s a family club which transmits those values — respect for referees and opponents, friendliness, to enjoy yourself.”

Tenerife-born Pedro was an important player in Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona team of that time, while the Spain side which won Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 had David Silva, from the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria. Lionel Messi was by now the favourite player of most Barcelona-supporting kids the world over. However, the young Pedri and his father had a clear idea of who his model players should be.

“Pedri always says that Iniesta was his hero and his reference from when he used to go to the peña (supporters’ club) to watch the games with his father and grandfather,” says Ledesma. “He also spoke a lot about (Michael) Laudrup, even though he moved to Madrid and he never saw him play for Barca. His father used to show him videos.”

When the family realised that Pedri needed to be challenged more on the pitch, the two brothers joined Juventud Laguna, a bigger club in San Cristobal de La Laguna, still just a 10-minute drive from home.

“Pedri was the smallest on the team but every coach he had could see that they had a special talent,” Ledesma says. “He did not want to leave at first for Laguna as he was happy playing with his friends and there were also offers from stronger clubs, like Tenerife. The first time he made his debut on the Laguna juveniles (the under-18s, when he was 14), the senior side immediately called him and wanted him to play with them. His dad was worried that he would get broken up, with those little sticks of legs he had, but he just went with them and did amazing things. He is very special.”

By now, Pedri had also started to play for the Canary Islands’ representative side and scouts from some (but not all) Primera Division clubs had taken notice. Although there was still a reluctance to move and leave his friends and family behind, Las Palmas’ academy director Manuel Rodriguez made a persuasive case for him to move to another of the Canary Island clubs to progress his career.

“Offers kept coming and Las Palmas have a very good reputation in the Canaries for their youth system, and very good residences for the boys to live in,” Ledesma says. “It was tough for his parents to accept. He was moving to another island but they assured him about his studies too and they convinced the whole family with their ideas: where he would play, how they would help him to progress. He was very happy there.”

Delgado says that each step of the way, Pedri had help in keeping his career progressing forward at just the right pace.

“Good players always need new challenges and to move up,” he says. “The process has been ideal. He has overcome every challenge that came along each step of the way. He had various offers at different moments but they have known how to choose the right option. Not everybody has that good fortune and it has gone well for him. His father, his brother, his uncles, his friends; they have all kept his feet on the ground. They did not let him grow further than was best in every moment. That has helped him to get to where he is now.”

It was summer 2018 when Pedri moved into the Casa Amarilla youth academy of Las Palmas. After one year as the youngest player among the club’s under-18s, he was ready to move up the levels again.

Then-Las Palmas technical secretary Toni Otero picks up the story.

“I first saw him playing aged 15 and we decided to bring him up to the first team,” Otero tells The Athletic. “We just could not believe what we were seeing, that a player at that age could do what he was doing. We knew he had a lot of potential, could reach the very top. We were afraid that he was still too young but once we saw him train and then play for the first team, we realised he was an extraordinary player.”

Otero signed Pedri to his first professional contract in July last year but was still unsure whether the slight 16-year-old was ready to be pitched into a first team playing in Spain’s second tier.

“The only fear we had was that, physically, he was not ready for professional football with grown men, as he is not a big kid,” he says. “But from the first training session with the first team, we could see he would adapt very well. His first game with us was a pre-season friendly in Marbella against Almeria, after just two weeks of pre-season training with the first team — and he was the best player on the pitch. He did whatever he wanted: played comfortably, passed the ball, ran the game, dribbled past players. He was showing that, ‘I’m here now. I don’t care who you are but I am a proper football player’. That game told us that this kid has everything to reach the top.”

Las Palmas’ coach Pepe Mel was also convinced and Pedri started the first game of the season, doing well even though his team were beaten 1-0 by Huesca. A week later, he got the assist on veteran striker Ruben Castro’s goal in a 1-1 draw away to Malaga. The following month, his first goal in senior football brought Las Palmas’ first win of the season, at home to Sporting Gijon.

Except when called up for Spain’s age-group teams, including to play at the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil, Pedri played each week for Las Palmas. Opponents quickly realised their main creative threat was the tiny kid in midfield but he still finished last season with four goals and seven assists in 36 league games. Otero says that everyone in the dressing room automatically took to this quiet teenager who did his talking on the pitch.

“He was a young kid; skinny, very shy,” Otero says, “so the other players did not know what to expect, but that also helped them to take him into the dressing room. At Barcelona now, from Leo Messi to the groundsman, everyone naturally wants to look after him. And at Las Palmas, it was the same. We had to go along learning with him. I always think age is not important in football — some players of 40 seem like kids, others of 16 are already like men.”

Otero agrees with Ledesma and Delgado that Pedri had good people around him, including his agents Leaderbrock Sports, who also represent other younger Spanish talents including Manchester City’s Ferran Torres and Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Nunez.

“Pedri is very close to his family and they protect him,” Otero says. “His agents look after many young players and know how to protect these kids. Everything related to football and outside of football was looked after. He was playing in the Las Palmas first team and living in the residence at the training ground. We had to take the basketball hoop down as he just wanted to play it all the time, but he was not going out at night. He is not a party kid."

“He likes his PlayStation, his friends, going to the park. He is just such a quiet kid, which is helping him at the moment. It is very important that he is kept away from the parts of football which are not good.”

Given the family connection to Barcelona, it might have seemed obvious that Pedri would end up at the Nou Camp at some point but things could easily have turned out differently.

“Pedri was very close to joining Real Madrid,” says Ledesma. “When he was still playing for Laguna, and began to draw attention, various clubs came here — Deportivo La Coruna, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and also Real Madrid. The Barca scout here did not rate him. At that moment, they did not think he was an interesting player."

“Madrid took him for a trial. He was there for a week but there was tremendous snow, so he could only do a couple of training sessions. They told him they would be in touch but nothing came of it. It is very funny, as he said he did not recognise himself wearing a Madrid jersey when he was there on trial. All of us here in the peña, including myself, tried to make contact with Barcelona in some way to tell them that this kid is going on trial at Madrid, and he’s Barca to the core — but nobody took any notice.”

Barcelona then had another stroke of luck. Otero had spent two years working as a scout at the Camp Nou and personally knew those running their youth structures, including the club’s former midfielder Jose Mari Bakero.

“When I saw this player, after just 10 minutes, I called Barcelona to talk to Jose Mari and tell him to come and look at this kid,” Otero says, “as he is a Barca player — not 100 per cent but 1,000 per cent. ‘You have to come here, even though he is just 16 years old, but if you take him now, it will be a lot easier than if you wait another year as by then, he will already be a ‘crack’.’ And Jose Mari took me at my word, came here and he could see it too after just 10 minutes.”

So, in early September last year, when he had still only played three senior games for Las Palmas, it was agreed that Pedri would join Barcelona this past summer for an initial fee of €5 million plus add-ons, including 15 per cent of the profit in any future sale. The deal did not make huge headlines at the time but, more recently, Barcelona figures including current sporting director Ramon Planes and former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu have taken credit for their supposed foresight.

“I imagine that many people want to put medals on their chests as now we can see Pedri is going to be a world-class player,” Otero says. “I made the first call, to Jose Mari Barkero, as I had worked at Barca and I knew perfectly well what was the best to do.”

Ledesma says Pedri and his family also received offers from other big clubs at that time. However, the connection with Barcelona was too strong to consider going anywhere else.

“When he was at Las Palmas, the offers started to come, and Barca got involved then,” says Ledesma. “There were various offers on the table but he told his father that if it were possible, he only wanted to join Barca. I believe there were better offers from other teams but both he and his father were clear they wanted Barca.”

After completing the season with Las Palmas, Pedri formally arrived at Barcelona to start pre-season in early August — just as most of his new team-mates were in Lisbon, about to crash out of the Champions League with an 8-2 quarter-final loss to Bayern Munich.

When Ronald Koeman took over as coach a few weeks later, he spoke publicly about Pedri needing to be sent on loan as he was too young to be considered for the first team.

Koeman has a reputation for showing confidence in youth but had also spoken a lot about giving a chance to Philippe Coutinho, who was returning from a season on loan at Bayern. The competition for places in attacking midfield roles also included World Cup 2018 winner Antoine Griezmann, €130 million France international Ousmane Dembele, €30 million Portugal international Francisco Trincao, homegrown fan favourite Riqui Puig and a certain guy called Messi.

However, Pedri’s performances in training, and in the first few friendlies before all the senior players had returned to full fitness after their brief close-season break having played on into August, led to a quick change of plans.

“I imagine Koeman had the same experience we did,” Otero says. “I was fully sure that if he did pre-season with Barca, then he would stay (rather than being loaned out) — no doubts at all — because Koeman would have seen that he was ready. Even though he looks small, he is physically strong and he is just a Barca player. After seeing him train for 10 minutes, Koeman realised that he had a player who was going to be one of the best in the world, for sure.”

Ledesma says that even those closest to Pedri thought it most likely he would spend another year gaining experience and playing time on loan somewhere else, possibly in Germany.

“We thought that he would go and do pre-season at Barcelona but we were sure they would loan him to another team where he would be able to play every week,” Ledesma says. “He could not go to Barca B. That was in his contract. There were many teams interested, including Borussia Dortmund, and we thought he could be loaned back to Las Palmas. He was prepared for that but the circumstances at Barca, the time of transition there, have helped for younger players to get opportunities. And he has taken it, and settled in there, playing a lot more than we expected.”

Delgado says that Pedri himself was always convinced that if given a chance, he could show he was ready to play in Barcelona’s first team.

“I am only surprised by how fast it is happening; that he has earned his place in the XI at Barcelona so quickly,” Delgado says. “We all expected it to happen but to take a bit more time. I remember talking to him in the summer and he was convinced he wanted to stay at Barca this season, and when this kid decides to do something, he usually does it.”

Most new players who have come to Barcelona in recent years have needed time to adapt, including many who were much older and with a lot more experience than Pedri, with Coutinho and Griezmann being obvious examples. This year could have been extra difficult, given all the turmoil around the club, including Messi’s attempt to leave last summer and Bartomeu’s resignation as president in October. However, those around Pedri say he has settled in remarkably easily.

“He speaks wonderfully about the atmosphere in the dressing room: above all, about the older players who have taken to him and to the other younger players, like Trincao and Ansu Fati,” says Ledesma. “Even at the start, when the mood was a bit strange and the president resigned, and all that, he felt very comfortable. He has that character — that people warm to him quickly. He speaks very well about everybody: (Sergio) Busquets, (Gerard) Pique, Messi and all of them.”

Pedri came off the bench in the first three La Liga games of the season, then was given a first start at Getafe in week four, with Coutinho dropping out. Barcelona lost 1-0 but the 17-year-old was one of their best players, with a strong run and clever pass that was key to a move which saw Messi hit a post from the visitors’ best chance to equalise.

“Since the start, Koeman has treated him with a lot of care, given him lots of advice,” says Ledesma. “Above all, he has given him confidence. When he trains and plays, he keeps telling him he is doing very well, to keep going like this, to use his imagination and not be afraid to try things, to do what he knows he can do — and for a kid so young, that gives you a lot of confidence.”

Four days later, he came off the bench to make his Champions League debut and marked the occasion with his first Barcelona goal in a 5-1 victory over Ferencvaros  He was back in the XI for October’s Clasico at home to Real Madrid but did not have his best game and was taken off early in a 3-1 defeat. Koeman kept faith, though, and started him again four days later at Juventus — and Pedri produced a phenomenal performance, regularly skipping away from Juan Cuadrado and frustrating the Colombian by stealing the ball from him, too. A few weeks later came his first La Liga goal, another confident finish in a 5-2 victory over Real Betis.

“As a 17-year-old, you have to understand there will be ups and downs, and better and worse games,” Otero says. “Maybe he did not stand out so much against Madrid but then, a few days later, everybody saw what he did against Juventus. But if the coach keeps putting him in the team, it is because he is happy with his performances.”

While Pedri’s season has been progressing as well as anyone could have hoped, his team have stumbled along and mixed some decent performances with other horror-show displays. Many local pundits say it is no coincidence that they have been playing better in recent weeks because Pedri has more responsibility in the team, and €155 million Brazil international Coutinho is featuring less. Koeman has also been experimenting with the team’s shape, and Pedri played a deeper role in the recent 2-1 win over Real Sociedad, when he drew even more admiration for a brave last-ditch Javier Mascherano-style challenge on Alexander Isak which prevented an almost certain late equaliser.

“Pedri is a player who understands football,” Otero says. “It is not that he is focused on playing in one position or another, or that the coach has told him he must do this or that. No. He understands what he has to do before a coach or anybody can tell him. He has the game in his head and knows perfectly well what he needs to do. It is something great that he has.”

The most difficult challenge for many new Barcelona players is to get on the same wavelength as Messi, something neither Griezmann nor Coutinho have managed to do yet. However, Pedri has quickly struck up an understanding with the Argentinian. Against Real Sociedad, 10 of the 31 passes Pedri completed were to Messi, while Barca’s No 10 found him nine times in return. Their connection was again clear in the 3-0 win at Real Valladolid just before Christmas, especially with the back-heel assist from Pedri for Messi’s strike and the joyous goal celebration between the pair.

“At Las Palmas, the players who he connected best with on the pitch were the most technical: Jonathan Viera and Ruben Castro,” says Ledesma. “When Viera arrived on loan, he told Pedri, ‘You look for me on the pitch and you and me, we are going to understand each other’. Maybe with Messi, it is not the exact same words but something similar has happened."

“Messi knows that if you give him the ball, you will get it back in a better position, and that is important when you play with these technical players. Pedri is also bursting with pride that Messi talks with him, gives him advice, having been his hero almost since he was born. That, for him, is something incredible. Messi speaks more in the dressing room than in front of the cameras. From what I hear, he is more a leader inside the dressing room than it might seem from outside. He lifts the others, he supports them, and that is helping Pedri a lot.”

Otero says Pedri has not had to change anything about his personality or his style of play to fit in at Barcelona — and has not tried to show off with any special tricks or unnecessary demonstrations of skill, instead just continuing to play the same simple way he always has.

“He has that humility and simplicity and naturalness,” Otero says. “With this kid, everything he does is so natural. He just has that talent inside him. That is what talent is: knowing what to do in each moment and being able to do it. Not just heading off on a dribble to show off. Messi has that, and Pedri too. It is all natural talent. He was born with it. He is too young to have learned to play like this. I am convinced he will be a world-class star and mark an era in Spanish football.”

While the Clasico was maybe his quietest game for Barcelona so far, little seems to have fazed the teenager so far. He has even played some of his better games when the team were struggling: such as in that first start at Getafe or in the 1-1 draw at Alaves when far more experienced colleagues let their team down.

After their title hopes took a huge blow in the 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid on November 21, he did the post-match Spanish TV interview, admitting that Barcelona had not played well and would have to look at their mistakes and improve — all this from a supposedly shy kid, just four days before his 18th birthday, and only a few months after moving to Catalonia.

“He is a little bit introverted or shy when he does not know the people he is with,” says Ledesma. “But afterwards, when he gets to know you and feels confident, he loves to joke around. It is true that on the pitch he changes, and he always has. When he was playing, he always took it seriously. Every game was very important; even just a kickaround with his friends, he always wanted to win."

“He has a sense of calm, even when Pepe Mel called him to the Las Palmas first team just past his 16th birthday. They all said he had the character, a security in himself that it seemed he had always played there. We were all confident that if Barca gave him a sniff of a chance, he was going to take advantage of it. He gets nervous sometimes, like everyone, but he does not show it. And once he is playing, even in front of fans, he puts everything else to the side.”

Recent months have also seen Pedri make his debut for Spain Under-21s while it would be no surprise if senior side coach Luis Enrique takes both he and close friend Ansu Fati to next summer’s European Championship.

Meanwhile, he has just been getting on with his normal life. He lives in Barcelona with his big brother Fernando, who cooks and looks after the apartment. They play a lot of FIFA in the afternoons while Pedri is also a fan of strategy board game Catan. Their parents have visited when possible amid the pandemic and their own work commitments. The only headlines he has made so far off the pitch have been for using a simple supermarket plastic bag to bring his personal effects to the stadium instead of the designer gear favoured by most of his team-mates, and using taxis to get to and from training and games.

“Pedri will keep his feet on the ground. He is very well supported by his family,” says Ledesma. “His parents still have the restaurant — the mother runs the kitchen and his father runs the dining room — but they go there when they can. With the character he has, it would be strange if he changed.

“He was surprised at all the noise made about him taking a taxi or bringing his things in the plastic bag. He says everyone has a bag like that for their clothes, due to COVID. The only thing is he did not then put it inside a Dolce & Gabbana bag, he just carried it in his hand. And if he does not have a driving licence, and his brother also does not have it yet, then he needs to get a taxi. He just gets on with things. He is a very normal kid.”

Back on Tenerife, the locals have recovered from the strangeness of supporting usual rivals Las Palmas last season and the Pena Barcelonista de Tenerife-Tegueste is packed for each Barcelona game.

“I don’t know what he can achieve. I can only say that if he aims for something, he will get it,” Delgado says. “I just hope he keeps going, keeps enjoying this moment and what is to come. I am convinced he will go very, very far. He is still the same kid I coached at nine years old, with the same friends and loved ones. He responds to your messages, shows respect, does not dominate the conversation, asks about you and your family. I am super proud to be able to say that.”

Nobody who knows Pedri thinks that he will plateau now and not aim to keep developing his game and become an even more important player for Barcelona over the next decade or more.

“He says that he wants to improve in everything,” says Ledesma. “Often, he speaks about scoring more goals, his finishing, shots from long range. He scored more for Las Palmas as he took more shots but he always says that he is happier to give an assist than score a goal. But he knows he is learning things every day, being with the best players in the world. It is an incredible opportunity for as long as it lasts at Barca, and I hope he retires there, to keep learning and improving.”

Such a strong confidence in one’s own ability, despite appearing shy and unassuming at first, also brings back the comparison with Pedri’s childhood hero.

“Hopefully they are similar in how they play, although Pedri still has a long way to go — achieving half of what Iniesta has would be marvellous,” says Ledesma. “Although he admires Iniesta a lot, he does not really like the comparisons. He knows he is Pedri and needs to play like Pedri.”

[midnightsslut]

in ref to the 2014 bbc live lounge interview: it's so interesting what she says about lorde at the 9 minute mark. i wonder if she was part of the inspiration for reputation...also interesting that taylor says she wishes she'd written runaway and tenerife sea by ed sheeran. and she says how ed has an ability to write beautiful love songs (ie tenerife sea) while she's never been able to write songs about being happy when she's happy. it's just so fascinating because of what happens a few years later (rep, lover). also, it's interesting she makes this claim because she does have happy love songs, such as run and everything has changed that she wrote with ed, and others that she didn't write with him (starlight, stay stay stay, begin again, message in a bottle). maybe she just means that the majority of the happy love songs she wrote weren't pure love songs or weren't based in reality. they were a daydream like stay stay stay. they were about someone else like starlight. they were mostly fictional or about her friendship with ed (run, everything has changed) but with lyrical ties to others songs on red. they were a bop like message in a bottle. they were about love but also insecurity like begin again.

lmao there’s Lore about tenerife sea in particular and why she said that; the song is largely believed to be about her, and they ended up performing it together on the 1989 tour. i always found that quote interesting for other reasons, though, because it’s really a sign of her being dismissive of her older, more emotional songwriting. like ‘i used to write fiery breakup songs but there are no diss tracks on this one! still can’t write a proper love song though!!!’ she has always been self aware, but I feel like a lot of 1989 era quotes are just her acknowledging the criticism she’s gotten and half-heartedly agreeing even if it hurts her.

side note but i looooove talking about older interviews so if anyone has observations they want to share, feel free!