#this one was from sweden though

[starbuck]

that mountain goats song? oh yeah, i love that song. it’s one of my favorites. i could sing the whole thing for you right now. i know what album it’s on and which part of the album and possibly even which track number it is. what is the song called? i don’t have a fucking clue.

[onepiece-polls]

Oh, I'd submit Jerma for Doflamingo so hard, you have no idea.

I wish he was an actor so I could lmao

I honestly don't know him, but if you think he could act, that'd be good enough for me. But then again, someone already submitted him, so you don't have to anymore, unless you want to provide some additional propaganda (but you could do that on the poll as well, once it's out.)

Some general rules (gonna add this to the main post in a sec)

'Actor' doesn't have to have acting jobs on their name already, but you must be convinced they are able to act out the character convincingly, so acting jobs help.

Actors must be speaking English well enough for the job (accents are fine, they don't have to be native speakers).

If you've submitted anyone who doesn't follow these rules, please message me! Especially the English part is hard for me to find out sometimes, but if they've never played in anything English spoken, I'm inclined to think they don't speak English well enough. I set this rule to make it more realistic they could be cast in the actual live action.

[pearl-kite]

For the ask game:

💎 🌿 :)

💎 What’s your most prized possession?

Hm. I started collecting old books, like printed in the early 20th century or older, and my grandma decided to give me a couple of her dad's old school books. One of them is one of the readers that schools would have with a bunch of different short stories and poems and excerpts, and the other is a copy of Irving's The Sketchbook. It has a note to Sextus Surname as a reward for good attendance written on the end sheet. He didn't attend past middle school, but kept them. One of them has a pencil rubbing of some kind of coin I can't decipher.

🌿 Describe your favorite outfit.

Okay, I have this navy short sleeve button-down that has liddol fruits printed all over it that my mom jokingly pointed out at JCPenney's, some black jeans, and then these boots that I spoiled myself with as a reward when I got hired to the school district if I had known I'd resign six months later I would have saved the money soiguessi'mhappyididn'tknow

It's kind of the only ensemble I have that feels like an actual outfit instead of just a top and jeans. I am going to be heartbroken when the shirt wears out.

[seeminglyseph]

Ah the summer sunlight problem hit me, I fell asleep during the day, and don’t have my clock set to 24 hours because I don’t wanna do math when I check the time. But I fully assumed I was waking up at 7pm instead of am this morning. Got up at like 8 wandered around and got real weirded out by how fuckin’ quiet everything was.

Finally saw a clock that had AM highlighted.

Like don’t get me wrong I do prefer it to when the sun only comes out for like 4-5 hours a day, but like the inverse is definitely confusing sometimes.

[arcmonkeys]

hey guys did u know if u catch a movie at the cinema 17.30 u can watch another one after at home? just found out

[woso-dreamzzz]

Wiped Out II

Fridolina Rolfö x Teen!Reader

Summary: You look like your cousin

"Wow."

You frown a little bit, eyebrows drawn together as you look at Aitana.

You met her after the match against Spain in the World Cup and you know she's Frido's friend.

"What?"

Aitana's eyes glance between you and Frido, dancing from one of you to the other.

"I mean...it really is uncanny!"

"What is?"

Her finger is raised to point at you and then to Frido. She can't seem to make words as her mouth opens and closes

"You two are practically identical!"

You puff your cheeks out in outrage. "No, we're not! Don't say that!"

Frido scoffs next to you. "Is it really that bad? To be told you look like me? Most people would consider me pretty." She pinches your cheek and you swat at her.

"It's different when I've been told that my whole life," You say," You know I had someone ask at school where my sister was."

"But you don't have a sister."

"They meant you, Frido."

"But I'm your cousin. Why would they think I'm your sister?"

You exchange an unimpressed look with Aitana.

"Because we're practically identical. We look more closely related to each other than just cousins."

"I mean..." It's Ingrid that's speaking now, sitting in her cubby. "It is scarily uncanny. I don't need to look at old photos to see what you used to look like, Frido."

"Wait until the baby photos come out," You warn her with a little smile," Then you'll see just how alike we really used to be."

It's not a bad thing, actually. Looking like Frido, that is. No matter how much you jokingly complain.

She's your cousin but she's always treated you as something closer than that despite the age gap between you. You love her a lot even though she's a bit protective and has a bunch of random rules for you like mandatory hugs every day and being her taste tester for when she makes dinner.

"She used to be called my mini," Frido brags, a casual arm being thrown over your shoulder," I used to buy her outfits so we could dress the same."

You giggle a little. "Until some woman at the store asked if Frido was a teen mum?"

Her own smile falls. "I thought I told you to stop telling people that!"

"If you want to bring up the matching outfits then I'm bringing up the teen mother incident." You shrug and Frido rolls her eyes fondly at you, a ghost of a smile on her face.

"Alright," Ingrid says finally, standing up from her cubby and stretching out her back," Let's get down to training. We've only got a few more minutes."

Frido walks with you until about halfway where she pulls you to a stop.

With her knee still being hurt, she's on a strict rehab schedule and can't come down onto the pitch with you but that doesn't stop her from walking most of the way there.

"I'm only in rehab for a few hours," She tells you," So I'll come out and sit on the grass until training's over, alright?"

You rolls your eyes. "Yes, Frido. Like every other time you say it. I think I know this speech by heart by now."

"Go on," She pushes you lightly away," You can take your snark elsewhere."

Like clockwork, hours later, Frido appears at the side of the pitch, sitting down on the grass and stretching out her knee.

You can just tell by the way she's squinting that she was getting impatient during her rehab.

She's clingier now that you've made the move from Sweden to Barcelona with her. She'd been ecstatic when the announcement went out and then stern when she realised you hadn't told her in advance.

It was funny, winding up your cousin but once she'd gotten over that, she'd been very excited to tell everyone she knew about the fact that you and her would finally be playing for the same club.

She was probably more excited than you were and Magda begged you to make her shut up about it during camp.

But no one could make Frido shut up, not even when you called your auntie and uncle to see if they could.

Frido was just too excited.

"All done?" She asks as you jog over.

You nod, helping her up onto her feet.

"Let's go get you checked out," She says, her arm finding it's familiar spot over your shoulders.

Frido had been excited when it was announced you were joining Barcelona. You had been excited too.

You had just forgotten about how much she fussed over you.

It was routine now as you sit in your cubby and peel off your socks and boots.

Frido's always been a bit fussy with you. She'd never truly been just your cousin. More like a sister sometimes with the way that she annoyed you. More like a mother with just how much she fussed.

She does this every time, ever since that third place match against Australia when Raso's studs hit your back.

She inspects your legs for bruises and presses on your muscles, watching for even a hint of a wince.

You know she's noticed one of your new bruises after you and Esmee collided earlier but it's not too bad and the pair of you just burst out laughing the minute your legs got tangled together.

Frido purses her lips though, pressing experimentally on the patch of skin and you nudge her with a toe.

"I'm fine," You say.

She doesn't look convinced.

"It was just a bit of silly fun."

"We should keep an eye on it," Frido insists and you roll your eyes," Just in case."

"How is it that you're the one that's just undergone surgery and you still find time to fuss over my tiny bruises?"

Frido kisses your forehead. "Well, I've got to keep an eye on my mini-me."

[hotvintagepoll]

LAST POLL OF ROUND 6

Propaganda

Ingrid Bergman (Gaslight, Casablanca, Notorious)—A lot of the time hotness in a movie is just about words and framing. "You're the most beautiful person here" [vaseline lens] well I sure hope so because that's who you cast. But when, in Casablanca, they call Ingrid Bergman the most beautiful woman in the world... they were not fucking lying. And such a dynamite actor too!! I'd only seen Casablanca up until last year, and there she's confined to love interest. But in Gaslight she was maybe one of the most incredible actors I've ever seen!!!! Goddddd shes so fucking hot and cool.

Lauren Bacall (To Have and Have Not, The Big Sleep, Key Largo)—"Just put your lips together...and blow" excuse me ma'am i'm briefly going to turn into a kettle. She's the quintessential Femme Fatale who may betray me in the end but I'd let her it'd be worth it

This is round 6 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Ingrid Bergman:

God, she's fantastic. She's both beautiful and a compelling actor who's more than capable of putting the whole movie on her shoulders if necessary. It's worth noting that while her beauty is conventional, she was seen as refreshingly "natural" with more eyebrows and less makeup than many other leading ladies of the time. She's well known for her role in Casablanca, but in Notorious, Spellbound, (both available on archive.org ) and Gaslight (1944) she shows how immensely capable she is.

I mean...she's Ingrid Bergman. I feel like that should be enough, you know? She's physically beautiful (her eyes!) but watching her is like a transcendent experience. Her voice, her expressions... beautiful woman, beautiful actor.

I'm a gay man but even I understand her appeal. I'll watch any movie she shows up in. Gorgeous woman.

Just try and watch her movies without sighing wistfully, then get back to me!

Choosing 1-3 movies where Bergman was at her hottest was agony because, of course, she was always at her hottest. Not just because she was beautiful but because she was absolutely willing to go up against the bs women in Hollywood were constantly dealing with. When exiled from Hollywood for having an affair with Roberto Rossellini, not only did she refuse to apologize at any point, but she went on to say that Hollywood's films had grown stagnant and boring to her. Though she said she appreciated her time working there, she wanted to try new, different techniques (hence starring in Italian neorealist films, working on stage, and acting under directors like Ingmar Bergman). She was not afraid to chase after her artistic ideals and go outside the box regardless of what society had to say about it. From her first movie to her last she killed it. There's so much more to say about Bergman's career and life, but I've already written five million words so I'll stop at that.

One of the most incredible actors I've ever seen on film. Her facial expressions are so intricate and poignant that I cannot look away. I'm either ace or straight, but damn she made me question that.

SEVEN TIME OSCAR NOMINEE QUEEN. Girl also PULLED, having affairs with famously hot men Gary Cooper and Gregory Peck IN ADDITION to her three marriages...sexy

She has a very natural beauty to her, and she's from Sweden!

She left Hollywood and only became more beautiful. You could drown in her eyes. She can look innocent AND like she's seen it all. She is effortlessly elegant. She's played Joan of Arc (automatically hot) AND was in the movie that coined gaslight as a term. And where would we be without that!

She was known for being a breath of fresh air on the movie scene at the time with her windswept hair, dreamy smile and soulful eyes. I have loved her in every movie I have seen her in - she was just magnetic!

Where do I even start. There's a neighborly quality to this beautiful, talented actress that makes her hotness one of a kind and her looks impossible to forget

With a career spanning five decades, Bergman is often regarded as one of the most influential screen figures in cinematic history. Known for her naturally luminous beauty, Bergman spoke five languages – Swedish, English, German, Italian and French – and acted in each.

She's hot, don't get me wrong, but I've always found her very approachable, like she could easily be a member of my friend group

Where do I even begin with Ingrid Bergman? I fell in love with her with her astounding performance in the 1956 version of Anastasia -- the best Anastasia movie in large part due to her wonderful and touching performance. She's got this amazing, fascinating intensity to her in whatever role she's in. She commits 100%, and she's got this light in whatever she's in that's stunning. She's utterly convincing no matter what she plays, from an amnesiac possible lost princess, from a nun, from a woman taking her revenge on the town that wronged her, to light romantic comedy. She's never missed in any role I've seen her in! Also she became quite the MILF.

Lauren Bacall:

"She is soooo neat. And hot. And everything. That one scene in To Have and Have Not where she says "you know how to whistle don't you? You just put your lips together and blow" altered my brain chemistry during media archaeology class and here we are."

"The VOICE, the SLINK, the EYES. Woof."

"Lauren Bacall was a major lesbian awakening for me. Every picture of her makes it look like she’s about to destroy you physically and emotionally (why is that so hot, I may need help). She had incredible long running chemistry with her husband, Humphrey Bogart, but was an absolute star in her own right. I’ll never be over my crush on her."

"She's got that confident, no-nonsense air about her. She's a boss babe who knows what she wants and gets it DONE. Staunch liberal Democrat her whole life. Campaigned for RFK. From Wikipedia: "In a 2005 interview with Larry King, Bacall described herself as "anti-Republican... A liberal. The L-word". She added that "being a liberal is the best thing on Earth you can be. You are welcoming to everyone when you're a liberal. You do not have a small mind."" Beautiful hair. Beautiful eyes. Beautiful lips. She's just beauty. LISTEN TO HER VOICE. TELL ME THAT'S NOT THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF."

[matan4il]

I'm gonna put it as simply and blatantly as possible.

Russia in 2022 attacked another Eurovision participant and made a whole bunch of other contestant countries scared of being attacked next, after already having attacked a fellow competitor in 2008 -> Russia got banned from Eurovision

Ukraine in 2022 got attacked, had its civilians targeted intentionally, did not choose to start the war, has no record of past attacks against ESC contestants, and is not currently posing a threat to any other Eurovision participating country -> Ukraine did not get banned

Israel in 2023 got attacked, had its civilians targeted intentionally, did not choose to start the war, has no record of past attacks against ESC contestants, and is not currently posing a threat to any other Eurovision participating country -> Israel did not get banned

There isn't a double standard, except for people who insist on not following the geopolitical logic. Same ones who didn't use Ukraine's retaliation activities against Russia as justification to get Ukraine banned, but are doing that to Israel, usually with a side dish of false, hyperbolic accusations that have nothing to do with reality.

Also...

The only flags allowed are of participating countries and the pride flag. The American flag is therefore banned. The Mexican flag. The Japanese, the Korean, the Nigerian flags. The world doesn't actually revolve around Palestinians, they're not actually the ultimate victims, and honestly, it's offensive they're cast that way when there are conflicts far worse and bloodier than the current war in Gaza, not to mention it takes away attention and help from them, to make everything constantly about the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, this is supposed to be the rule. Outside the performance hall, but within the borders of the Eurovision village, a visiting Israeli comedian called Guy Hochman was assaulted for walking around with the Israeli flag. Swedish police intervened, but they didn't act against the anti-Israel protesters who attacked and spat on Guy, they stopped him from openly carrying the Israeli flag. He asked why are they not allowing it, even though the flag is of a participating country, in accordance with the rules. He was told it's too dangerous. He then asked why are Palestinian flags not being removed, if they're banned according to contest rules, and was told that in Sweden, freedom of speech is above anything else. He was also grilled about whether he's Jewish by the Swedish policemen. Why was his flag denied, then? Why was his freedom of speech not protected, why was his Jewish identity a matter for questioning?

Another thing, the Swedish singer who ended up in third place in 2011 Eric Khaled Saade went on a childish rant crying over the Palestinian flag being banned (again, as if it's the only one), and as he was invited to perform this year, he got on stage live with a kaffiyeh tied to his left hand, even though he knew that was considered political, and therefore not allowed. Once more, he whined about it as if this is specifically against Palestinians, but you know what? The dress designers wanted to have a Star of David on the dress of the Israeli singer. She's a Jewish woman, that's a Jewish symbol, so why not represent her identity? But they were told that's "political." And you know what the Israeli delegation did? Followed the rules. You won't see the Star of David on Eden's dress. When they were told not to wear the hostage pin, because that's "political"? They followed the rules. When the Israeli song writers were told that their song, expressing Israeli pain, is "too political," what did they do? Followed the rules, they changed the lyrics. And you don't hear them crying about it all over social media and the news.

Not to mention, Eric Saade had no problem kissing the ass of Israeli fans back in 2011, when he competed and needed their votes. Was his dad less Palestinian back then? By the way, Israeli fans didn't hold his identity against him, they didn't demand he be questioned about Palestinian terrorists, or what his stance is on Hamas, they didn't drag politics into it, they focused on music and culture connecting people across borders and identities (as the ESC is supposed to do), and Israel gave its 12 points in both the semi and the final to Eric Saade that year. How did he repay those fans? Campaigning to ban Israel (and therefore them) from the contest, because he's incapable of seeing them as people first, and political rivals second, or maybe even (God forbid!) not at all...

It all smells like hypocrisy to me. But we all know this post won't get anywhere near the exposure (through likes and reblogs) that the lying, self-centered, hypocritical anti-Israel posts do. Doesn't matter. I'll still be here, speaking the truth.

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[makemycitybreak]

Tw suicide (and v long background info for short vent hahah)(if anything just read the tags they're like almost the same length as the post)

So like last week (??) I was talking to my dad cause my student council was like putting smth on instagram about international men's day which you know kinda funny sorry and then I had this lil friendly conversation with my dad about men's mental health and we talked about how the statistics for suicide are kinda misleading when talking about mental health (bc women are more likely to attempt suicide, and the argument is often that men have it "worse" than women bc they are more likely to commit suicide and actually succeed with it) and then my dad was like "oh but like sometimes suicide is meant to actually kill you and sometimes it's more of a cry for help etc" and I was like "yeah but I think lots of people who OD actually mean to kill themselves" and my dad agreed but then he said that like if you really want to do it there are other ways and yeah sorry this conversation was kinda long back and forth but he ended up saying that an easy and accessible way to do it is to hang yourself in the woods. And like. It just stuck with me. It would be so easy. It would be so easy to like actually do it. There isn't even a lot stopping me. If I really wanted to I could. It doesn't have to be the woods either. It ciuld be somewhere more private. Although I wouldn't want anyone to actually find me, cause that's obviously traumatic. I wouldn't want them to go through that because of me. Especially not if one of my parents would find me alone. Oh shit this is making me cry. But also, you know what do I care - I'm gonna be fucking dead!? You know. I don't know.

[enwoso]

A lovie request where she has a terrible fan encounter maybe she’s watching the game with her uncle Luca and when they try to get down to alessia at the end lovie gets shoved and falls over and is being crowded and she’s so scared and calling out for someone to help her but the fans are more excited because Leah/ alessia are signing things at the barrier

BACK OFF — alessia russo x child!reader

just a little something something to say thank you for 800 followers!!! i love and appreciate you all so much. forehead kisses for you all xoxo

grumpy masterlist

game day was always busy day for you but always a fun day nevertheless.

you would always travel to the stadium with your mummy and then you would find either your uncle luca or nonna depending on who was coming to watch. then you could enjoy the match in the stands and it also gave alessia the chance to do her full pre-match prep without the worry of you being around.

always cheering for your mummy with your jersey on and her number on your back, you being the loudest one there. screaming louder than anyone when your mummy scored. always being your mummy's number one fan.

the match had now ended against sweden and now all you wanted was to see your mummy, but alessia was doing her rounds around the pitch. stopping and signing shirts and posters as well as taking photo for fans at the barrier. along with the rest of the lionesses.

alessia's name being called out in all direction. you though for this game where sat in the friends and family box at the top of wembley. your mummy looking like a small figure on the pitch.

you had been patiently waiting at the stairs that would take you all the way down to the barrier and to your mummy but you were being told to wait by your uncle luca. and you were bored of waiting.

“we go on now luca?” you asked with a sweet smile as he hummed looking down towards the queues at the barriers all with people pushing and shoving to get the the front. luca obviously not wanting to take you down their if it wasn’t safe.

“just give it a couple minutes then we can go, okay?” luca said as he took another glance down the bottom as a little huff came from you. you just wanted to see your mummy.

this is why games at the smaller grounds were your favourite, you didn’t have to wait for people to scatter as your mummy would be straight over lifting you over the barrier and into the warmth of her arms. you on your own little excited ramble about the game you’d just watched.

you were beginning to get really impatient, if there was one thing you didn’t like and that was waiting.

“we go now” you asked again dragging your words out as a small sigh came from luca as he nodded slightly.

“yes, but slowly there’s still a lot of people down there!” he pointed to the many fans holding shirts and banners in extended arms as well as screaming your mummy’s name.

you replied with a small okay, jumping out your seat with your teddy wrapped under your arms as you were finally allowed to begin to walk down the steps.

you started off slowly but with each step you picked up the pace knowing your were getting closer to seeing your mummy. “tiny, slow down…” luca trailed off but it was no use you were to far in front now.

alessia had spotted you making your way down the steps, your little excited wave as you got closer to her. but alessia made the silly mistake of waving back drawing some unwanted attention your way as you were mere inches from the barrier.

"oh my god it's alessia daughter!"

"can she sign this for me!"

"can i get a photo with her!"

fans started to crowd around your small frame as you got a little scared at all the unknown faces now looking at you, you a lot smaller so you had no one to hide behind as alessia tried her best to get as close to you seeing the crowds around you.

the fans starting to get a little bit more pushy invading your personal space as you began to get more and more overwhelmed.

fans were pushing you, trying to get closer to you but also the barrier as alessia was getting closer. "luca" you whined but it was no use as you didn’t know where he was so he wasn’t able to stop the few hundred fans pushing your small figure around.

"help" you whined a little louder, as the crowds around you got smaller. men in bright yellow jackets pushing them away and yelling for the unknown faces to ‘back off’ in a deep and scary voice as you were scooped into your mummy’s arms.

your mummy pulling you tightly into her chest as small sniffles came from you. you still being a little overwhelmed from the interaction.

"it's okay lovie, mummy's got you" alessia cooed as you sunk into the safety of her arms, the fans shouting her name as she said a quick few words to her brother, luca nodding at her words before she quickly waved to the fans.

walking back into the centre of the pitch, it was a little quieter. you calming down as alessia kissed the top of your head. "you okay now lovie? what happened?" your mummy asked as you frowned.

"people shouting my name and your name! and then they start pushing me" you said with a sad smile and tears still prominent in your eyes as alessia nodded as she began to explain how some fans just wanted things to be signed and that they probably didn't mean to push you.

"me no like fans" you huffed with crossed arms and a frown on your face. a small laugh coming from alessia with a knowing hum as she placed a kiss to your cheek walking towards her teammates.

[girlgenius1111]

adrenaline junkie

r loves to do dangerous things, relishing in the thrill, the rush of ecstasy that rushes through her. until her overprotective teammates find out about some of her hobbies. and then others find out. it doesn't go great.

disclaimer- as has been established, i do not have BDE, so i haven't ever ridden a motorcycle. or done like most of the things r does in this.

At first, it was only small things that the girls noticed. How you would climb up on stuff and jump off, prompting intense scoldings from your captains and the coaches. If this was any indication as to how they'd act if they learned about your... more intense hobbies, you were pretty determined not to let them find out.

There were different rules for professional athletes than people who's jobs didn't rely on their ability to walk. While it wasn't in your contract, you weren't supposed to do anything physically dangerous. No motorcycles, no skydiving, no cliff jumping, no zip lining, no swimming with sharks. It was all very discouraged.

You were an adult, though, a whole entire individual who could safely decide to do dangerous things for fun. Your teammates still thought of you as a kid, Alexia and Lucy especially. And sure, you were young, but completely capable of making rational decisions for yourself.

You'd had a couple close calls; as big of a city Barcelona was, your teammates all lived near you, and it only made sense that it was only a matter of time before you were caught. Your motorcycle was parked in the building's parking lot, but none of your teammates knew that it was yours when they came over. At least, not at first.

-----

You'd decided to use your bike one morning to go grab coffee. The place was too far to walk, but it was a nice day, and you wanted to enjoy the fresh air. It was a few days into the holiday break, so you knew that a lot of your teammates would be out of Barcelona, at home with their families. This is why you didn't worry about going to the coffee shop that a lot of your teammates frequented. Which would turn out to be a mistake.

You'd had to circle the block the coffee shop was on before you could get a spot right in front. You pulled in, turning the engine off and taking off your helmet, leaving your jacket on. When you turned your attention to the coffee shop, or rather the little tables outside of it, you froze.

There, at one of the little tables with their coffees, sat Ingrid and Frido, jaws practically on the floor as they stared at you. Deciding to play it cool, hoping that if you acted like you hadn't done anything wrong, they'd be alright about it, you walked over to their table.

"Hey guys! I didn't know either of you were still in town." Ingrid was supposed to take Mapi with her to Norway, (Mapi had been complaining about the upcoming cold weather for weeks, but every time she even mentioned spending Christmas with Ingrid's family, she got this disgusting, love sick look on her face). Frido was also supposed to head home to Sweden.

Their only response was to gawk at you, stunned into silence.

"Guys?" You said, playfully waving a hand in front of their faces. This seemed to bring them out of their temporary stress-induced coma. Ingrid stood up, almost knocking the whole table over in the process.

"Are you CRAZY?" She shouted, hands flapping in the air as she spoke, gesturing wildly. Frido's mouth was opening and closing, as if she had so many things to yell, she couldn't settle on one.

"About...?" You said, looking between her and Frido, pretending that you didn't know very well what they were upset about.

"YOU KNOW WHAT ABOUT!" Ingrid yelled, pointing a finger insistently behind you.

"Ingrid, you're kind of making a scene." You mumbled, looking out of the corner of your eye at the pedestrians nearby staring at the Norwegian. She only scoffed in response, hands on her hips, waiting for you to explain yourself.

"You know who is going to make a scene? Alexia, when she finds out her perfect, precious, protégée rides motorcycles in her free time." Frido said finally. Your cool demeanor vanished.

"No, no, Frido you cannot tell her, she would kill me. Kill me dead. And if she didn't Lucy would. Actually, I'm pretty sure half of the team would kill me. Besides Pina. And Mapi."

Ingrid lets out an indignant noise. "Sell the motorcycle and we won't tell."

"You want me... to sell it? Come on, guys, it's not even that dangerous." You try, faltering when both girls rise to their feet again.

"NOT THAT DANGEROUS?" They shout together, and you throw your hands in the air, cutting them off before their lecture can really begin.

"Alright, alright, I'll sell it. You guys are boring. And you better not tell anyone about this. No one. Not even Mapi." You said, making them promise they wouldn't speak a word of it.

They insisted on driving home with you, following your bike in Ingrid's car. They honked whenever anyone came even close to you, and every time you caught a glimpse of them through their windows, Frido was staring at you like a cop tailing a murder suspect. At one point, you were going maybe 5 over the speed limit, and Frido stuck her head out the window, instructing you to slow down immediately.

If it wasn't so incredibly annoying, it probably would have been funny.

You parked the bike elsewhere, now, in case either of the Nordic girls decided to check and make sure the motorcycle was really gone.

-----

Mapi must have cracked Ingrid, you're sure of it. And you knew, too, that she only told Alexia on you because she was jealous that you had a motorcycle and she didn't. Of course, Ingrid thought you'd gotten rid of it. You hadn't. And Alexia, being Alexia, was suspicious enough to figure out that you still owned the motorcycle. She'd come over, accompanied by Lucy and Irene, completely unannounced. You'd let her in, somewhat confused. She snooped around without telling you what she was looking for, before triumphantly holding up the keys to your bike. They were hanging on the hook where they always were, but no one had ever thought to pay attention to them before.

Alexia yelled at you like she'd never yelled before, about the dangers of riding a motorcycle, about lying to her, about not listening when the older girls had tried to keep you safe. She was going on and on, and while Irene and Lucy had started off looking like they agreed with her, they were also definitely over the lecture after a few minutes.

You were in hot water with Alexia as soon as the words left your mouth; you weren't stupid, you knew how she would react to what you had just said, but you had always been hotheaded and her hovering and nagging had gotten to you today.

"You don't need to know about everything in my life, Alexia! I've gone skydiving, and I haven't died. I swam with sharks, and didn't die. Cliff jumping? Zip lining? Bungee jumping? Drag racing? I have done all of that, all since I've been with this team, and I am completely fine. You aren't my mother, and I don't need you to act like you are. I don't need your opinion on everything I do, I don't need you watching my every move. I can do what I want." You snapped. Alexia took a step back from where she'd been standing, a look of hurt flashing across her face.

"Y/n, you're way out of line," Lucy said, looking angry again. Irene nodded her head in agreement.

"No, no. She's right. I'm not her mother. She can do what she wants." Alexia said softly. She dropped the keys onto the counter, and walked out your door without another word.

You were flooded with guilt. Alexia had been more of a parent figure than anyone else in your life had ever bothered to be. You were grateful for it, you really were. She was part of the reason you were the person you were today, having spent the last of your teenage years on the team with her. She'd always watched out for you, always took the time to make sure you were okay. She'd expressed to you, before, her worry that she was overstepping, doing more than you wanted her to do. You'd thrown that right back in her face.

"You need to apologize. That wasn't fair of you." Irene said coldly.

"I just-"

"-No. You and I both know everything that Alexia has done for you, gone out of her way to do for you. She loves and cares about you, obviously you doing stupid and dangerous things is going to bother her." Irene's voice was deadly serious, arms crossed over her chest as she stared you down.

"When you moved here from England, do you know that Alexia called Leah, and talked to her for hours trying to get to know you, and make the transition as easy as possible?" Lucy cut in.

"When you got that concussion last season and you were in the hospital, she sat awake, all night, next to your bed, too worried to rest." Irene continued.

"She has an England shirt with your name on it that she wears to watch you play, did you know that? No one is allowed to see her in it, but she doesn't miss any of your games for England. Not one."

"Your first Christmas here, she went all out with Christmas decorations. You were living with her then, and she wanted the day to be special, even if it wasn't the way she normally did it."

They were switching off, seemingly having endless examples of all the things Alexia had done for you. You were blinking, hard, memories of how easy Alexia had made everything for you flashing through your mind. Lucy spoke more gently.

"You were 16 when you got here, y/n. She has done more for you than anyone. You're her kid whether you like it or not. It doesn't matter that you're 19 now, it doesn't matter that you don't live with her anymore."

"She deserves better than you lying to her about your dangerous hobbies, and she deserves better than how you just treated her. Fix it." Irene finished, tone still just as cold as it had been. She was, herself, rather protective of Alexia, you knew. Her reaction was completely warranted, you knew that too.

Irene turned then too, walking out your door and shutting it behind her. Only Lucy remained, staring at you critically.

"I didn't mean to hurt her feelings." You said weakly.

"I know. You did, though."

"I don't know why I said any of that, I was just annoyed."

"You're young, it's a young person thing to not think before you speak. You do it all the time, normally it doesn't end as poorly as this did." Lucy tried to joke, hating the sad frown on your face, even if you probably deserved it. You just shook your head, looking up at her as a single tear fell down your cheek.

"What do I do, Luce?"

"Give it a couple hours, and then go apologize. And sell the damn motorcycle. Or I'll remove the engine or something." At this, you did smile, if only weakly. "C'mere," she said gruffly, pulling you into a tight hug. "It'll be fine, kid. Alexia would forgive you for anything."

You hoped she was right.

-----

You stood at Alexia's door, about a half hour later. You'd meant to wait as long as Lucy had said, but you couldn't do it. You were fidgeting with your fingers as you waited for her to answer, not really sure what would greet you.

You'd seen Alexia mad, obviously. And you'd seen her sad, though less often. But you'd never seen her sad because of something you'd done. It made you feel sick, that you'd repaid her years of kindness with rude comments that completely disregarded how much she had done for you, because you were slightly annoyed with her behavior. If she was sad, you weren't sure how you could fix it.

When she answered the door, you were stunned, stunned, to see Alexia's eyes slightly red and puffy, like she'd been crying.

"Hola pequeña," she said roughly, wiping at her face as if to rid it of the evidence as to how upset she was.

"Can I come in?" You asked.

"Of course," she said, stepping to the side immediately to let you in. She led you to the living room, and you both took seats on the couch. The Alexia sitting next to you was not one you were used to seeing; you could tell how hurt she was by what you said. You could also tell she was trying to pretend she wasn't hurt, whether because she didn't want to make you feel bad, or because she was embarrassed at the obvious and uncharacteristic display of emotion. You chewed on your lip for a minute, trying to figure out how to apologize.

"Ale, I'm so sorry," you began.

"It's fine," she said, brushing your apology off. She tried to smile at you, but it was weak, and it didn't reach her eyes. It was going to be hard for you to get out what you needed to say, you knew. You weren't good at expressing your emotions, and you'd never really admitted to Alexia what an important role she had played in your life. You tried to show her through actions, but your words earlier had undone anything you'd accomplished in terms of letting her know how much you appreciated her.

"No, it's not fine. I was completely unfair to you. I didn't mean what I said, not at all. I... you've been... for me..." You trailed off, words getting jumbled. "I don't know why this is so hard for me to say."

"It's alright, pequeña, I get it," Alexia said, and she did sound less upset, like she knew what you were trying to say.

"I'm not used to having people in my life that care. I mean, I am now, because I have you and the team, but it still surprises me sometimes when I do something, and people... people care about what happens to me. You've always cared, though. Even when I was an angsty 16 year old with an attitude problem, and I didn't want you to care, you did anyway."

You take a big breath, trying to steady your voice. "You've been more of a parent to me than anyone. I value your opinion, I really appreciate that you care enough to be mad at me when I do something stupid. I'm sorry I said otherwise, because that wasn't true. I was just frustrated, but you deserve better than that. I'm really sorry about what I said, and I'm sorry that I don't express how much I appreciate everything you've done for me."

You take a peak at Alexia once you've finished talking, and find her looking out the window, jaw set tightly. At first, you think she's upset about something that you said. You see her lip wobble slightly, though, before she bites down on it, and realize what's actually going on. Your captain schools her features, before turning to you.

"Thank you for apologizing. I... I was hurt by what you said. I can't help but worry about you, and I know I probably go overboard with it sometimes, but I look at you and see the scared 16 year old you were when you got here, and all I want to do is protect you."

Alexia shuffled closer to you on the couch. "And I know you appreciate me, pequeña. You might not say it, but you show it. You don't need to thank me for caring about you, though. You shouldn't ever feel like you have to thank anyone for that. You deserve love, pequeña, I hope you know that."

You fall somewhat unsteadily into her arms, which wrap around you in a comforting embrace. You blink your tears away, wondering how your apology to Alexia turned into her comforting you, but that was the magic of Alexia Putellas.

"Y/n?” She says, chin resting on top of your head.

"Yeah?"

"Did you really do all those things you said you did?" She sounds slightly ill at the idea, and you wince, wishing you hadn't overshared all of those details.

"Yeah," you answer meekly.

"Dios mio," she mumbles.

"I'll sell the motorcycle," you say placatingly. Alexia lets out a short laugh at that, pulling back from you to look you in the eye.

"I know you will. You aren't ever riding that thing again."

"Well..." You said, unable to stop yourself from glancing towards where you had parked said motorcycle.

"You did not... drive it here... to apologize to me..." Alexia choked out, baffled.

"I did," she groans in exasperation. "But only because I'm taking it back to the dealership right after this. I called, they're gonna buy it back off me." You smile sheepishly at her.

She glares at you. "You better be telling the truth."

"I am, Ale, I promise." You rise, heading back towards the door.

"Good. Off you go, then. Get rid of that deathtrap. And wear your helmet. And drive under the speed limit. And stick to side streets, not busy ones. And-"

"-Alexia, I've been riding it for a year, I'll be fine." You say, fighting the urge to roll your eyes. The blonde looks genuinely anxious at the idea of you driving off on it. "I promise, the dealership isn't far from here, and I'll text you once I'm back home."

She nods, looking at the motorcycle parked outside with an expression full of disdain. "Drive safe," she says finally, and you promise that you will.

-----

You did drive safe. It wasn't your fault that someone ran a red light, or that it just happened to occur right as you were in the middle of the intersection. It wasn't your fault that the car practically t-boned you, the last minute braking doing very little to ease the impact. It wasn't your fault that you were thrown off the bike, sliding and rolling painfully along the pavement until you came to a stop several feet away.

It wasn't your fault.

Still, as you looked up at the sky, feeling yourself begin to lose consciousness, you knew that the fact that it wasn't your fault would not get you out of trouble with Alexia. She couldn't kill you if you were already dead, though, you thought. That was horrifying, and you jerked your eyes back open, trying to stay awake. It was no use, though, and your eyes closed against your will, head rolling weakly to the side on the concrete as spots flooded your vision, until everything around you was dark and quiet.

-----

HA.

part 2 tomorrow :)

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Limahl - The NeverEnding Story 1984

"The NeverEnding Story" is the title song from the English version of the 1984 film The NeverEnding Story. It was produced and composed by Italian musician Giorgio Moroder and performed by English pop singer Limahl. He released two versions of the song, one in English and one in French. The English version featured vocals by Beth Andersen, and the French version, "L'Histoire Sans Fin", featured vocals by Ann Calvert. It was a success in many countries, reaching #1 in both Norway and Sweden, #2 in Austria, West Germany and Italy, #4 in the UK, #6 in Australia and on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song was composed by Giorgio Moroder with lyrics by Keith Forsey, though it (and other electronic pop elements of the soundtrack) is not present in the German version of the film, which features Klaus Doldinger's orchestral score exclusively. In the final episode of the third season of Stranger Things, set in 1985, "The NeverEnding Story" is sung by Dustin and his long-distance girlfriend Suzie as a way to reconnect after not seeing each other for some time. Following the season's release on July 4, 2019, interest in "The NeverEnding Story" surged; viewership of the original music video had increased by 800% within a few days according to YouTube (not linked to here), while Spotify reported an 825% increase in stream requests for the song. It recieved a total of 68,2% yes votes!

[jamiesansible]

I’m sure everyone remembers the article from 2020 where researches found three-ply cordage made by Neanderthals.^

But did you know that in the supplemental material for the article, it mentions that pine needles can be made into textiles?^^ As someone who works with textiles myself, I had come across pine needles as a dye stuff, but not as a fibre.

The source is listed as "L’acquisition des matières textiles d’origine végétale en Préhistoire" by Fabinne Médard. It talks about how other fibres, including brambles and broom could have been used prehistorically for a similar purpose, as well as flax. However, it contains only one metion of pine needles.

“Les aiguilles du pin sylvestre (Pinus sylvestris L.) fournissaient, après rouissage, une matière textile appelée « laine des forêts » qui remplaçait la ouate et l’étoupe dont on faisait également des tissus (Mathieu [1858] 1897)" * The needles of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) provided, after retting, a textile material called “forest wool” which replaced wadding and tow from which fabrics were also made.

So Scots pine needles were processed, spun and woven, or simply used directly after processing, potentially prehistorically.

If you follow the source for the quote above, it takes you to a book from 1860 called Flore forestière; description et histoire des végétaux ligneux qui croissent spontanément en France et des essences importantes de l'Algérie. It says:

“On fabrique depuis quelques années, avec les faisceaux fibreux, allongés, et tenaces des aiguilles, une espèce de drap grossier.” ** For several years, we have been making a kind of coarse cloth using the fibrous, elongated and stiff bundles of the needles.

So this processing of pine needles was also happening in the 1800s.

Another souce from the 1840s describes the texture of forest wool as resembling "...horsehair, and has been used for stuffing mattresses"** and that an industry sprung up in Humboldtsau, near Breslau for processing it. Manufacturies for forest wool then spread to Sweden, Holland and France, which may explain the mention in the 1860 Flore forestière.

Despite looking a bit more, but couldn't find much else on the subject expect a recent masters thesis in German (which I couldn't access) and an article on the designer Tamara Orjola.

Orjola's work investigates the modern use of pine needle fabric, showing there is still interest in it. She says:

"Forest Wool began with research on the forgotten value of plants. Valuable local materials and techniques are left behind due to the unwillingness of mass-production to adopt more sustainable practices. In the old days the pine tree was used as food, remedies, to build homes and furniture and for many other purposes. Nowadays, it is only valuable for its timber." ***

I find the line from prehistory to now facinating - that people have looked to something as mundane as a pine needle to spin, especially as researchers are discovering a lot of what they thought was linen fabric is actually ramie (from nettles).

As far as I can tell, only Pinus sylvestris L. and one other variety was used. I am not sure what makes that tree more suitable than other pine trees, or if it was simply a question of availability. In terms of processing, the answer as far as I can tell is retting, presumably followed by scutching and hackling - similar to how flax is processed. However I have not done that myself and cannot speak to the specifics.

It would be something intresting to try though.

________

^ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61839-w#MOESM1

^^ https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41598-020-61839-w/MediaObjects/41598_2020_61839_MOESM1_ESM.pdf

* https://journals.openedition.org/nda/602

** https://www.proquest.com/openview/276605d708970d416923b94e8856d20b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=41445

*** https://lampoonmagazine.com/article/2021/05/15/recycled-wood-pine-needles-byproduct/

[hoe4sports]

How this ends p5 (Alexia’s version)

Alexia Putellas ft Fridolina Rolfo x reader

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Author’s note: Thank you for being so patient with me. Here is an alternative ending to “how this ends”. Enjoy!

Warning: non

Summary: Alexia struggles to repair what she once broke.

—

After coming home from your trip to Sweden with Fridolina, Alexia had begged you to come see her. At first, you bluntly refused. Never again, you promised yourself. But then. the leafes turned brown, and the ocean changed into a temperature only a fisherman could handle swimming in. Just like the seasons changed, you came around and agreed to meet her.

Picking a spot to meet her wasnt as easy as it seems. She suggested to meet up at her place, but you refused. You decided that meeting up in what once was your own homes would remind you of too many good memories and you would end up forgiving her on the spot.

Meeting up at Fridolina's place, just felt inapropriate. You had too many good memories with her to ruin your peace. It wasnt like you still loved Alexia. You loved her, but like the number of dates she took you to declined, so did your feelings for her. Fridolina picked up the pieces of what Alexia broke, and she worked hard every single day to glue it back togeter.

Meeting at your place, somehow felt even worse than going to either Frido or alexia’s apartment. Your new home was your home. A place where you could protect your peace. A place where you could create a space made seamlessly for you with your favourite colours and decor. That was why you ended up with wanting to see alexia somewhere neutral.

Arriving at the cafe, you immediately spotted Alexia among the tables. You felt your heart drop to your gut at the sight of her. She was wearing a cap covering her dark baggy eyes as she looked down. Her outfit didn’t resemble something Alexia would normally wear, only a plain pair of jeans with a stain and a white t-shirt.

Even though you felt less affected by the breakup by the day, just like your wounds had started closing up: they definitely hadn’t healed. You felt like your stomach was about to twist inside out, and tried to take a deep breath which only ended in you suppressing a yawn that turned into an embarrassingly squeak.

Alexia immediately shot her head up in your direction before practically tumbling out of her chair. Her frames moved towards you with her hands reached out in your direction. You looked at her hands. The gesture was out of pure routine after spending 13 years together. When she reached you, you gave her an apologetic look and she pulled her hands in, slightly redder in the face.

“Hi” you tried to say confidently, but it ended up being more of a whisper. “Hola” she whispered back.

The pair of you standing completely dumbfounded in the middle of the cafe surrounded by couples and families. The tension was thick, and it made you feel like you were on display for the whole cafe to see. “Wanna walk?” Alexia asked, but it ended up being more a telling you instead of a suggestion.

The pair of you disappear out of the front door before you start walking around the trail of the park. It’s still fairly early, the quietness of the park brings a joy to you that you yourself cannot explain. The fog is lying low towards the lake of the park reminding you that fall is about to move into winter. Yet another season for you to experience without your partner. A season for you to get to know yourself.

It’s odd, you think. You haven’t seen Alexia since before the summer. Now, it’s late September. Everything is different now. It’s has all changed. Eventually, you moved out of Frido’s apartment into your own home. A place with only one tooth brush, one hairbrush and one water bottle. A home where you could eat lasagna on a Wednesday because you didn’t need to cook for an athlete.

As you walk quietly on the gravel listening to nothing but your shoes hitting the rocks; the sound of the silence becomes unbearable. “How are you?” Alexia spills out. You raise your brow at her. Did she really just ask how I am, you think to yourself while internally rolling your eyes.

“I’m alive, atleast. Going to Sweden this summer and staying with Fridolina’s family really really helped.” You practically spit the words at her.

A part of you feels good saying that harsh truth to her, to be brutally honest, but a part of you does still love Alexia. You see the hurt on her face, but she hurt you. She chose this for you, and she dosent get to slip away from the responsibility of the situation.

Alexia shoves her hands in her pockets as she shrugs. "Im happy for you, both of you" she stutters out, clearly feeling conflicted. Her eyes treble to the ground as you walk alongside her. Your face breaks out a confused look while raising an eyebrow.

“Why do you care so much about Fridolina?" You question, clearly annoyed with Alexia’s amount of involvement with your life.

Your tone sounds harsh, but you don’t care. The entitlement that Alexia showed made you wanna throw up. Imagine making assumptions about someone you threw away like garbage. She didn’t deserve your compassion, you decided.

“No, bébe, lo sien-“

You cut her off.

“Why do I care so much about Fridolina? Because she took me in when you threw me out like I was garbage. She took time off of football to take care of me.”

“Si, I’m sor-“

Alexia tries to regain herself, but you won’t let her.

“ She knows that I like roses, but you know what she also knows? That I love bluebells. That bluebells are my favourite. When did you last give me bluebells? When did you last give me your jacket, your coffee or watch me try on my new clothes?”

The resentment you had felt since the breakup had been hiding underneath your skin. Waiting to burst out, like a pimple. You felt angry, disappointed, sad and frustrated. Your arms crossed over your chest in visible agony as you come to a stop.

“Y/N, I know. I’m happy that she takes such good care of you. I wish I did better when I once had you. I don’t know what to say, I’m just really fucking sorry.”

Alexia mumbles out. You, and her both know that no amount of apologies can fix this. Nothing can heal the damage that was done. You sigh as you sit down.

“I’m done being mad..” you mumble while looking out on the lake. A pair of swans seeking comfort in each. You shove your hands in your pockets.

“Tell me what I can do to fix this. What I can do to get another chance”

Alexia says while breaking the silence. Her words sends you spiralling mentally.

“The truth is that I don’t think that anything can make you get another chance. I gave you another chance, every morning, every date, every weekend.”

You confess while kicking some gravel. Alexia sits down beside you. Her knee barely touching your. A part of you wants her to wrap your hands around her. A part of you wants to kill her and dump her in the lake with the swans.

A tear rolls down your cheek. You let out a laugh while wiping it.

“It’s so ridiculous, Alexia. Why did you throw away 13 years? I’ve loved you since you were nobody, since you were a kid with braces and chubby cheeks. And you threw me away, for what?”

Alexia raises her shoulders. Her eyes search for yours, but moves to watch the ground once they don’t find the comfort that they are looking for.

“I got into my own head, si? I thought that if I could quit worrying about spending time with you, being good enough for you, worrying about building a family, stop thinking about finding a house that would be good enough for you and being scared that you would leave me; then maybe it would be easier to just let you go. To let you find someone else. Someone better.”

Alexia lets a tear roll down her cheeks. You look at her. You feel so conflicted.

“If you just would’ve told me this, Alexia. Things would still be good. We would still be good. We could’ve worked it out.”

Alexia swallowed as your words cut through her shell and let out the disappointment she had held for herself in her heart.

“We could’ve? That must mean we still can, right?”

The second Alexia let the words escape her lips, she felt terrified. Her eyes aearches for the warmth she would look for in your face, but to no help. Your face was frozen, still looking out on the lake with your hands tucked inside your pockets. Your lips let a breath escape making tiny littke clouds due to the change of weather.

Alexia felt her heart pounding. It felt the same way when her father died, and when she tore her acl.

"Im sorry, im sorry, i forgot that you and Frido is a thing now"

Alexia stood up next to you, but you kept sitting down. Staring out in the lake. Still not finding a word.

“Say something, por favor” Alexia squeaked out. Mid sentence, you could hear her voice break.

You looked up at her again letting out yet another sigh.

“Fridolina and I, are just friends”

When Alexia heard those words, she didn’t know whenever to cry or laugh. It isn’t too late, she thought to herself. Her eyes lit up with hope searching for your gaze. She needed to get her act together before some other woman would come along to try to wife you up.

“Just friends?”

“Just friends”

You stood up next to Alexia while you started walking next to her, still not touching her shoulder. The pair of you walked to your cars in silence. Alexia was busy trying to put together words, and you were trying to find it in your heart to forgive Alexia. When you reached the parking lot, you walked to your car before stopping in your tracks to the voice of Alexia.

“You said you loved me?”

“What?”

“You said you loved me, si?”

“Huh?”

You couldn’t quite catch what direction the situation was moving towards.

“You said, that I’ve loved you for 13 years, that is present, no? That means you still love me, si?”

You looked up at Alexia. A part of you angry for telling her that. But you knew she was right about what you said. And what you felt, but you weren’t gonna let her know that yet.

“Yes?”

“Give me a chance, please. A last chance, you can leave whenever you want to, no questions asked.”

Silence. Desperation started attacking Alexia’s brain cluttering up her words and sentence. Playing with her self control and her calmness.

You couldn’t reply to her. Truthfully, you didn’t know if you could believe her. That she would use the chance to try to better things. Your heart and your brain was going back and forth. Arguing at 400 km per hour. Like a tornado in your brain.

“Please, mi vida, let me prove to you that I’m ready. That I want to be better for you. That i can change for the better. That I want to be what you need and deserve. Please, por favor, just one more chance. I’m begging you, one more chance.”

You looked at her. Your heart was pounding, practically beating out of your chest. Your lips parted, ready to make a decision. The decision hurt your chest. The words felt like they were burning on your tongue.

“Fine, one last chance. One last time for old times sake.»

-

After agreeing to give alexia one more chance, things hadn’t really resorted back to normal. It was awkward, weird and uncomfortable to be at this stage of your non existent relationship. She would text you something, and you wouldn’t know how to respond.

But, how do you respond? When your ex-girlfriend of 13 years gets granted another chance and she spends every waking minute trying to figure out how to fix your relationship. One minute, she would be sending you soft pick up lines. The next minute, she would send you a picture of something that reminded her of you. What reminded her of you could literally be anything; squirrels, certain lunches, distinct perfumes or songs would remind her of you. It felt nice. Nice to know that things would remind her of you. To see her make an actual effort. To see her work for you instead of against you. The struggle had however turned out to be you. You didn’t know if you could ever love anyone, let alone Alexia again.

“Amor? Are you ready, si?”

You stood about five centimetres away from the mirror, examining your lipstick to make sure it lined perfectly. In your hand, was also your lipgloss. You could never wear lipstick without lipgloss, it just didn’t work. It felt dry, itchy and like crumbles would come off your lips.

“Mm, estoy listo”

You noticed alexia standing in the doorway, in her beige suit with her hair curled down.

“You look stunning, love.”

“Gracias, Ale”

“I love you, so so much.”

Your smile dropped in the mirror, and you pulled the lipgloss slowly pulled away from your lips. Your hands felt sweaty, your knees felt weak and your ears were ringing. Your sad eyes looked at Alexia through the mirror while opening your mouth to find a way to respond.

“Don’t say it back. Not until I deserve it and you mean it”

You turned around to look at her before nodding slowly in agreement while Alexia’s heart broke in silence, but she knew that she needed to put you before her own needs.

-

Fresh out of the shower, your apartment smelled like Sol de Janeiro’s hot pink shower gel. Your hair was dripping wet on your shoulders, not bothering with the hassle of busting out the hairdryer.

The only thing you never skipped was your skincare. It was a routine by now, engraved in your muscle memory. Step by step was completed like it was a list of tasks you had been asked to do.

Your silky robe was snugly tied to your body, bearing witness of your unofficial bedtime announcement. Well, that was until your doorbell rang. You cursed underneath your breath as you slipped on your slippers before stomping your way to the entrance.

“Hola, Yo so-, Alexia?”

“Hola, I brought dinner!”

“Que?”

You stood in the doorway like a living breathing questionmark, your hair dripping wet making you shiver from the cold wind outside. Confusion filling the air between you.

“Dinner? Food? I brought your favourite from the Chinese place downtown. I thought we could watch a Christmas movie, no?”

“A Christmas movie?”

Tears formed in your eyes. You had begged Alexia to watch Christmas movies with you forever, but she never bothered. She always needed to be productive; movies were a waste of time in her opinion. You shook your head, snapping yourself out of the confusion you had buried yourself in.

“Please, come in”

Alexia slipped into your apartment, taking in the decorative elements of the place. She decided that it felt calming, almost strangely soothing to find herself in your home. A part of her knew that it wasn’t due to the color of the floor to celling curtains or the rug underneath the couch, not even the scented candle had made enough imprint to make her feel calm. In her heart, she knew that it was because she was with you. The love of her life.

“It smells nice, is it that scented candle you got last year? The one with apple and cinnamon?”

Your eyes looked at her skeptically, arms wrapped across your chest protectively.

“Yes, why? Is there something wrong with it?”

Alexia’s heart broke knowing that she had complained about your scented candles just a year earlier. Now, she would do anything to have you light scented candles across her house.

“No amor, it smells good. I like it”

“You like it? You, the Alexia Putellas like my candles that you despised a year ago?”

Alexia flashed you a sad smile while nodding. Her hands notoriously started unwrapping the boxes of food she had brought from your favourite restaurant. When she opened up a box, you saw your favourite food making your stomach do a loud grumble.

“Go sit, I’ll bring it over to you”

Oddly, you still felt sceptical about the whole situation and especially about her behaviour. It was a huge contrast to what you were used to, but a part of you liked this Alexia. This Alexia also happened to be the girl you fell in love with, over 13 years ago. But this Alexia also changed , and broke your heart, just 8 months ago.

Alexia brought over food for both of you before grabbing the remote of your Apple TV to turn on your favourite movie; the Christmas prince. Again, another factor that had you confused. Alexia hated your Christmas related movies and would curse you for watching them in October. But here sat, the Alexia Putellas, watching a Christmas movie in October without complaining; even looking slightly interested.

After eating, you had laid down on the couch slowly easing into Alexia’s lap. Her hands ran over your hair again and again and again. It felt soothing, almost safe. Her hands playing softly with your locks bringing out the comfort you once found in your shared home. It felt like a little part of you, were healing from the wounds that she had once caused. Sleep anchored down your eyelids while your mouth left out silent snores.

The next morning, you woke up in your bedroom to the sound of birds chirping. Confusion laid thick in your head like a heavy layer of fog until you saw your phone next to you with a message from Alexia.

_

Ale

Amor, you fell asleep and I didn’t wanna wake you. I love you, but I don’t wanna disrespect your boundaries so I slept in the living room. Out for work now, text me when you wake up princesa. ❤️

-

You blinked at your phone for a second not sure if the message was real or a part of a dream. Alexia never called you amor or princesa in messages anymore. However, you felt at ease knowing how she had honoured your wishes even when you were knocked out. You dwelled on your reply knowing that you didn’t want to tell her that you loved her, not just yet. You needed to be sure, to have some kind of confirmation and connection to her again.

-

A week later, you had asked Alexia to drop you off for a big event downtown. The event was hosted by Save the children and ultimately it was a fundraiser.

You were however running late, struggling with the zipper of your satin dress. As you were struggling trying to wrestle the dress close, you felt yourself growing sweaty and increasingly hot. The rage of struggling with your dress was becoming increasingly intense, and you yelled out if frustration before flopping down on your bed.

Of course, Alexia was lucky to bear witness of the situation from her car by looking through your window. Her instincts told her to go inside, and she had to. It’s instincts, can’t stop a good urge!

“Por favor, let me help you out hm?”

You looked up at Alexia before rolling your eyes and nodding dramatically. Your frame practically slithered off the bed and into Alexia’s arms. She spun you around before scooping your hair to the side showcasing the back of the dress.

“Amor, you are gorgeous. I haven’t been the best person for you, but I’d like to be. Please? Let me help you”

Her hand slowly reached for the zipper pulling it up sensually before placing a kiss on the back of your shoulder.

“You are gorgeous, Amor. Beautiful, perfect, hermosa”

She whispered softly in your ear. Your cheeks felt warm as you turned towards her. The pair of you standing awfully close, for a pair of ex girlfriends. Her hands on your waist, your hands on her shoulders. You caught yourself looking at her lips for the first time. The small, but meaningful gesture made you instantly search for her eyes.

“Amor, I love you. And because I love you, I’m gonna stop you. I have to prove to you, that you are the one for me, si?”

She reached for your hand before kissing it gently. The butterflies had unleashed in your gut, making you feel the familiarity of falling in love again. A feeling you thought wouldn’t be possible to find within the frame of Alexia.

“Ready?”

“Yes, thank you, love”

The last part was only a silent whisper. You testing how it felt to call her what you used to call her. It felt nice, you had to admit it. It made you feel good about her progress, and how your friendship was developing.

Your heels sent loud clicking sounds flying around in the hallway, like when you see doctor Addison in greys anatomy. That was the closest person that described what you felt like.

The pair of you headed out to the hallway for Alexia’s car. You fiddled with your keys for what felt like an eternity. When you finally got the door closed, you turned around to Alexia who was quick to literally pick you up from the ground.

“Baby! Be careful, you will hurt your back!” You giggled.

Alexia’d heart stopped at the sudden drop of her nickname, even though her heart broke when she heard how you worried more about her back than you coming to the event soaked.

After a short drive you were closing up on the event, you immediately pulled out your lipliner to touch up your lipstick. The vibe was good, conversation had been strangely easy.

“I wanted to ask you something, princesa” Alexia said clearing the silence, but still not disturbing you.

“Go ahead, I’m not getting younger” you teased while touching up your cupids bow.

“May I accompany you? I saw the invite mentioned a plus one, and I have already put on my suit for you. I understand if it’s too-“

You looked over at Alexia, she wasn’t wrong. She was wearing her suit, the tan suit you got her for your 10 years anniversary. It made your heart flutter. The decision on bring her as your plus one, wasn’t a tough one.

“Yes, baby. Please come with me, I’d really love that.“

Alexia’s face lit up like a child’s face on Christmas morning.

“Gracias, I love you, bu-“

“But don’t say it back. Yadda yadda” you teased while putting your lipliner into your handbag as Alexia pulled up to the event.

During the event, Alexia was exceptional. She held your bag, held your hand when walking up the stairs and politely talked to people approaching her. She even made a 10.000 euro bid on a trip to an olive farm in Greece knowing damn well that the trip wasn’t worth that insane amount of money.

After the event, she drove you home and decided to walk you to your door. The pair of you stood on the opposite side of the door looking at each other.

“It was lovely, gracias for bringing me” Alexia said softly looking at you while her hazel eyes sparkled in the moonlight.

“Thank you for offering, I had a good time” you said back finally admiring her beauty without being reminded of the hurt she had put you through the last year.

“Well, I should be gettin-“

“Stay”

“Que?”

“Stay, if you want. You can sleep over, I still have a few of your t-shirts and pants”

Alexia stood completely silent across you, her face paused in a big smile. Her head nodded rapidly, like a puppy. The action made you let out a giggle.

“Are you coming in or do I need to bring you a tent and a sleeping bag?” You teased which made Alexia giggle.

After a glass of wine, a shower and skincare the pair of you had found yourself in your bedroom. Alexia was taking in the decor of the room, being reminded of the emptiness that was awaiting her at home.

You both slipped into bed, your head on Alexia’s chest. Her hands in your heart, soft puffs of air being let out on your head. You felt yourself being completely relaxed, almost in a trance as she kept playing with your hair. Sleep weighing heavily on your eyelids.

“Sleep princesa, I’ll be here in the morning, promesa”

You closed your eyes at her encouragment, making you tuck yourself into her side.

“Alexia?”

“Si”

“I think I love you”

-

It was early November and you had been taking steps towards starting a relationship with Alexia again. She was flying out to national duty to play against England. You took the opportunity to have some self care time, and you found yourself curled up underneath a blanket while watching a Christmas movie. It wasn’t a secret that you were a Christmas girl. You shoved a piece of buttered popcorn into your mouth while giggling at the romantic gesture of the Christmas prince. You loved fairytales and stories, even as a young girl you would beg your papi to read your bedtime stories. The same books over and over again.

Your laughter was broken by the sound of your doorbell ringing. It annoyed you at first, as you bluntly ignored it. Your attention shifted to the tv again, popping another popcorn into your mouth. Then, the doorbell rang again. You rolled your eyes, knowing that Frido had a key. So you walked out to the hallway with your blanket wrapped around you, the popcorn still in your hands.

“Fridolina, I told you that you can just use the key. Why would you otherwise need a ke-“

Silence.

“Alexia?”

Alexia stood there, right in front of you dressed in her sweats.

“Aren’t you meant to be going to national camp before break?”

You crossed your arms in confusion.

“Si”

Alexia shrugged.

“And why exactly aren’t you there?”

“I told them I would fly in tomorrow”

You furrowed your brows. Alexia never missed a day of camp. Always showing up early, always prepared and always welcoming the girls to camp.

“Why?”

Alexia smiled at you before reaching out a somewhat ugly wrapped present.

“Open it”

You felt sceptical, and your face mirrored your feelings. Slowly, you pulled the strings of the gift before unwrapping it.

“It’s a jersey?”

You lifted your brow while looking up at Alexia. Not the most romantic move she could’ve busted out.

“Si”

You lowered the jersey feeling confused.

“gracias?”

You replied.

“It’s the jersey I wore when we won the World Cup”

Your eyes shot up at her while holding the jersey towards her. The disappointment in combination with anxiety mixing in her eyes.

“I, it’s too much, I can’t accept this” you stuttered out knowing how much the special jersey meant for Alexia. She always wore the jersey during the mornings before matches. It was her good luck charm.

“Si, you can and you will. You are my lucky charm, so if you wear it; I get double luck”

Your eyes flick between her and the jersey. Its not an easy decision. You don’t really know what to do. Scared that it is too soon, but scared of what others may say. But again, why would you care about what others will think? Alexia looks at you, waiting for an answer with a face that has turned as white as a ghost.

“I don’t mean to push you to do something you don’t want to, or to force you. I just, I miss you at games and the girls misses you. But I’m sorry, I’ll be patient. I shouldn’t have just shown up here. Bye, y/n.”

You cross your arms over your chest while leaning towards the doorway. Alexia turns around slowly, and starts to walk away. She walks down the gravel of your driveway. Your heart is beating through your chest. You curse underneath your breath for making this rushed decision.

“I’ll come.”

Alexia turns around with a confused grin. She dosent trust her own ears, wanting to hear you say it again.

“Come again, por favor?”

“I’ll come, with you, to camp”

Alexia stands still in the driveway confused. She dosent know how to react, or how to respond. Her emotions are bubbling with joy, but she doesn’t dare to become too excited scared that you will pull away. Instead,she moves towards you and wraps you into a warm embrace.

-

A week later, you are sitting outside with Alexia on the beach watching the sunset after a week filled with media, fun and football. The sun is slowly going down below the horizontal line while its colour paints the sky into the most beautiful painting inspired by the greatest Italian artists that ever lived.

“It’s beautiful here, I’m so happy I got to come here”

“Really?”

Alexia’s hand touches yours gently. When she notices that you don’t pull away, she intertwines her hand with yours. It feels nostalgic, almost like when you were kids and she took you to get ice cream before asking you to be her girlfriend.

The foundness of the memory makes you smile. You think about what a life you’ve had together; filled with ups and downs even though for the last year you’ve endured more downs than ups.

You look at Alexia, who is lost in your beauty; not even taking notice of the sky.

“Thank you for giving me another chance, amor.”

She smiles while admiring your frame. You lean your side into her shoulder, resting your head into her.

“I love you, Alexia” you say while closing your eyes. The best moments are made with your eyes closed.

“I love you so much amor.”

You let out a happy sigh before paying yourself down on your back in the sand. Alexia gets pulled down in the movement letting out a shocked gasp. It feels blissful. The moment feels likeit’s in its own little bubble, hoping and trusting that everything will be okay.

You turn your head towards Alexia while looking down at her lip. She looks back at you, staring straight into your eyes taking notice of where your eyes are looking.

You lean your face towards Alexia before slowly closing the gap.

“Amor, if you don’t wan-“

“Shut up and kiss me”

And you close the gap between you, bridging you together like you were meant to be.

[skipper1331]

Loyalty and Love // Leah Williamson

warnings: dead family member

Leah was a gooner through and through, never been seen in a different club jersey than the arsenals as she was Arsenals biggest fan.

She went through all the youth team stages until she reached the senior team. Her body was full of loyalty to the club while your career path was very different - something Leah did not like about you.

Your career started at your hometown club near Bavaria, Germany, until FC Bayern München became aware of you. You were the only girl in the league and still scored the most goals. So to be fair, your actual club career started at the FC Bayern academy. You started there at the age of 10 and played there until the age of 16.

At 16 years old, you said good bye to Germany and played for Ajax in the Netherlands. You played two years for them and enjoyed every second with the Ajax family, yet after those two years, you transferred to AS Roma. You had many transfer offers, inside the league and outside of it but even though, you had transferred a few times already, you had one rule: never play in the same league with a different club. Roma sent you on loan to Olympique Lyon where you won the champions league and the league, each time as a key player of the team. OL offered you a real contract which you gladly signed - winning the treble. After three years in France, where you had learned a lot technical stuff but also had developed further as a person, it was time for a new challenge. A new club and country.

Spain was calling, FC Barcelona to be exact. After a teary good bye, you left for good - it was time to shine at Barcelona.

Your talent was magical, you could score from every angle, no matter the position and the fans loved you.

You had been nominated for numerous awards, won many of them yet still you were the kindest person. You always made time for the fans, signed jerseys, took photos and chatted with them. You were down-to-earth.

Of course you had haters, people not liking your volatility but you didn‘t care. You had a mission and would continue it, no matter if you had no fan at all or a the whole woso community behind you. So while your job was to score goals, you only had one goal in mind.

You loved the Spanish weather, you loved the City, you loved the girls. They made Barcelona your home and more than that. Playing alongside Alexia, Mapi, CGH, Aitana and literally every one on the squad was amazing. It was the way they played and the mentality they had that fascinated you.

The first season at Barcelona was the season you won the Ballon D‘or, while still being so young. The combination of the playing style that you learned in the individual clubs in each country also made you Fifas the best. You were the best.

On the pitch, every opponent was afraid of you while off pitch they adored you. It broke your heart to leave Barcelona, the City you adored. So why did you leave? It was the thing you had to do. The thing you promised yourself at the age of 16 when you left Bayern - Arsenal would be your last stop ever. The thing you promised someone. Your retirement club, you would stay there forever - as long as they offered you a contract.

-

While everybody had greeted you with open arms at your arrival, the skipper kept her distance, only talking to you when necessary. Leah was skeptical to say at least, some things bothered her about you. She didn‘t appreciate your transfers nor respected them. Every country? Really? Why Arsenal? Her childhood club? How long did you want to play here before you stab the team in the back? When another country became interesting? Maybe the US? Sweden?

And then the tape. The strip of tape on your shoulder, it didn‘t make any sense to her. It didn‘t seem like you had problems with your shoulder nor an injury in the last few years (which she had obviously checked) so why the tape? She - well actually everyone, never saw you without. When it slowly started to look rancid, the next second it looked like new again. When you changed, even in the shower after playing it was always there. Were you hiding something?

Leah didn‘t like you, it was clear as the day but (even if she would never admit it out loud) you were a fantastic footballer. Your feet could do magic with the ball, from assisting to scoring to defending, everything you did on the pitch was faboulous. That, she had to appreciate, maybe you would help Arsenal to win the league.

This season. who knows how long you‘ll stay.

-

After your first month with the gunners, you knew for sure, your heart and brain realized it for the first time: after years, you had finally fulfilled your promise.

You felt peace, nothing more. Maybe you could forgive yourself someday.

-

Over time, Leah‘s dislike towards you turned into much more - hate. When you were near the blonde, she would glare at you or leave the room,

the moments you tried to talk to her, to get to know her, she ignored you and

she would rudely comment on the things you said.

After months of trying, you just stopped. If she doesn‘t want to talk to you that‘s okay. You didn’t have to be friends - colleagues, that‘s it.

-

"When I visited Greece-" you started to tell Lia about the beauty of the country when her work wife cut you off, "wow, Y/L/N, a country you didn‘t play in, really respectable" Leah spat, rolling her eyes. Lia smacked the back of her head, her behavior unbelievable.

It was no secret that the defender felt some sort of dislike towards you - noticeable for your team mates and especially for the swiss as she knew Leah like the back of her hand.

"Ignore her" the midfielder stated, asking you to continue your story.

"It‘s fine" not in the mood to tell the end of your Greece-story, you left the two LW‘s joining Vic as she juggled with the ball.

"You really need to stop that" the swiss international grumbled, "she‘s actually really nice"

"And her loyalty sucks! I won’t let her ruin this club"

The brunette watched the blonde march away, arms crossed.

-

Leah‘s behavior continued like that, rude comments sent your way, cut off mid sentence and ignorance accompanied you every single day. But your mindset was clear: you couldn’t be bothered by her.

You understood that Leah was skeptical of you, you‘re new and played for several clubs but on the pitch you played your absolute best each game. You deserved at least some respect.

-

"Where‘s hopper?" Leah asked - you’re never late. Her new nickname for you showed her antipathy towards you yet hiding it well enough, so other people outside of the team wouldn’t get suspicious.

"She‘s on her way home for a few days" Lia replied calmly, not wanting the blonde to explode.

You had texted Lia about your plans earlier this morning - she was your friend after all. Just because she was great friends with Leah, didn‘t mean you couldn’t be friends with her too. Like I said, you were friends with the whole team, just not with Leah. Besides you enjoyed talking to Wally as it was in your mother tongue, conversation flowing with an ease.

"What the fuck?! She does know we‘re playing a derby this weekend!" The England captain growled, marching out of the changing room, already calling you. Who do you think you were?

Her calls went straight to voicemail which only angered and frustrated her more. why were you so infuriating?

The defender was quick to approach to Jonas - what was the thinking letting you leave? Did he even know about this?

"Why did you let her leave?!" the woman asked loudly and harshly. You made her blood boil. "Is she playing on Saturday? You should kick her out of the squad! This behavior is unacceptable" she scolded.

Even though Leah knew the team would need you, she was too caught up in her anger.

"Who are you talking about?" the coach asked rather confused. Was he missing something?

"Your new signing" she huffed out frustrated, how can he be this clueless?

"She‘s not here. Apparently at home in Germany, did you know about this?"

"Oh! Yes, I know about this. It‘s in her contract"

"What do you mean? In her contract?"

"She‘s allowed to leave, no matter what day, at-" he looked at his watch, checking the date, "at the 20th of March for three days. One day to get there, one day to stay, one day to leave" he explained.

"Why?"

"I can’t tell you that"

-

On game day, you arrived on time at the stadium, your favourite defender already impatiently waiting for you in the locker room. When you entered the room, she was about to stomp over, telling you how your behavior was unacceptable and jeopardizing the team but something told her not to. Your shoulders were sagged, your eyes red and puffy as you had bags under them ad well - it looked like you had been crying for awhile and not sleeping either. You looked small and sad, but not the sadness-sad, somehow it looked like grieving-sad or guilty-sad. Leah didn't know if her analysis was correct, after all, she didn't know you as you weren’t friends - not even close to that - and to the others it seemed like you were your usual self.

As you walked past her to get to your cubby, she grabbed your hand. "Are you okay?" she asked, genuinely concerned about your well-being. Her stone cold persona towards you was gone for the moment, eyes scanning your face - what was wrong? How can she help you?

"I‘m fine, Leah"

Her hand had a firm grip on yours yet it was so gentle and soft - it was almost like you could feel her 'caring' about you.

But you knew, she only cared about the team and not about you.

"Thank you for asking, though" you smiled a bit, before leaving her touch and walking over to your cubby.

You didn't want to be rude to her because it seemed like she was dead serious about her question. Besides, if you wanted to have at least a somewhat normal work-relationship with her, this might was a step in the right direction.

However, you had to admit, the feeling of her holding your hand was quite nice and made you hope for eventually being friends one day.

-

The game started with you on the bench as agreed with Jonas. It was his decision if he wanted to put you in or not and you respected either way. You were thankful enough that he had shown so much understanding about your family situation, so you wouldn’t be the one to complain about not playing.

Next to you on the bench sat the one and only Leah Williamson, who watched the game very carefully, attentively and critically - the same as you did. In your heads, the two of you analyzed what happened on the field, every bad pass, every unused space or loss of the ball was noted while you tried to come up with solutions. While Leah stated her analysis to everyone at half time, you talked to the relevant person what they should pay particular attention to - most opponents had the same playing style, even if the tactics were changed. Overall, it wasn't the played game in general that mattered, but rather the individual players on the field. If you watched them long enough, it wasn't too difficult to outplay them and their team - Leah and you knew that.

Both of you got subbed on in the 74th minute, the defender doing her job brilliantly while you ran down the wing. The game seemed like it had shifted as soon as the two of you took in your positions. Chances were created, space was used, passed connected perfectly - in all honestly, Tottenham didn‘t have any control over the match anymore, thanks to Leah and your critical eyes.

The score changed when Leah sent a ball flying towards you. With one quick motion, you dribbled around the defender, firing a shot on goal - Tottenhams goalkeeper stood no chance.

That evening a special chemistry was born between your favourite defender and her favourite hopper.

-

If you were hoping that the 'how are you' question meant something, you were wrong.

Her arrogant attitude got worse, as did her mean behavior towards you. You thought that maybe, just maybe, the link up on the pitch earned you enough respect that she at least refrains from commenting. Yet she questioned everything you did and not only that: you were regularly asked whether you would leave the club at the end of the season or whether you would leave one season after that. At this point you felt helpless, you didn’t know what her problem was with you - she seemed like a nice person towards everyone else.

"Come on, Leah, leave me alone" you grumbled as she stood next to you in the locker room with her arms crossed. Especially today she was getting on your last nerve. You hadn‘t slept well the last few days and the bickering was getting more and more exhausting.

"You weren‘t concentrated today" she stated, "this isn‘t acceptable at Arsenal."

"Leah-" Wally tried to stop her but there was no chance. She wouldn’t hold back.

"No, she has to know. She‘s played at enough clubs to know that she has to give 100%!"

"As if you haven‘t had a bad day before"

"I can keep things professional"

"No you can‘t! If you could, you would leave me the fuck alone. You are all judgy but never played somewhere else than Arsenal, so get a fucking grip. At least I have the experience of other leagues"

The whole changing room gasped, Katie smirking, happy that you stood your ground. Leah’s behavior was ridiculous. And this time she took it too far.

On an emotional level, your week had been absolutely shitty.

It‘s like a haunted house, only you‘re the ghost.

On an physical level, you were exhausted.

So, neither emotionally nor physically you could deal with her at the moment.

"Watch your mouth-" the defender started before you cut her off.

"No, you will watch yours" your pointer finger angrily poked her chest, "Listen to me closely, I will not repeat myself. You, Leah Williamson, will stay away from me. I‘m not your friend, I’m not your mate, I’m your colleague, so treat me with damn respect" with that you grabbed your stuff and left.

Leah was breathing heavily, your anger awfully attractive.

"Why are you being like this?" McCabe asked, the girls in the room waiting for an answer. This couldn’t be just because you played for several clubs and she was questioning your loyalty - there had to be more.

"Because she‘s hiding something! I won‘t let her ruin this club" she growled, sitting down in her cubby.

"What should she be hiding?" Steph questioned, you seemed like an honest and truthful person.

"She literally left for three days out of nowhere!"

"She did that when we played at Barca together too" Laia added. She had never thought about that before. But Leah was right, it was unusual to not show up at training when you weren‘t injured or sick, especially since it was in the middle of the season.

"See!"

"I still don’t see the problem" Steph shrugged her shoulders, "she‘s a lovely person and you would know that if you gave her the chance to show it" with that the Australian left. You were such a lovely girl, at least someone had to defend you. Partly, Steph could understand where Leah was coming from - that girl was bleeding Arsenal red.

After Steph had left, the other girls started to leave too, Leah and Kim the only ones left.

Leah was sorting through her bag, checking if she had everything she needed when Kim broke the silence, "Her brother died when she was 16. The 21st of March is the day of his death"

Leah stopped her movements, "what?" she turned around, the colour leaving her face.

"That’s all I know"

Kim grabbed her bag, walking past the blonde, about to leave, "I’m disappointed in you, Leah. We're a family here, and you didn't show her that. Have you ever thought about why she played in every league? You’re criticizing but not questioning. You doubt her loyalty, but she hasn't transferred within the league - doesn't that show her respect for the club she‘s played at?"

"Kim-"

"Have a nice evening"

Alone in the changing room, Leah tried to process the information, now it made sense that you were at home for a few days. It was his anniversary.

She had been a complete ass to you without knowing your story - she still didn't. However, for the first time she felt something like interest. She wanted to get to know you. She wanted to know your story. But most of all she wanted to apologize. You seemed like a sweet girl.

Of course, most of her questions were still unanswered: the tape? Why did you transfer so much? You‘re young.. but for the first time she didn't care. She fucked up and was determined to start over.

I‘m disappointed in you, Leah.

-

At home, the defender sat on her couch, eating some food while the tv was showing her favourite show. This wasn’t right. She couldn’t wait till tomorrow. She had to talk to. Now.

Leaving her food on the table, the blonde called Lia, asking where you lived. The Swiss was hesitant to tell her as she wanted to protect you but Leah sounded genuinely upset about her own behavior.

"Please.. I- I‘m in the wrong here, I know that now. I don‘t want her to go to bed angry or feeling like she‘s not a part of the Arsenal family."

After that, the Swiss texted your address, the England captain already on her way.

When she arrived at her destination, she felt nervous. She rang the bell, hoping you wouldn’t open. She wasn‘t prepared at all - she didn’t know what to say or how to make things up with you.

In that moment, she realized maybe it was a hasty decision to just show up in front of your door and apologize. It wouldn’t be deserved to accept the apology straightaway.

"Leah?" you said surprised.

"Hopper" it was almost inaudible as you had knocked the air out of her lungs. You looked breathtaking. No, it wasn‘t something fancy - you wore an oversized shirt and some shorts while your hair was down but you looked naturally beautiful.

"What are you doing here? I told you to leave me alone"

"I- um.. I came to apologize?"

"Are you asking me that?"

"I came to apologize"

"Go home, Leah-"

"Give me a chance-"

"No. Look, I don’t know why you are here or what your problem is but I don‘t want to play your sick games" you stepped back, closing the door, leaving the defender dumbfounded in front of your home.

"I know about you brother!" she called, helpless on what do to. But as soon as the word 'brother' left her mouth, she regretted it.

The door was thrown open, "what did you just say?!" you were angrier than ever. Your family had always been a sensitive subject.

"I know about your brother" the audacity Leah had to repeat her words was unbelievable.

She squeezed herself inside, looking around.

"I swear to god, if you don‘t leave-"

"I‘m really sorry" she turned around, you didn‘t know if she was talking about your brother or how she had treated you and neither did she. Either way, it made you furios, you were balling your hands into fists, trying to stay calm.

"Is that him?" she asked, walking to the picture frame on your shelf, "what‘s his name?"

It was a picture of the two of you as kids, both of you wearing Germany jerseys as you grinned in the camera - one of your favourite pictures.

And that made you explode. How dare she come to your home, implying to apologize which she wasn‘t and then act nosy.

You marched over, grabbing her at the collar of her shirt and pushing her against the wall, "leave me alone" you weren’t shouting but you voice was loud, clear and firm, almost intimidating.

Her breath hitched, "I can‘t" you were so close to her. She could see all tiny freckles, those which only appeared when you were in the sun. She was intrigued by you. Her eyes darted around your features, the wrinkle between your brows slowly disappearing.

You didn‘t know what came over you, but in less than a second, you smashed your lips against hers. Teeth were clashing, all anger and frustration purred in, hands gripping and pulling as both of your minds went blank. Neither of you could think about anything else but each other.

-

The day she stood in front of your apartment, wasn’t brought up again yet you had to admit something shifted in your dynamic that night.

The chemistry you had on the pitch only grew, Leah assisted while you scored countless of goals.

Her behavior wasn‘t as bad as before anymore, she started to greet you, say good bye or other acts of kindness yet every once in a while a snarky comments left her mouth.

After Arsenal had won the conti cup against Chelsea, the celebrations were on the rise when you entered the club. You saw some girls dancing around, some lingering at the bar and others sitting at the table.

You joined the girls at the table, sitting down next to Stina. Lost in conversation with the Swede you didn‘t notice a blonde defender standing right behind you with her arms crossed and a pout on her face, "you‘re sitting on my seat, hopper" she grumbled, the pout increasing.

"Sit somewhere else" you replied, not looking up as you continued your conversation which had been rudely cut off by the English woman.

"There is no seat left"

This time you turned around, looking up from your seat as the defender glared at you.

It was the first time, you had seen her tonight and she looked absolutely gorgeous with the outfit she was wearing.

"I think you‘re old enough to deal with that, aren‘t you?" you smiled sarcastically at her, once again turning to Stina.

"I am" she stated, a smug smile plastered on her face. With the alcohol in her system, she simply sat on your lap, one arm going around your shoulders while she started her own conversation. Weirdly confused but somehow not minding, you let her be, your arms going around her waist to support her. No one said anything about, most of them not realizing what was happening or simply not caring - as long as you weren‘t fighting everything seemed fine.

The night continued like that, chatting, dancing and enjoying the time.

"Could you let me get up, please? I‘d like to have another drink" you asked the defender who immediately got up, "can you bring one for me too?"

"Sure"

She smiled shyly before you left, sitting back down, Lia looking at her with a 'tell me right now what‘s going on' expression.

"What?"

"Seriously? What‘s going on between the two of you?" the Swiss asked, Leah‘s eyes already back on you as you stood at the bar, ordering.

"Nothing"

The defender’s brows furrowed when a man approached you, standing way too close to you, her jaw clenching.

She saw you taking a step to the side, intending to signal the man that you were not interested. In responds, he only stepped closer.

Angrily, the blonde stood up, marching over, "is everything alright here?" her hands settled on your waist, pulling you protectively towards her.

"Everything‘s alright, mate" the man slurred, stepping forward, "I’m just getting to know your friend."

Leah was quick to step in front of you, her hand holding onto you to know you‘re safe, "leave my girlfriend alone or I will break your nose" she threatened.

The man held his hands in surrender before he left.

In an instant, she turned around, cupping your cheeks, checking if you were alright.

"I‘m okay" you stated. What just happened? Girlfriend? Weird man? Break his nose? Girlfriend?

"Here‘s your drink"

She took her drink, resting her hand on the small of your back, guiding you back to the table.

What‘s just happened?

Lia was the only one left at the table while the others had joined the dancers. You were about to sit down on an empty chair when the blonde pulled you on her lap - roles reversed.

Raising an brow, "There are enough empty seats this time"

"I don’t care, hopper"

"I‘ll join the rest on the dancing floor" Wally said, winking at Leah whose cheeks turned red.

"You‘re so beautiful, you know" the England captain said, cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.

"How many drinks did you have?" you giggled, your fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns along the back of neck. "Not enough to punch that guy" she growled.

You laughed, "you‘re cute when you‘re jealous" not so sober yourself.

She squeezed your hips in responds, resting her head on your shoulder.

Both of you enjoyed the silence that came over you, also enjoying the closeness you shared in that moment. Leah wasn‘t forgiven and she knew that yet she couldn’t stay away from you. Somehow you were addicting.

For once, it was nice not to argue with the blonde but to enjoy her company. She was cute, you couldn’t lie.

"I‘m very sorry for my behavior" she whispered, "I’d like to start over again" you turned towards her, eyes locking, "I’m not asking for your forgiveness, just for a chance to show you that I’m not an awful person. You are a part of the Arsenal family and I’m sorry for treating you otherwise"

You let her words sink in. She was right, she couldn’t ask for your forgiveness because too much had happened already but starting over seemed like an opportunity for the both of you.

"I’m Y/N"

-

The next weeks, Leah was the sweetest person to you. Each morning, she greeted you with the widest smile and when she left the facility, she always made sure to tell you good bye. She treated you with respect and listened to everything you had to say. She was amazed by the stuff you had to say. She couldn’t care less if it was something as simple as your favourite colour or an opinion on something. Everything you said was important to her.

Soon the small talks turned into longer conversations until they were endless.

In matches, when somebody fouled you Leah was the first to stick up for you, arguing with the opponent before she argued with the ref (of course after she had made sure you were okay.)

Slowly but surely, Leah earned your trust and appreciation.

She wasn‘t just anybody - she was Leah Williamson and once she had set her mind, you couldn’t stop her from doing it.

She wasn‘t the Leah you had met at your arrival - she changed for good. She was much more. She was funny, loving and caring, attentive and respectful - she was actually an amazing woman and your friend.

-

Standing in the kitchen of Leah’s apartment, you made dinner for the both of you while she sat on the counter watching you and eating the ingredients.

The atmosphere was tranquil and relaxed as music filled the background.

Peace.

"His name‘s Sebastian" you turned around, grabbing another ingredient out of the fridge while you avoided Leah‘s eyes, painful stings in your heart. You wouldn‘t cry, not now. "He‘s three years older than me" you inhaled sharply, trying to compose yourself as you continued to cook. "You would have loved him, he was a big Arsenal fan, watched every match" you chuckled, "but was the worst player of all time. He never really was a sports guy anyway, he was rather the calm type of person. He loved to cook - that‘s actually one of his favourite recipes" you nodded your head towards the food splayed out on the counter.

The dish you were making had brought you so much comfort after his death. It felt familiar. Sometimes, you imagined him standing in the kitchen, so concentrated that his brows would furrow as he cut the vegetables or when he seasoned - never a drop too much. He was very particular when it came to cooking, but rightly so, because when he did it, it always tasted absolutely perfect.

"He used to be my best friend"

Your heart broke into pieces saying it out loud. He wasn‘t just anybody - he was your brother, the only man you ever loved and him more than anyone.

The two of you had a special bond, you basically owed him your entire career. Because it was him who kicked the ball around with you for hours,

because it was him who drove with you to training when your parents had to work,

because it was him who always watched your matches,

because it was him who always believed in you, even when you were on the verge of giving up.

He was your biggest supporter, the person who believed you could be the best footballer in the world one day and the one person who made sure that you had a life outside of football.

And even though you would have never shared your charger with him, you would have given him your lungs, so he could breathe.

"What happened to him?" Leah asked, her voice gentle, testing the waters if it was okay to ask or too much.

"When-" you closed your eyes, holding back the tears that were about to fall, "I was at a birthday party. At some point during the night I asked him to pick me up because I wasn't feeling well. He did it without hesitation. On the way home we- we got hit by a car and crashed into a tree. Both of us were conscious but he was coughing and bleeding very badly. It looked very bad. I prayed to every god I knew that they should take me and not him- they didn‘t listen" tears were streaming down your face as you aggressively cut the remaining vegetables, "his last words were 'make me proud' and i remember shouting at him but it was too late. I told him I loved him- he took his last breath with a smile on his face"

Silence filled the room, small sniffles the only thing being heard. You grabbed a tissue, blowing your nose and another one to dry your tears, "I am- was blaming myself for what happened, so I left home as soon as I could"

Leah was listening carefully, her heart aching seeing you in pain and the pain you had been through.

"I always complained about others leagues, because they seemed so easy and everything" you chuckled at the memory, "and he always was like 'you can‘t complain if you haven‘t played there'" mocking him, the most german accent in your voice, "so that’s what I did. I have played in several leagues but I always knew Arsenal would be my last stop"

Everything made sense now, Leah‘s heart broke even more, realizing what an absolute ass she was while you only had one goal in mind - to make him proud.

It was never your plan to ruin Arsenal, you wanted to stay there to fulfill the promise you had made in the night that changed your life.

-

Leah saw you with different eyes now, her heart was beating for you in more than one way. She admired you - for the way you play, how strong you are and how hard life had been for you yet still smiling throughout it.

She had to protect the ray of sunshine and the feisty beast you could be. You weren‘t just anybody - you were Y/N Y/L/N, the best footballer in the world.

The defender was a 100% sure, your brother would be more than proud of you and the woman you became.

But she also knew what she had to do. You deserved an apology, even more than that - you deserved every good thing in the world. And if she could she would take all your pain away.

-

It was in the middle of the night, all lights turned off besides in the kitchen of the blonde defender. She sat at the kitchen table, one sheet of paper and a fountain pen in front of her.

Dear Sebastian,

I’m Leah, Leah Williamson.

I've been playing for Arsenal my whole life. I've had my best and worst moments at the club. All of my best moments had to do with my team, my friends, my family, whereas my worst moments had something to do with my performance or injuries. Unfortunately, because of my loyalty and love for the club, I was blinded from seeing the important things - your sister. I never understood why she had transferred so often - it seemed like she was volatile and didn't understand loyalty and love. But she does - she does that more than anyone else.

Her loyalty was only ever dedicated to you.

She is an incredible person and I’m so sorry for the way i treated her at her arrival (I will tell her that, this time when I’m fully sober and explain everything). But I’m writing you to tell you that I like your sister, more than I ever thought I would. To be honest, that‘s the first time I’m admitting it to someone, I didn‘t even admit it fully to myself - but I do. I like her. And I guess, this is me asking for your blessing.

A blessing that I can treat her right if she lets me,

a blessing that I can always support her,

a blessing for one chance with her.

I know, there is much too make up for and my behavior will never be excused - no apology could be strong enough for what I have done - but I want you to know that I will regret it till the rest of my life.

So while you may be her biggest fan from paradise, I want to be her biggest fan from earth.

I promise to do everything in my power to be the best person she deserves.

Sincerely,

Leah Williamson

With a lighter in her pocket and the letter in her hand, she went outside on the balcony. The night was chill and quiet, the perfect atmosphere as the moon shone brightly. Her nerves were calming down and her mind seemed to find rest as she looked up in the sky, "one chance" she whispered, burning the letter. She watched the ink and paper slowly disappear, the smoke rising into the night sky. She knew it was unrealistic to expect any sign of positive responds but was it wrong to hope? When the letter was fully burned, she waited till the smoke was completely gone before she went back inside, turning off the kitchen light and making her way to bed.

When the blonde woke up the next day, she made her way to kitchen immediately, needing her morning tea. She frowned and froze.

"Hello?" she called.

No response.

She had turned off the light last night, didn‘t she?

She sure did!

Was this her sign? Was this the sign that the letter arrived?

It was his blessing.

-

"Hey" the blonde greeted you with a wide smile when you entered the changing room.

Matching her smile, "good morning" you walked to your cubby.

"What are you doing tonight?" she followed you, the smile not leaving her features. Someone woke up in a good mood, you thought.

"Going home, eating, then sleeping" you replied.

"Do you want to watch the Arsenals men game tonight? With me?"

"Are you nervous?" you asked, the defender fidgeting with her fingers as her cheeks were slowly turning red, "I’d love to watch the match with you."

And if you thought her smile couldn’t have gotten wider, you were wrong - the smile she sent you was from ear to ear.

"Perfect" with excitement in her body, she pressed a peck to your cheek before she happily skipped out of the room, the other girls watching the interaction that just happened closely.

"Are you blushing?" Katie laughed loudly as you embarrassingly turned to your bag, in fact blushing.

-

Half an hour before kick-off you rang Leah‘s doorbell, takeout in your hands. You weren‘t in the mood for cooking and Leah‘s cooking skill were eh, e for effort?, also you had been craving Chinese all day long, so that‘s what you got.

"I brought food with me!" you grinned, pushing yourself inside as soon as the blonde had opened the door.

"What did I do to deserve this?" she asked chuckling at your eagerness as you walked in her kitchen to get some plates and cutlery.

Cheekily, you replied "Nothing, I was just hungry"

Serving the food on the plates, you sat down at the table with Leah, comfortable silence filling the air while the two of you ate dinner.

Something was bothering Leah though, you could tell. Every now and then it seemed like she wanted to say something yet she closed her mouth quickly after.

"I‘m sorry for my behavior" she mumbled, "when you arrived at Arsenal, I mean" you looked up from your plate, meeting her eyes for a brief second, "I was skeptical about your loyalty and it got out of hand" carefully she laid her hand on yours, hoping you wouldn’t pull away.

You didn‘t - you wanted to hear what she had to say.

"I‘m really sorry and I know we started over, but I need you to know how sorry I am, this time without any drink in my system. You’re the most loyal person I know, I just didn‘t notice it"

"Leah" you said gently, "look at me, please"

The defender raised her head, looking at you with unsure eyes, rapidly tapping her foot under the table.

"Thank you for telling me. I guess I would have been skeptical too if I had played for the gunners my whole life" you told her, "I’m not excusing your behavior because it wasn‘t nice or appropriate but I don‘t have any bad blood against you either. In fact, I enjoy your company" you pulled her hand from hers, only to put it against her side profile, softly caressing the apple of her cheek.

Subconsciously, she leaned into your touch, "I‘m very sorry"

"I know"

The unspoken 'why' barrier was finally removed.

-

"Arsenal will win, I can feel it!" the defender stated, flopping down on the couch. With a bowl of popcorn in your hand, you sat down next to her, somehow your thighs touching even though the couch was big enough. "Liverpool is a tough opponent"

"Oh stop it! None of that"

Making herself comfortable on the couch, she turned on the tv, ready to see Arsenal win.

Getting comfortable yourself, you pulled your legs on the couch, leaning towards the armrest on the other side which earned you a glare, "what do think you‘re doing?"

"Oh, sorry" in an instant your feet were on the ground.

"No, what are you doing over there? Come here" she nodded to the space between her legs, signaling you to cuddle her.

With red cheeks and a racing heart, you crawled over, settling between her legs as your body melted into hers, head resting on her chest while her arms wrapped around you.

Leah was sure you could hear her racing heart and even though she desperately tried to concentrate on the match, she just couldn’t. With you in her arms, she wouldn’t ever want to think about anything else. You looked so precious in her arms, eyes fully focused on the tv.

"You are so beautiful" she admired, looking at you with heart eyes.

"What?"

You prompted yourself up, looking at the blonde who was smiling dazedly at you, "you are just so gorgeous" her fingers started to play with your hair as she got lost in your eyes, "let me take you on a date"

It was crazy how the mood had changed - from apologies at dinner to cuddling on the couch to asking you out.

"Okay" you smiled shyly, cheeks crimson red as your skin tingled.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah"

You stared at each other, eyes shining with adoration and passion, both of you slowly leaning in.

When your lips met, the world seemed to stop spinning, fireworks exploding as you melted into each other and Arsenal getting themselves on the scoreboard. She kissed you so gentle and tender - the complete opposite of the kiss you had shared before.

Everything was perfect.

-

After many many dates, the blonde asked you to be her girlfriend. None of your friends surprised at this point - you had always been obsessed with each other.

The two of you had been caught kissing several times, not even trying to hide it. Leah loved kissing you but she also loved physical touch in general, always holding your hand, having her arm around your midsection or her hand on your thigh while driving. She couldn’t get enough of you.

-

"Come to bed" the blonde whined, waiting for you to join her under the covers. Weirdly, neither of you could sleep good at night without being in each others embrace, so it became your routine - either Leah would sleep at your home or the other way around - this night you were at Leah‘s, and obviously you had stolen a shirt from her wardrobe as your pajamas - which she liked very much. You looked so cute in her clothes.

When you joined her, her arms were immediately wrapped around your body as she pulled you close, pressing a good night kiss on your temple.

The next morning, you woke up with hair in your face and a head resting on your chest, the blonde defender still peacefully asleep. You stayed like that for awhile, your hand gently rubbing her back before you slipped out of bed, ready to make some breakfast and your much needed coffee.

Since it was the weekend and your day off, you decided to surprise the England captain with some self made pancakes - you knew she loved them.

While Leah woke up due the feeling of your absence which turned out to be correct, something she didn‘t like. Sleeping without you was awful already but waking up without you? absolutely horrible.

Grumpily, she made her way out of the bedroom, the smell of pancakes hitting her nostrils, lightening her mood in an instant. Following the smell, she found you in the kitchen, only wearing a sports bra and some of her old Arsenal shorts - you looked cute - booping your head to the non existing music, no doubt that you were humming some song. Silently, the defender walked up behind you, her arms smacking around your stomach, "gosh, you scared me!"

"Sorry, baby" apologetic, she pressed multiple kisses on the side of your neck, fingers tracing along your sides.

You inhaled sharply when she traced along the stripe of tape on your shoulder, she had never brought it up before, respecting whatever story was behind it.

"You- you can take it off" you whispered breathlessly, anxiety and fear creeping through your body.

"Are you sure?" her lips kissed the other side of your shoulder, trying to calm you down and ease your mind.

"Yes, just- be careful, please"

and that’s exactly what she was. All of her moves were gentle and careful - you weren’t afraid that it would hurt pulling the tape off but the story behind it.

After the tape was ripped off a big scar was displayed on your shoulder, "it‘s from the car crash" you said, pain shooting through the healed wound. It wasn‘t an injury pain rather the type of phantom pain - suddenly you were back in the car.

"It‘s a constant reminder of what had happened - something that‘s my fault" you admitted, fighting the tears, "I started to cover it up but make up didn‘t work, so the physio at Ajax taped it. And since that day, I do it all the time"

Leah‘s heart broke at the vulnerability she was seeing, your posture seemingly weak and exposed.

"Is this okay?" Her pointer finger traced over the scar..

"Yeah"

..not in a way that made you uncomfortable but in a way that made you feel like you didn’t have to be ashamed of it.

"What about this?" for a moment you didn‘t feel her touch at all before she pressed featherlight kisses over your scar.

"yes"

Tears were streaming down your face, all of your walls broken down now, Leah made you feel perfect the way you are - because you are.

"I‘m proud of you"

Everything came crashing down, a sob escaped your throat and within a second, you were in your girlfriends arms, crying into her shoulder. The tears that you had not allowed to shed in previous years, fell all at once now.

The England captain hugged you through it all, letting you cry as long as you needed - she wouldn‘t go anywhere.

She had promised your brother to do everything in her power to be the best person you deserve and that‘s what she did, does and will do.

She kept her promise and you did too.

Arsenal was always half but never whole, Leah‘s begun to feel like home.

[wosoamazing]

Sick Days

Magda Eriksson x Pernille Harder x Teen!R

Warnings: Sickness, Vomit, Mentions of Parental Death

A/N: Not two people I usually write for but thought I would try something new. I hope you like it, let me know what you think and whether you want to see more of Magda & Pernille. (Do keep in mind it is 12:35am here and I've just written this whilst watching the rugby 7s) 1.2k words

You’d woken up feeling like you had slept for days when in reality it was only two hours, which had you letting out a groan after looking at the clock on your side table and realising it was only 8pm. Your body ached along with your head and you felt hot. Your chest also felt gross and your stomach uneasy. You slid out of your bed, causing your vision to swim which you ignored as you began your journey to Magda and Pernille’s room.

-

You were Magda’s niece, she was your aunt, and you suppose that meant Pernille was also your aunt. However it felt very different, they were closer to being parents, but more relaxed. However, you vaguely remember that change happening 3 years into living with Magda, when your parents had died, she had definitely been more strict before then, maybe it was also the influence of Pernille. You’d lived with Magda since you were ten, the Chelsea Academy had their eye on your for a while and when they were signing Magda they took it as the opportunity to try and sign you too, and it worked, your parents allowed it, as long as you kept doing school, and that you came to visit them, something which Chelsea facilitated very well. You’d made your official debut for the senior team when you were 15 years and 9 months, making you the youngest player in WSL history. You’d then signed for Bayern with both women, them having to convince you that you got an offer before you were the top goalscorer in the WSL and not because you were the girl without parents and they felt bad for you, you were incredibly humble, honestly too humble, and Magda secretly hated it, whilst Pernille thought it was cute.

-

You knocked lightly on their door, even though it was half open, you always felt guilty for interrupting their alone time, you also didn’t want to disturb them if they were feeling as bad as you, wondering why they were already in bed.

“You can come in, it’s all good,” You heard Magda reply and you pushed the door open, before attempting to shut it again behind you.

“What’s up?” It was Pernille who spoke this time.

“I don’t feel well,” you mumbled as you climbed onto the bed, positioning yourself between them, Magda placed her hand on your forehead, you’d gone to bed really quite early but they figured it was just the exhaustion from the last few months catching up to you, you’d made your debut in Sweden’s opening match of the world cup and surprisingly (to you at least), you’d played quite a lot of minutes, you’d moved to a new country, where they spoke a different language and pre-season training had started, it wasn’t a surprise you were tired. However if the heat radiating off your head was any indicator of how sick you were it wasn’t good, Magda got up and headed to the kitchen to get some items you would need.

Returning with many items, she placed them all down before checking your temperature properly and then trying to give you some medicine from the box, however she tipped the box upside down to open it, not realising the other side was already open, causing the many sheets of tablets to fall all over the floor, causing you to let out a slight laugh as Magda was crouching down cleaning them up, however your laugh very quickly turned into a chesty cough, one that had Magda’s head popping back up as she looked at Pernille with concern.

“That’s it Älskling, just cough it up, it’ll make you feel better” Pernille encouraged you as she rubbed your back, Magda handed you your water bottle along with two tablets after you finished, the ice cold water soothing your sore throat, and you momentarily felt better, before you started hacking up a lung again. 

“Oh, it’s okay Älskling, don’t worry,” Pernille tried to reassure you, as you threw up some of your stomach contents onto the sheets and yourself, due to your coughing. Something that wasn’t the best, neither women cared you’d thrown up on the bed, it could be washed, it was more so the fact that you very likely threw up the tablets you’d just taken, but you still wouldn’t be able to take more for a few hours.

Magda helped you have a lukewarm bath as Pernille changed the sheets and grabbed a basin just in case. You hadn’t even notice Pernille and Magda switch, so that Magda was able to have a shower, until it was Pernille who helped you get dressed and back to bed where you noticed there were now three sets of pillows swished onto the bed, your’s being in the middle, you all but collapsed onto the bed, the fresh sheets feeling nice and cool on your burning stomach. Pernille sat down next to you, turning on the TV, which was playing one of the many football games from this weekend, deciding just to leave it playing that, she turned her attention back to you, placing an icepack on the back of your neck before her nails ran up and down your back, using her free hand to message ahead that the three of you wouldn’t be at training tomorrow, due to you being unwell and not wanting to infect anyone else. When Magda joined you both on the bed you were essentially passed out, however you were awake enough to clumsily reach your hand out, trying to find Magda’s she helped you by taking your hand in hers, and kissing the back of your hand.

It was four days later and Pernille and Magda deemed you well enough to come watch training, the three of you making your first appearances since you got sick.

“You still not feeling very well?” Sydney asked as she sat down next to you, being told to sit the next few drills out due to her having been out of training for the past few days as she was sick.

You nodded your head slightly before placing your head on her shoulder, deciding it was a nice place to rest. Before a coughing fit racked your body, your cough was still very chesty and did not sound good in the slightest.

“Oh Mini M, dir geht's gut (you’re okay)” Sydney said as she rubbed your back before handing you your water bottle.

“’m sorry,” you mumbled as you tried to move away from her, not wanting to make her sick.

“Come back, Ich bin derjenige, der dich krank gemacht hat, obwohl ich fairerweise nicht so krank war (I’m the one who got you sick, although to be fair I wasn’t this sick,)” she confessed as she pulled you back towards her by your sleeve, and you gave in, curling up on your side, your head resting on her thigh, falling asleep.

-

“Oh look, Mini Magda is sleeping,” Georgia exclaimed as she walked over to the sidelines with the team.

“Was,” you grumbled as you death stared her.

“Mini Magda is grumpy when sick,”

“Yeah I think anyone would be if they got woken up by some annoying English girl’s yelling,” Sam teased her, causing chaos to erupt.

“Can we go home?” you asked Pernille who was now sitting next to you.

“Of course, Magda’s just gone to get all our stuff now,”