Fenerbahçe what a fucking disappointment. Signing an abuser for a whole 40 million euros. This club has been a mess for years… picking m*son gr*enwood out of all ballers that deserve it.. disgusting
the art of noticing: world cup preparations are incredibly stressful
jude bellingham x fem!reader
A/N: wow, it’s been awhile… I’ve had this idea in my head for weeks but finally got around to writing it.. enjoy!
W/C: 1.848
humidity, sweat and the fact that you're driving during rush hour on one of the hottest days of the week couldn't even be on the top list of your problems right now...
you had to catch a flight to tampa, florida in a matter of five hours..
this included packing your suitcases for almost two months of games and activities. you also had to eat something that held you over until you arrived at the airport. right, and driving to the airport and boarding the plane was included..
realizing the time crunch, you had already given up on cleaning the house you lived in with jude. after all, who would deny it when their boyfriend suggested a professional cleaning of an impossible-to-clean-fast mansion?
it was one thing less to worry about.
the madrid sun beamed through your windshield, and you would be lucky to be home in the next thirty minutes to tackle packing.
drivers honk their horns, and windows get rolled down for curses and shouts—anxiousness gnaws at you as you scold yourself for not packing earlier.
but how would you even predict that your last exam of the semester would be moved to a later time slot?
all that studying had made you procrastinate on packing and planning out how you would navigate your first time traveling for an international tournament.
it was such an insane thing to be able to experience. attending a tournament with the world's best teams, seeing thousands of people support their country– but seeing your own boyfriend play for his country was on another level..
you'd been nervous at first, wondering if you could take the publicity and stress that came with being seen in public—especially when this opened doors for more criticism towards your relationship with jude.
but your support and love for him were way more valuable than some blatant disrespect on twitter and Instagram..
after all, to choose to go was a no-brainer.
jude had handled your tickets and accommodation. along with his mum who excitedly told you what spa treatments she would enjoy at the luxury hotels you'd be staying at.
after driving for a few minutes in semi-highway hypnosis, you park your car. getting out with shaky hands and a racing mind.
did you really need that many pairs of shoes? how many of your outfits did you have to shop for in the states? and how many wags wore the team kits or opted for more creative outfits?
whatever— you had to leave within the next two and a half hours— who could care much about resting and enjoying the airport lounge before a twelve-hour flight?
you're startled when you unlock your front door and hear the melody of a smooth rnb song spilling from the upstairs master bedroom.
right, jude was home and only would leave for the states tomorrow morning with the team jet..
since flight and hotel availability were limited, it was best that you head out slightly earlier for a smoother travel day— apart from the fact that you were burdened with hurrying now..
kicking off your shoes, you carry your bag up the stairs. the flowing music getting louder with every step you take.
"jude?"
his name leaves your lips in a rushed manner, eyes flashing with slight panic as you make a beeline to your shared bedroom.
fuck... you had so much to do...
"baby! in here!" jude's accented soft voice makes you stop dead in your tracks at the doorway of the bedroom, your eyes immediately dropping to the suitcases on the floor.
you're almost convinced they're his clothes he's packing, but pause when you notice your vanity bag and toiletries packed in a see-through pouch.
while various items out of your closet are folded up and placed neatly in both halves of the suitcases.
no way... he'd packed your suitcase?
you look up, confusion wafting around you and the panic slowly leaving your system.
jude drops the shirt he's holding onto the bed, an old one of his you loved wearing after a rough day and a long shower.
"babygirl.." jude's eyes light up immediately at the sight of you, his voice having a teasing edge while he takes a few steps closer to you. one of his biceps flexing as he wraps his arm around your back, a strong squeeze giving you a surge of comfort.
you take in his smell first, a powdery cologne that immediately pulls you into a tranquil state. then the soft fabric of his gray shirt, the sleeves snug on his upper arms..
"how was your exam, hm? i saw your text—why would they push it back when your schedule was posted weeks ago? fuck's sake, like you don't have enough on your plate."
he murmurs close to your ear, using the closeness to give you a fat kiss on the cheek, his soft breath hitting your skin.
before you’re able to answer, jude grabs your cheek between his thumb and pointer— a soft grumble leaving his throat as he lowers his gaze to your eyes..
"look at this sweet face.. how am i going to be apart from you so long—"
"stop it.."
you rub the skin of your cheek, a frown making its way in between your brows.
"can- can you explain all of this? why are you packing my stuff?"
a knowing look replaces his pouty one, his hands dropping down to your waist, fingers digging into your shirt..
"packing for you, love. what does it look like? you think i couldn't see you pacing around this morning? your eyes were flying from the closet to the slides on your laptop. only an idiot wouldn't notice when his girlfriend is in distress.."
your heart thuds harder, once, twice, until you catch your bottom lip between your teeth. this feeling, it was incredibly beautiful… not because he did all the work for you..
no, because he had noticed..
you had spent years being under-appreciated, and undervalued. those years before being loved by jude— they had shaped an incorrect image of your selfworth..
getting the generic birthday gifts, not personalized to your interests or likes. having to specify every time what you want, none of it ever being a happy, pleasant surprise..
jude had shown you a completely new way of loving. loving you, and showing you that he'd notice when you're having a stressful time— or just needed a big tub of ice cream and a nice long cuddle.
it was an eye-opening switch, getting gifts. materialistic ones and sweet gestures that you never had to specifically ask for.
he just noticed.
weeks ago, you had mumbled sleepily before bed that you wanted to try fish tacos from a new restaurant right outside the city..
the next day jude had come home from a long grueling training day to drag you out to taste the delicious fresh tacos you were so curious about.
overwhelmed by the mountain of emotions— the stress of the exam, having to fly for twelve hours soon, and thoughts of hurriedly packing being replaced with an airy but deep sense of gratitude.
you couldn't possibly hold yourself back from the moistening of your tired eyes.
"thank you. that's so nice—" you cut yourself off as you clumsily wipe the tears out of your waterline..
your boyfriend's face drops immediately— he begins shaking his head as if he’s able to make you suck your tears back into your tear ducts..
"hey—hey, theres no need for tears, my love.. no don't do this baby..."
jude catches your hand midway. his larger hand wrapping around yours before he tilts your chin up to him.. thumb coming to rest gently on the soft skin of your jaw.
"look, i'm so sorry that you have to go through a stressful time to come and support me. I'll do anything to lessen your burden— tell me baby. I'll do anything as long as you're happy and carefree."
he gives you a second before continuing.
"you have a good two hours or so. let's get you in the shower, 'kay? a nice relaxing shower. after, you can eat something I'll order in— then we'll leave for the airport. tell me you’re okay with that, mhm?"
while he's arranging your game plan, you nod your head. trying to organize your own thoughts before heading in for a shower.
"yes, okay but what did you pack? what if you forgot—"
"already handled. i went through the packing list on your ipad— it's all settled. for your peace of mind, we’ll go through it after you're all clean and your belly is full, okay? we have enough time.."
jude squeezes your hand, before placing a soft, plush kiss on your lips. his warmth and sweetness flooding your anxious system.
being understood and acknowledge felt absolutely incredible.
within a matter of minutes, you're clean and dressed in airport appropriate loungewear. eating the food ordered by your boyfriend.
"made sure it wasn't anything too greasy.. don't want you having an upset stomach on the plane.."
jude reaches his hand up to smooth his finger over your browbone, a small thoughtful smile on his face. those brown eyes of his squinting lovingly as he looks at you eat..
"remember you're getting picked up by a driver at the airport in florida. no need for an uber— and definitely don't get into a sketchy taxi.."
"i'm not a child, jude. do i look like the type to trust anyone blindly.."
"right, it's not like you got into a random guy’s suv after you joined me on that family trip to milan.."
you scoff, but half choke on the bread you're chewing..
"he was a nice man and promised to keep the fare fifteen euros!"
"i told you— it could've gone terribly if he was a different man.."
jude pats your back a few times before cracking open a can of coke.. the fizzy drink spilling over the edges and wafting the smell of sugar into the air.
"thankfully, I'm a good judge of character.."
you retort, giving him a cheeky smile. then wipe your mouth with a tissue.
"when can i see you in tampa? how long after you land?"
he meets your eyes, and hands the can over before nodding.
"when the team lands we'll check into our hotel and have free time until the next day. oh— right there's a time difference so.. we'll be arriving around midday.."
"shit, right.. I forgot about that.."
you chew on your bottom lip in sudden thought.
"you'll be fine.. just.. try to entertain yourself on the plane so you'll prevent jet lag.."
"will do, sir.."
you roll your eyes at his repetitive nagging, giving him a small salute with a sarcastic smile..
"right, if you're done, let's go up to do a quick check of your luggage.."
he kisses your cheek before getting up to clean the takeout trash.
you can't help but admire the way he'd made sure to reassure your anxiousness and worries..
you couldn't wait to make even more special memories with him..
pixelskylines
titsay
dailybridgerton
prguitarman
amandla