short swap | alessia russo x spanish!reader
just a quick heads up; any spanish in this i have used google translate (sorry😞), few suggestive comments, also included aggie in this but ik she not been in the squad this time around but let’s pretend she was:), tad bit of jealous lessi and i think that’s it..
masterlist
the roar at wembley hadn't quite settled yet. even as the final whistle faded and players began drifting into handshakes, hugs and post match routines. the energy lingered, charged, electric and unfinished.
england versus spain always carried that edge now. history. rivalry. a match where nobody could really tell who was gonna be the winner until the 90 minutes were up. the match something a little more personal for some.
alessia stood with her hands on her hips, chest rising and falling, trying to slow her breathing. england had won. hard fought. frustrating in places, a scrappy goal, good chances in other areas.
but her eyes, predictably weren't on the scoreboard. they were on you. spain's number 3.
the two of you had always sort of known each other, mutual friends on social media before the two of you had ever properly met. youth camps, international tournaments, campaigns and passing mentions from teammates.
alessia with england, you with spain. the kind of familiarity where a name rings a bell, a face feels vaguely recognisable but you've never actually shared a conversation. just two players orbiting the same world, crossing paths without ever colliding.
until the one night in london, a mutual friend by the name of niamh charles finally closed the distance and you were introduced to the blonde properly. it was meant to be casual but the music was loud and the people milling everywhere.
but alessia barely noticed any of it once you started talking. there was something disarming about you, the easy confidence and the spanish twang of your accent when you spoke even though you've been in england for the past five years, that and the way you held eye contact just a second too long.
alessia had laughed more than she meant to, stayed closer than she planned to and by the end of the night, when you leaned in with that same quiet charm and said something in spanish that alessia didn't understand but somehow could feel, alessia then knew she was in trouble.
the rest, as it turned out, didn't take long at all. now nearly two years later your both happily living together and still in the same little love bubble.
but now across the pitch though you were still in spain red, hair slightly damp and pushed back in a bun, laughing at something one of your teammates had said. you looked annoyingly unaffected like you hadn't just played ninety minutes under wembley lights.
alessia huffed quietly to herself as she watched from afar walking along the pitch with lotte and georgia. but before she could make her move though she watched as you wandered towards a couple of the england girl more specifically some of the chelsea girls.
alessia's brows pulled together slightly, watching as you effortlessly spoke with aggie, lauren and lucy.
aggie of all people grinned when she saw you wandering over, already tugging at the hem of her shirt. there was a quick exchange, words which alessia couldn't hear and then just like that they swapped.
you handed over your spain shirt, aggie handed over england's. and while alessia shouldn't really be this upset about a silly spain shirt which she knew there was a draw filled of your spanish shirts back at home there was still something underlying in her chest as she watched the interaction.
—
"alessia.”
her name had barely settled in the tunnel before aggie appeared at her side, all bright-eyed mischief and barely-contained excitement, like she’d been waiting for this exact moment.
there was something slung over her shoulder.
red. spanish red. your shirt.
alessia’s gaze dropped immediately. no hesitation, no pretending this time, just instinct. the familiar number, the name she knew by heart even without seeing it properly… yeah. that one stung a bit.
aggie noticed. of course she did. her grin widened, sharp and playful. “you look like you’ve just lost something.”
alessia blinked, straightening slightly, forcing her expression into something neutral. casual. completely unaffected. “no i haven’t,” alessia said quickly. too quickly.
aggie hummed, unconvinced, shifting the shirt so it hung a little more obviously between them. she smoothed a hand over the fabric like she was handling something precious, which, to be fair, she probably thought she was.
“shame, though,” aggie said lightly. “thought you might’ve wanted it.”
alessia let out a scoff, turning away with a dismissive shake of her head, like it didn’t matter in the slightest. like she hadn’t clocked it immediately. like her chest hadn’t done that annoying little thing the second she saw it.
“you swapped,” alessia shrugged. “that’s your problem.”
behind her, aggie let out a soft laugh fond, not mocking. there was no real bite to it, just the kind of teasing that came from knowing exactly what buttons to press.
“yeah, i did,” aggie said, stepping around so she was back in alessia’s line of sight again, still holding the shirt.
“cause she’s,, well… her.” she shrugged, a little sheepish but still grinning, alessia knew how much she appreciated your game as a footballer even if you didn’t play in the same position. “but of a full-circle moment, innit? chelsea and all that.”
that softened it. just slightly.
alessia’s eyes flicked back to the shirt despite herself, then up to aggie. “you’re such a fan.”
“massive,” aggie said, not even pretending otherwise. “always have been. she’s cool”
there was a beat. then her grin turned wicked again. pest mode was back. “but also,” she added, tilting her head, “thought it’d be funny.”
alessia narrowed her eyes immediately. “funny how?”
aggie lifted the shirt again, giving it a little swing. “dunno… just… taking my teammate’s girlfriend’s shirt right in front of her.
alessia couldn’t help it she let out a short laugh, shaking her head. “you’re a nightmare.”
“and you’re jealous,” aggie shot back, far too quickly.
“i am not.”
“you are a bit.”
“i’m not,” alessia repeated, though there was less conviction in it now, her eyes betraying her as they flicked back to the shirt again.
aggie’s expression softened just a touch still teasing, still playful, but warmer now. she bumped her shoulder lightly against alessia.
“y/n was asking about you, by the way,” aggie said, almost as an afterthought.
that landed. alessia’s head turned back sharply. “what?”
aggie grinned again, clearly pleased with herself. “relax. not in a ‘i’m stealing your girlfriend’ way,” she added quickly, laughing. “more like… making sure you weren’t sulking somewhere.”
alessia rolled her eyes, but there was a small, involuntary smile tugging at her lips now. “i don’t sulk.”
“course you don’t,” aggie said, completely unconvinced.
she patted alessia shoulder, already starting to back away down the tunnel. “don’t worry, i’ll look after it.”
alessia watched her go, arms folding across her chest, jaw tightening just slightly.
because yeah she got it. aggie admired you. looked up to you. same club, same badge, same dressing room most weeks. of course she’d want your shirt.
didn’t mean alessia had to like it.
she exhaled sharply through her nose, glancing down the tunnel again.
two steps. three.
—
the tunnel had settled into that strange in-between state. no longer the chaos of full-time, but not quiet enough to disappear into.
staff from both teams drifted past with a post match buzz and headsets, a few players lingered in clusters still chatting on, laughter echoing faintly off the concrete. somewhere further down, cameras were being set and the low hum of media chatter building again.
and yet alessia spotted you instantly. like her eyes had been looking for you before she’d even realised it.
you were leaning back against the wall, one shoulder pressed to the cool concrete, mid-conversation with one of the spanish staff. relaxed. focused. completely at ease in a way that made something in Alessia’s chest tug.
you hadn’t seen her yet.
alessia slowed without meaning to completely forgetting what she had left the england changing room for.
she could go over. she should go over.
but instead, alessia hovered off to the side, thumb dragging aimlessly over her phone screen, not actually reading anything. every few seconds, her gaze flicked back up quick, almost guilty glances, like she might get caught staring.
waiting. and it took longer than she liked.
long enough for her to start overthinking it. long enough for alessia to consider just leaving it, catching you later on a blurry screen and sleep eyes, pretending she hadn’t been—
then you shifted. conversation done, body turning slightly as if to head further down the tunnel back to the away end of wembley.
alessia didn’t think. she just moved. fast.
closing the distance in a few quick strides, alessia reached you before you’d taken more than a step her hand slipping instinctively around your waist, fingers pressing in just enough to anchor you as she tugged you sideways.
out of the flow of people. into a quieter pocket between stacked equipment cases and a wide concrete pillar, tucked just enough out of sight.
you startled, just for a second, your body tensing under her touch before recognition settled. “what on—oh, lessi.”
“hi,” alessia said, a little breathless from the sudden movement, a little pout still lingering in her tone.
her arms stayed where they were. wrapped loosely but deliberately around your waist, hands resting warm against your sides, thumbs absentmindedly brushing small, slow arcs through the fabric of your under shirt.
you blinked at her, then smiled soft, immediate, like it was automatic whenever you looked at her. “hi.”
there was a beat.
neither of you moved away.
alessia didn’t loosen her hold instead, if anything, her grip shifted slightly, fingertips pressing a fraction firmer, like she was grounding herself in you.
“…you swapped shirts,” alessia said, attempting casual and missing it entirely.
your lips twitched. “i did.”
“with aggie.”
“mhm.”
alessia’s eyes narrowed just a touch, trying to look annoyed but the way she leaned in closer, the way her fingers curled slightly into your sides, gave her away completely.
“didn’t even look for me.”
“i did look for you,” you said gently, tilting your head, your hands coming up instinctively to rest at her hips. not grabbing just settling there, familiar, like they belonged.
“you were busy.”
“i was not.”
“you were talking with Lotte.”
“i wasn’t for—” alessia cut herself off, exhaling sharply, her grip tightening for a second before easing again. “that’s not the point.”
your smile widened, fond and just a little bit teasing. “no?”
“no.” alessia muttered, stepping that tiny bit closer without thinking, until there was barely any space left between you. “i wanted it.”
“what? the shirt?”
“yes, the shirt.”
you hummed, like you were considering it deeply, even as your thumbs started to move slow, absent strokes along the sides of her hips, tracing the fabric there, grounding and warm.
“un poco posesivo de tu parte…” you murmured softly. (“a little possessive of you”)
alessia blinked, immediately suspicious. “what?”
you just smiled, all innocence, your fingers slipping a fraction further under the hem of her shirt barely there, just enough for your fingertips to brush warm skin.
“nothing, te amo.”
her frown deepened, though she didn’t move your hands away. “no.. what did you just say?”
“mhm?” you tilted your head, feigning confusion. “i said it’s unfortunate.”
“you did not say that,” alessia shot back instantly. you bit back a grin. “maybe you should learn spanish.”
“or maybe you should speak english.”
“¿dónde está la diversión en eso?” you teased, your voice softer now, your hands settling more securely at her waist, thumbs pressing gentle, rhythmic circles against her skin. (“where’s the fun in that?”)
alessia stared at you blankly for a second, then sighed, her forehead tipping briefly toward yours. “…i don’t know what that means either.”
“that sounds like a you problem,” you said lightly, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her lips.
quick. but warm.
your hands tightened slightly at her waist as you did, anchoring her there, like you didn’t want her slipping away anytime soon.
alessia rolled her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at her mouth now, her hands shifting one sliding from your side up along your back, fingers curling lightly into your shirt.
“you’re annoying.”
“y todavía me amas,” you murmured, leaning in closer, your nose brushing hers. (“and you still love me,”)
alessia squinted at you, suspicious. “that better not be something cocky.” your grin gave you away instantly. “y/n.”
“what?” you laughed quietly. “you don’t even know what i said.”
“that’s the problem!” your expression softened just a touch at that something gentler slipping in. you leaned in again, this time slower. a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
then another proper kiss this time, lingering just long enough for her to melt into it slightly, her grip on you tightening in response.
her thumb brushed unconsciously along your side as she pulled you a fraction closer.
“…that doesn’t replace it,” alessia murmured when you pulled back, though her voice had lost all bite it previously had.
“mh,” you hummed, lips trailing lightly along her jaw, just beneath her ear. “no?”
“no.”
“qué pena…” you whispered against her skin. (“what a shame…”)
alessia let out a quiet, frustrated sound, her head tipping back just slightly before she caught herself. “stop doing that.”
“doing what?”
“speaking spanish when you know i don’t understand.” you pulled back just enough to look at her, your hands still steady on her waist, thumbs brushing slow, absent patterns.
“i can translate, my love.”
“then translate.”
you considered her for a moment, eyes flicking between hers, then shook your head slightly, a teasing smile returning.
“mhm… just that i love my girlfriend.”
alessia let out a disbelieving laugh, shaking her head, her hand pressing lightly against your shoulder. “you’re unbelievable.”
“and you’re still pouting.”
“i am not.”
you lifted a hand, thumb brushing gently over her lower lip, soft and deliberate. “you are.”
alessia huffed but didn’t pull away. her fingers tightened slightly in your shirt instead. “…i still wanted your shirt,” she admitted quietly.
that softened you completely. “okay,” you said, voice gentler now. “next time, in the reverse fixture. your the first person i find.”
alessia searched your face for a second, like she was weighing it. “…promise?”
“pinky promise.”
there was a small pause.then your smile shifted mischief creeping back in.
“but…”
alessia narrowed her eyes immediately. “what.”
“we can swap something else.”
alessia blinked, still a little dazed. “like what?”
you shrugged lightly, like it was obvious, your hands giving her waist a small, playful squeeze. “shorts?”
alessia froze. “…what?”
“my shorts,” you repeated casually. “you can have them.” she stared at you, completely thrown.
“in the tunnel?” alessia hissed, glancing instinctively over her shoulder, her hand flattening briefly against your side like she might physically keep you in place. “are you serious?”
you grinned. “what? it’s efficient.”
“there are people here.”
“they’re busy.”
“and there are cameras here.”
“not right here,” you murmured, leaning in again, your lips brushing just beneath her ear, your fingers pressing a little firmer into her waist as you held her there.
“and besides…”
your voice dropped, softer now. “en casa puedes verme sin nada cuando quieras…” (“at home you can see me without anything whenever you want...")
alessia went completely still. her hands stilled on you, grip tightening just slightly. “…i don’t—” she started, then stopped, she didn’t know what you had said but she had a feeling it wasn’t exactly family friendly as her eyes widened a fraction. “wait.”
you pulled back just enough to see her face, clearly enjoying yourself far too much.
“that sounded suspicious.”
“you think?”
“yeah,” alessia said immediately. “translate it.” you just smiled. “y/n.”
“hmm?”
“translate it.”
“no.”
alessia gasped quietly, shoving at your shoulder, though she didn’t actually create any distance. “you’re actually the worst.”
you laughed under your breath. “you’ll survive.”
alessia glanced around again, lowering her voice, but her hands had crept higher now one settling more firmly at your back, pulling you just that little bit closer again. “you cannot just say things like that when there are people around.”
“why?” you said lightly. “you don’t even know what I said.”
“i know you and i know that tone.”
you grinned. “ok fair.”
alessia shook her head, but she didn’t let go if anything, she leaned in closer, her forehead brushing yours for a second.
“…later,” you muttered. your expression softened again, all teasing slipping away just for her.
“later,” she agreed.
then, quieter, right against her lips “te lo traduzco después.” (“I'll translate it for you later.")
alessia exhaled softly, something between exasperation and a smile.“you’re unbelievable.”
“and you love it when i in talk spanish.”
alessia didn’t even try to argue cause it was true even if she had no idea what it was you were saying the accent, the confidence that radiated you when you spoke in spanish made her melt.
so instead, alessia pulled you in properly this time one hand firm at your back, the other still at your side as she kissed you again.
quick. warm. familiar in a way that made the rest of the tunnel fade out for just a second.
the kiss lingered just a second longer than it probably should have soft, warm, grounding in a way that made everything else blur out for a moment.
alessia’s hand stayed firm at your back, fingers curled slightly into the fabric like she didn’t quite want to let go yet. your thumb brushed once more along her side, slow and absent, before you finally pulled back just enough to breathe, just enough to look at her.
alessia was smiling now. not the pouty, jealous one from before something softer, a little quieter, like she’d settled again.
“you’re trouble,” alessia murmured, though there was no real complaint behind it.
“and you love it,” you replied easily.
alessia huffed a small laugh, eyes flicking down briefly to your lips before back up again, like she was considering going back in.
and she probably would have—
“LESS!” the shout echoed down the tunnel, cutting straight through the moment. taylor.
alessia froze. you didn’t even try to hide your grin.
a second voice followed, louder, more dramatic. the one and only ella toone. “i swear to god, if you’re still loitering! you’re literally the last one left!”
alessia squeezed her eyes shut for half a second, her forehead dropping lightly against yours in defeat. “..unbelievable,” alessia muttered.
you laughed softly, your hands sliding from her waist but not completely letting go fingers still hooked loosely at her sides like you were reluctant too.
“go,” you said gently, nudging her slightly. “before they come looking.”
“they already are,” alessia mumbled, though she didn’t move straight away. her hands lingered one brushing down your arm, slow and absent, like she was memorising the feeling. the other gave your waist one last small squeeze.
another shout from down the tunnel— “LESS!”
this one followed by a chorus of exaggerated groans.
“COMING!” alessia called back, finally pulling away but only just.
she took a step back, then another… then paused, looking at you again like she’d forgotten something important. “you better keep that promise,” alessia said, pointing lightly at you.
you tilted your head, all innocence. “what one?”
alessia narrowed her eyes, though her smile gave her away. “don’t start.”
you laughed, stepping back yourself now. “go shower, lessi.”
alessia rolled her eyes, but there was that softness again as she leaned in quickly stealing one last kiss, fast and fleeting, like a secret. “…later,” alessia murmured against your lips.
“later,” you echoed.
then she was gone jogging back into the noise of the tunnel, getting an immediate round of teasing the second she rejoined her teammates.
you watched her for a second longer than necessary, a quiet smile settling in.
yep. worth the wait
