Can I ask for a drabble maybe either Ted or Roy kissing you at midnight on New Year's Eve? Maybe they're at a party or being the very attractive old men they are, you're already in bed and he wakes up, kissing you directly at midnight, whispering sweet words to you
Thank you so much. I love all your works <3
spending new year’s eve with a sleepy roy kent
“jesus christ…” you mutter to yourself, rolling your eyes with a grin as roy snores loudly beside you in bed. he’d had a long day, and the moment his head hit the satin-soft pillow, he was out. and you let him. even though it’s new year’s eve, you know how hard he’s been working lately— he deserves the rest.
your fingers flip through the pages of your thriller, fully swallowed up by the intense storyline. occasionally, a flicker of colourful lights illuminates your shared bedroom, along with the sharp whistle of yet another firework exploding overhead. but just as it’s finally about to reveal the cold-blooded killer on page 429, a loud, grating sound blares from beside roy, making you yelp.
“what the fuck?!”
you check your watch. 12:00 a.m. on the dot. even more rainbow-coloured fireworks light up the night sky, nearly drowning out the piercing alarm coming from your boyfriend’s nightstand. roy grunts. he reaches for his vibrating phone and shuts it off in one swift motion.
“baby, what the hell? why would you—” roy sits up, cups your face in both hands, and presses a rough, lingering kiss to your lips. your tense body melts under his touch. after a few moments, he pulls back, brows knitted together in that classic roy kent way, but the corners of his mouth soften a little.
“that’s why.” he growls, voice rough and gravelly with sleep, giving you a nod before flopping back onto the pillow. you giggle, the book already long forgotten.
Summary: After sharing that experience with Jamie, you want to show him your favorite part of that day.
Tags: established relationship, reader works at Nelson Rd, Jamie snaps at reader, fluff, can be read as a standalone but technically is pt 2 of Sunrise, not proofread and rushed
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The door slams shut, causing you to look up from the looming stack of paperwork, only to find your boyfriend hastily pacing across the your small office. Which was slightly hilarious when it only took him two strides due to how small the room was.
"Jamie you okay?" You ask hesitantly, placing your pen onto the desk. His head snaps towards you, blazing eyes burning holes into you. "Do I look like I'm fucking okay? Stupid ass question."
You stand up, finger tips white as they press against the wooden desk. Your eyes narrow at your normally loving boyfriend.
"First off, you do not speak to me that way. I love you and understand that you are going through s'mething right now, but", Jamie freezes, not used to your sharp tone. You could count on one hand the amount of times you ever raised your voice. "I am your girlfriend, not your punching bag."
His grey eyes widen as he recalls his harsh words. "No. No. No," He stammers as he round the desk, dropping to his knees beside your chair. "I am so sorry babe. Fuck I went full prick."
"Jamie," He shakes his head, not hearing you as he rambles on. "'T's not your fault I had a shit practice. I um-"
Your run your hand through his sweat soaked hair, taking note that he hadn't shower yet. Which tells you how upset he must have been. Jamie never leaves the locker room without showering, especially if he knew he was coming to your office. Claimed he didn't want to stink up the sweet scent of you.
"Jamie, I wasn't finished." He visibly swallows, terrified of whats to come. "Second, I am all finished in here and I'm assuming since you're in my office and not on the field, you're done as well." Jamie nods, leaning into your palm. "Good. Follow me."
Your feet dangle over the edge, your heel bumping into the brick wall. Jamie squeezes your hand as he looks around the rooftop.
"I didn't know people were allowed up here." You chuckle breathlessly as you rest your head against his shoulder. The wind blew gently, wrapping around you. "You would be surprised how far a batch of cupcakes can get you with the maintenance crew."
Jamie snickers quietly, the sound getting lost in the wind as he turns his attention back to horizon, catching as the sun starts to dip behind the buildings.
"So why are we up here?" You look up, a soft smile spreads across your face as your eyes flicker across his face. The way the orange glow reflects across his face, dancing across his silver eyes.
"Whenever I have a rough day, this" you point over the edge, watching as the city keeps moving. Never stopping for anyone or anything, including bad days. "this is my favorite spot. Especially during the sunset. My favorite time of day."
Jamie nods along as you lay your head back in his shoulder. Jamie hums, resting his head on top of yours. You couldn't help but melt under his touch as the hues of pink and orange paint the sky as the sun disappears behind the horizon.
It was a sight so healing, capable of melting any and all negative emotions. And it was working. You could feel the tension melting, his shoulders returning to their proper place. "We don't have to talk. We can just sit her and watch something beautiful as the bad day fades away."
The door clicks shut as you lean back against the leather seat as the engine roars. "Sunset?" You laugh, smiling as you tilt your head to look at him. "Yeah." He reaches across the console, cupping your cheek. His thumb brushes over the apple of your cheek. "Guess the 'tories are right. Opposites attract." You lean into his palm, eyes fluttering close. "Sunrises and Sunsets. The perfect pair."
✦ SUMMARY: On her birthday, he gives her everything—thoughtful surprises, quiet moments, and the kind of love only he knows how to show. But in the end, it’s not just about the presents. It’s about him, about them, and about a love that neither of them ever expected to find.
✦ WORD COUNT: 1.6K
✦ WARNINGS: language, fluff, teeny tiny age gap and very light allusions to sex — english is not my first language!
✦ MAY'S RADIO: HAPPY FUCKING BIRTHDAY TO THE QUEEN—MRS. ROY KENT HERSELF—TALLY A.K.A. @onceuponaoneshotfanfic!! 🥳🎂🎉 Never thought I'd be writing for Roy-o (and to be fair, this was terrifying 😅) but one does crazy things for their best friend, right? 🤪 Don't know if I got him right, but this is my honest attempt—this feels like showing Michelangelo the sculpture you made with sticks and glue 😮💨😆 Thank you for being your amazing self, Talita de mi corazón! 💖
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The first thing you see when you wake up is Roy Kent, standing beside the bed, holding a ridiculous little tiara in his rough hands. His face is serious, the permanent scowl intact, but there’s something soft in his eyes, something that makes your heart squeeze in your chest.
“Happy fucking birthday, my love,” he mutters, reaching forward to place the tiara on your head with a gentleness that doesn’t match his usual gruff demeanor. His fingers linger in your hair, brushing lightly over your temple before trailing down your jaw. “You’re wearing this all day. No arguments.”
You blink at him, still groggy, still processing, but then you catch the tiniest twitch of his lips—his version of a smile—and you let out a breathy laugh.“You got me a tiara?”
He grunts, his knuckles grazing your cheek. “'Course I did. You’re a fucking queen.”
You sit up, adjusting the tiara slightly before looking at him. “This is adorable. You’re adorable.”
Roy scoffs, but his ears turn pink. “Shut up.” Then, before you can protest, he bends down and presses a lingering, rough kiss to your forehead, his thumb stroking over your cheekbone. “Get up. Got plans for you.”
The moment you step into the kitchen, the smell of coffee and something sweet hits you. Roy’s already there, setting a plate down on the table—pancakes shaped like hearts.
You gasp. “Did you make these?”
Roy crosses his arms, but before he can look away, you catch the faintest ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. "Tried, didn’t I?" he mutters, then, as if unable to help himself, reaches out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind your ear, his fingers lingering just a second too long. "Wanted ‘em to be perfect for you."
You can tell they aren’t perfect—some edges a little wonky, one slightly burnt—but the fact that Roy fucking Kent made heart-shaped pancakes for you is enough to make your chest feel too full.
“Roy,” you say, voice soft. “This is the sweetest thing—”
“Eat,” he interrupts, sitting across from you. His foot nudges yours under the table, a casual, grounding touch. “Got a whole fucking day planned.”
“You’re being so romantic,” you tease, cutting into a pancake. “Who are you, and what have you done with my grumpy bear?”
He grumbles but doesn’t deny it. Instead, he rests his elbow on the table and reaches over to thumb a bit of syrup off the corner of your mouth. “Just shut up and eat, sunshine.”
The tiara stays on your head all morning. Every time you reach up to adjust it, Roy grumbles, “Don’t even think about taking it off.” And when you catch your reflection in the mirror, the delicate sparkle of it nestled in your hair, you can’t help but smile.
Roy’s watching you from the doorway, arms crossed, his usual scowl softened just a bit. “What?” you tease, turning to face him.
He shakes his head, stepping closer until he’s right behind you, hands finding your waist and chin resting on your right shoulder. “You just… you look fucking happy.”
“I am happy,” you murmur, leaning into him. “You did all this, Roy.”
His throat bobs, and he looks away for a second, like taking in that truth is too much for him. But then he clears his throat and huffs, “Well, don’t get used to it. It’s a special occasion.”
You laugh, poking his side. “You’re such a liar.”
The first stop of the day is a bookstore, because Roy knows you. He knows books make you happy, and he wants you happy today—and always—. As soon as you step inside, he grabs a basket and shoves it into your hands.
“You get whatever the fuck you want,” he orders. “All of it.”
Your eyes widen. “Roy, that’s not—”
“Don’t argue with me on your birthday.” He levels you with a glare, but there’s something playful in it. “Or ever, really.”
You smirk, dragging your fingers across the spines of books. “This is your worst nightmare, isn’t it? Letting me loose in a bookstore?”
“Fucking terrifying.” He fake sighs, trailing behind you, but there’s a teasing glint in his eyes. He loves seeing you happy, and truth be told, he’d pull the fucking moon from the sky if you asked him to. “But you love it, so.”
And that’s Roy in a nutshell, isn’t it? Pretending to grumble but still making sure you get exactly what you want.
And just like that, the day unfolds in a way you never could have expected. Roy doesn’t just celebrate you—he worships you. Thirty presents, each one carefully chosen, each one more thoughtful than the last. The original Wizard of Oz screenplay and the actual red, sparkly shoes Dorothy wore—your absolute favorite movie brought to life in a way you never dreamed possible. Things that must have taken him forever to find. And then there are the smaller things, the inside-joke things, the memories woven into gifts that only you and he would understand.
There’s a midday picnic in the park, where Roy sits with his legs stretched out, letting you rest against his chest as you read to him. When you glance up at him, he’s watching you, eyes softer than usual, completely absorbed in the sound of your voice—He doesn’t complain when you dramatically change voices for different characters, just keeps one arm around you, occasionally pressing a kiss to your temple, your shoulder, your hair.
There’s an afternoon tea reservation at a fancy little café, where Roy glares at the tiny sandwiches and mutters, “Where the fuck is the real food?” but still lets you feed him a macaron.
And then, there’s the moment he takes you to a small private theater, just the two of you, and hands you the present—the one that makes your breath catch.
The original Pride and Prejudice manuscript.
You nearly drop it. “Roy—”
He shifts on his feet, clearing his throat. “Yeah, it, uh… took a while. And cost a fucking fortune, but—”
You throw your arms around him, cutting off whatever he was about to say. “I love you.”
His arms come around you instantly, holding you tight. “Yeah, yeah. Knew that.”
You pull back slightly, just enough to see the tenderness in his dark eyes. “You're not even gonna pretend to be surprised?”
He smirks, brushing his thumb across your cheek. “Why the fuck would I be surprised? 'Course you love me. I'm very fucking lovable.”
You laugh, nudging his chest playfully. “Debatable.”
Roy raises an eyebrow, lips twitching. “You wanna debate it? 'Cause I got around twenty more gifts back there that say otherwise.”
Your heart swells, and you shake your head with a grin. “No need. I already know you're the best.”
He fake sighs, shaking his head as if burdened by the weight of his own perfection. “Finally, she admits it. Took long enough.”
The final present—gift number thirty—comes when the day is winding down. You’re curled up with him on the couch, exhaustion settling into your limbs in the best way.
He hands you an envelope, his fingers lingering against yours as you take it.
When you open it, you find a letter—handwritten, messy but careful, every word him.
You deserve the world, but all I can give you is me. I know it’s not always easy, but every year you’ve spent loving me has made me a better man. You’ve seen me at my worst, my most unbearable, and still, you stay. You make me laugh when I want to punch something. You make me feel like I’m more than what the world sees. You’re my fucking sunshine, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. I don’t say it enough, but I fucking adore you. Happy birthday, my love.
Tears prick at your eyes, and when you look up, Roy is already watching you, a rare expression of vulnerability on his face.
“Roy…”
Before you can say anything else, he gets down on one knee—on his knee, the one that’s given him hell for years, making the moment even more significant—and pulls out a small velvet box. When he opens it, the ring inside is simple, elegant, perfect.
Your breath catches, hands flying to your mouth.
“I don’t want another year to go by without you knowing that I want every fucking one of them with you,” he says, his voice steady but thick with emotion. “Marry me, sunshine.”
Tears spill down your cheeks as you nod, unable to form words. Before you can even catch your breath, Roy’s hands are on your face, pulling you into a kiss that steals what little air you have left. It’s not just a kiss—it’s a claim, a promise, a fucking declaration. It’s every ounce of love, devotion, and need he has for you poured into one mind-blowing, knee-weakening kiss. You cling to him, fingers curling into his shirt, feeling his heart hammer against yours.
When he finally pulls back, just enough to rest his forehead against yours, his voice is low, rough, filled with something dark and heady. "Gonna spend the rest of my life worshiping my wife—might as well start tonight. Gotta make sure we have a very happy marriage."
A shiver runs down your spine, and you barely have time to laugh before he’s scooping you up and carrying you to the bedroom, proving in every possible way just how much he means it. Roy slips the ring onto your finger, then pulls you into his arms, holding you like you’re the most precious thing in the world.
And in that moment, you know—you already had the best birthday of your life. But this? This is the start of the rest of it.
Warnings: jamie asking the reader out as a bet, prick jamie in the beginning, mentions of sex but nothing explicit, angst, a lot of fucks but this is Ted Lasso
Materlist here
“mate do you know who I am?” Jamie said, gesturing to himself as he Issac and Collin sat in the back corner of a crowded nightclub, “I’m telling you man I could get any girl in here. Guy too if I really wanted,”
“please bruv,” Issac scoffed, rolling his eyes. They were used to Jamie being a cocky prick on the field but after a few too many beers and Issac getting rejected twice in one night he was bitter and felt the need to prove something, “all you do is get laid. You’ve not had a girlfriend in like ever,” he said making Jamie roll his eyes this time.
“at least I can get laid. Getting a girlfriends easy,” Jamie said.
“nah he’s right mate,” Collin pipped up making Jamie roll his eyes yet again, “getting laid’s the easy bit, you can’t make them stick around,”
“Keeley stuck around,” Jamie tried to argue but this time his teammates just laughed, “what?”
“all yous did was hookup it’s not like yous were proper dating,” Issac said, Collin nodding in agreement, “face it Jamie girls only talk to you for sex,”
Jamie scoffed at the pair but the more he thought about it he was wondering if they were right. Sure, he and Keeley had been together for a few months before they split but every time, they saw each other it always ended in sex. Now he was thinking about it he wasn’t sure if he had taken her on an actual date the whole time, “if I wanted to, I could have a girlfriend,”
“prove it,” Collin said making even Issac raise an eyebrow, “if you can date a girl for a month and get her to be your girlfriend by the end of it, I’ll give you my car,” Issac let out a low whistle as Jamie laughed. Was he seriously considering this? A new car did sound nice though, “but no sex,”
“what?” Jamie said, well almost shouted as he ignored the confused looks from those around, “no sex for a month?”
“what are you some kind of addict?” Issac scoffed at the man, “Collins right. One month, no sex, serious commitment. Then you get his car,”
Jamie shook his head, scoffing as he leant back in his seat. He ignored the probing and teasing of his mates as he considered it for a moment. Sure, he could buy a new car but the feeling of driving Collins car to practise would be pretty sweet, “fine you’re on,” he said suddenly making both boys head snap around.
Collin for a second looked unsure before he added his final stipulation, “but we get to pick the girl,”
Issac and Collin had insisted you don’t find a girlfriend in a club so by the end of practise tomorrow they would assign Jamie his target. When the two came up to him in the locker room after practise Jamie almost regretted the bet when he saw their grin. “we’ve found her,” Issac said.
“the perfect girl,” Collin added, “oh and I’ve decided if I win, I get your car,”
Jamie shrugged as he stood from the bench, “fine deals a deal. Who’s the girl?”
When Issac pulled out his phone for a second Jamie almost felt bad. Almost. He recognised who the insta belonged to instantly. You were Rebecca’s personal assistant, so it was not rare for Jamie to see you floating around Richmond, but he’d never seen your insta before. “no sex yeah?” He said, taking the phone from Issacs hand to look through your pics, “bummer but a deals a deal. Its gonna feel so sweet driving that Lambo,” he grinned as he tossed the phone back to Issac.
“you’ve got a week to ask her out or you instantly fail the challenge,” Issac said, “and as the one not putting his car on the line I’m the captain of this bet,” Jamie rolled his eyes as Issac proceeded to lay down the law, “and if we find out you lied about any after date activities or skipped a date with her then you lose and will owe a fine of £1000,”
Jamie scoffed, gesturing like Issac was a mad man, “whatcha gonna do? Stalk me or some shit?”
“she’s pals with Sam so he’ll tell us,” Collin said before his eyes went wide, “which reminds me no one but us three can know,” he said before glancing around the locker room, “it’s a secret,” he whispered.
Jamie rolled his eyes before pushing past them both, “whatevs boys. Don’t worry I won’t gloat too much when I win,” he grinned as he walked out the locker room leaving everyone, but Issac and Collin confused.
It was as if as soon as the bet started you had disappeared. Jamie was used to seeing you running all over the place but the one time he saw you the first three days was you driving off in your beat-up car. For a second, he thought Rebecca should be paying you better. It didn’t help that each time either of his friends saw him they reminded him the clock was ticking.
On Thursday however when Jamie saw you walk past the gym door, he quickly dropped his weights, running out the room with no thought or care for Roy shouting after him to rerack his weights. You were heading in the directions of the locker room and Jamie saw this as the perfect excuse as he jogged up to your side, “looking for me,” he said making you jump, almost dropping your clipboard.
“Christ Jamie you scared me,” you said, trying to catch your breath and also not make a complete fool out of yourself. “but no, I’m looking for ted. Rebecca needs him to sign something,”
“funny that most girls want my autograph not his,” Jamie said, trying to put on his best charismatic laugh but when you only gave a small chuckle and not a giggle like he was used to him thought he may have to change tactics. “I’ll walk ya. I’ve gotta grab something from my locker anyhow,”
“that’s nice but you don’t have to,” you said, giving him a small smile as you clutched the clipboard close to your chest.
In truth while you were trying to stay professional right now you did have a secret crush on the famous football player. Yes, you knew it was cliche and you knew Jamie flirted with every woman on the planet which is why you were trying to not fall for his adorable smile right now, “ah come on let me keep you company,” Jamie laughed, knocking his shoulder into you, “gets lonely walking these halls,”
You laughed at his dumb attempts at flirting and hated how easily you were falling for it, “ah yes the three-minute walk might be the end of me,”
“good thing you’ve got me to keep ya going love,” he joked.
This banter and small talk were the longest conversation you think you’d ever had with Jamie, and you couldn’t help but notice that while ted was signing the papers, he hadn’t actually grabbed anything from his lockers. “tell you what love,” Jamie said as he held the locker room door open for you, “I’ll even walk you back to where I found you,”
“oh, wow Jamie Tartt, such a gentleman,” you joked.
As you neared the gym again, laughing at one of Jamies dumb flirty jokes you bumped into Sam who said hello with a very concerned look on his face. After he said goodbye to you and you headed back to your office he turned to Jamie with a far more serious look, “what do you think you’re doing?”
“eh nothing?” He said, completely caught off guard by the seriousness in Sams tone.
Sam sighed and stepped in closer to Jamie, “it better be nothing. She is a good girl she doesn’t deserve to have her heart played with,”
“calm down Sam I’ve no done anything,” Jamie said as he tried to get past his teammate, but Sam grabbed his arm to stop him, “seriously man I’m not gonna hurt her,”
“Jamie, I know what you’re like. And that’s fine you can do you. But I won’t let you hurt my friend,” Sam said sternly.
Jamie rolled his eyes as he took Sams hand off his arm, “for your information. I’m a changed man. I plan on being the perfect gentleman from now on, alright?” He said but Sam just narrowed his eyes, “honest man. Getting bored of all this casual pish ya know?” Jamie said as he stuck his hands into his short’s pockets.
It wasn’t fully a lie. Jamie had been getting bored of all the one-night stands and the drama that came along but Sam just narrowed his eyes further before silently heading back to the gym. Jamie rolled his eyes as he followed along and headed to jump on an exercise bike, ignoring how Sam had gone to go whisper to Issac.
A knock on your office door made you look up with a smile, “hey Sam, you alright?” You asked as you shut down your laptop for the day.
“yes of course,” he said as he walked into your office and slumped down onto the chair in front of your desk, “just wanted to see my friend, is that a crime?”
“I’ll allow it,” you laughed as you packed your bag, “you need a lift home?” You asked as you grabbed your car keys.
“I wouldn’t say no,” he grinned as he jumped right back out the chair and you both began your decent to the car park, “but I was wanting to talk to you about something,”
“what’s up?” You said as you locked your office door.
Sam sighed as he followed you through the corridors, “what’s happening with you and Jamie?”
You shrugged, honestly not sure yourself what was happening, “nothing really, we were just talking. Did he say something or?” You asked.
“kind of,” Sam said, his face screwing up for a second, “he said he was a gentleman now, but I worry. I don’t want you getting hurt,”
“I’m a big girl Sam,” you joked, nudging him, and making him laugh, “besides he’s Jamie tart. I doubt he meant it,”
“according to Issac he does,” Sam said which honestly made you more surprised than anything. You spoke to Issac even less than you had Jamie, so it was weird to think of him and Jamie having deep conversations about settling down, “apparently, he wants to settle down or something. I don’t know whether to believe it but why would Issac lie?”
“weird,” you muttered as you and Sam finally reached the car park and he held the door for you to slip out, “besides that doesn’t mean he wants to be with me,”
“don’t put yourself down,” Sam said, nudging you with his elbow as he sent you a reassuring smile, “he’d be lucky to even get one date with you,”
“you have to say that” you said as you rolled your eyes and pulled out your car keys.
As you were unlocking your car the door to the car park opened again and out walked a freshly showered Jamie, his hair still clearly damp. He didn’t have a right to look this attractive you thought but you’d been looking for too long as when Jamie looked up, he caught your stare.
He waved with a wide grin as he headed over to his own car across the lot. You gave a small wave back as you slipped into the driver’s seat. You glanced across through Sams window to see he was still looking at you and you prayed to god he couldn’t see how flustered you were as you tried to start the car. Sam had seen though, and merciless teasing followed you the whole drive back to his house.
Jamie figured he had time, so he spent the next two days flirting with you in the corridors despite Issac and Collin reminding him he only had to Sunday. However, Sunday was matchday and you were always in the owner’s box with Rebecca. While she was your boss you had grown quite close, so you often sat wedged between her and Keeley as you tried to keep up with the team.
“did Jamie just wave to you?” Keeley asked as Jamie ran onto the pitch. Your blush was undisguisable as you tried to shrug it off, “omg babes you fancy him?” She practically squealed as she clutched your arm.
“maybe I don’t know,” you said, hating the way his name was already making you smile. “he’s your ex though so- “
“nah babes go for it. I’ve got Roy now. Oh, we could double date how cute!” The rest of the match was spent with Keeley telling you how perfect it would be, and you figured if his ex-spoke so highly of him then how bad could he be?
The match went smashing with Richmond winning three nil and soon you were in the press room stood next to Rebecca as ted got interviewed and you took notes. You looked up confused when Rebecca nudged you, but she just nodded towards the door. When you looked through the window you saw Jamie lent against the wall by the door and when you looked back to Rebecca she just smirked and nudged you towards the door.
You silently chuckled at the fact she’d obviously listened to yours and Keeley’s conversation as you made your way to talk to Jamie. “hey,” you grinned, shutting the door behind you softly. “you did great out there,”
“was easy with you cheering me on,” he smirked as he started walking down the corridor with you following after him.
“who said I was cheering for you?” You joked.
Jamie held a hand to his heart in mock offence, “love you’re breaking my heart here. Here I was coming to ask if you wanted to go celebrate my glorious victory,”
“cocky much?” You laughed but rolled your eyes at the way he smirked, “fuck off not like that,”
“didn’t say a thing,” Jamie shrugged but the devious smile on his lips said something different. “c’mon whatcha say love?”
You paused for a moment, crossing your arms as you turned to face him, “what did you have in mind?”
“you, me, fancy restaurant,” Jamie said, stepping closer, his finger brushing over your cheek so gently it felt like a feather, “some nice wine. Just some wholesome fun,”
“wholesome fun?” You laughed, trying not to get lost in his eyes. It was unfair this allure he had on you.
Jamie chuckled softly, “course babe,” the pet names sounded so good coming from him and his accent, “haven’t you heard? I’m a gentleman now,” he said, his hand falling from your face making you miss his touch but laugh at the way he placed his hand over his heart, “scouts honour,”
“were you even a scout?” You laughed as he shook his head no with a cheesy grin, “suppose one date wouldn’t kill me,”
“trust me love. You won’t regret it,”
You didn’t want to say you were shocked, but Jamie was right. The night had been perfect. You ate some of the best food in your life, drank some ridiculously expensive wine, and even started to flirt back with Jamie over dinner. He really was pulling out all the stops.
He wore his best suit, with a shirt as well even if he couldn’t bring himself to ditch the trainers. He pulled your chair out for you, ordered dessert to share, he even insisted on walking you home at the end of the night. “guess that’s me,” you said as you stood by your front door.
“guess so,” Jamie smiled as he looked down at you, “told you you wouldn’t regret it,” he said, completely ruining the moment but making you laugh as you unlocked your front door.
“give it time. I might regret it later,” you joked as you opened your door, half wondering if Jamie was going to try invite himself in. You were also wondering whether or not to let him. The night had been good after all, and you weren’t usually so strict on the three-date rule.
“I’ll text ya yeah?” Jamie said since he had only just got your number on the walk home, “better not be a fake one you gave me,” he joked.
“you’ll have to wait and see,” you laughed. Maybe he wasn’t going to try make a move then you thought, “goodnight, Jamie,”
Jamie stepped forward. He’s going to kiss me you thought but instead he leaned in to leave a soft kiss on your cheek, “night love,” he said quietly before stepping back, grinning at the way he had left you speechless, “see ya soon babe,” he said as he began to walk down the street.
You waved after him, unable to speak before you closed the door behind yourself. This really had been the perfect date. Maybe Jamie was a gentleman now. When you went to get changed you felt your phone buzz and you laughed when you saw the text.
-just checking – Jamie
You laughed, texting him back instantly.
-as if I’d give you a fake number lol
Jamie grinned when he saw your reply before tucking his phone into his jacket pocket. However, as Jamie was walking home a thought crossed his mind. Fuck, what if he really did like you? Sure, Jamie knew the bet was probably a morally wrong thing to do but it was for a Lamborghini, Collins prized car. He spent the rest of his walk home telling himself it was alright, even if he did end up liking you what was the harm? He’d date you for a month then give you a clean, mess free break up.
Then another issue started. Jamie had fallen for you head over heels. You’d spent the whole night texting, the next week constantly flirting or hanging out after practise. Within two weeks you had been on three dates and Collin had commented on his dedication to win this car which only made Jamie feel worse.
He’d kissed you on your second date after visiting the movies. He even waited till after the movie was finished to do it. It did not help him not fall for you. If anything, it made it harder to stay away from you. Your third week dating you hung out every day whether it be grabbing lunch or making dinner at his house.
The only drawback was Jamie having to turn down your advances, insisting he wanted to take it slow. But by week four he didn’t even mind not having sex. The casual nights watching telly was enough for him. The way you would cuddle him on the couch or how you would lounge around his house with him, both of you wearing his sweats and hoodies. Seeing you in his hoodie melted his heart.
“three more days and the cars are yours bruv,” Issac had said to him during practise and Jamie realised a terrifying thought. What if you found out?
Jamie shrugged it off, trying to forget about it the whole time but it weighed him down the whole practise. Jamie deliberately hung back in the locker room that night, making sure he could catch Collin alone, “maybe we should call off the bet mate,” he said quietly as the last person exited the room.
“why? Scared she’s gonna dump ya?” He laughed as he patted his shoulder before leaving the locker room and now Jamie was left alone to feel like shit.
That was till a gentle knock snapped him out of his thoughts, “ready to go?” You smiled from the locker room door. Jamie put on his best happy face as he grabbed his bag, wrapping his arm around you as you headed to the car park.
The whole walk Jamie was silently thinking about the shit he had landed himself in. Then again, the bet never said he had to break up with you. Issac had said only him, and Collin were allowed to know. He could just let Collin keep his car and no one would need to know. Yeah, it would be fine. He was sure of it. Everything would be fine. Jamie had no idea how wrong he was and how badly this week was going to end.
Jamie tried to push it out of his head that night, but it was now the only thing he could think about. You were both laying on the couch, you being the big spoon while he rested his head on your chest. “You okay baby?” You asked while stroking his hair. “You’ve been quiet all day,”
Jamie was snapped out of his thoughts glancing over to you with a small smile, “Sorry love. Just one of those days you know?”
Jamie tried his best to act normal for the rest of the night but when it came time for him to say goodnight and head back to his place, he found himself unable to pull away when he hugged you. “You sure you’re good?” You asked, your face pressed into his chest while his head buried into your shoulder.
“Course love,” Jamie said, placing a soft kiss to your shoulder, “Just gonna miss you is all,”
“Jamie,” you laughed, pulling him off you, “You will see me in legit less than twelve hours,” you said smiling as you leaned up to kiss him gently, “I’m not going anywhere,”
“Promise?” He said, his eyes sheepishly looking to the floor.
You laughed as you reached out, taking his pinkie in yours, “Promise,”
For the next two days Jamie was extra cuddly, extra lovey dovey, and extra boyfriendy all round. You weren’t sure what had gotten into him, figuring maybe the one-month mark was a bigger deal to him than you first thought. You ended up getting dragged into one of Rebecca and Keeley’s girl talks and when you told them about it. “Maybe he wants to get serious,” Rebecca said as she snacked on one of Teds biscuits, “He might just be nervous about it all. I wouldn’t worry,”
“Yeah babes,” Keeley said as she gave your arm a squeeze, “Jamie legit adores you he’s probs just nervous cause you’re his first long term girlfriend,”
“You think?” You said, nervously picking at the threads of your jumper.
“Totally,” Keeley said, looking to Rebecca who nodded in agreement, “Maybe he’s just nervous about your one-month anniversary,”
“Is that really a thing?” Rebecca asked, sitting down her biscuits in disbelief at the idea one month was a big deal.
Even you looked to Keeley confused, “Well yeah,” Keeley said like it was the most obvious thing in the world, “Its sweet when you think about it. You’ve made him all soft,” she teased, poking your sides, and making you laughed. You were finally able to relax, and Keeley had even suggested getting him a gift.
The first gift you came up with that Keeley instantly agreed upon was sex. You really liked Jamie but this whole taking it slow thing was going really really slow. On top of making sure to wear something nice under your clothes on your one-month anniversary of your first date you had also gotten him, well made, a gift.
You didn’t exactly want to spend tons on a one-month gift, especially since Jamie had expensive tastes with his footballer salary, but you’d picked up a cheap football from a sports shop and a sharpie. You covered the ball in notes ranging from inside jokes to cheesy pick-up lines including ‘my favourite footballer’ and writing ‘you scored the best goal on’ then adding the day of your date. You were quite proud of it but just encase you took a box of chocolates as well.
The day had been so busy that you didn’t even get to see Jamie before you were rushed off to deal with a Rebecca crisis. No matter how busy you were you made sure to text Jamie at least once in the morning but when Jamie saw your text, he couldn’t help but smile.
-Happy one month anniversary babe, pick you up after work for a hot date?
Jamie was blissfully unaware of what was to come as he typed out his response before heading to the pitch. Collin had insisted the bet wasn’t over till the end of practice and Issac had let it slide, seeing the regret in his friends’ eyes when he realised, he was going to lose his car. Jamie couldn’t care less about the car though as he thought he was finally free from the bet.
He wanted to run up to your office as soon as practise ended but Issac insisted, he wait with him and Collin in the locker room till everyone else had left. When Danni finally left the room, waving bye to his mates as he left, Collin let out a heavy sigh as he pulled out his keys. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he said, his voice already choked.
“Mate its just a car,” Jamie said, already so fed up and wanting to find you.
“Bruv,” Isaac said, holding a hand to his chest, “a moment of respect,” he said, allowing Collin to whisper a goodbye to his keys as Jamie rolled his eyes, “Okay Collin its time. Jamie won the bet fair and square,” he said as he pried the keys from Collins hands and handing them to Jamie who sighed as he took them.
“I really, really thought she’d have broken up with you by now,” Collin said, shaking his head as he collapsed onto a bench, his head hanging low.
Jamie rolled his eyes at the dramatics of it all as Issac patted his shoulder, “I didn’t think he could go without sex for this long,” Issac added before nodding at Jamie, “Fair play mate but if you do dump her just don’t be a dick about it,”
“And for the love of god do not dent the car,” Collin pipped up as he lifted his head however when he did Jamie noticed all the colour draining from his face, “Eh mate. Bit of a situation,” he muttered, nodding his head towards the door.
Jamie spans around on his heels and his heart dropped to his stomach when he saw you stood there, tears already trickling down your face. Jamies mouth dried up as he searched for the words when the ball and chocolates slipped from your hand and clattered to the floor. “It’s not what- “Jamie tried to say but you were already backing away before turning to run down the corridor. “You fucking idiots,” Jamie yelled at his teammates before taking off down the corridor after you.
You’d think a professional footballer would catch up with you with ease but when Jamie ran into the car park you were already unlocking your car. “Wait,” he yelled, running over, and closing the door with his hand you’d tried to open.
“Why?” You spat, “Do you need me to prove you won?”
“Babe its- “Jamie tried to say, his hands reaching to hold your shoulders.
You slapped them away in an instant, “don’t babe me,” your voice was filled with anger but the tears streaming down your face was what broke Jamies heart, “You fucking used me. For some fucking bet. Is that all this was to you?”
“No of course not,” Jamie said, his hand grabbing his hair as he backed up slightly so at least you weren’t trapped against the car, “it was just some dumb bet but it’s not like I don’t like you. I really fucking like you,”
“Yeah right,” you scoffed turning to get in the car before stopping, “What did you even win?”
Jamie didn’t know if this would make it worse or better, but he knew lying was definitely the wrong choice, “Collins Lambo,” he said, his voice sounding more like a question as he waited to see your reaction.
“You only dated me because of a fucking car?” You yelled, not caring who heard anymore, “You broke my heart because of a car?!”
“I didn’t wanna hurt you-fuck,” Jamie said, his eyes growing wetter with each second as he tried not to throw up from the guilt, “I promise you that I like you. I think I fucking love you and I’ve never felt this way before and- “
You sighed, turning away as you tried to choke back a sob, “Be honest with me Jamie,” you said, refusing to meet his eyes, “If they hadn’t made the bet, would you have ever asked me out?” You waited for his response but when you turned round to see his jaw hanging open, his eyes wide, you knew the answer. “Don’t talk to me. Ever again,” you said as you jumped into your car and quickly sped off.
Jamie had well and truly fucked it. He felt like his body was on fire as he began to slap his own head, muttering a thousand fucks under his breath. Meanwhile you were trying your best not to be blinded by your own tears as you drove home alone to curl up on the couch and wallow.
A few hours passed and you were still on the couch with a massive tub of ice cream and a million texts from Keeley asking for a follow up from your ‘we broke up’ text. You couldn’t even bring yourself to text her back let alone go answer the door when someone rang your doorbell. Then it rang away. “Go away,” you groaned, sinking further into the couch.
Ring. Ring. Ring. The bell echoed through the house till you tore yourself off the couch, ready to go scream at the idiot at your door. But when you pulled it open and saw his big guilty brown eyes staring back at you, you couldn’t say a word. Especially not when you noticed the red puffiness around his eyes and the way they were already watering again.
“Is that my hoodie?” Jamie asked, his voice quiet and broken as he nodded to the oversized hoodie covering your frame. You paused for a moment before nodding silently. Jamie sighed, his eyes growing sadder, if possible, “Can I come in?”
You paused again, not knowing if your vocal cords could even manage the potential screaming match. Jamie shuffled on his feet, his eyes moving to the floor before you finally spoke, “Fine,” you whispered before heading back to sink into the couch.
Jamie followed, shutting the door behind you both and tentatively walking to your living room. His eyes scanned the room and he almost cried when he saw the ice cream, blankets, and crappy reality show on the tv. He’d made you cry. He’d broke your heart. No matter what happened he knew he could never forgive himself for that.
"I know I had no right coming over here," he started as he sat on the opposite end of the couch trying to give you as much space. You were already curled up on the other end, your eyes glued to the now muted tv as you avoided his gaze, "and believe me I know I don't deserve ya. But I couldn't walk away leaving you thinking I didn't like ya because I did and I still do," he said, his voice dripping with desperation as he searched his pockets.
He began to pull out one post it after the next making you look up at the sound of paper ruffling. They were all pretty crumbled up but Jamie picked them up one by one, "I love how smart you are and how you seem to know everything but don't explain things to me like I'm stupid," he began to read off the post it's chucking them on the couch before grabbing the next, "I love how when you laugh you look at the ground to try hide your face,"
"I love how we can lay on the couch together and not say a word
I love when you hold me and scratch my head
I love when you get sleepy during a movie and crash out on my arm
I love hearing your snores even if you pretend you don’t
I love holding your hand in public and getting to show you off to my friends"
Jamie continued as he read off at least 40 more post its which you picked up one by one as he grabbed the next. When he went to grab another your hand reached out to stop his and for a moment you allowed yourself to enjoy his touch, "I know it's not as good as the football," Jamie said softly, "but I mean it all. And I hate myself for hurting you,"
"you should never hate yourself," you muttered making a small smile creep on Jamie's lips, "When did it stop being just a bet?" you asked, scared for the answer.
"During our first date," he said making you look at him with a raised eyebrow, "I swear. I was blind for not seeing you before but on that date, it was--you were incredible. I couldn't stop thinking about you all night. I tried to call of the bet, but Issac thought I was just scared to lose," Jamie rambled before pausing for a moment and sighing," I never wanted to hurt you. I promise. You have to believe me," he said as he reached for your hand.
"It's just hard," you said, your voice already choking up again making Jamie almost cry himself, "and I really want to believe you because for fucksake Jamie, I love you too," the words he had longed to hear shot daggers into his heart.
"If you want to never hear from me again, I’ll go," Jamie said, holding your hands tightly and making you finally meet his eyes again, "but if you'll have me ill spend every day making this up to you. I promise. You, this, us. It's the best thing that's ever happened to me,"
You paused for a moment as Jamie's heart pounded in his chest, "One more chance," you whispered making Jamie break out into a grin, but you quickly added, "but if you so much as step a toe out of line,"
"I won't," Jamie cut you off as he gripped your hands tightly, "I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll be the perfect boyfriend, honest," you couldn't help laughing a little at his eagerness. Jamie raised your hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to each of your knuckles, "
How Can Anybody Stay The Same? // Ted Lasso x Reader
A/N: A story inspired by the JP Saxe song “Changed”
Warnings: a fuck ton of angst. A lot of mentions of Michelle
Ted had been trying to get used to calling London “home.” He rolled it around in his head, rolled it around on his tongue. The way he figured it, it’s like a new pair of boots. He needs to break it in. And he’s getting there, he can feel it a little more with the passing days.
His story has always been that he took this job as a way to give Michelle the space she needs; and of course, to a degree, it is. But whether he admits it, consciously or subconsciously, he’s also here for himself.
He’s spent so much of his life wearing different hats: Father, Husband, Coach. Each of which he takes great pride in, but in the shuffle of all of it he worries that he’s lost sight of just being Ted. He’s been learning the parts of himself that he never got to know. Being married to your high school love, growing up as a unit, it’s… different. He meant when he said that wouldn’t change a single moment of it. Of course, he did. It was a wonderful marriage and brought him Henry, the one part of his pedigree he could never find fault in. But since he and Michelle were in tandem for so long, it greatly affected his decision making. Every time he had to make a choice, she was his first priority. Number one, always. Then Henry. Then, and only then, after all the facets of their feelings were considered, he would consider himself.
With London, came a change in titles: Father, of course. Coach (although a different kind of football that he was still adjusting to) and now, freshly added to the list: ex husband. That was a pair of shoes that he never thought would fit. He thought he was good at it, it was all he had known for such a long time. Who was he when he wasn’t the husband of Michelle? That was part of what he came to London to know. While the title of husband fades, the focal point of Ted comes in sharper focus. Father, Coach, Friend, Tea Hater, possibly a functioning alcoholic, which is something that he really should stop and examine about himself one of these days but not now.
He’s growing into the shoes. And the word home is getting more comfortable on the tongue. The more he lets go, the more room he can make for himself.
Of course, this doesn’t all happen overnight. You gotta start somewhere. Ted was no exception. And lord, he started at rock fucking bottom.
When Ted first came to London, he could always tell if he was going to have a good day based on the temperature of his hands.
The two most common phrases about the weather that he heard growing up were, “it’s not the heat that gets you, it’s the humidity” and “it wouldn’t actually be that cold if it wasn’t for the wind.”
People told him that London wasn’t actually known for having super hot summers or frigid winters. One of the first interactions he had when he landed was a man shrugging his shoulders and saying “Mate, London is just London. All the time.”
Ted still wasn’t quite sure what that meant.
He figured the London equivalent was “it wouldn’t actually be that cold if it wasn’t so damp.” The rain often had a way of making it seem colder than it was. And it was a big adjustment for him when it came to trying to get over his wife.
“Aw. Heck.” Ted huffed, seeing his breath in front of his own face. It was early in the morning. He went to bed far too late and he awoke to snow blanketing the town. Now to top it off, he left his civics textbook in his car and he couldn’t seem to unlock it to get a hold of it.
“Um, excuse me?”
Ted jumped, looking up to see a blonde girl he had never seen before.
She looks at him expectedly before saying, “Is there a reason you’re trying to break into my vehicle? I can promise you, I don’t have anything interesting in there. Unless you’re looking for some loose change and some Sonic peppermints.”
“I’m sorry, you seem to be mistaken. I’m trying to get into my car. I left my textbook right there in the backseat.” He steps closer, peering into the window and finding… nothing. He looked back at this mystery girl like she had just performed a magic trick.
He looked around to find the parking lot full of cars, but they were the only two people in it, which seemed… odd. Maybe this was a dream. That had to be it, he was still in bed and he would wake up any minute.
The mystery girl pulled out her own set of keys and unlocked the car, reaching in to pull out a pair of gloves. He took a minute to examine her profile. Snow in her hair, cheeks flushed from the cold. She was beautiful. Ted couldn’t believe he’d never met her before.
“Come on now, you didn’t mention you had gloves in there. If I had known that, I wouldn’t have given up so quickly.” It wasn’t his best, but he was freezing, tired and still not entirely sure he wasn’t dreaming.
But, she laughed. And Ted thought it might have been the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.
“Well, I’d offer to share with you but I only have one pair so we’d both have one gloveless hand.”
Ted figured that wouldn’t be so bad. He thought about saying something about holding their gloveless hands together to stay warm but that seemed entirely too much for a girl whose name he still didn’t know, so he kept quiet.
“May I?” She was holding her hand out to him. Oh god, was she actually going to try to hold his hand? He found himself nodding, dazed. Even though he didn’t really know what he was agreeing to.
He tried to stifle the jolt he felt in his stomach at the feeling of her skin touching his. She grabbed his own car keys out his hand, pressing the car alarm button and Ted practically jumped 10 feet in the air.
He whipped his head around to see his own car, the exact same color, make and model as this mystery girl’s vehicle, two rows over, covered in snow. “Huh. I guess in all the lack of sleep last night, I forgot where I parked. I promise I’m not the type of guy that would normally go snoopin’ around a woman’s car.”
There was that damn laugh again. “I believe you. Despite all evidence to the contrary, I believe you. You have a very honest face.” She holds out her hand again, “I’m Michelle.”
Michelle. The mystery woman has a name.
“I’m Ted.” He holds out his own hand, freezing fingers meeting freezing fingers, clasping around each other.
“Nice to meet you.”
What the hell were the odds that they would be the only two in this freezing cold parking lot, both driving the same type of car, both trying to get into said cars at the exact same time?
“Yeah, you too.”
So yeah, when he comes to London, he still misses her, but only on the days when his hands are cold.
———
Denial. That was what he felt the first time that Michelle told him he had changed. If anything, he figured she had changed. She was the one who didn’t laugh at his jokes anymore. She was the one whose smile didn’t fully reach her eyes when they were together. She was one who let his hand fall out of her grasp when they were out in public. He wished he had changed. He would have given anything to change into someone that she would continue to love.
You’re not the man I love anymore, Ted.
So teach me, Michelle. Teach me how to be the man you love again. I’ll fucking do it, you know I will.
————
The night in Liverpool, after his panic attack, the denial bled into goddamn anger.
It wasn’t the first time he had a panic attack, but it had been a long time since it had happened. They became a pretty frequent occurrence for him after the passing of his dad. And Michelle, the old Michelle, the woman she used to be before “he changed” would help him come down from it. She would hold his hands and tell him stories to distract him. Reminding him of sweeter memories like on their first date when it turned out that the restaurant he was going to take her to was actually converted into a shoe store.
The angers cools to depression at the thought of all the parts of her that he’ll never get to know. But it flares up into anger again at the sight of the divorce papers in front of him.
She wasted no time sending over the divorce papers. Throwing his phone down on the table and pinching the bridge of his nose, he was fucking angry. She liked to tell him he changed all the time, and even if they were true, how could she expect someone to stay the way they were in high school? Nobody ever stays the same. People change. People grow. That’s part of life. A big part of it. You spend your youth learning how to become a person, and your older years learning how to become a good person.
He hates it because when he’s like this, he wants to talk to someone that knows him. He would have to explain all this to Rebecca or Keeley. He laughs bitterly into his whiskey. The one person that could help him through his divorce is the very person he’s divorcing from. The goddamn irony of it all.
He could call his mother, but he knows that’s going to open up a whole plethora of questions. She’ll want to know how Michelle is doing, what she’s been up to. “Gee honey, don’t you think there’s a chance you’ll get back together?” He can’t stomach that line of questioning right now.
And it’s not like he can just close her out of his life forever. They have a child together. A child that has his mother’s eyes. Which he also doesn’t want to think about.
Obviously, pain is an aspect of life. But god, right now, he wished there was someone, anyone else that knew him as well as Michelle did.
He really wanted it to be her. Until he realized that she didn’t want it to be him.
—————-
Ted was nervously playing with the glass in front of him, avoiding going back home.
He knew you would be there, waiting for him. Wanting an explanation that he didn’t want to give.
He kept going back and forth with himself, he knew you probably wouldn’t be mad but there was a difference between logically knowing something to be true and emotionally believing it.
On the other side of it all, Michelle has become something that he explains to his new love. Why he reacts the way does, Why he doesn’t have confidence in himself, why he sometimes can’t accept the love you are so easily willing to give.
He still has some habits that you’re helping him to break. Constantly reminding him that he’s not a burden, that his optimistic nature is a feature and not a bug of his personality.
There is no secret alchemy, relationships just take a lot of work, something he’s learning with you.
It’s still odd for him, to have someone work through the struggle rather than break down and leave.
And when he does get home, you’re there. Like you always are.
“You wanna talk about it?” You ask. Leaning against the doorframe.
He shrugs sheepishly but doesn’t actually say anything.
“It’s okay if you don’t, you know. We don’t always have to be talking.”
He nods and makes his way to the couch. His fingers tapping on the tops of his thighs.
You make your way over and sit beside him. Not touching him, not speaking, just sharing the space.
The argument that broke out between the two of you earlier is playing in your heads.
“You gotta let me in, Ted. Just a fucking little bit. I don’t understand what you want me to do. Whether you realize it or not, you’re punishing me for things that she did and that isn’t fair to me. I’m sorry that she hurt you, I am. I truly believe you didn’t deserve it. But, I don’t deserve it either.”
“I’m sorry, darlin’” Ted reaches his hand out to yours and you intertwine them together.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry too-“
“No. There’s no need for you to be. Everything you said was true.”
“It’s just something we’re gonna have to work through together, honey.”
“Yeah.” He whispers, bringing your hand up to his lips and kissing your knuckles.
You cuddle into his side, “so what do you think, time for bed?”
“Heck yeah.”
You don’t let go of his hand, keeping your fingers intertwined. His hands aren’t cold anymore and he’s found something new in himself, a man that you can love. Openly and easily. And he didn’t have to change a damn thing about himself to make it happen.
A little Roy & Bucky blurb because I miss these two! Takes place within a year of the end of Something There.
1.1k words
Warnings: Language, absolute fluffffffffffff
Something There Masterlist
“You ready?”
Roy glanced up from his phone. He didn’t bother to bite back a soft groan as he took in the sight of the Whippets’ manager and the absolutely scandalous dress she was wearing. Some part of him didn’t want anyone else to get to see her, looking nothing short of stunning in the form-fitting gown that rivaled the one she wore last year. On the other hand, his caveman brain felt a strange pride at the idea of walking into the annual charity gala with the most gorgeous woman in the room- in the world- on his arm.
Plus, this year he’d be going to the event with the full knowledge that Bucky’s dress would end up on his bedroom floor at the end of the night.
“Kent? You ready?” The coach smiled at him knowingly, clearly pleased at the effect her outfit was having on her boyfriend.
Boyfriend. Oh, how much could change in a year. This time last year, the two of them were barely even friends, but then the unexpected happened, leading a change neither of them could have ever predicted. Sure, it took some drama, a few wrong turns, but eventually they got where they were meant to be: to each other. Instead of the shouting matches and glares and the rest of the things they shared that drove the Richmond teams completely mad, they now shared smiles and blushes and kisses, not to mention beds. As he stood up to take his girlfriend’s hand and kiss it tenderly, Roy marveled for the millionth time since the day they shared their kiss in the rain how ridiculously wonderful one person could make his life.
He was still marveling over her and her beauty as they arrived at the gala together. Even though Keeley had warned him, Roy still found himself wincing slightly at the animated reaction from the photographers waiting for everyone’s arrivals. They shouted Roy and Bucky’s names, cameras flashing and nearly blinding the managers. For a moment, Roy wanted nothing more than to revert to his usual approach to red carpets, all middle fingers and swear words and scowls.
But then a gentle embrace wrapped around him, tugging him close. He smiled down at Bucky, with her bright eyes and those red lips that he had managed not to fuck up in the car on the way over (despite his best efforts). Fine, he decided, offering a small smirk to the photographers who were nothing short of thrilled to get a real pose out of Roy Kent. He could smile pretty for the cameras, just this once. Anything, really, as long as it was with her.
The two managers were all smiles with their arms around each other, throwing Roy back to that disastrous photoshoot when the Whippets had first arrived, when he’d been so scared to stand to close to her, terrified of all the feelings her pretty face lodged in his heart. How stupid he’d been, to be anything but besotted with her.
Her mind must have been thinking the same thoughts, because she pulled him close and murmured in his ear, “Can you imagine there was a time where you couldn’t stand to take a photo with me?”
Roy chuckled good-naturedly, the way he always did when they joked about those days of screaming at each other on the pitch. “Guess I couldn’t handle how fucking beautiful you are,” he teased in her ear, relishing her playful eyeroll. Seeing her laugh had Roy feeling uncharacteristically romantic; he held her tight and dipped her back, planting a kiss to the lips that smiled against his. This kind of public affection was the kind of thing he’d have balked at a year ago, with eyerolls and huffs and a few swears growled out. But sometimes he saw that smile and simply couldn’t help himself.
Satisfied with the spectacle he’d made in front of the press, Roy tugged Bucky along into the gala, feeling, for the first time, truly relaxed at the event. They greeted their friends and teams with hugs and compliments, laughing at the inevitable teasing they received about the last time they were here. While no one would ever dream of bringing up those horrifying photos and those ensuing weeks of distress, the simple fact that this was where the managers first got together seemed to be fair game. Both coaches took the jokes and innuendos in stride, too pleased with the way things turned out to do anything else.
By the time the two managers had laughed and flirted through dinner and the auction, Roy found himself fully convinced that anything could be fun with this woman by his side. She really did bring out the best in him, like Keeley and Rebecca had once said. Competitiveness, silliness, thoughtfulness, sense of romance, vulnerability, Roy discovered that he had no problem letting her see every side of him. Hell, he wanted her to see those sides of him. He was still completely himself- all swears and growls and snark- but he was happy.
So. Fucking. Happy.
He was pondering that happiness towards the end of the night, with his girl in his arms as the band played the last song of the night. She gazed at him with an adorably sloppy smile, so comfortable and at home pressed close to him. After planting a kiss to the scruff on his jaw, Bucky nuzzled her face into his shoulder, sighing contentedly.
“I think it’s time to take me home, Coach,” she murmured, giving him a squeeze.
Something in Roy’s brain clicked into place. “What if I did?” he asked slowly.
She perked up, cocking her head at his suddenly serious tone. “Roy?”
He nodded, more to himself as he dug deeper. “What if I did take you home?” he repeated. “But to our home?”
Puzzlement turned to joy on that pretty face. “Our home,” she echoed with a soft chuckle. “I think I like the sound of that.” Those red lips found his mouth with ease, setting off the fireworks Roy felt every time they kissed. When she pulled back, Roy was amused to find that familiar smirk on her face. “Are you going to let me bring my gold medal with me?” she teased.
“The gold medal can come,” Roy laughed, pecking her nose. “The gold medal, Brandi Chastain, the ’91 ball, bring it all.” He reached up to stroke her face, reveling in its warmth. “Bring every little thing, right down to your lucky hair tie.”
“I do not have a lucky hair tie,” she huffed, giving Roy’s shoulder a playful little shove.
Roy chuckled and shook his head, tugging her close. “Whatever you say, babe.” But he already knew that the little black rubber band that she wore to every match without fail would end up getting its own special spot on his bathroom counter.
this was a ‘first pool day with ted and the team’ type deal but it quickly turned into its own fic. thanks anon!!
a/n: idk the word count and this was most definitely not proofread.
tw: alcohol/drinking but that’s it i think!!
find my masterlist here.
——
the team had settled on a beach day, apparently it had been a long time coming.
you and ted had a flirty, teasing relationship that had developed over the past few months and you were looking forward to his reaction of seeing you in your swimsuit.
keeley helped you pick out one that was a little showy but still tasteful, because at the end of the day you did still work with these people.
the trek down to the beach wasn’t bad, and everyone quickly claimed their loungers before heading into the water. ted obviously sat his stuff down next to yours in a heartbeat, which only boosted your confidence. you’d been bantering back and forth all morning, and it had reawakened that longing for something more deep inside you.
after he draped his towel over his chair he quickly got caught up in a conversation with beard and roy. behind him, you made small talk with keeley as you slid your cover up off and applied some sunscreen. ted didn’t miss the way beard and roy glanced over at you while they slightly drifted off from their conversation.
everyone knew ted had a thing for you, especially his fellow coaches, and they couldn’t wait to see his reaction at you in this deep burgundy string bikini. as soon as he turned around to see what caught their attention, you were moving towards him with a bottle of sunscreen in your hands.
“ted, can you get my back please?”, your smile almost made him faint. he couldn’t stop the way his eyes slowly flickered down your body as he sputtered, trying to remain respectful while falling victim to his mind’s instincts.
keeley had conveniently walked off to talk to a few of the players and helped them set up their beach volleyball game.
ted’s mouth opened and closed a few times before he cleared his throat, “oh- uh, yeah I can.. yeah.”
you slyly but your lip and watched him take the tube of sunscreen with shaky hands.
they trembled lightly against your skin as he brushed your hair to the side. you held back a shiver at the feeling, hoping he didn’t notice the goosebumps that scattered across your skin.
thankfully everyone else had seemed to drift into their own conversations as he worked the lotion into your back. he was uncharacteristically quiet, and seemed to rub it in for far longer than he probably needed to.
you didn’t dare say anything to him, but after a few more seconds he seemed pleased with his work. either that or he couldn’t handle having his hands on you any longer.
“there you go, angel.”, your cheeks flushed at the nickname he’d picked up over the past few weeks.
ted tossed the tube of sunscreen back into your bag, expecting you to run off to meet keeley. in an attempt to stop himself from scaring you off, he didn’t say another word and turned to find beard.
“wait, ted!”, he quickly turned around at the sound of your voice.
your heart pounded in your chest as you made a move on him. a small move, but enough to make you feel like you’re going to shit your pants nonetheless.
“you don’t- did you put sunscreen on yet?”
“uh, no.. i didn’t. usually just bypass it n’deal with the burn later.”
your eyebrows crinkled at him. “c’mere ted..”
there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d be able to resist you calling his name like that.
you would’ve thought ted was just learning how to walk by the way he awkwardly stumbled towards you. wanting him to relax, you coaxed him to sit down.
“here, sit..”, he sat on the edge of the beach chair while you got on your knees behind him.
after his back was to you, he slipped his thin t-shirt over his head. you didn’t miss the way his biceps flexed as he pulled it off, and you definitely didn’t even try stopping your eyes from trailing over his broad shoulders. a deep blush spread across your cheeks as you imagined them towering over you.
sure, you had a hefty appreciation for them underneath his clothes, but now? it took all the strength you had not to press soft kisses to the light freckles scattered on his skin.
trailing your eyes down, there was no way you were going to look over his love handles. you knew he was kind of insecure about being a bit out of shape, but if he only knew how bad you wanted to grab onto him. they seemed perfectly molded for your hands.
before he could grow suspicious you cleared your throat and grabbed the tube of sunscreen.
you put a healthy amount of the sunscreen in your hands and rubbed it between your palms in an attempt to warm it up. still, when your hands made contact with ted’s shoulders, he jumped.
the sunscreen could’ve been boiling hot and he still would’ve jumped solely from the feeling of your hands on him.
your hand on his arm after a funny joke was already almost too much, but he was certain the feeling of your hands on his bare skin would bring him to an early death.
ted’s shoulders were still tense as you rubbed the sunscreen in.
“you okay, coach?”
“me? oh, uh- i’m good. m’fine ‘n dandy over here”, his awkward chuckle made your heart beat a bit faster.
even in the sweltering heat, you swore you felt goosebumps under your fingertips as they ran back and forth over his broad shoulders. mentally, you mapped out each little freckle, trying to commit it to memory.
moving your hands back towards his neck, you applied more pressure, “relax, ted..”
he was quiet now as he slowly relaxed his shoulders and let out the breath he was holding. the sunscreen had been rubbed in, at this point you were basically giving him a massage. thank god it was just the two of you, because surely one of the other coaches would’ve slid a knowing remark in somewhere.
the feeling of him just breathing underneath your bare hands had you feeling all fuzzy. by the time your hands got to his mid back, there was no more sunscreen.
you pulled away to get more, and if you listened close enough you swear ted whimpered at the loss of contact. he turned around but as soon as he realized you were just getting more, he settled. in the back of his mind he was hoping and praying you didn’t notice how desperate he seemed.
it’s not even that he was desperate, he was just desperate for you.
he let out another deep breath as your hands worked the muscles of his lower back, and you were so happy to see him finally relax.
“feel good, teddy?”
ah, there it was. the nickname you reserved for moments where you really wanted to tease him and see him blush. no matter how ted his cheeks got, he couldn’t deny that he loved it.
“y-yeah.. feels amazing, hun.”
now it was your turn to blush at the pet names. ted slowly slipped into the habit of calling you “hun” after finding you upset in your office after work one day. there was no doubt the coaches and team had picked up on it, but you were lucky enough that they didn’t say anything to your faces.
he didn’t want to stop calling you that. it was the closest he could get to doting on you. a nicknamed reserved for him to call you.
and you sure as hell didn’t mind. all you could manage back was a sweet hum and a tiny shuffle towards his back. ted leaned back ever so slightly in a poor attempt to meet you halfway.
before you could open your mouth, sam’s voice interrupted you.
“coach! do you want to come play beach volleyball with us?”
now, all eyes were on you and ted. well, most eyes.
“oh, uh.. sure thing, sam! be right there!”, he turned around after watching sam walk off.
“think i’m protected from the sun now?”, he teased with a smirk.
your chuckle made his heart pound as you replied, “for a little while at least. come back in about an hour though, yeah? don’t want you getting burnt.”
ted stuttered a bit at that. he was used to the light teasing and flirty banter, but definitely wasn’t used to the idea of someone taking care of him. not even someone wanting to take care of him. if he hadn’t already been in love with you before, he sure as hell would’ve been now.
his silence scared you, but luckily he spoke before you could sputter out an awkward apology.
“y-yeah, okay. better be waitin’ for me, missy.”, thankfully he turned away after winking at you because if not, he would’ve seen you internally combust.
you watched him walk away and bit your lip watching his calf muscles flex as he walked through the sand. the way his biceps flexed as he caught the volleyball almost made you moan. before you could get any further into your thoughts, keeley walked over with the cooler you two had packed.
“oooh, looking at your man, huh?”, her voice was cheeky as always. she sat in the chair beside you and tossed you a seltzer and a can holder to put it in.
“my man? yeah, okay.”
“oh, babe, stop that. i just watched you rub sunscreen on his shoulders for twenty minutes like you were in some porno.”
“that- he didn’t want to get sunburnt!”, your voice went up about four octaves.
“yeah yeah, whatever you say babe.”, she teased. you two got settled in the beach chairs and sipped on your drinks while you had some girl time.
keeley gave you the latest on her and roy while you both worked on a pretty strong buzz.
an hour and a half later, the buzz turned into being straight up drunk. keeley had you cackling at a well-timed sex joke before changing the conversation.
“ooh, y/n, look! here comes your work husband.”, although her voice was relatively quiet it suddenly seemed like she was screaming.
“keeley- what.. don’t-“
keeley giggled and relaxed back into her seat while you turned to face ted.
he looked like a dream walking towards you. a sheer layer of sweat had made its way to his forehead and shoulders, and his chest was heaving. you hadn’t really gotten a good look at his figure from the front until now, and being drunk made it so much worse.
dark hair was scattered across his chest and belly with some grey sprinkled in here and there. he wasn’t ripped, but was working the dadbod in all its fashion. those shoulders were just as broad from the front.
the sunglasses you were wearing were your saving grace, because you felt like a straight up perv the way you were basically eye-fucking him. you could only imagine what the hair across his belly lead to. does he keep it trimmed? does his-
your thoughts were interrupted once he got closer.
“hi ladies!”
“oh, hello ted! having fun yet?”, keeleys voice sounded so knowing. there was no way she didn’t sense you checking him out.
“oh yeah! that lil’ game we had goin’ on got me out of breath though. think i might go see what roy ‘n beard are up to in the water here in a second.”
your head was spinning as he sat down next to you on the edge of your chair. not only were you pretty drunk, but he was sitting so much closer than he was earlier. even the slightest touch of his thigh against yours had you dizzy.
“m’ready for my sunscreen now, madam.”, ted said cheekily. you drunkenly giggled at him and sat up to grab the sunscreen. with your movements being slightly hindered, you stayed sitting criss cross applesauce and just shuffled towards him. he turned his back to you as you got a handful of sunscreen.
keeley announced her plans of going to the bathroom before leaving the two of you alone.
without your filter to stop you, you blurted out, “i like your freckles, teddy.”
you couldn’t even regret it at this point.
“yeah? i honestly forget about ‘em. cant really see back there, ya know?”, ted laughed.
what he said was typically funny but your drunk mind found his words hilarious in the moment, and you couldn’t stop the giggles that left your mouth.
“what’s got you laughin’ like that, hun? s’it me?”, he sounded amused and you’re sure he had a smile to match his tone.
without thinking you let yourself lean forward and press your cheek to his back as you kept giggling. between the laughing and alcohol you couldn’t even find it in you to be embarrassed or pull away. it felt too nice, even with the greasy sunscreen. it was ted.
your hands had dropped down to his sides, but you didn’t pull them away. luckily, ted seemed to have the same idea. as you giggled away, he brought his hands down to cover yours and giggled with you.
ted had been dreaming of being this close to you for so long. so touch starved, but only for you. a swarm of butterflies fluttered around in his stomach as your eyelashes fluttered similarly against the skin of his back.
he didn’t move his hands even after your laughter died down.
“yeah, you’re pretty funny, teddy. jus’ a funny guy.”
he didn’t miss the way your words were slightly slurred as your spoke. you felt like a deer in headlights as he turned around.
“woah now, you okay there hun?”
cue the giggles again. “m’fine teddy. wait, turn around i think i missed-“
his hands grabbed at yours again, “promise?”. the crease in his eyebrows appeared when they furrowed. although you should’ve been responding, you found yourself even admiring the wrinkles on his face, sending you into another fit of giggles. you were so far gone for this man.
“yes, coach”, you huffed sarcastically with a fake salute.
ted laughed, a good belly laugh you always loved to hear, and turned around. he shook his head as he laughed, but it was full of admiration.
you lazily rubbed sunscreen into the places you previously missed and let out a yawn.
“tired?”
“mm”, you hummed, “just comfy”.
you let your hands fall softly to the skin above his waist as you scooted closer to him and pressed yourself against his back again. this time, it wasn’t just your face. after you got settled you had to basically wrap your arms around his middle with how close you were.
it didn’t dawn on you until now that keeley had been gone longer than expected, but you silently thanked her for giving you some alone time with ted.
you settled with one hand wrapped against his belly, and the other one resting against the back of his leg. one of his hands came up to hold yours that was pressed against him, silently keeping it there.
instead of speaking, you smiled a soft smile and nuzzled further into his back, knowing he’d understand the silent ‘i like this’.
you played with the fabric of his swim shorts where your hand was sitting behind his thigh, and your eyes fluttered closed against his back.
it felt like you were high, with the way your head was spinning and you were pressed up against ted. you could feel him breathing, feel his bare skin against your cheek. your senses were overwhelmed with him, and it was dizzying.
ted was in another world of his own. the way you softly nuzzled into his back after he held your arm to his abdomen was just the reassurance he needed. even in the heat, your warmth felt like heaven to him. the way your dainty fingertips played with his shorts almost had him squirming.
surprisingly, when keeley came back neither of you made an effort to move.
“wh- oh. welcome back to me”
ted was silent, but your giggles were enough of an answer for her. being the good friend she is, she silently sipped her drink and opened up her book. you knew she wasn’t reading, but you loved her even more for pretending to.
ted’s fingers had begun tracing over the skin of your hand, and you flexed your fingers into the skin of his belly. the hair was scratchy but his skin felt so soft. it was so him.
“coach!”, beard yelled from the water. you tensed slightly, but relaxed at the feeling of ted gently squeezing your hand.
beard had started his trek up to where you were sitting, and your heart leaped when ted made no attempt to move.
“do you…”, beard trailed off as he eyed ted before giving him a sneaky thumbs up. “..want to come check out the water?”.
this was code for: you need to come here and tell us all about this, and how we’ve been right.
“yeah, i’ll.. yeah.” ted seemed almost sad as he softly patted your hand that was still holding tightly to him.
“i’ll be there in a sec, beardo.”, ted gave beard a single nod before turning back to you.
that was code for: hold up, i cant leave it like this
you softly pouted at him without even realizing it. “m’gonna go see what they’re all about over there, hun. i’ll be back okay?”, his voice was soft and gentle as always. but now, it just felt a bit different. good different.
ted watched as your eyes trailed down to where he was still holding your hand.
“come back for more sunscreen, ‘kay?”
“what if I just wanna come see you?”
you felt like you were going to combust. right there on the beach in the public eye.
“mmm” you hummed contently, “i guess that’ll be okay.”. ted laughed at your sarcasm and gave your hand a squeeze.
“drink some water, darlin’. i’ll be back in a bit. holler if you need me, okay?”
you nodded up at him, “mkay, teddy.”. he stared at you with eyes full of adoration while he watched you settle back into your beach chair.
“keeley, make sure she gets some water, will you please?”
keeley gave him a very overdramatic salute, “sir, yes sir.” as he walked away, sending the two of you into a laughing fit.
once it died down, she turned to face you. “c’mon. you cant even deny it anymore!”
you smiled hard and giggled once more, “i don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“teddy?”, she replied. “darling? he is totally your man.”
