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13uswntimagines · 4 months

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The Come Down (Alessia Russo X MMA fighter!R)

R is a very popular MMA fighter, and Alessia sees the parts of you that other people don't. Shes the one who gets to put you back together again after a tough fight.

Warnings: D/S undertones but no smut.

Author's note: This was super fun to write and i hope you enjoy it. Feel free to hit me up with ideas and comments and stuff.

You sighed, leaning your head against the stone walls of the Emirates tunnel, letting it soothe the twinges that always lingered after a long flight.

It was masochistic, but the ache that lingered the day after a war in the Octagon was always one of your favorite feelings, especially if you won. It helped you to compartmentalize the parts of yourself. It helped you separate the completely in-control fighter, the stone-cold monster that didn’t give a fuck about her opponents, and the human that lingered underneath.

It was hard to punch a man until he was unconscious if you thought about how human he was. If you pictured his family and his life as anything other than an opponent for you to run through. But you never wanted that part of yourself to exist anywhere other than in the cage.

The throb in your muscles and ache in your cuts helped you lock that part of yourself away. It helped you keep your grip on reality in all of the post-fight hormones until you could get to the grounding force that was your girlfriend.

The post-fight come-down was always difficult for you, especially after a 5 round back and forth battle like the one you had just fought.

You loved your job, you really did, but it was so easy to… lose yourself. To get lost in the anger of the UFC universe and the vitriol of your opponents. To get lost in the cycle of Training, listening to a man tell you he was going to destroy you at press conferences, cutting weight and beating the ever-living fuck out of someone while people cheered.

Just being in the same building as Alessia had set you at ease, and watching her score 2 against Chelsea was even better.

But the sound of the crowd had started to set you on edge. The way they erupted when your face, black eye, stitched gash on your cheek curving up to your forehead and all, appeared on the Jumbotron after your girlfriend’s PK had you clenching your teeth. It egged on the thoughts of murdering the keeper that had taken her out swirling in your brain, along with the desire to demolish the player who had so callously stepped on her teammate after a play.

It was why you escaped to the tunnel, to gain some form of control over your thoughts.

Maybe flying out as soon as you had been cleared by the medics wasn’t such a good idea, but you couldn’t stand being away from Alessia any longer than you had to be. You couldn’t stand being away from the comfort, love, and… safety she offered you.

God, you sounded like a psycho.

Or a submissive nearing the end of her rope.

6 weeks apart from your girlfriend was really doing a number on you.

“Ay bruiser, fancy meeting you here,” Katie said, appearing in front of you with a wide smile.

You flashed a toothy grin at the Irishwoman, ignoring the way it pulled at the stitches holding your cheek together. “Maccabe, always a pleasure,”

She caught your arm. “That was one hell of a fight. Thought Less was gonna break my hand during the third round,”

You grimaced.

The third round was the only one your opponent won. He had caught you with a big overhand right, opening the gash on your cheek and knocking you on your ass in the last 15 seconds of the round. The knees he had followed it up with to your side hadn’t been fun either. He had almost finished you, and you knew it had to be hard for the team and your girlfriend to watch.

“My hand dipped when I tried to close the distance,”

It really was a game of inches, and he had certainly taken advantage of your small mistake. It was ok, you had gotten him in the end anyway.

Katie made a sound of agreement, glancing at the tunnel behind you. “Certainly made us all nervous, but I’m happy you took his head off, even if it took you until the last 30 seconds of the fight,”

She made a little kicking movement with her leg like a semi-recreation of the head kick you had used to end the fight.

“Didn’t want to rush it,” You shrugged, nodding to the Arsenal girls as they passed you, unable to help the way you automatically searched each face for your girlfriend.

“Ya missus is still signing for a couple of kids,” She gestured over her shoulder, a knowing smile still playing at her lips. “I can take you to her if you want?”

You shook your head. “I’ll wait here. I’m in no hurry,”

You also didn’t think you could deal with the sounds of the crowd when your head was still pounding, a consequence of taking a flight with a concussion against doctor's orders you supposed, and you ached every time you took a step, every time you inhaled too deeply really.

Katie’s eyes softened when she saw the emotions flit across your features. “Come on, let's go to the locker room instead. It’s away from prying eyes,”

She tugged your hand. You let her lead you deeper into the tunnel and into a room filled with wooden cubbies.

It was nice to let your brain turn off, to just… follow along and allow someone else to lead you.

“Hey champ,” Leah smiled at you as Katie deposited you in what you assumed was Alessia’s locker. “That was one hell of a fight last night,”

“Thanks,” You winked at the defender. “You guys had a fantastic game too,”

“I’m not sure a football match compares to a man trying to punch you in the face,” Steph said, glancing at you from her spot near Lottie.

You made a low sound in the back of your throat, feeling the tightness return to your chest. “But I don’t have people stepping on me after the bell,”

“But you do end up covered in blood,” Kyra chirped. “We don’t have to worry about that usually,”

“Most of the time it’s not mine,” You muttered, leaning further into your girlfriend's locker. Her perfume lingered in the cubby, and you let it soothe the frayed edges of your nerves.

You didn’t want to think about fighting. About the person. The savage. you were in the octagon. You toyed with the hem of your sweatshirt sleeve. It was slightly too long because it really belonged to Alessia. She had given it to you before fight week.

It helped, but it wasn’t her.

It hadn’t been enough after the fight, and it wasn’t enough now.

You didn’t think you could wait much longer, but you didn’t have to.

“The stadium is buzzin,” Alessia said slightly breathlessly, stepping through the locker room door.

You were immediately on your feet, taking in her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. “Less,”

A grin instantly broke across her face, and she crossed the room in 3 long strides. Her arms wrapped around you, and without thinking you buried your face in her chest.

It made the gash on your cheek sting and the tender skin of your jaw ache, but you didn’t care, pressing yourself as tightly to her as you could. She shifted, her nails running over your back with one hand as the other cupped the back of your neck.

It was gentle, and grounding, and everything that you craved.

“Hey baby girl,” She breathed into your hair, her voice dipping just a little and sending a shudder down your spine.

She was like a ray of sunshine, always warm and sweet. It was why none of the fans would ever speculate about the positions that the two of you held in your relationship. They joked that she was too soft to be a dominant, but the people who understood how your relationship worked could see that her mix of firmness and warmth was exactly what you needed.

She waited for you to pull away first, just enough to meet her eyes. “Hey,”

She leaned in and placed a careful kiss on your lips. “I’ll shower and then we can go, yeah?”

You deflated, your fingers tangling more tightly in her jersey. You didn’t want to let her go, even if it was just for a second.

“You can come with me,” She said, a knowing look in her eyes. “And tell me all about fight week,”

“Ok,” You agreed, only loosening your grip long enough for her to grab her shower bag and change of clothes, before you latched back on, holding the hem of her jersey tightly as she led you towards the showers.

You felt a bit like a child, clinging to her, but she was like a buoy keeping you from drowning in the sea of your rocky emotions, and now that she was close to you, you couldn’t let her go. You were afraid that if you did, you would lose your grip on reality.

The warm, wet air of the shower helped too.

It reminded you of your post-fight routine.

Win or lose you would stand under the hot steam of the stadium, washing off the blood and sweat from the octagon until your coaches pulled you out. It was part of the routine that you had skipped since the docs wanted to stitch your cheek as soon as you were out of eyeshot of the fans.

Then you had felt so… off balance that you raced through a cold shower and hopped on a plane to get to your girlfriend as quickly as possible. You didn’t even stay for the post-fight press conference.

“Come on love,” She said, pulling you into one of the stalls, sliding the first curtain shut behind the two of you, and bringing her face inches from yours.

Her hand very gently cupped your cheek, mindful of the dark bruises that littered the skin, tilting your chin up. Her eyes searched you for a long moment like she was reading your mind. Like she was deciding what you needed from her.

Her pointer finger very gently followed the long cut that ran under your left cheek, up to your temple, and just above your eyebrow. “I thought they usually put a bandage over stitches,”

Your eyes darted away from her. “I didn’t like the way it pulled at my skin,”

“I think you’d like it less if you got an infection,” She deadpanned, using her thumb to tilt your chin up further as she stepped into your space. “You wouldn’t be able to fight,”

“But the scar would be worth it,” You shrugged, using all of your strength to muster up fake nonchalance.

Her lip quirked upward. “Would it?”

You let your own smile morph into a playful smirk, despite the tremendous effort it took. “Chicks dig girls with scars,”

“I think you’ve got enough of those, cheeky,” She hummed, leaning in and brushing the thick line that lived on the underside of your jaw with her nose. “I like it more when you come out without a scratch on you or a hair out of place,”

You hummed, leaning back on the stall wall as her lips replaced her nose on your jaw, her teeth grazing the delicate skin as she made her way down the column of your throat and back up.

Her hips pressed into yours, keeping you pinned to the wall, her thumbs insistent under your chin, keeping your head tilted up as her tongue slid pleasantly against your own.

You sighed into the kiss, your fingers twisting into the material of her jersey, trying to pull her closer.

Her thigh flexed between your legs, pressing into you, and you couldn’t help the way your hips rolled down to meet her.

Or the wince that broke the kiss when the

movement pulled uncomfortably at your ribs.

“Babe?”

You whined as she pulled away, blinking open to meet her burning blue eyes.

“I’m ok,” You said breathlessly, trying to lean back up to kiss her.

Her hand on your chest stopped you, as did the perfect arch of her eyebrow that screamed yeah right.

Her fingers traced down your chest to the hem of your shirt. They crept under your top, meeting the tape wrapped heavily across your abdomen instead of smooth skin.

Her eyes widened when she pulled up your sweatshirt, revealing the thick white bandages wrapped tightly across your stomach.

“Want to try again love?” She asked, finally looking up at you with an expression that had a shiver tingling down your spine.

“Just two cracked ribs and some nasty bruises,” You huffed, shifting uncomfortably when her fingers grazed the material.

“Just,” She snorted, shaking her head, dropping your shirt, and standing up to her full height. “Why didn’t you tell me last night?”

You shrugged. “I didn’t want you to worry. The stitches were already enough,”

“I’d rather know and worry than accidentally hurt you,” Alessia said seriously.

You looked away from her, swallowing hard. “And I knew you wouldn’t touch me at all if I told you,”

“Baby girl,” She murmured, her voice going very soft, her thumb very gently ghosting over your uninjured cheek.

She knew that the come down from fights was always particularly difficult for you. That the power that you held in the octagon always made you crave submission. You craved to not have to think, to just exist, and then to let your being relax in the aftercare that followed.

This time the desire was amplified by the brutality of the fight.

She could see you teetering on the edge, fighting the fog that always filled your brain, and while she wanted to scold you for withholding information, she knew that that wasn’t what you needed from her.

Not when you were already dropping so hard.

“Ok,” She said, keeping her voice soft as you leaned further into her touch. “I’m going to shower, and you’re going to be a good girl and stay right here for me, alright?”

You made a low noise in the back of your throat, and your eyes slid closed as you nodded very slowly.

��Good girl,” She hummed, placing a very gentle kiss on your lips, and pulling away. “I’ll be two minutes love,”

You sagged against the shower stall wall.

You could do that. You could wait 120 seconds for your girlfriend.

You could and would do whatever she asked you to do because you knew it would help. You knew she would fit all of your loose pieces back together again and make it ok.

You just had to exist.

#woso x reader #woso imagines #alessia russo x reader #alessia russo imagine #the come down universe

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dear-bunnyboo · 7 months

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐄: 3𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄’𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌 || 𝐉𝐎𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖

important note: my face claim will be madison beer but you can imagine whoever you desire. also the songs mentioned are not all technically all madison’s i will be incorporating other songs from other artists.

all the pictures seen below are not mine, however they were edited by yours truly. credits to the owners.

the longest chapter I have written, hands down,, and I know you all have been waiting for this one 💕(let’s just all collectively ignore the elephant in the room) I also made this as fluffy as I can in preparation for the shit show that's about to happen in the next chapter ;)

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Joe Burrow x Singer!Reader / Brief Ex!Jack Hughes x Singer!Reader

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Sometimes, you get things right the first time. Others, the second. But the third time, they say, is the charm.

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: cursing, paparazzi, media, fans, crowds, mentions of football injuries, tackling, mentions of ex, fluff, new relationship, tension, flirting, doubts, slight angst if you squint

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 || 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 || 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐜. 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 || 𝐍𝐇𝐋 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

Tuesday

It was mocking you…

You stood face to face with a dilemma and all you could do was stare at the problem.

“Y/N! Stop glaring at your closet and put these on!” Y/BF/N yelled at you from your bedroom.

Removing yourself from the mess you created in front of you, you head over to your best friend who was holding up a black two piece number— the top was a black sleeveless button up vest, matching with black pants.

You asked Y/BF/N to quickly purchase some outfits with the help from your sales associate. Joe just asked you out to watch a UFC fight with him tonight and you just instantly panicked when you opened your closet— you had nothing appropriate to wear. You weren’t quite sure what ‘appropriate’ meant for a UFC fight but what you were sure about is that you had none of it, no matter how big ones closet is— it would simply not be enough.

You haven’t watched a single UFC fight to save your life— you aren’t a big fan of violence, you couldn’t even fathom watching a boxing match let alone MMA, but Joe is a huge fan so you couldn’t find yourself to say no. You and Joe have been spending more time together whenever you both can and you have been enjoying his company and that frightens you but you kept that worry out of your mind for the mean time— locked in a safe place in your head.

Your feelings for the blonde seems to grow even more now that you decided to acknowledge and act upon those feelings. You and Joe are not official, not yet at least but that doesn’t stop the both of you from acting like you were official— it seems to come naturally from the both of you, you just naturally gravitate towards each other.

Now wearing the outfit Y/BF/N brought, you looked at yourself at the huge mirror in your walk-in closet— the vest clinched your waist just perfectly while the pants offered a comfortable yet sophisticated look and feel to them, your eyes fell to your chest where a glimpse of your breast were seen.

Turning to your best friend who passed you a pair of black stilettos, you said, “Are you sure this is appropriate for a fight? Are the boobs too much?” adjusting your breast, making sure they won’t show too much.

“You look great! They don’t look too much at all, don’t be crazy.” Y/BF/N gave you a glance before giving you a matching black blazer in case it gets cold.

“Joe is gonna have to fight people off of you, Y/N!” She squeals as she dusted your outfit before helping you put your shoes on like she always does. It was as if you were Y/BF/N's personal Barbie doll she enjoys playing dress up with— you weren't complaining, not at all.

Joe texted you earlier saying that he will be picking you up 6 pm tonight, just an hour before the fight starts. Looking up at your wall clock you see that it’s currently 5:39 pm which means Joe will be arriving soon.

You circled your room, making sure that you didn’t leave anything behind and that everything you need was in your purse. Once you were satisfied with everything, you and Y/BF/N headed down to the living room to wait for Joe— you weren’t sure why you were so nervous, maybe it is because that tonight will be your first public appearance with Joe and you weren't quite sure how people are gonna react.

For the most part, both of your fans have been supportive about the idea. There were people who weren't so supportive— the naysayers who never really bothered you given your line of work, you were used to it by now; it goes in ear and out the other and as a professional athlete, Joe has gained thick skin— the hate just bounces off of him.

So, why were you nervous?

"We have been sitting here in silence for almost three minutes now." your best friend gave you a weird look as she tried to figure out what was going on inside your head. "Why are you so worked up? You've both hung out before." Y/BF/N throws her arm up in exaggeration.

You remained silent as you fiddled with the rings on your fingers. A heat rushes on your face, red hue filling the apples of your cheeks as you tried to avoid eye contact from Y/BF/N. To no avail, she spotted you hiding your face from her and just like that she instantly knew— having a best friend you have known your entire life has its perks which is biting you in the ass at the moment.

"You fucking like him, like him." She jumps up from her seat as she grabbed your arms to get a closer look at you. With a look of defeat on your face, the redness spreading even more that you were sure that you'd be hot to the touch.

Your silence was your answer causing your best friend to shake your shoulders in delight. "I am so proud of you!" squeezing your shoulders on last time before moving back to her seat.

"Y/BF/N, is it that serious?" you tried to brush it off as normal behavior from you.

"Don't be dumb. Its not like you fall for every man you meet— you're probably the only person I have met who's standards are excruciatingly high." she pointed at you like she was trying to lecture you— she probably was.

"Yet, look where that got me." you mumbled as you referred to your cheating ex boyfriend, Jack.

"A momentary lapse of judgement." Y/BF/N says tutting in disagreement.

You turned your body towards your best friend, a flood of thoughts rushing in your head, "And what if this another momentary lapse of my judgement?" you retorted back at her.

"Y/N, you can't stay in that shell you created forever. If you don't take the risk you'll never know— if you continue to live in fear that you're gonna get your heart broken, then Jack won. You can't let him win." she gave you a pointed look before smiling at you softly after seeing your terrified face, it was a RBF but she knows better— she always does,

"Sadly, that's life. You can't keep a flower in the shade just because you think the sun will burn it and yet expect it to live— can you?"

"When did you become a poet?" you smiled at her— thankful for her empowering speech, making you feel much better than you did a few minutes ago.

"Bitch, I've always been the smartest out of the both of us." Y/BF/N flips her hair off of her shoulders dramatically before cackling in laughter, clearly finding herself amusing.

"Now that's a lie." you muttered under your breath a grin spreading on your face as you caught her face looking appalled after hearing what you said.

"Joe better get here before I beat your ass—" thankfully she was cut off by a car honking, stopping Y/BF/N from pouncing on you.

"Lucky bitch." She stuck her tongue at you like the child she was.

Before you could even tease her again, your doorbell rang— Joe was here. You gathered your things while Y/BF/N went ahead and opened the door for Joe.

You rummaged through your bag before heading towards the door, making sure that you had everything you needed with you— and as you reached the door you see Joe in all his glory; wearing simple black jeans and a black tee, a black bucket hat on his head while his Cartier sunglasses sat on the bridge of his nose. Joe had his hands in his pockets as he remained silent listening to your best friend who was lecturing him.

"Listen here, Joseph. If you don't get Y/N back home by 10 pm tonight— I'll have a search party looking for the both of you." Y/BF/N said with her hands on her waist, looking like a concerned yet overbearing mother.

"Don't listen to her she's crazy." you deadpanned as you gave your best friend the 'shut-the-fuck-up' look.

Joe only chuckled as he watched the both of you playfully glare at each other. "Well, we might be home later than that— I wanna take Y/N out to dinner." the blonde asks permission playing along with Y/BF/N. His request made you and your best friend instantly turn to him.

Joe didn't say anything about a dinner. You told everything Joe told you to your best friend the second you received the invitation— he must have forgotten to say.

"You didn't tell me about a dinner." you looked up at the quarterback but to your dismay, his beautiful baby blue eyes were covered by his shades— you didn't know if he read your mind or he simply read how disappointed you were from your facial cues but as he looked back down at you he offered you a grin before removing the Cartiers off his eyes.

"I was gonna tell you once we got in the car but your mother is scaring me." Joe turned to look at Y/BF/N who looked slightly offended by Joe's teasing.

"You both better start moving before I beat you both up." It was your best friend's turn to deadpan at the both of you. "You two are basically the same person. I fear for my sanity once you two actually start dating." she muttered the last part lowly under her breath which nonetheless was caught by both you and Joe.

"Okay!— we are leaving, I'll see you soon, Y/BF/N. Don't burn my house down!" you waved at your best friend who was now giving you one of her famous sneaky grin.

"Stay safe!" she teased even more, shouting for your whole neighborhood to hear. You looked at her from your shoulder, your eyes widening after catching her double entendre which made Joe chuckle silently as he leads you to his car.

Now finally inside Joe's car, you released a sigh of relief— Joe starts his car, the engine rumbling before it started moving. The drive to the arena was calm and comfortable, as Joe drove he answered your many questions regarding the fight. The blonde just kept answering your questions with no hesitation but enthusiasm— you also appreciated how he didn't shame you for your lack of knowledge on the matter.

Once the two of you arrived in front of the arena, you were greeted by a number of people who were already outside. Dressed in merchandises of the fighter they were supporting, the fans turned to look at Joe's car— the bodyguards and security surrounding Joe's door.

The paparazzi clearly took that as a sign that someone famous or important was inside cause in an instant, they were swarming Joe's car. Luckily his car windows were tinted that they failed to see you and Joe trying to figure out how to go on about the situation you found yourselves in.

"Are you sure you want them to see us together?" You turned to look at Joe who was as calm as ever, fixing his bucket hat.

"Yeah, It will be fine— you trust me?" Joe's stare could burn even behind those damn shades of his, staring at you— looking for any sign of discomfort.

"I trust you." you nodded and a couple beats later, Joe opens his door— the paparazzi immediately snapping shots of the NFL player who was circling his car to get to your side to open the door for you.

Here goes nothing

Once your head popped out of the door the camera flashes doubled along with the yells for your name.

"Y/N!"

"Y/N, darling over here!"

"Joe!"

"Joey B!"

"Miss, Y/L/N, are you and Joe dating?"

"Y/N! Look over here!"

“Are you two dating?”

Joe places his hand behind your back to gently guide you inside the stadium as he firmly places himself just behind you, to keep them from touching you.

"You okay?" Joe leans down to whisper in your ear as you both continued walking towards your seats.

"I'm fine. You?" you turned to look up at him as he gave your waist a quick squeeze to confirm that he was indeed fine.

The second you and Joe entered the arena— you were spotted in an instant. The fear and anxiety that was crawling up at you quickly disintegrated when you felt a large warm hand grab onto your small ones. Looking up, you found Joe with his head held up high as he guided you to your designated seats— and just like that, the phones were out, following both of your moves.

The blonde gently pulled you towards the center where your seats were found, it was right in front of the rink. You weren't quite sure if you'd be liking that anytime soon but you kept quiet. Once you reached your seats you spotted a woman who was seated behind you crying as she looked at you— once she caught you staring at her she started waving her hand wildly earning a giggle from you.

You quickly reached your vacant hand to wave back at her as she continued to film your interaction, earning another squeal from her. You decided to reach towards her and enter the frame of her video— you enjoyed doing fan service. Apart from performing, meeting your fans was always the fun part of your job.

"Oh my gosh! I love you so much!" she whispered in disbelief as she continued to stare at you as if you'd disappear from her sight. You gave her shoulder a quick squeeze with you vacant hand as you smiled at her. "You're the sweetest. I love you too."

Turning back around you found Joe and his friends watching you. Your hand still intertwined with Joe's, not budging during that entire interaction. The quarterback simply watched you in adoration as he waited patiently for you to finish so that he can introduce you to his friends.

"I'm sorry— Hi! I'm Y/N. Nice to meet you." you gave the people next to Joe a smile.

Joe smiles as he continued staring at you like an idiot, "This is Ja'Marr, Tee, and Sam. They're my teammates and good friends of mine" he directed to the men next to him.

"Nice to finally meet you." Tee stated giving you a nod in acknowledgement. "We keep asking Joe to introduce the Y/N Y/L/N to us" Ja'Marr chimes in as he nodded towards Joe who was watching the interaction.

Sam who was twice your size moved towards you to shake your hand, earning a grin from you— he is adorable. "I am a huge fan— I'm Sam."

"Nice to meet you, Sam" you chuckled before looking at Joe with a smile. His friends are great. You've watch them play during games but now officially meeting them was a new experience.

The light and fun atmosphere came to you as a surprise. You expected a UFC fight to have a tense and somewhat scary atmosphere which was proven wrong— up until the fight started. You were seated next to Joe, a drink in your hand as you watched the two fighters in front of you beat each other up. The sight of the bruises, cuts, and blood made you sink into Joe's side even more.

You don't mind the gore and the blood at all. What you did mind was the fact that people did this for a living, you respected that fact— you respected their partners and their families even more. Watching this is hard. Watching Joe get tackled during his games was hard enough— you could only imagine what its like watching him get beaten up.

"You're fine. You're alright." Joe whispers in your ear as he places a hand on your thigh to stop you from bouncing it up an down.

"They aren't though." You pointed at the fighters while you released a breath as they called for a break in between rounds.

You turned to Joe who was chugging his drink, "I don't understand how you enjoy this. I'm not judging— just confused." you gave him a tight lipped smile earning a laugh from him.

"If you ask Ja'Marr right now he'd tell you how I'd try MMA moves on him." He offered you a wink. You in turn furrowed your eyebrows in confusion before snickering, "I can already picture you two on the ground— wrestling."

Joe laughs while rubbing your thigh up and down, the announcer's voice booming across the stadium, "A lot of big names in the room tonight but not as big as that man right there!" turning your head up you were met with a close up of Joe who turned to the camera and smiled. The stadium erupting in cheers and hollers for the quarterback next to you.

The camera started panning towards you while you stared at the screen above, "With none other than, Y/N Y/L/N right next to him! Stars after stars!" more screams erupted as you simply gave a smile towards the camera which now moved on to the next celebrity.

The fight was eventful to say the least. An unexpected knock out got everyone around you, including Joe to jump up on their feet. You remained on your seat with your mouth wide open at what you just witnessed— Joe had his hands up his head, his eyes widen in shock as he dapped up his friends and everyone else for that matter.

Joe looked like a kid who got to watch his favorite cartoon. He wouldn't stop talking about it the entire ride to the restaurant he was taking you to. You continued to laugh at him as you admired his sudden burst in energy with the result of today's events. However, something must have clicked in Joe's head the moment you two sat on your reserved table.

As you ordered your meal, talking to the waiter— asking politely for about the different dishes they offer, Joe couldn't help but eye you. You were a ray of sunshine to him. You're polite and would always offer the people around you smiles no matter what the situation was. He found himself thinking the same thing when he was watching you interact with your fan at the arena not long ago.

You looked beautiful and he continued to remind you every time he could; when you both got in his car when he picked you up, when you finally sat in your seats before the fight started, during the break, on the way to the restaurant, before the waiter came over to ask for your orders— Joe told you every single time.

You were talking animatedly about a mishap that happened at your studio the other day, giggling after ever breath but as Joe listened to you all he could think about was how much more stories you could giggle to him about if you were officially his.

Joe was with you throughout your entire healing and moving on process. He watched you cry about a stupid boy, he watched you work your magic— writing music as a way to cope, he watched you heal. Some might say he helped you heal. You both know how you feel for each other, it was almost an unspoken understanding between the two of you. Joe is ready to move on to the next step in your relationship— he was willing to take the risk.

With a deep breath he grabbed your hands, enveloping yours into his. "Y/N, I want to ask you something." he started. Your attention now fully on him, a concerned look formed on your face as you watched Joe's expression. "Alright— is everything okay?" you squeezed his hands.

"Yeah. It's just— I think it is time for me to ask you if you'd be my—"

"You're food," the waiter walks towards your table with a tray of food held up above his head.

Your moment was completely ruined, Joe gave you a bitter smile as he thanked the waiter. "Wait, what were you saying, Joey?" your eyebrows furrowing at the interruption.

"Its nothing." Joe shook his head as he looked at the dish in front of him. You decided not to push him even further for answers after hearing a slight raise in his tone that the quarterback tried to hide with a smile.

Joe took that interruption as a sign.

Not as a sign of giving up— no, Joe Burrow does not give up. He took it as a sign from the universe to up his game. Asking someone to be your girlfriend in a restaurant was cliche and an outdated one at that— you were one in a million, Joe knows that which is why as you two ate in comfortable silence he thought of his next move.

Unbeknownst to you, Joe tried to ask you to be his girlfriend for the first time that night.

Sunday

It was Sunday and you just arrived back in Cincinnati after another successful show in Michigan. It's been four days since you last seen Joe during your UFC 'date'. You still message each other back and forth, FaceTiming each other here and there— so it didn't really feel like time has passed.

Joe invited you to watch his game against the Steelers which is why you and Y/BF/N were in Joe's suite, idlily chatting with each other— she has been complaining a great deal about Trevor more than usual recently and that in itself got you eyeing your best friend in interest. These past couple of days it has been 'Trevor this', 'Trevor that' and as much as you loved the hockey player, you were getting sick of hearing his name.

You continued eyeing your best friend teasingly— a lightbulb mentally lighting in your head upon the realization, "You like him, like him" you teased her, making sure to reference what she told you a few days ago. She instantly stops talking before glaring at you as you wore smug look on your face, "Shut up." she mumbles, not denying anything whatsoever— proving your point even further. Y/BF/N and Trevor have been dancing around each other for a couple of years now and hiding it all behind the facade that they find each other annoying but you know her as much as she knows you— the perks goes both ways.

"Y/N?" a woman calls from behind you making you and Y/BF/N stop your conversation, turning around you were met with a couple who looked exactly like Joe...

"Mr. and Mrs. Burrow! How lovely it is to finally meet you two!" you stood up immediately upon realization, Joe's mom reaching out to give you big hug.

"Call me Robin, dear" she gave you a squeeze before letting go of you. "And call me, Jim" Joe's dad pats you in the back as they turned to look at Y/BF/N who was standing behind you quietly.

"Oh, this is my best friend, Y/BF/N" you directed your hand towards your best friend who politely waved at Joe's parents who warmly smiled at her in return. "Nice to meet you as well— such beautiful girls." Robin squealed in excitement earning a laugh from you and Y/BF/N.

You and Y/BF/N conversed with Robin and Jim as you waited for the game to begin. Your place from the suite giving you a wide view of the field and the fans surrounding the stadium. You also spotted fans who have spotted you with Joe's parents— the cameras and phones coming out as they pointed and turned towards your direction.

A few minutes before kickoff Robin urged you to meet Joe by the sidelines, "Are you sure you two don't want to come with us?" you asked his parents as you motioned towards you and Y/BF/N who was accompanying you down the field.

"I'm sure, dear. We came here with Joe, from what I've heard you two haven't seen each other in a few days— go." Robin gave your hand a squeeze, motioning you and Y/BF/N to hurry before the game starts.

Which is why you and Y/BF/N found yourselves standing at the sidelines where a few of the staff were found. With your arms crossed you chatted with your best friend as you two waited for Joe to come out of the tunnel and once he did, you knew immediately because the fans who were facing towards you were not only yelling but also pointing at something behind you.

Turning around you found Joe with his entire gear on, the black Bengals jersey fitting his torso just right as he removed the helmet off his head to get a good look at you. "My parents tell you to come here?" he smiled down at you before nodding towards Y/BF/N in acknowledgement who was evidently hiding from the sun.

"Yeah. They are great by the way— you could have at least warned me that I was gonna meet your parents today." you looked up at him, lifting your hand up to cover the sun from your eyes— from that action alone, Joe took his 6 ft. 4 self and stood in the direction the sun was facing without taking his eyes off of you, his tall frame casting a shadow over you as you found shade in his body— that single action from the quarterback made you want to melt in a puddle. It's always the littlest things that got to you.

"They told me not to tell you. They said they didn't want you to feel pressure beforehand." Joe shrugs, placing his hand on the collar of his jersey keeping the gear he was wearing inside in place.

"The game starting soon. I'll see you later?" you asked.

"Wait for me at the suite, I'll come get you and I'll take you home." Joe instructed you before he proceeded to ready his helmet in his hand.

"Okay." you nodded before patting his chest in encouragement, "Good luck and win for me, 9" you grinned at him as you watch him take a couple step towards you to lean down and place a peck on your cheek.

"I will." Joe placed his helmet back on place before jogging to position.

You watched him for a few more second before moving back to where Y/BF/N was standing, your best friend gave you a wink before linking your arms together walking back to the suite.

"I'll be the most beautiful maid of honor." Y/BF/N says after a few beats of just silence.

"Y/BF/N!"

The game was a close match which had you literally at the edge of your seat as you gripped both Y/BF/N and Robin's hands the entire time— Jim standing behind the three of you watching in concentration with his arms crossed, a stance that is very familiar to you considering your dad would look the exact same whenever he watches a game— you called it the 'retired-football-coach' stance, you just knew that both your dads will hit it off.

At the end the Bengals won 37-30. It was safe to say that Joe was in a good mood as he drove you home. You had to say goodbye to Robin and Jim who were staying at Joe's place for the night while Y/BF/N had to leave early to prepare a meeting with her assistant to prepare your outfits for the upcoming VMAs which you will be attending and performing in soon.

The ride home was quiet but not the comfortable kind. You could practically hear Joe thinking, you were surprised he could even drive— his thoughts looked like it was clouding his mind.

Joe was fine. He was. He just couldn't think of an appropriate way of asking you to be his girlfriend. He was so close to asking you before the game but he decided not to knowing how much that would distract him from the game— now here he was, struggling to form a sentence as the question laid at the tip of his tongue urging him to just spit it out.

Joe knows better and he will be better. He knows you deserved to be asked in a much more grand way— he just needs to find a way to execute it perfectly.

"Are you okay, Joey?" you placed a comforting arm on his shoulder which were very tense, softly massaging them as he continued to focus on not crashing the car.

"I'm fine, lovebug. Just wondering if you'd like to hang out again? Tomorrow maybe?" Joe tries his best to make conversation while he tried to think of a perfect way to ask you tomorrow.

"I can't. My cousin is getting married on Tuesday and I'll be flying to Wyoming tomorrow, I won't be back until Wednesday— I'm sorry." Joe nodded in understandment as he mentally rearranged his plans for another day, however, before he could do so, you gasped— your body turning towards the blonde.

"Do you want to be my plus one? I'm allowed a plus one and Y/BF/N said she was already bringing somebody. I know you have another home game next Sunday and you probably don't want to travel all the way to Wyoming for a few days but we will be back by Wednesday—" Joe cut you off by placing his hand on your upper thigh, squeezing them in response.

"I'll go. It will be fun— you met my parents, this will be a perfect moment for me to meet yours." Joe turned to you to give you a smile. "You think attending a wedding of someone you don't know will be fun?" you questioned the quarterback with your eyebrows raised shocked that he was willing to fly off with you just like that.

"I think a wedding with you will be fun."

You two stayed quiet as you two tried to unpack the statement Joe just blurted out. He was messing with you, cause there was absolutely no way he said that on purpose.

Joe did in fact say that in purpose and he enjoyed your reaction very much; the way your eyes widen for a second, how your chest rose up and down more faster and erratic, and how your cheeks blushed red. Joe's plan on asking you today might have not gone to plan just like the previous attempt but third time's the charm, right?

Unknownst to you, Joe tried asking you to be his girlfriend for the second time that day.

Monday

You and Joe drove to the airport early in the morning to head to Wyoming for your cousin’s wedding. You gripped Joe’s forearm as you tried to make sense of your surroundings early in the morning— you were barely awake.

Y/BF/N called you saying that she will meet you and Joe in the plane cause she will be driving with her plus one who you haven’t met yet. With your arm tucked in Joe’s arm, you two climbed the steps of your private plane— the flight crew greeting you two as you entered your lofty plane.

In an instant you threw yourself on your seat by the window and shut your eyes for a while. Rustling was heard next to you— taking a quick peak you see Joe arranging both of your things before placing himself on the seat next to you. All the uncertainty, doubts, and fears were thrown out the window with how sleepy you were— with no hesitation whatsoever, you moved the arm rest that separated you and Joe upwards, inching your way to his side where you tucked yourself. Your face on his shoulder as he circled his arm around you in response.

Before you could even shut your eyes to drift off to sleep, footsteps were heard climbing up the steps of the plane— Y/BF/N has finally arrived with her plus one in tow.

Trevor fucking Zegras.

This caused you to shoot up in excitement— now very much awake. Joe looked at you in concern as he eyed Trevor in confusion.

“No fucking way!” You emphasized every single word still not believing your eyes. Y/BF/N rolled her eyes at you in response placing herself in the seat behind you and Joe— clearly not wanting to see you two cuddle together or maybe she was planning on having her own cuddle fest with Trevor.

“Hey, popstar!” Trevor reached out to give you a hug which you accepted considering you haven’t seen the hockey player since your concert in LA. “No fucking way, Trevor!” You repeated still at shocked.

“What can I say? She can’t resist me.” Trevor joked before getting thrown a pillow on his face curtesy of Y/BF/N.

“Oh, wait!— Joe, this is my friend, Trevor. Trevor this is Joe.” You introduced the two who have not yet met personally. Joe offered Trevor one of his famous smiles as he shook his hand while the latter gawked at the man that is Joe Burrow.

“Nice to meet you, man! I’m a huge fan!” Trevor animatedly praised the quarterback earning a pat in the back from Joe. The two continued to converse, talking about football and hockey back and forth as the plane lifted up in the air. Y/BF/N is a terrible flyer so she remained seated the entire time watching her favorite shows to calm her down, Trevor later joining her.

You remained tucked in Joe’s side now fully asleep while he played with your hair as he watched a movie on his phone— you two were stuck together like two peas in a pod the entire flight, not moving away from each other even after your plane finally landed in Wyoming.

The four of you arrived at the resort where the your wedding will be held and where your family was waiting. Y/BF/N and Trevor has met your family a number of times already while this will be Joe’s first time and you knew that he had nothing to worry about.

Once you reached your parents, your father immediately darted towards you pulling you into a hug, “My girl, how have you been? Was the flight alright?” He pulled away to take a good look at you.

“I’m doing great, dad and the flight was smooth.” You smiled at him before squeezing your mother in a hug. “Hi, mommy!” You grinned. “My sweet girl.” She plays with your hair before halting after spotting Joe who was watching the interaction.

“Y/N, are you not gonna introduce us?” Your mom motioned towards Joe who your father was now eyeing as if he grew three heads.

“Oh, right— mom, dad, this is Joe. Joe these are my parents.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Y/L/N. I’m Joe.” The blonde stepped forward towards your parents. Your mom instantly hugged the quarterback like all mothers do and grinned up at him. “Nice to finally meet you, Joe! You’re such a handsome young man.” she raves on.

“Burrow— nice to meet you, son. I watched your game yesterday and you were throwing dimes. You’re great.” You’re dad praised Joe which in turn got you feeling so proud of Joe.

“Thank you so much. That means a lot— Y/N told me you used to coach football.” Joe asked completely intrigued with your father. You watched the two walk towards the garden as your father started talking about his career. Your mom simply turned to look at you and smirked, “He’s a cutie, Y/N.”

You couldn’t help but agree as you watched Joe and your father laugh about something.

The day consisted of you and your friends resting after your long flight. You spent time with your family as you prepared for the wedding celebrations tomorrow.

Tuesday

Weddings are such beautiful events. Every girl has at least dreamt about their perfect wedding; the perfect place, the perfect dress, the perfect song, the perfect man— and as you watched your cousin seal the deal with a kiss, you couldn’t help but get teary eyed as she finally fulfilled her dream— you could still remember the time you two would dress up as Princesses.

You wanted something like this in the future. You felt a slight pang in your chest as you get reminded of empty promises given to you. Joe caressed your bare back, as he eyes you carefully. You two were finally seated at the reception, you changed from your bridesmaid dress to a black backless dress for the reception.

Joe was wearing his black tux, silently listening to the speeches as his warm hand caressed your bare back— his touch shooting electricity through your body, the hairs on your arms standing up as the wind kissed your skin. The quarterback moved closer to you with his arm placed on the back of your chair, his hand now caressing your arm to keep you from getting cold.

As the speeches went on and on the more Joe craved you. He watched the curve of your nose crinkle every time you were mentioned in an embarrassing story during the speech, he watched as you eyes lit up thinking about a certain memory, and he watched you as you stared at the bride and groom as they take their first dance— you’re eyes glistening as you quietly hummed and swayed on your seat.

Once the dance floor was open for everyone, Joe, gently took your hand and lead you to the part of the dance floor away from the majority of the guests. You placed your arms around Joe’s neck as he placed his around your waist— the two of you slowly swaying to the soft music playing across the reception hall.

“You’re beautiful, you know that?” Joe whispered as he leaned closer to you, his baby blues piercing through your soul. “I do. You tell me every chance you get, Joey.” You giggled.

“Do I? Does that seem excessive to you?” Joe pulled you towards him closer, your feet moving closer to his that you were sure that you were gonna accidentally pierce his foot with your stiletto heel.

“Not really” you shrugged. “I like hearing it from you.” your eyes seem to never leave his as if you two were your own little bubble.

“Yeah? You’d let me remind you how beautiful you are everyday then?” Joe couldn’t stop himself, he was thinking of something more special but he was down deep and he couldn’t find himself to wait anymore.

You nodded, “I don’t know how you plan on doing that every single day but–” yours eyes glistened as the lights hit them. Joe’s hand now cradling the back of your neck, his thumb caressing the soft flesh beneath it.

“Be my girlfriend.”

Joe blurted out. Your eyes widening at his response— you remained frozen in place as you eyed the blonde in front of you. The fear and worry that you locked in the back of your head, slowly creeping into the surface as you listed down the risk this could cause, the potential heartache you could experience again.

“What?” was all you could say as you tried to understand what was happening around you.

“Date me. Be my girlfriend and I’ll tell you every second of every day how beautiful you are. How beautiful you are both physically and as a human being. I’ll remind you how special and loved you are, how talented and smart you are— be mine, Y/N.”

Joe is a lot of things for you. He is a friend who came to your life when you needed the most, he is a man who patiently helped you heal throughout your darkest of days, he is a person you respect and trust, he is the kind of person you were willing to take the risk for— maybe it will all work out the way you want it to be, but maybe it won’t but seeing if it does will be one of the best adventures of your life— a risk you were willing to take.

Reaching up on your tiptoes, you grabbed Joe’s tie and pulled him towards you— your lips finally latching on to his as you two simultaneously sighed in relief as if you two were holding those breaths from the day you first met. Joe tilted your head back, a smile gracing your lips he smiled against yours before pulling you in for another kiss.

“You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met.” Joe breathed out as he pulled away from your lips, his eyes memorizing every detail of your face that was smiling up at him.

“I could get use to that.” You giggled as Joe placed another peck on your lips.

Unbeknownst to you, Joe was mentally celebrating the ever so successful third attempt.

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