#ted lasso reader insert

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/Part 27/Part 28/Part 29/Part 30/Part 31/Part 32/Part 33/Part 34 /

Words:1576
Pairing: Ted Lasso x Reader                      
Summary: Ted’s divorce papers arrived the weekend of a very important away game for Richmond. While the coaches’ attentions are focused on what seems to be an impossible win, Reader gets some shocking news from Higgins. 

“Ted.” You bit your lip as you walked into the Manager’s Office. You felt your hands getting sweaty as you held the stiff manilla envelope in your hands. You hadn’t meant to get Ted’s mail. But when the post man had said delivery required signature and you happened to be at home on your lunch break trying to get some more unpacking done, you told him that you were Ted’s assistant and happy to sign for it. You hadn’t realized the delivery had been for his divorce papers. You conveyed all of this to the Head Coach before placing the envelope in front of him.

“Thank you, [Y/N] for making sure these got delivered safely to me.” He tapped the envelope, his expression unreadable.

“Now, that [Y/N] is back we might want to think about hitting the road.” Beard suggested.

“Great idea coach, [Y/N] can you hold on to these for me? I want to make sure that make it to Liverpool so I can look ‘em over later tonight.” Ted handed the envelop back to you.

“Oh sure I’ll just…wait where’s my suitcase?” You were certain you’d left your suitcase under your desk when you’d left.

“Roy and Nate the Great made sure it founds it’s way safely onto one of the buses. Nate’s been out there playing live Tetris all morning trying to get all the gear to fit and Roy was concerned about you having to carry something so heavy with your arm.” Ted informed you before stepping out of the Manager’s office.

You tucked Ted’s paperwork into your laptop bag and followed the coaches into the locker room. The Game against Everton wasn’t until the following day, so everyone had arrived in their street clothes. Gone were the bright blue, yellow and red kits and in their place were varying shades of browns, greys and blacks.

“Alright gentlemen.” Ted greeted the room with a watered-down version of his usual gusto. You wondered how many of the players could tell he was trying to “fake it till you make it.” It had been a rough week for the Head Coach. Aside from his divorce, which had begun to solidify and become real after looming over him for so long. Losing Jamie had been hard. Not just on him and not just because it made extra work for everyone; rearranging player positions, re-writing entire plays around the team’s current skill set, training and retraining accordingly.

It had been hard because Ted had been taking the loss so personal. He truly believed he’d been getting through to Jamie. The Man City loanee had come as close to baring his soul as Ted thought him capable only to be yanked away from Richmond at a very inconvenient time.  He wondered if Jamie knew that Ted had nothing to do with him getting recalled. To the Head Coach the semantics of the situation were important. He wished he’d had time to say goodbye. Say anything.

Then again maybe it was better if he didn’t reach out to Jamie just now. Ted’s father had once told him he could have charmed the fangs off a snake. [Y/N] always seemed to believe the same, though she never used such colorful comparisons. Lately it felt like Ted had lost his silver tongue. He’d ruined things with Michelle years ago and still hadn’t been good enough a talker to build himself out of the hole he’d accidentally dug. He’d bungled things with [Y/N] and somehow managed to make things worse whenever he tried to fix ‘em. He supposed he’d bungled Jamie too much too. Enough that he hadn’t fought any harder to stay with Richmond than Richmond herself had fought to keep him.

“Who’s read to go show Everton what we got?” Ted asked, not reading the room. The energy around the locker room was worse than it had been when you and the coaches had first arrived. At least on that day Roy and the other players had been talking amongst themselves, juggling footballs on their knees or goofing off. This morning the room was near silent with players sitting before their lockers, saying nothing. They stared off into the middle distance or down at their trainers.

“Hey guys, seriously, come on.” Ted put away his forced smile. Relieved for a moment to let his face express something real. “Talk to me.” He asked them in earnest. “What’s up?” The players exchanged awkward and quiet glances.

“Nothing.” Sam Obisanya shrugged a little to quickly. “We’re fine.”

“Yeah. I’m alright.” Isaac agreed when Ted made eye contact with him. Roy thumped the top of his locker and wondered why it always had to be him. Why’d he have to always be the one to extend the olive branch? Their previous Head Coach had been a sexist asshole, but at least he didn’t care so fucking much about them.

“We’re in a shit fucking mood because we never fucking win at Everton and it sucks fucking shit!” The team captain explained.

“Aw, c’mon fellas.” Ted flashed and expression that said ‘That’s all’? before brining back his practiced smile. “How long’s it been since Y’all won up at Everton?”

“Sixty years.” Collin offered up.

“Jesus Christ.” The whole room heard Coach Beard whisper to himself.

“Wow.” Ted whistled. “That is a heck of a long time. Okay. So we’ve got that going on and obviously we’re all upset that O’Brien tore his butt.” Ted Gestured to Tom O’Brien one of the team’s Goalkeepers who’s locker was seated to his left.

“It’s my upper hamstring, Coach.” Tom corrected him.

“You tore your butt, son.” Ted disagreed. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, okay. It happens. People tear their butts all the time in athletics. You’re not alone, man. [Y/N], how many fine young man did you see tear their butts in your eight years working for the University?”

“Oh, uh, dozens.” You said, unable to produce an actual number on the spot.

“Coach, you’ve torn your butt a couple times, haven’t you?” Ted now looked to Beard for confirmation.

“Three times.” Beard nodded.

You were mercifully saved from the butt related conversation when you noticed Higgins standing in the hall. He motioned for you to join him outside. You slipped out of the locker room while butts continued to dominate the locker room conversation.

“Higgins! I’m so sorry.” You apologized. “There was something you wanted to talk about the other day. I’ve been so busy helping Ted and Beard with all the changes I forgot to check back in.”

“Yes, well, I wasn’t sure if it was something I ought to mention at all actually. Frankly at this point I’m not sure there is much that can be done. Certainly not while you’re away at Everton…” He was nervous and rambling and his short choppy sentences were difficult to follow.

“Higgins, whatever it is, I’m sure we can figure it out. I mean Ted and Rebecca….” You started to say, but he interrupted you.

“No!” He gasped. “Rebecca is not to be trusted.” He looked around nervously ensuring you were along in the hall. “She’s been behind everything from the beginning. She’s reason there was that small issue with your housing when you arrived. She though that without you having a place to live you might quit and with Ted being so set on bringing an assistant alone, losing you might make him perform poorly. She is the one who paid to have the photos of Ms. Jones and Ted taken…”

“Higgins, Leslie,” You used his first name to get his attention. “Are you telling me that Rebecca has been trying to sabotage Ted and the team? That doesn’t make sense. She’s the Club owner she would only benefit from the team doing well. And if she didn’t want to own the club, she could have sold it so someone else or let Rupert take it in the divorce. Why would she want to hurt Ted or the team.”

“It’s not about hurting Ted or the players.” Higgins explained. “The Club had always meant a great deal to Mr. Mannion.”

“Rupert.” You leaned against the wall unable to shake the smug smile of Rupert Mannion from your mind. “She wants to ruin the club and its reputation so that she can hurt Rupert.”

“Yes, exactly.” He nodded. “It is such a relief to share this with someone else.” Your mind was racing. You suddenly had a hundred questions that you weren’t sure you wanted to know the answers to.

“How long have you known about this? Why haven’t you done anything to stop her? What am I supposed to do with this information? Confront her? I-i can’t! I’m not…Does anyone else know? Does Keeley know?  I have to tell Roy! Ted! No. I can’t tell any of them. Not today. Not fuckingtoday. Not before this Everton game that they haven’t won in sixty fucking years! Why the fuck would you tell me this right before we’re about to get on the bus!” You exclaimed surprising both of you with your sharp hushed tone.

“Because Rebecca has informed me that I’m to stay here this weekend while you are all away for the game. Someone must keep an eye on her. She cannot be allowed to continue doing what she’s been doing. It’s not Rupert Mannion who’ll suffer if the club is ruined.” He said. “Has anyone discussed the football relegation process with you?”  

@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @writeroutoftime​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / @marvelwasmadeforthebis​ / @lastpasttheposts​ / 

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/Part 27/Part 28/Part 29/Part 30/Part 31/Part 32/Part 33/ 

Words: 2267
Pairing: Ted Lasso x Reader                      
Summary: Ted is determined to make the next day a good day. Which might have happened if Jamie Tartt hadn’t been recalled to Man City. 

“[Y/N], it’s gonna be a good day, I can feel it.” Ted announced the next morning over breakfast. “Yup.” He nodded, attempting to solidify the good vibes. “The Team is finally thinking like a hive mind. We even got Jamie acting like he’s a part of the team and not just a one-man team. Heck you and me, we’re having breakfast together. I reckon nothing could ruin this day.”

“Careful Ted,” You warned him as you sipped your morning cup of tea. “You might jinx us.”

“Jinx-schminx.” He waved you off. “I don’t believe in jinxes or curses or any of them other Harry Potter words. Although being a Quidditch Coach might be cool. How often you reckon professional Quidditch teams draft coaches from the minor leagues? You think they’ll accept the resume of a Muggle coach?”

“I think that if Quidditch were a real sport, even if they weren’t open to the idea at first, you’d find a way to persuade yourself onto a team. You can be very charming when you want to be.” You told him.

The conversation continued from there with Ted asking what career you’d like to have from the Harry Potter universe. You told him you hadn’t given the idea much thought. You’d have to get back to him with an answer later in the day. So then Ted wanted to know if there were any other fictional jobs you’d like to have. You asked if Pokémon Trainer was the sort of answer he was hoping for.

“Yeah, I can see that.” He smiled. “You looking after a pack of adorable little monsters. Who’s your starter Pokémon?”

“Depends on the game.” Just like the day before, your thoughts turned to how easy it was to talk with Ted. How easy it was to be around him. Despite everything that had happened between you recently he still was one of your favorite people in the world. Ted Lasso was your person.  Sitting across from him at the breakfast table the past two days had felt like coming home after a much-needed vacation. The kind of vacation that makes you appreciated what it is you’ve always had.

“You feelin’ okay, [Y/N]?” He asked.

“Hmm?” You hadn’t noticed how long you’d spaced out. “Sorry I was thinking about Pokémon.” You lied. “There’s just so. Many cute ones, it’s hard to decide.”

“I’d have to agree with you on that one.” Ted nodded. “Henry’s always been partial to Pikachu but I don’t know. I’ve never been able to pick just one myself.”

When you later met up with Beard for the morning walk, Ted circled the conversation back to Quidditch and Harry Potter carriers. Beard informed Ted that he would want no part of Quidditch. His dream Harry Potter career would be something more tangible than flying on a broom. He didn’t provide any more context than that. This prompted the assistant coach to ask if other fictional careers were on the line such as Ghostbuster or time traveler were on the list. This sparked a debate on whether or not time traveler was considered a career since there wasn’t necessarily a paycheck, but it could still be a lucrative venture.

This new debate lasted through the walk to Nelson Road and as the two coaches walked into their office. In their defense you were also wrapped up in the conversation, that’s why none of you noticed Jamie’s empty locker or his kit swinging from a hanger outside of it. You sat at your desks. You booted up your laptop and logged into your work email address. Beard reached for his playbook. Ted had just begun to lean back in his chair when Roy leaned on the door frame of the manager’s office.

“I’m not sure if the room’s general lack of panic means you’re equally as thrilled about the newest update to the roster or if it’s the more likely option that you haven’t heard about Jamie yet. Which is a shame.” The midfielder added. “I was almost starting to not hate him.”

“W-What happened to Jamie?”  Ted asked.

“There’s an email from Rebecca. Looks like it went out to the whole team.” You noticed the email at the top of your imbox from the team’s owner. You read it aloud for Ted and Beard. “To the players and staff of A.F.C. Richmond, I am sending this memo to inform all of you that Manchester City has reclaimed their player which they had so graciously loaned us for the season. Effective immediately Jamie Tartt ‘s loan to A.F.C. Richmond has been terminated. I believe I speak for everyone at Nelson Road when I saw that we wish Mr. Tartt good luck on the remainder of the season. Yours, Rebecca Welton.”

“She most certainly does not speak for everyone!” Ted said getting up from his chair. “I mean, we had a real breakthrough with him last night. Y’all saw that right? I’m gonna go talk to her.”

Roy stepped aside as Ted charged out of the office door. You shot Roy a look, motioning that he should try to stop the Head Coach. He only shrugged in response.

“What did you expect me to do?” Roy asked, “Hold him hostage?”

“Yes!” You hissed at him as you stomped past. You chased after Ted and caught up with him in the hall. “I don’t think this is a good idea, Ted. There’s probably nothing you can do. If Man City recalled him our hands were tied.”

“No. I’m sorry, [Y/N] but I don’t accept that.” Ted shook his head. He took to the nearest staircase climbing the steps as fast as he could. “She’s the owner of the team. She could have stopped it if she wanted to. I need to find out why she didn’t.”

You were fighting hard to keep pace with him. You were nearly out of breath by the time you reached the top of the stairs. You were gasping for breath but managed to call out his name as he barged into Rebecca’s office with the door swinging open.

“Ted!” He ignored you.

“What’s going on?” Higgins asked, rushing over to you.

“Jamie’s gone…back to Man City.” You told him between gulped breaths. “Ted’s not…happy about it.” Any further explanation was unnecessary. You and Higgins could hear the entirety of Ted and Rebecca’s conversation from the hall.  

“You got rid of Jamie?” The Head Coach questioned with an elevated tone.

“Man City recalled him.” Rebecca explained calmly. “I told you Ted; they were concerned he wasn’t playing.”

“I finally got through to him!” Ted shouted back. “I mean yousaw it. We all saw it. With him and Dani we had two aces,Rebecca.”

“I thought, that was what you wanted.” Rebecca replied ever as calmly as before.

“Yeah?” Ted continued to shout. “Well, you thought wrong!” There was half a beat where he seemed to catch himself and realize he might be overreacting slightly. “I’m sorry.” He tried to calm himself. “I’m sorry for my tone there, okay. That was rude. Look, I’m trying to be cool about this, but I am just seeing red everywhere.”

“Well perhaps you should leave before you say something you’ll regret.” Rebecca suggested. Ted began to nod in agreement. He then seemed to remember the small pink box in his hand. He rattled them like a maraca before placing the box on her desk. “Your biscuits. I hope they’re not as good as you usually are. But dang it! They’re the best batch yet! I finally cracked the recipe!”

He growled in frustration before stomping out of the room and slamming the door behind him. Ted didn’t even look at you and Higgins. He stalked past you both and jogged down the stairs. You moved to follow after the Head Coach, but Higgins called out to you.

“I was wondering…that is um…there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.” Higgins fumbled over his words.

“Absolutely, I just…I’m sorry, but I think someone’s gotta keep an eye on the Coach. Just to make sure he’s not going around shouting at everyone one. This is his second time doing this in as many weeks. But I’ll come find you later, okay?” You didn’t wait for an answer before chasing after Ted.

You found him pacing outside of the locker room, tugging at fistfuls of hair on his head. You approached him slowly.

“So that happened…” You said quietly. He looked up. You weren’t sure if he was surprised you followed him or embarrassed about how he’d just been talking to his boss.

“You go on in, [Y/N], I just need a minute.” He said lowering his hands.

“I’m not going in there without you. We’ll take as long as you need.” You told him.

“I much appreciate it, [Y/N], but I think this might be one of those moments where us being alone together may actually be the opposite of helpful. Not because I don’t appreciate you or want your help but because…well right now just about the only thing I want is for someone to hold my hand and tell me that everything is gonna work out and it’s not appropriate for me to ask you to do that so…” His sentence trailed off.

“Ted, if you need some time, we can handle practice without you.” You said gently.

“No, I’m afraid me leaving early would send the wrong message to the team. I don’t want to make the other fellas think Jamie was right, that we can’t do this without him. We been playing great while he’s been riding the bench. The team’ll be okay. I just wish I’d had a chance to talk to Jamie myself before he left.”  

Other players had begun to show up. This forced Ted to vacate the hall and migrate back into the Manager’s Office. When it looked like everyone had arrived Ted and Beard addressed the locker room letting them know that Jamie had been recalled to Man City and the game against Everton that weekend would be played without him. Ted then led the room through one of his classic feel-good speeches reminding everyone they’d been playing without Jamie for a while now.

With the locker room’s energy fired up, Roy led the team out onto the pitch. The team captain and the coaches went through training like normal. They ran all the same plays and drills and aside from a few changes in player positions hardly anyone noticed the absence of Jamie Tartt. When practice ended, everyone went their separate ways without anyone even asking why Tartt had been recalled.

“You were right.” Ted told you as you walked the small side street towards your apartment.

“About what?” You questioned.

“You said this morning that I was going to jinx us and I think I did.” He sighed.

“I also remember when you said you didn’t believe in jinxes.” You recalled.

“Well, maybe I was wrong.” Ted shrugged.

“Ted.” You stopped walking and placed a hand on his arm so that he would too. He looked over at you. “What’s the happiest animal on Earth?”

“A goldfish.” He smiled. “Because they’ve got a ten second memory. I’m not sure this is something I can be a goldfish about, [Y/N].”

“Goldfish don’t have a choice about being goldfish.” You continued walking and reached the apartment building before Ted seemed to recover from what you said. “I almost forgot, I wanted to ask for your help with something this morning. I need help hanging something. It should only take a minute.”

“I’d be happy to be of service.” He said following you into your apartment.

“Just something small for over the door. It’s in the kitchen, I’ll be right back.” You returned from the kitchen with a sheet of yellow construction paper. The middle had begun to fade and the edges had begun to darken from being taped up for so long. The word “Believe” had been written diagonally across it. Ted had a much larger handmade poster hanging above the Manager’s Office at the Dog Track but the one in your hands was the original. It had been taped over his door at the University of Kansas.

“You know on our last day at UK I went to take that off my door only to find it was already gone. I though the janitor or somebody must’ve thrown it out.” He told you with a low whistle.

“I was originally going to give it to you when we first got settled in and then my boxes had to go into storage, and you have that nice big poster now. I’d forgotten that I had this until I found it while I was unpacking.” You explained. “But since you’ve got the newer poster I was thinking I’d hang this one over my door so every day when I leave the flat I can remember, believe in belief.” You handed the paper and a roll of tape over to Ted.

“If this is a roundabout way of telling me to take my own advice, I got to tell ya, I am starting to get the hint.” Ted taped the sign above your main doorframe.

“Maybe. It could also just my roundabout way of telling you that I still want you to be one of the first things I think about in the morning.” You confessed. “Goodnight, Ted.”

“Good night.” He nodded. “See you at breakfast in the morning.” He started towards the door.  “Oh and [Y/N]?” He looked over his shoulder. “You and Beard. You’re my two aces.”

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @writeroutoftime​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / @marvelwasmadeforthebis​ / @lastpasttheposts​ / 

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/Part 27/Part 28/Part 29/Part 30/Part 31/Part 32/ 

Words:2492
Pairing: Ted Lasso x Reader                    
Summary: Reader takes the day out of work to unpack in her new apartment when Roy calls to invite her to the Team’s training room cleansing seance. 

The conversation over breakfast flowed easily enough. So easy, you almost resented it. You wanted to give Ted another chance, but you also needed to protect yourself. You hated how easy it was to slip back into a routine with Ted. When you’d both finished eating you stayed and helped him clean up. Putting away the milk and butter and cleaning up eggshells. Ted commented that he looked forward to doing the same again tomorrow. You couldn’t stop yourself from agreeing.

“Maybe we could bring back movie night, too.” You offered as the two of you stepped out into the hall. “Like a weekly thing.”

“A movie night?” Ted pretended the think about it. “That sounds great. Your place or mine? Doesn’t matter. Name the time and place and I’ll be there.”

“I’ll find us something good.” You promised “Have a good day at work, Ted.” You told him, reaching for the doorknob of your apartment.

“Always do, [Y/N].” He smiled. “Try not to have too much fun here unpacking.” With a wink he stepped outside.

“What is it about him?” You mumbled to yourself as you stepped back into your flat. Trying to determine what exactly made him so irresistibly charming even when you wanted to still be upset with him.

You got to work unpacking. You started in the kitchen since that’s where the majority of your boxes were. You began to truly appreciate Keeley’s suggested that she put the boxes in the rooms they’d be unpack in because moving boxes with a broken arm was nearly impossible. You powered through though, getting most of your kitchen boxes unpacked by lunch time. That was around when you received a text from Roy.

“You picked the wrong day to skive off work.” The message read. “Rojas twisted his ankle and now Lasso wants to hold a séance in the Club House.”

“A séance?” You replied back. “Your story is missing critical info Kent. What does Dani’s ankle have to do with a séance?”

“Don’t you know? Treatment room is haunted.” He replied. You could hear his gruff voice making the comment as you read the text. You wanted to reply back that this did nothing to explain the situation, but another text came back from Roy. Gaffer’s given us all homework. We’ve gotta meet at the Club House at midnight. We’re supposed to bring something we value.”

“Oh yeah. He’s gonna burn it. Beard and I have tried talking him out of doing a team bonding burn barrel a few times. I guess Beard finally gave in.” You’d barely just pressed send when another Text from Roy came back.

“So this isn’t a cry for help because of the divorce? It’s just usual Ted Lasso insanity.” He wanted to know.

“Probably somewhere in between, but definitely something not out of the ordinary for him.” You confirmed before opening your text chain with Beard.

“Finally gave in on the team building burn barrel?” You added a quizzical emoji for dramatic effect.

“He needs an easy win this week. See you tonight?” You assured the assistant coach that you’d be there along with the rest of the team before putting your phone down and getting back to packing.

When you heard Ted return home later that night, you told him you’d been filled in on his ritual to cleanse the “haunted” treatment room. He sheepishly insisted it was a coincidence that he’d thought of the team building exercise on the one day you decided to take off work. You informed the Head Couch that you were inviting yourself to the event, if for no reason other than to prevent him from setting fire to all of Nelson Road. Ted conceded that it wouldn’t be the whole team without you and extended an invitation for you to walk with him and Beard later that night.

You met Ted roughly an hour before midnight in the hall of your building. You walked together, talking casually once again, until you met with Beard in the usual place at the bottom of your street. Beard smiled when you saw you and mentioned quietly that the morning and evening walks haven’t been the same without you. You asked him if anyone had told him the circumstances which had led to you once again residing close enough to join in the coaches’ walks. When he shook his head “no” you began to recount the tale of Keeley helping you find an apartment without knowing Ted lived just across the hall.

There wasn’t much time before midnight when the three of you arrived at The Dog Track. Most of the team had already arrived. You recognized several of their cars, including Roy’s all black vehicle parked next to Keeley’s, in the lot. You wondered where Beard and Ted had even found a steel drum on such short notice. Surely there hadn’t already been one tucked away somewhere on the property.

Still, there was one in the center of the treatment room and the entire Richmond team was packed into the treatment room like a can of sardines. Well, you told yourself it was the entire team but Jamie Tartt was, to no one’s surprise, missing. What was surprising, was Rebecca Welton standing amongst the players, doing her best not to look as if the whole charade was beneath her.

“Roy,” Ted nodded to the team Captain. “Why don’t you get things started for us?”

“I was nine, when I was drafted by Sunderland.” Roy told the room as he stepped slightly forward, inches closer to the steel barrel than he’d been before. “And, uh, I’d never left London before. My grandad drove me all the way there and it was freezing, and I was terrified.” This earned a low rumble of chuckles from a few people around the room who dared to laugh. “I was fucking nine. Say something.” He dared, but the room fell quiet in response. “When I got there, he gave me this old blanket.” Roy held up a small woolen throw blanket. It looked as it if had been well loved and certainly seen better days. “He said it was to keep me warm and to remind me of home. And that was the last time I saw him ‘cause he’d passed away by the time I got back for Christmas so…” Roy inhaled a deep breath before continuing. “That is why blankie means so much to me.” The room fell silent, until Isaac dared to ask,

“Did you just say blankie?” He teased.

“No.” Roy growled. “I said blanket.” He insisted before throwing the blanket in the barrel. “Conversation over. Sam, go.”

Sam stepped forward as Roy stepped back. His sentimental piece was a photo of the 1994 Nigerian World Cup team. The photo was important to him because Sam had told himself he wouldn’t take it down until he himself had become a member of the Nigerian team. He told everyone that was still his dream as he placed the photo in the drum atop Roy’s blankie.  

Players and staff continued to step forward one by one after that. Nate had brought with him a pair of sunglasses that someone had once told him made him look like Clive Owen. Richard Montlaur presented a sampling of sand he’d collected from a beach in Saint Barts. Apparently, it was the first beach where he ever slept with a supermodel. When Rebecca attempted to toss in that day’s paper, Ted probed her about it. The team owner explained there was something written in the paper about her and she was trying not to care.

“Fuck the haters.” She added before stepping back. Around the room the team whistled, nodded, and mumbled agreements.

Keeley and Moe both nudged your forward after a few of the folks around you had already had their go. You stepped forward with shaky hands as you removed a crumped piece of paper from your pocket.

“I wasn’t sure I still had this.” You told everyone as you tried to smooth out the edges. You were glad for the excuse to avoid eye contact with any of them. “It’s been about eightish years, and I’ve moved probably three or four time since then. There’s no reason for me to still have it, but this is my first contract with the University of Kansas. It’s the school that Ted and Beard and I worked at before we came here. It’s where I worked before I met them and it’s the school that Anna and I both went to. In America its common for students to do work study to help pay for college. Essentially you do odd jobs for the campus and they lob some money off your tuition or they give you checks every so often. Well at U Kansas, students get to pick their work study. When the Head of the Athletics Department asked if I was passionate about sports, I simply replied, ‘I come from a big sports family.’ Most of you have met my sister so it will surprise none of you that Anna played no less than four sports plus trained in multiple dance disciplines ever year.”

You’ve also probably figured out by now that I’m not coordinated enough to play any sport. At the very least we can put a big red mark through football.” This earned a light laugh from your captive audience. “But for whatever reason the Head of Athletics, looked past that very obvious flaw and hired me anyway. I think it’s important for all of us to remember that we don’t know we don’t always know what’s on the road ahead for us. So take a look around the room and just try to enjoy the time you have while you’re walking together because you never know when or where your paths will fork in different directions next.”

You balled up the contact in your hands before tossing it into the barrel. The room was quiet. The air had taken a somber tone. Some of the players had, like you and Roy, brought along more sentimental items. Two of three more heartfelt sentiments were shared until Collin placed the keys to the Ferrari he’d driven to work with into the barrel. After that the locker room’s usually tone of playful jesting had returned to the treatment room.

“Alright. Everybody go?” Ted asked when he was certain they had.

“No!” Jamie piped up from behind a wall of players near the door. It seemed that like you hardly anyone had noticed Jamie arrive. “I wanna go.” He added. The crowd parted and Jamie stepped forward holding an old pair of cleats. “These aren’t like my first boots or anything. Me Mum gave ‘em to me. She was the one who got me into football in the first place. Her and me dad split up when I was just a sexy little baby. She’s the reason I work so hard. I just want to make her proud. She doesn’t even care if I’m any good. Just wants me to be happy. Be a good lad. Once I got good though, me old man started showing up, didn’t he? You know bragging to all his mates every time I scored a goal. Calling me ‘soft’ if I didn’t dominate, you know. And I hated that. I actually fucking hated that. So I made a vow to be so tough that he could never call me ‘soft’ again. I wonder if sometimes I forget about making her proud. I don’t think that she would be lately.” Jamie tossed his boots into the bin and stepped back.

“Well, gentlemen and ladies,” Ted produced a box of matches from his pocket and shook them loudly to break the palpable tension in the room. “What do you say we burn this crap?” He lit a match and hovered it over the barrel.

“Maybe we should do this part outside!” Beard suggested before Ted could drop the match. All around the room players and staff expressed their agreement. Ted blew out the match and motioned for two of the players to carry the now very full bin outside. Once the barrel was out on the pitch, the Head Coach was all too happy to produce his matches and ignite its contents.

“I have to admit.” You said to Ted as he, you, Beard and Rebecca stood off to the side while the players gathered around the barrel drinking and chatting. “Team Building Burn Barrel worked better than I ever expected it to.”

“Yeah, I think you and Beard were right to have me hold off on it so many times though. I don’t think the lesson would have stuck with the college kids.”

“Would have been overshadowed by all the fire.” Beard agreed.

“Ted!” Higgins came jogging over to your little group. “The eagle has landed.”

“Alright.” Ted nodded before patting the man on the back in thanks. “I think the only way to know if the curse has been lifted or not,” Ted said loud enough for everyone on the pitch to hear. “We need to ask the spirits for a sign.” Ted closed his eyes and tilted his head upwards. “Oh spirits, speak to us…”

“Na-na-na…” Ted was interrupted but the sound of Dani Rojas’ voice. The footballer trotted onto the field, bother of his ankles appearing in perfect condition. “Dani Rojas! Rojas!” He chanted as he galloped towards his team. The crowd began cheering and clapping.

“I brought a bottle of Mezcal to throw into the curse fire!” Dani said when the group began to settle down.

“Hey-hey, Row-Jas look,” Jamie, who was closest to him, stopped him from feeding the bottle to the flames. “Whatever ghosts it were that made you trip over, they’re gone now, I promise, yeah? Crack that bastard open.” The sentiment again earned an exclamation of approval from the team.  

“Jamie’s not wrong.” Roy agreed. “Ghosts prefer empty bottles that we’ve all drunk. Fact.”

“That is a team united.” Rebecca remarked as Dani cracked open the bottle and offered Jamie the first swig. “you’re very lucky that everything’s fine with Dani’s injury. I just never had you pegged as a gambler, Ted.”

“Oh, I’m not.” Ted assured her. “We knew Dani was okay hours ago. In fact it was my man Higgins’ idea not to share that info with the boys until after the ceremony.”

“Hey Coach!” Jamie called out. “You joinin’ the party or what?”

“What do you say, boss?” Ted looked to Rebecca. “A lot warmer over there by the fire.”

“I’ll respectfully pass.” Rebecca declined.

“[Y/N]? Higgins?” The Head Coach looked to the two of you, as Beard had already begun heading towards the fire.

“Can’t leave without you, you’re my ride home.” You joked, heading towards the barrel yourself. You joined in on the raucous rendition of Richmond Till We Die that Jamie had begun to lead the team through.

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets/@writeroutoftime/@captain-starks/@garbinge/@darshs/@companionjones/@fanaticalfantasist/@svndancekidd/@uhohmando/@cedricscoffin/@hellohauntedturnstudent/@busybeingtrash/@avengerslover-yee/@stankface/@marjoherbo/@the-fanfic-fangirl/@illicitghosts/@cloudedbreath/@lovely—————-notlovely​ /@grippleback-galaxy/@marvelwasmadeforthebis/@lastpasttheposts​ /

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/Part 27/Part 28/Part 29/Part 30/Part 31/

Words:1541
Pairing: Ted Lasso x Reader                  
 Summary: While helping Reader move in, Roy and Ted have a moment alone together to talk. Reader and Ted discuss their friendship and how it may be possible to move forward from all their past ugliness. 

Roy told himself that he was going to be nice to Ted Lasso. He’d managed to tolerate the man daily at work. There was no reason why he couldn’t handle the next hour or two outside of work to help make sure you didn’t sleep on the floor that night with a broken arm. Glaring at the back of the Manager’s head the entire way, Roy followed Ted across the hall and into the spare bedroom.

“Thanks so much for offering to help me out with this, Roy.” Lasso said over his shoulder.

“No.” Roy replied.

“No?” Ted laughed. “Are you saying no to my gratitude?”

“No.” Roy answered. “I meant we’re not gonna do some kumbaya shit where you thank me for helping and then you use your idiotic twang to charm some information out of me. I’m not gonna talk about [Y/N] behind her back.”

“I was just thanking you for helping me move the bed, Roy.” The coach insisted. He began stripping the sheets off the mattress. It made the most sense to move the mattress across the hall first. “I know that if we was in a romance movie, you’d be Team [Y/N] all the way.”

Roy didn’t say anything. He pulled the pillows off the bed and tossed them in a corner out of the way. He watched Lasso struggle to get the fitted sheet off the bed before helping him stand the mattress on its side. He lifted one end and waited for Ted to grab the other. They carried the mattress across the hall to your apartment before returning to tackle the bedframe.

“We’re all on the same fucking team.” Roy grumbled when they were alone again. Ted was surprised. He’d expected Roy’s silent treatment to last much longer than five minutes. “Me, You, Keeley, we’re all on Team [Y/N]. None of us want to see her get hurt and for some fucking reason she still loves you, so that means we’ve all got to be on Team Ted too.”

“You think she still loves me?” Ted asked, his eyes twinkled like a gleeful schoolgirl. It was enough to make Roy want to end the conversation right then.

“I’d ask how you didn’t notice, but you hardly notice anything about her lately. She broke her arm because she wanted to learn how to play football. She wanted to understand the sport better for you.” Roy told him. “She spent an entire week taking care of your family so that you wouldn’t worry about them, and she promised Your ex-wife that she would take care of you. Every major decision she makes she thinks about you. Can you honestly say that you do the same for her?”

Ted didn’t say anything. He knew Roy was right. He’s been too focused on saving his marriage. Too worried about preserving something that had been long gone and buried that he may have killed off a new chance at happiness before it was given the opportunity to bloom.

“I’m not saying you should do anything right now.” Roy added. “Give her time to think about what she wants. However long she tells you she needs. But when she decides what she wants and if that’s you, you do everything in your power to make sure she knows how important she is to you.”

“What if she decides that I’m not what she wants?” Ted asked quietly.

“You’ll accept and back off.” Roy told him, the usual bite returning to his voice. “Until then you wait.  Let her take the lead. She’s younger than both of us. People her age, they’re way better at figuring out what they want and how to get it. It’s terrifying.”

“Mmm-Hmm.” Ted hummed in agreement.

“I’m gonna go get my tools now.” Roy announced, signifying he was done with the topic.

“This was a good talk, Roy.” Ted smiled, patting him on the back.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Roy replied. “When I come back from the car, I’m going to pretend this conversation never fucking happened.”

Roy and Ted reassembled the bed in the room you’d chosen to officially be yours. With the minor construction completed for the night, your friends began to take their leave. Ted offered the group and half wave and trotted across the hall back to his place. Roy offered to walk Keeley back to her car and for the first time since leaving Kansas you were alone. Alone in your own apartment and alone with your own thoughts.

You took the plate of double chocolate chip cookies Ted had brough over into the bedroom along with your laptop. You nestled yourself in the bed and put on a movie. Everything else could wait until tomorrow. For now, you’d concentrate on enjoying the quiet.

You woke the next morning in your flat. You showered in your shower and dressed in yourroom. You walked through your apartment, drinking your morning tea. You thought of décor ideas as you toured the two-bedroom flat. At the conclusion of the walk around, you decided to take Ted up on his offer for some time off. You picked up your phone to tell him you wouldn’t be coming to work, when you realized it’d be just as easy to walk across the hall and tell him in person. It was the neighborly thing to do after all.

“[Y/N]!” Ted greeted you cheerily when he opened his front door. “I was just about to come your way and invite you over for breakfast. You know I was just figuring you might not have all your pots an’ pans an’ such unpacked yet and you know I always make plenty of food.”

“Oh. I was just coming to let you know I’m taking the day out. You know I’ve got a lot of unpacking to do, some decorating and shopping…” You told him.

“Makes sense to me.” He nodded. “You should start the day off with a breakfast then. Gotta put some fuel in ya.”

“You sure you don’t mind?” You found yourself bitting your inner lip as you waited for his answer.

“Not at all, Patrick Duval. C’mon in.” Ted walked into his kitchen and began carrying food to the table. You shut the door to the flat that you’d once called home.

“I’m not sure I said thank you last night for the bed.” You apologized. “Roy was right, I would have been miserable on this floor.”

“I should be thanking you for taking it off my hands.” He replied. “Now I just gotta figure out what I’m going to do with the spare room. Say do you mind if I ask you something?” He placed the last plate on the table.

“Depends on what the question is I suppose.” You sat down across from him.

“We haven’t had a chance to talk much since Michelle left.” He pointed out, serving himself some scrambled eggs. “But I was talking with Roy last night and he mentioned Michelle said something to you about watching over me?”

“Uh, yeah.” You tried to act casual, liked you hardly remembered the conversation. Like it hadn’t been playing over and over in your head since it happened. You used making yourself a plate as an excuse to avoid eye contact with him. “She said that you’re not always great at asking for help when you need it and asked me to make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Actually she asked me to continue taking care of you like I always have.”

“I don’t want you to have to do that.” Ted told you sadly. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to take care of me. I can look after myself, and I don’t want you to keep sacrificing yourself for me.”

“Ted, it’s not like that at all. I’m not a simple doe-eyed little girl letting myself become overrun by your charm or anything like that.” You assured him. “Michelle was right, you are bad at taking care of yourself. But you’re great at taking care of the people around you. So I don’t mind having to pick up the slack once in a while, making sure you’re resting and eating when you should. People take care of people. What else did you and Roy talk about last night?”

“Don’t get cross with Roy.” Ted asked you. “He insisted that he wasn’t going to talk about you behind your back. He’s a good friend that Roy Kent. But he did let me know that maybe I haven’t been the best friend that I could have been to you. Which I think we’ve talked about and we both know he’s right. I’ll happily apologize for it again…”

“That’s not necessary.” You interrupted him. “There’s no need to focus so much on the past. All we can do now; Ted is keep moving forward. How about this, we can do breakfast together every morning and I’ll go back to walking to work with you and Beard. It’ll give us some time to spend together outside of work. We can start re-building our friendship. Does that work for you?”

“I think it’s a good a way as any to get the ball rolling.” He agreed.

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @writeroutoftime​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / @marvelwasmadeforthebis​ / @lastpasttheposts​ 

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/Part 27/Part 28/Part 29/ 

Words:1642
Pairing:Ted Lasso x Reader                  
Summary: Ted, Reader & Roy all face the consequence of Michelle leaving and Lasso’s impending divorce. 

“I wasn’t expecting you to already be up.” Roy commented as he shuffled into the kitchen Monday morning. He was wearing charcoal grey pair of sweatpants but had forgone a shirt. He wasn’t expecting it, because in the week or so since you’d been staying with him, Roy had risen before you almost every day.

“It’s hard to sleep with my arm.” You told him.

“And the Taylor Swift playing on the homepod, that cause of your arm to?” He nodded to the wifi enabled speaker that was currently blasting the song My Tears Ricochet throughout the kitchen.

“It was hard enough seeing him when his wife was here.” You confessed, wrapping your fingers around your tea mug. “He’s going to be miserable with her gone. She left me a mess and I basically promised to clean up after her.”

“You don’t owe either of them nothing.” Roy insisted.

“He’s still my friend, despite whatever else is happening. I’d do the same for you or Keeley.” You assured him.

“I’d never expect you to.” Roy argued. “Neither would Keeley. We’d take care of ourselves. Friends are for support, not for building a whole new fucking person.”

“Sometimes it’s both Roy.” You disagreed. “I’m gonna go get ready for work.” You caught the last of the Taylor Swift lyrics as you headed out of the kitchen. “And if I’m dead to you, why are you at the wake? Cursing my name wishing I’d stayed. Look at how my tears ricochet…”

Ted was the last of the coaches to arrive to work that morning. You were about to ask Beard if someone should call him when the Head Coach came barreling into the office half dressed. He tossed his backpack onto his desk and began riffling through it for clothes.  

“Sorry I’m late.” He said as he tugged a Richmond cardigan over his polo shirt. “But you know, now I’m here. And Beard’s here and Nate’s here and [Y/N]’s here too. Which is great because the world can be a sad and lonely place but hey, c’mon now, let’s get to work, shall we?”

“Your shirts on backwards, Ted.” You told him as Beard whispered something to Nate.

“Michelle.” He’d said because Nate had looked entirely confused by the Head Coach’s odd behavior that morning.

“Which is fine.” Ted commented, having heard Beard’s no so quiet whisper. “You know, it’s okay.” He took his arms out of his shirt sleeves and attempted to right his rumpled sweater. “It’s a great time now for me to burry myself in my work. Although, I’m not crazy, I don’t love, the word burry. It has a negative connotation to it. What’s another word I can say?” He asked, now fiddling with the collar of his polo shirt.

“Bath?” He suggested. “Everyone loves a good bath right? So that’s what I’ll say. I’m gonna bathe myself in work. How about that? That’s good. Nate, you got a favorite bath balm, Buddy?”

“Oh no.” Nate frowned. He hadn’t known there’d be a pop quiz at the end of his boss’ ramblings. “I don’t really enjoy baths, just ‘cause my skin gets really wrinkly and I’m deeply worried about aging.”

“Okay. I get that.” Ted nodded. “What about you, Coach?” He looked to Beard. “You got a favorite bath bomb?”

“Crème brulee honey.” Beard answered without hesitation.

“Honey?” Ted repeated. “Is that an ingredient or something you just calling me right now?”

“Ingredient.” Beard clarified.

“Shoot. I was kind of hoping it was the other one.” Ted confessed. “But that’s kind of a fun idea. Maybe we start calling each other little pet names. You know? Like HoneyorBabe?It might be nice right?”

“No.” Beard disagreed.

“Hey, Nate, will you just do me a favor and help Coach here plan practice for today?” Ted asked. Nate agreed to help. To which Ted replied. “All right, thank you, Sweetie. Okay, I’ll see you all in a little bit.” And then he walked out of the locker room.

“Is he alright?” Nate looked between you and Beard.

“No.” You both said at the same time. Beard even laughed at the idea that anyone behaving that way could be perceived as all right.

“Any idea where he’s off to?” You asked Beard.

“I think he’s got a press conference he’s late for.” He answered.

“How long are we supposed to let him be like this?” You asked him.

“Give him some space for now.” He told you.

Players began to arrive while Ted was at his press conference. You, Nate and Beard worked together to plan that day’s training. It seemed there would also be a new player arriving that afternoon, Dani Rojas from Mexico. He had joined Richmond during a summer transfer period and was immediately injured so no one had really seen him play yet.

Ted returned an hour later from his press conference. He still looked out of sorts, but the press conference must have gone well. The usual gentleness had returned to his voice. Beard almost hesitated to relay the news to Ted that Jamie was claiming he was too hurt to join practice. Ted opened the door the Manager’s office and stepped out into the locker room without saying a word. He stomped over to Jamie.

“Hey Jamie, I heard you’re not gonna be able to run with us today. That true?” He asked the young player.

Even with the office door open you couldn’t hear Ted and Jamie’s full conversation. Jamie’s locker was too far down the line. But you could see Jamie’s body language through the glass that separated the office from the locker room. You could see his smug smirk as he answered one of Ted’s questions and the shrug of his shoulders as he replied to another.

Ted began walking back to the office. You didn’t know what was said offer that, but Jamie had mouthed off. He’d said something that made the entire room go quiet. Ted turned on his heels and marched back to Jamie’s locker. No one missed a single word of what he said now.

“Hey, you can’t practice, you can’t practice. If you’re hurt, you’re hurt.” Ted nodded. “It’s as simple as that. But it ain’t about that…at all. You’re sitting in here; you’re supposed to be the franchise player and yet here we are talking about you missing practice. We’re talking about practice.” Every time Ted said the word “practice” his voice raised slightly. “Not a game. Not the game that you go out there and die for, right? We’re talking about practice. Practice! You know you’re supposed to be out there. You know you’re supposed to lead by example. You’re just shoving that all aside.”

“And so here we are, Jamie.” He was shouting now. You stole a glance at Beard who’s one look back told you not to interfere. “We’re talking about practice. With your teammates. The only place that we get to play together, that we’ve got control over. Rest of the time it’s us eleven against those eleven. We’re talking about practice, man! I’m talking about practice! And You can’t do it, ‘cause you’re hurt! Right?” Ted took a breath.

“It’s fine by me.” He added, no longer yelling. “Tell you what, do me a favor. When you get out there, set up the cones so the other reserves can do a little passing drill.” Ted started towards the office again.

“You want me to set up cones?” Jamie questioned. Jamie Tartt didn’t set up cones.

“I really appreciated it.” Ted shouted over his shoulder before entering the office and shutting the door behind him.

Later that day, Roy was reading a book while walking on the treadmill in the workout room. Some of the other players were lifting weights and using the various machines. Other players were even still out on the field practicing drills. Keeley Jones sauntered into the room. Her all black outfit looked like something out of the matrix, complete with ridiculous looking stiletto heel boots. She climbed on to the treadmill next to Roy.

“It’s lovely weather we’ve been having don’t you think?” She asked him. “I love this time of year. All the smells and fresh leaves.” Roy marked his place with his finger before looking over at her.

“Sorry, what’s happening?” He demanded.

“I was just pretending that the two of us were on a walk.” She explained.

“I’m trying to read.” He flashed his book at her.

“I’ve been doing a lot of reading myself, actually. Recently.” She said, perfectly segueing into the reason for her visit. “I read this mad story about a kid who grew up in a shit part of South London and who got sent off to play as a child in Sunderland of all places! And later was forced to wrap his own verse in a charity single which was called Winner Winner Football Diner.” She laughed.

“That was for world hunger.” He smiled back.

“And I believe it was the cure.” She teased him.

“How do you know all this anyway?” He asked, his book now forgotten. “What are you doing now? Stalking me?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m reading all the player’s bios. Part of my new job helping with the team’s PR.”

“You can leave me out it.” He told her. “I’m not one of your show ponies.”

“Hmm.” Keeley offered him a noise of disagreement. “You wear a number and you trot around while people clap so I wouldn’t be too high and might about it.” She slowed down her machine and prepared to get off. “Later Roy.” She told him with a smile. His sister. Pheobe. Keeley Jones. [Y/N]. The women in his life were determined to kill him. He decided. The preferred way of torture seemed to be annoying him to death.

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets/@captain-starks/@garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @stankface​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / 

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/Part 27/Part 28/ 

Words:1761 
Pairing:Ted Lasso x Reader                  
Summary:Following their very public display of affection, Reader and Roy escape the Richmond clubhouse to discuss their relationship. 

“Is that [Y/N] kissing Roy?” Nate asked Beard. The two men were walking together from the sidelines of the pitch towards the center of the field where the rest of the team was celebrating.

“Yup.” Beard confirmed.

“That’s new, isn’t it?” Nate looked at him.

“Not if you’ve been paying attention.” Beard answered. They reached the group just as you and Roy came up for air.

“Well would you look at that.” Ted moved to stand between his two assistant coaches. The three of them were watching you laugh at something Roy said while they stood just out of earshot.  “First time I’ve seen her smile in weeks.”

“That’s the only time I’ve ever seen Roy smile.” Nate comment. “It’s making me uncomfortable actually.” Nate shivered and walked away. He headed towards the locker room to prep the stations and ready the laundry bin. Beard and Ted stepped off to the side listening to the chanting from the supporters.

“You’re going to have to put me down eventually.” You told Roy breathlessly.

“I can carry you to car like this.” Roy disagreed.

“You’ve still got to shower and change.” You sighed. “Especially if you want to go to dinner.”

“Dinner! Fuck I’m starving. Alright, down you get.” Roy set you back on your feet but took your unbroken hand in his. You and Roy walked hand in hand to the locker room. Some of boys were already changing. They whistled and howled like teenagers when you stepped inside.

“I’m just going to…” You gestured vaguely to the Manager’s Office before slipping inside and closing the door. Maybe it wasn’t fair, leaving Roy to ferry all the guy’s questions, but you knew one scowl from the team captain would have them all silenced. While you waited for Roy to finish changing, Ted entered the office alone. No Beard, no Nate and no family in tow.

It felt like a lifetime since you’d been alone together. You realized the power dynamic between you had changed without either of you meaning for it to. Sure, he was still your boss and you were his assistant, but you didn’t feel like just his assistant anymore. You were more than that. You’d always been. Michelle had said as much herself and Ted had said no one knew him better than Michelle. Except maybe you.

You realized that you held just as much power over Ted as he did over you. That was why he’d wanted his family with you all week. It wasn’t just because he trusted you to take care of them. It was because you held all of his secrets. You knew who he was without him having to say it. Where Michelle could only ever see the unwavering optimism, you saw through the cracks in his façade.

Ted Lasso was just as dark and twisted as the rest of us, but it took as special person to see through those cracks. More importantly to see through those cracks and want to stay. You could tell by the defeated look in his eyes he thought you’d seen all there was to see, and you weren’t staying.

“Left my keys.” He explained, pointing to the ring of keys on his desk. His voice pulled you from your thoughts. You retrieved his keys and handed them to him. Your fingers brushing against his for a half second longer than they should have. Ted accepted them but still hovered by the door.

“I probably shouldn’t say anything. seeing as I agreed not to and all,” He added with a nervous glance over his shoulder. If he was checking for Roy, Beard, Michelle or all three you didn’t know. “But if Roy makes you happy, I think that’s great. He’s a great guy. It’s just so…great. That you two have each other.” He turned to leave but you called after him softly.

“Ted? I’m sorry about your divorce.” You said it so quietly, you thought your voice might break.

“She told you about that, did she?” Ted looked back at you, blinking away tears.

“She didn’t have to. Just said it would be a long time before she and Henry came to visit again.” You confessed.

“Good night, [Y/N].” Ted said with a sad smile. “See you Monday.”

“See you Monday, Ted.” You repeated back.

Ted stopped long enough to tell the boys to celebrate their victory hard and enjoy their day off on Sunday before leaving the locker room. Roy was dressed in a black t-shirt, black jeans and black shoes. He held out his hand which you accepted immediately.

“Well, I feel underdressed.” You looked down at your outfit which was a pair of blue jeans, V-neck Richmond sweater and a Richmond scarf.

“You look great.” Roy insisted. “Sides, we won. It’s good to have a little Richmond pride.” He kissed you on the cheek before swinging open the Passenger’s side door of his car for you.  

“I noticed Jamie wasn’t in the locker room.” You said carefully.

“He probably packed up his shit after he was benched. I’d like to think he’ll come back on Monday with a better attitude but he’s Jamie fucking Tartt so.” Roy shrugged as if to say “What can you do?”

“And the fight you had out on the pitch?” You asked him.

“You saw how he was treating Sam!” Roy growled. “He could have been seriously hurt. I wish that prick would go back to Man City, except I wouldn’t want to play against him anymore than I want to play with him. He’s a shit person, but he could be a great footballer.”

“Where are we going exactly?” You asked, changing the subject.

“Dinner.” He answered you shortly.

“I gathered that much.” You laughed. But Roy kept his secrets as he continued driving. He kept stealing glances of you out of the corner of his eye. As if checking to make sure you were still there. “What is it, Roy?” You asked him after about the fourth time he’d done it.

“Nothing.” He lied, looking back at the road.

“Roy, you have been dealing with me spilling my guts out every other day for the past month almost. I would hope you know that you can talk to me about anything.” You assured him.

“It’s nothing.” He insisted. “I don’t want to ruin the night. Later.”

“I’m sure whatever it is we can work it out without ruining the night.” You said softly.

“I’m gonna remind you that you said that if I have to.” He warned.  

“I expect you will.” You looked out the window and watched the lights of London as you passed them.

Roy parked his car and you walked together down the street and Roy led you into what you could only describe as an alley. A tiny hole in the wall restaurant was wedged between two massive buildings. The alley would have been dark if the restaurant’s owner hadn’t strung thousands of twinkling lights up above in a net of faux starlight. Six small tables set for two or four sat outside.

“Whoa.” Was all you could think to say.

“Wait till you tried the food. C’mon.” Roy took your hand and led you inside.

As picturesque as it looked, it was too cold to eat outside. You and Roy sat at a table towards the back of the restaurant. He slid a menu towards you. It seemed to be comprised mostly of comfort foods, fish and chip, burgers, pizza and a variety of soups. Roy didn’t even glance at a menu. He must have gone there often enough to know exactly what he wanted. A waitress came by and took your orders, promising to have everything right out.

“You asked me to kiss you in front of everyone.” Roy said, looking at you. He didn’t sound angry. If anything, he sounded confused or concerned.

“I did.” You’d be lying if you told him that it had been a calculated decision. “Should I not have?”

“That depends. Did you do it just to get a rise out of Lasso?” He asked seriously.

“No.” You reached across the table for his hand. Roy let you take it. “I promised you the night of the gala that I wouldn’t use you just to make Ted jealous. I meant that. I like you a lot, Roy.”

“You like me, but you love him.” Again his tone wasn’t accusatory. “Look, [Y/N], I’m not twelve-years-old. I don’t give a shit if you snog me in front of the whole world. I don’t care if snog half the team. You can do more than that if you like, whatever makes you happy. But Lasso cares and you need to decide if that matters to you.”

“He’sstillmarried.” You reminded him.

“But she doesn’t look at him the way you do. She looks at him, the way you look at me. She cares about what happens to him, doesn’t want to see him get hurt. He’s family, but he’s not the love of her life.” He said. You leaned back on your chair, letting what Roy was saying sink in.

“I told you I didn’t want to ruin the night.” He added.

“No, no.” You gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “I wasn’t going to say anything but they’re getting divorced.” You told Roy about the conversation you’d had with Michelle and the very brief conversation you and Ted had while Roy was changing. “But what I keep thinking about is this conversation I had with Keeley. Does Ted make me better?”

“Maybe I’m just gotten jaded over the years, but if you ask me, it’s not about who makes you better. It’s who ruins you the least after they’ve chewed you up and spat you back out.” The served delivered your food. You retracked your hand from Roy’s so the two of you could eat.

“Not a very high opinion of love there, Kent.” You commented.

“I’m thirty-seven, [Y/N].” He told you. “I gave up all hope of true love, unicorns and rainbows and shit a long time ago.”

“Roy, I doubt you ever believed in unicorns and rainbows.” You laughed.

“No, I suppose not.” He chortled. “But maybe love, though. Like a really fucking long time ago.”  

“I don’t want to go running back to Ted before the ink has even dried on his divorce.” You confessed.

“So don’t.” Roy shrugged. “I’m not kicking you out any time soon. You can stay at mine as long as you want to. That goes for the bed and the house.”

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / 

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/Part 27/ 

Words:1617
Pairing:Ted Lasso x Reader                  
Summary:Reader has made it through the week with Ted’s family mostly unscathed. With just a single football game standing in the way of the Lasso family’s departure, Michelle asks Reader for something she’s not sure she can give. 

With the game officially paused for halftime, you got up from your seat. You were happy to finally have an excuse to get away from Michelle and Henry. It wasn’t that you had any objections to either of them personally. In fact, you’d done your very best to make them feel comfortable during their visit. Henry still remembered you from all the times you’d watched him back at your office in Kansas. He really was a sweet kid. Michelle had asked you about the move and how you were adjusting to things in a new country.

“[Y/N]!” You heard someone call out to you as you began to descend the stairs from the owner’s box. You looked over your shoulder to see Michelle walking towards you. “I was hoping I could have a word with you. Keeley said she’d watch Henry for a minute.”

“Oh. Uh, sure Michelle.” The two of you continued walking down the stairs. You led her to a secluded hallway away from the roar of the crowd. “Is everything okay?”

“Oh yeah.” She nodded too quickly for you to believe her. “I just wanted to thank you.” She smiled. “You’ve been so great, helping me and Henry get around and you know taking care of Ted.”

“Oh.” You waved her off casually. “That’s nothing. All in a day’s work as a personal assistant.” You told her with a smile you hoped she couldn’t tell was forced.

“Not everyone would move across the country for their boss.” Michelle laughed. You forced yourself to chuckle along but inside you were panicking. Had she worked it all out? Did she know what you’d been trying so hard to hide from her?

“Oh well, Ted makes it hard to say no.” You told her, swallowing hard.

“You’ve always been there for him though.” She said softly. “He tells me all the time how well you take care of him. I know he’s your boss, but he thinks of you as his friend too.”

“I liked to think he, Beard and I have become good friends over the past couple of years.” You agreed. You hoped that maybe by throwing Beard’s name into the mix it would save you from being accused of doing anything unsavory with her husband.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Michelle was still smiling, but you could tell her eyes were begging to water like she was holding back tears. “It’s going to be a long time before Henry and I are able to visit again. So I was hoping I could ask you to do me a small favor?”

“A favor?” You gulped. Is it stay away from your husband? Because I’m trying Michelle. I really am. But out loud you just said. “Anything.”

“Ted’s going to need al his friends around him after…” She stopped and studied your face. It was as if she wanted to confess something to you but decided at the last minute that it wasn’t her secret to tell. “After we’ve gone home.  Please continue to take care of him. He might not always say when he needs help. He’s always too worried about how other people are feeling. He needs someone who will worry about him. Will you do that for me?”

“I’d be happy to, Michelle.” You promised.

“Thank you, [Y/N]. I knew I could count on you.” She gave your arm a soft squeeze before leaving you and heading back up towards the owner’s box.

You didn’t know what to do with this information. The game was only half over. You would eventually have to go back up in those stands and sit next to her and pretend the two of you had just had a perfectly normal conversation. She had to know about you and Ted. Why else would she have pulled you aside like this?

You replayed the entire conversation again. You needed to talk to Ted. Needed to know what the hell he’d been thinking partnering you with his wife for an entire week. You stomped through the halls of the clubhouse towards the locker room. When you reached the locker room door, Beard was standing outside of it.

“Who you hear to see, Roy or Ted?” He asked.

“I-um…” You didn’t have an answer to his question. As much as you wanted to rage and shout at Ted, you also wanted to talk to Roy. You wanted to ask if he was alright after his fight with Jamie on the field. But more so you just wanted to be next to him. Being around Roy calmed you down. Like his anger burned bright enough for two of you so there was no need for you to simmer on.

“You think it’s a good idea to talk to either one of them in the middle of a game?” Beard continued to probe you.

“I…she asked me if I would take care of him when she’s gone, Beard.” You breathed. “Like he was a hand-me-down pair of headphones and not a person she’d been married to for years. She just dumped that on me, and he expects me to just sit there next to her pretending its not killing me inside. Lying to her. Tiptoeing around the subject.”

“I know it’s hard [Y/N].” Beard acknowledged. His tone truly sympathetic. “But these fellas got work to do. It’s forty-five minutes. You’ve lasted the whole week. You can do another forty-five minutes.”

“Okay.” You nodded, trying to talk yourself into it. “You’re right. I can do this.”

“Would you feel better if I gave you a hug?” He offered.

“Well, Coach, I wouldn’t feel worse.” Beard enveloped you in a hug. You hugged him back briefly before retracing your steps back up to the owner’s box. The hug hadn’t helped nearly as much it would have had it come from Roy or Ted.

“There you are, Babes!” Keeley remarked as you sat back down next to her. “I was starting to wonder where you’d gone off to.”

“Just the loo.” You lied to her.

“Course.” She nodded. “Did you check on the boys?” She asked.

“No. Didn’t need to. They’ve got this.” You looked out to the field.

“Course they do. Also, I’ve got some good news!” She exclaimed. Keeley pat your knee excitedly. “I’ve found you a flat. You can’t move in till after the away game but you’ll finally have a place of your very own.”

“Really?” You tore your eyes away from the pitch to look at her. “Keeley Jones you’re a miracle worker!”

“I know.” She agreed. “Ooh It’s starting again.”

Gameplay resumed and the team was playing better than you’d seen them. No one had benched Jamie Tartt before. Not the previous Richmond coach, or any of the coaches at Man City. Ted had made a tough call and showed the other guys that Jamie being a great player didn’t make him the only important player on the team.With morale finally on the rise, Richmond managed to keep the other team from scoring. Players were fighting hard on both sides to gain any ground.

It was a tie game with only two minutes left. Richmond’s own Declan Cockburn had possession of the ball. He traveled up the field with it and passed the ball to Roy. Roy traveled the rest of the way until he was nearly in front of the net. He had a choice to make, he could take the shot for himself, or he could pass it to Sam.The clock was running down, but Roy didn’t hesitate. You imagined Roy cursing Jamie in his head as he showed the younger players how it’s done.

He passed the ball to Sam. Sam had been wide open on Roy’s left. He punted the ball straight into the net. With less than a minute left in the game, Sam and Roy had turned the game in Richmond’s favor. Seconds later, a whistle was blown, and the match was over. A.F.C. Richmond had won its first game with Ted Lasso as the manager.While slightly removed from the rest of the supporters, the owner’s box was still celebrating the win. People were on their feet chanting and cheering. Rebecca was the only one who remained seated. You swore you heard her mumble something like “Oh Shit.” But no one else around seemed to notice.

“You two want to go down there and celebrate with them?”  You asked Michelle and Henry, pointing down at the pitch.

They both stayed close to you as you flashed your badge through the various security check points. Once you were out on the pitch neither you nor Michelle could stop the little boy for running straight to his father. Ted had seen all three of you come onto the pitch and was waiting with open arms for his son. He picked up Henry and spun him around. Michelle walked towards them at a much slower pace. You Began backing off the field to give them some space.

“Must have been that good luck kiss.” A gruff voice said from behind you.

You were already smiling before you turned around to look at Roy. He surprised you by putting his hands on your waist and hoisting you up off the ground. You wrapped your legs around his waist for balance and hooked your good arm around his neck.

“Worried I’m going to drop, ya?” He laughed. But you knew he was holding you securely with one hand on the small of your back and the other on your hip.

“Not at all. I trust you with me life Roy.” You promised. “Can I offer you a victory kiss?”

“Fuck yes.” Roy said before crashing his lips against yours.

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / 

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/ 

Words:1253
Pairing:Ted Lasso x Reader                  
Summary: Ted’s family arrives in London And the head coach asks his assistant to look after them. Reader has to balance her professional Life with her personal life as another games looms over Richmond.

“Lasso’s wife coming in today?” Roy asked you, brushing a lock of hair out of your face.

Two days had passed since you’d broken your arm. You were still staying at Roy’s. Still sleeping in his bed. He hadn’t asked you once what it meant. He appeared content with just having you snuggled close to him while you watched movies on the couch or slept together at night.

“Yup.” You sighed. “Suppose we ought to get up soon.”

“Have you met her before?” He asked you.

“Once or twice.” You tossed the covers off and sat up in the bed. “She’d come around for holiday parties or games. I’ve spent more time with their son than her.”

“You’re a better person than me.” Roy said, now getting out of bed himself. “I’d want to stay home.”

“But you wouldn’t.” You said. “You’d stomp into work all scowls and growls reminding everyone that the entire thing was beneath you.”  

“That what you’re going to do?” Roy wondered.

“No.” You shook your head. “I’m going to be impossibly nice to all of them. Intimidation, anger, that stuff only gets you so far. Nothing is more disarming that kindness.”

“That’s some Yankee-doodle shit right there.” He laughed.

You and Roy continued to get ready for work. He’d resumed his usual routine of showering at work, so you were back to being among the first people in the building. You made two cups of tea and had one ready for him while he dressed in his kit.

“If you changed your mind about today and you want to go home, let me know. I don’t care if we’re in the middle of training.” He told you, lacing up his boots.

“I’m not going to leave early Roy.” You insisted. “If it gets too bad, Keeley already promised me I can hide in her office.”

The door to the locker room burst open. You recognized the little boy who ran in as Ted’s son Henry. He was followed closely behind by his parents and Coach Beard. Introductions were made and Roy met Michelle and Henry for the first time. Michelle pulled you into a hug and told you that she was glad to see another familiar face. You made eyes at Beard who stood behind her but didn’t catch the Coach’s reaction because Ted was speaking.

“I was thinkin’ Henry and Michelle could stay close by you today.” He was saying. “You two always got along so well.”

You wanted to ask the head coach if he was insane. If he’d lost his mind. What happened to his fear that Michelle would work out your feelings for him in a heartbeat? Where had his concerns that she’d see right through him gone? You would swear later that you heard Roy’s car keys jingle from the bench. You smiled your brightest smile.

“That sounds like a lot of fun!” You lied. “You still like Apple juice boxes Henry?” You asked, crouching down so you could look the little boy in the eyes. He nodded. “Great. I’ve got some in the fridge for you. Come with me.” You held out your hand and Henry took it, following you into the manager’s office.

Michelle and Henry’s visit was nothing but agony. You couldn’t wait for them to return back to the states. Their visit couldn’t have come during a worse time. As a team, Richmond had endured four straight losses. If they didn’t pull out a win soon your job as well as the coaches could be in jeopardy. Aside from that, there was the very interesting balancing act of looking after Ted’s family while simultaneously trying to avoid the Head Coach himself.

“He looks like shit.” Roy whispered to you Saturday morning. It was the last day of the family’s visit and another game for Richmond. You and Roy were sitting in his car, having just pulled into the parking lot. Ted, Michelle, Henry and Beard were walking together into the clubhouse. You watched them through the rearview mirror as Ted held the door open for all of them.

“That should make me happy.” You spoke.

“Just makes you feel worse, doesn’t it?” Roy asked. Ted followed Beard inside.

“A part of me thought it might be easier, having her here.” You confessed. “Like seeing her would remind me that she’s a person too. That she loves him too. But I watch her looking at him and I can tell, some doesn’t look at him the way she used to. He doesn’t look at her the way he looks at me and if I’m the cause of that it just makes me feel…”

“Guilty.” Roy nodded.

“They leave in the morning.” You weren’t sure if you were reminding Roy or yourself. “All I have to do, is sit through the game with them. I can figure the rest out tomorrow.”

“I was thinking, about after the game.” Roy mentioned. “I was thinking, maybe I could take you out to dinner? You’ve had a rough week with the arm and Lasso’s wife an all and…”

“Dinner?” You repeated. Dinner might complicate something that up until this point had been very uncomplicated. Sure, the two of you had dinner together nearly every night since you began staying with him, but this felt different. “It’s a date.” You nodded before kissing him on the cheek.

“What was that for?” He asked.

“Good luck. We need a win today, Captain.” You told him before getting out of the car.

Rebecca was kind enough to invite Michelle and Henry up to the owner’s box with her. You and Keeley already had open invitations to watch any game from up there, so you settled yourself between Keeley and Michelle before the match started. Henry leaned over the railing eagerly. He’d developed a sudden interest in soccer, Michelle had told you, after his father became a coach.

The game was off to a rough start with the rival team scoring the first two goals in only six minutes. Jamie worked towards evening things up by scoring Richmond’s first goal. In the process he’d manage to upset Beard, Ted and Nate who watched helplessly from the sidelines as Tartt ignored passing the ball to Sam, who was wide open. Jamie’s lack of sportsmanship continued when Sam was tackled during the game and Jamie stopped right over him to retrieve the ball.

This riled up Roy, who told Jamie he needed to Check on his fucking teammate. Jamie rebuked him causing Roy to being shouting and pushing Jamie. It took three players to pull Roy away from him, but it was Jamie who the referee flashed a yellow card at. Roy helped Sam to his feet and the game resumed. Jamie scored a second goal, again without passing to any of his teammates. The fans were cheering in the stands, but even you could see from the owner’s box that morale on the rest of the team was fading fast.

Then Ted was jogging away from the pitch and up through the stands. He climbed up hanging from the owner’s box. It seemed the Head Coach wanted to bench Jamie, but he gave Rebecca the chance to object. She assured Ted that he had her full support. So Jamie was substituted for number sixteen, Robbie Roberts. The crowd did not appreciate the choice. A very loud chorus of “wanker” could be heard from fans on both sides of the stands. A whistle was blown and half time was called.

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @writeroutoftime​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / 

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/ 

Words: 1537  
Pairing: Ted Lasso x Reader              
 Summary:Things go amiss when Roy sets up his 10,000 pound date with Reader. But alone with Reader, Roy begins to share parts of his life that he hasn’t with anyone else, even if he wasn’t exactly meaning to. 

Roy left you to unpack and change. You left everything in your suitcase. You wouldn’t make the mistake of feeling comfortable somewhere new again so soon. You changed into a pair of athletic pants and one of Roy’s old Jerseys from his years at Chelsea. You put on a fresh pair of socks and tried on the boots Roy had given you.

“Roy?” You called for him, aware of how your cleats sounded stomping on his floating staircase as you descended.

“This way!” You followed his voice to a door that led to the back yard. From the doorway you could see that Roy had two regulation nets outside. He’d set up several cones the way the team did during their own trainings. You could also see that it was raining out. Not pouring or anything. Just the kind of misting that offers low visibility. “I’m gonna go change. I don’t want to ruin your shirt.”

“Why not?” He shrugged. “It’s an old kit. Not from the year we won or nothing. Unless you don’t want to play in the rain.”

“Little water never killed no one.” You decided stepping outside. Roy followed you. He placed a ball at your feet.

“That is a football.” He said pointing to the ball. “I don’t want to hear you call it anything else.”

“I’m paying ten-thousand-pounds for this?” You asked him. “I know what a football is.”

“No, Keeley is playing ten-thousand-pounds. And you’ve already failed the most important rule of football.” Before you could ask what the most important rule was, Roy kicked the ball away from you and began traveling down the yard with it. “Keep possession of the ball!”  

You and Roy trained in the garden until the sun began set and you were drenched through your clothes with water and sweat. He taught you the basics of traveling, dribbling and kicking. You’d been having so much fun, you hadn’t even noticed the rain had picked up.

“The garden’s getting muddy and the sun’s going down.” Roy noticed. “Maybe we should head in.”

“I want to trying go…keepering? I want to play Keeper. That’s what y’all call goalie right?” You moved to stand in front of one of the nets.

Roy agreed, if for no reason other than he was glad you hadn’t mentioned Ted once since playing in the garden. Roy kicked the ball hard and it went whizzing by your head. You shouted at him, insisting he go easy on you. To which he commented you weren’t going to become a professional footballer that way. Still, his next kick was significantly softer, the ball grazing your fingers as you tried to catch it.

You kicked the ball back at him. He praised you for passing the ball back to him smoothly before asking if you were ready to try again. You nodded, getting in position, ready to catch. The ball went higher than Roy planned, but you dove for it any way. You leapt up, touching the ball but not quite able to reach it. Twisting in midair, you still couldn’t quite catch the ball. It continued its trajectory and hit the back of the net. You fell to the ground with a deafening crack. A sound you heard well before you felt the pain.

“[Y/N]!” Roy rushed over to you. The pain was nothing like you’d ever felt before. It was so constant. The pain was causing your vision to blur.

“My arm.” You managed to say to him. Roy scooped you up off the ground, and cradled you close to him.

He carried you to the car and stretched you across the back seat. He ordered you to stay there. Normally you would have made a comment asking exactly where he thought you were going to go, but you were in too much pain to think, let alone speak. So, you laid there and waited for Roy to come back. You were aware of him growling something to you and swearing when he returned to the car.

You very well may have passed out from the pain, because laying in the car was the last thing you remembered before waking up on a hospital bed. Someone was holding your hand. The same hand that was connected to an IV pole with three different of medicine hanging on it. Your other arm was wrapped in a cast. The cast covered your arm from you elbow down to your wrist. It also encompassed a small part of your hand, looping around your thumb to keep your wrist straight.

“Now I know why you never played any sports.” Roy commented when he realized you were awake. It was his hand holding onto yours. The two of you were alone in a small hospital room.

“What this old thing?” You nodded at the broken arm. “You should see the other guy.”

“I did. The football’s doing fine.” He said.

“Well, this is going to be fun to explain to everyone tomorrow.” You sighed. “Don’t suppose I could talk you into lying for me that it’s from something badass like a bar fight?”

“Having a football injury is badass.” He insisted. “Makes you a more dedicated player than some of the pricks on the team.”

“Sorry I ruined our ten-thousand-dollar date.” You apologized, trying to sit up in bed.

“Nah, this is way more fun than I would’ve had with Cheryl. Sides, I haven’t been on this side of an A&E room in a while. Usually, I’m the one in the bed.” He commented. “I’m gonna go get the doctor so we can get the hell out of here.”

You wanted to tell Roy that you were pretty sure that wasn’t how things worked. Your best friend broke her arm in grade school, and she was in the hospital for at least two days. Plus, the sun had finally gone down. You were pretty sure hospitals stopped discharging patients after a certain time. Then again, you realized, you were in a different country. This was your first experience with European healthcare. Roy was the expert here. He returned with a dark-haired nurse whose nose and smile were strikingly similar to his.  

“[Y/N], this is Nurse Kent.” He introduced you.

“Nurse Kent? She’s your sister?” You questioned.

“Catches on quick, this one.” Roy’s sister smiled. She seemed to have the exact opposite energy of her brother. While the footballer was mostly brooding and pointed stares, the doctor was smiles and a soft voice. “[Y/N], can you tell me who the Prime Minister is?”

“No.” You confessed. “But not because I’ve been injured, because I moved here a few weeks ago and I haven’t bothered looking into it.”

“That’s alright. And you know who he is?” She pointed to Roy.

“Of course, he’s here, he’s there, he’s every fucking where, Roy Kent.” You said, remembering Roy’s football chant.

“Good enough for me.” She decided. “I’ll get the paperwork started and then you can take her home. Feel better, [Y/N], I’m sorry we had to meet like this, but I know you’re in good hands with Roy.” Nurse Kent left the room and Roy huffed.

“So that’s your sister.” You probed him. “Is she Phoebe’s mom or do you have more than one sister?”

“Just the one. Thank god.” He grumbled.

“Why didn’t you tell me your sister was a nurse?” You asked him.

“You never asked.” He shrugged.

“My mom’s a nurse at a hospital. Surgical nurses are no joke.” You pointed out.

“Like I said, she works harder than she needs to. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of her, but she wanted to be a doctor. She could’ve been the one doing the surgeries if she’d had more time to study.” He spoke. “She’s a damn good nurse though. Searched the whole hospital to find you plaster as close to Richmond blue as possible.” He nodded at your cast.

Twenty minutes later Roy’s sister returned with your discharge paperwork and a bottle of medication. She provided you all the information on when and how often to take the meds. The clothes you arrived in were caked in mud so they were placed in a plastic bag so you could wash them at home. Instead, you were allowed to leave wearing the pair of hospital issued scrubs, which although comfortable, did not fit. You couldn’t wait to get back to Roy’s and change.

Roy helped you into the car again, this time you’d been allowed back in the front seat. You arrived back at his house expecting it to be well into the early morning. But the clock on the car’s dashboard claimed it was only a little past ten pm.

“I’m not supposed to let you sleep for the first few hours.” He said as you got out of the car. “Supposed to monitor you and make sure you don’t slip into a coma or nothing.”

“But I’m so tired.” You complained, following him into the living room.

“Sit.” He ordered, pointing at the couch. “You like Batman?” He held up a DVD box set of the Tim Burton’s Batman movies. You nodded. Roy put the first DVD in the player and started the movie.

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @writeroutoftime​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @wadeyouwitch​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / 

The previous 43 Chapters of this story can be found here!

Words:1474
Pairing:Ted Lasso x Reader                          
Summary: After some light convincing from Reader, Beard agrees to go along with following Ted and Rebecca to The Crown and Anchor. 

“Have I mentioned what a colossally bad idea I think this is?”  Beard asked quietly. The two of you slipped into a small two top table tucked away to the left side of the bar at the Crown and Anchor.

“It may have come up once or twice during the walk over. I know you think Ted would have asked us to come along if he thought something was up but he doesn’t know what we know about you-know-who.” You reminded him.

“Can we just start calling her Voldemort?” Beard wondered.

“Fine. We’re here to make sure Voldemort doesn’t do anything to make Ted look bad or further hurt the club.” Mae came by to take your orders. As she made her way back to the bar some familiar faces entered the pub. “Shit is that Rupert and the girl who bid  on Jamie…Bex? What do you think they’re doing here?”

“Don’t know.” Beard straightened in his chair.

You and Beard would get your answers soon enough as Rebecca and Ted arrived. It was clear from her body language that Rebecca was not expecting Rupert to be at the pub. Ted spotted you and Beard in the corner but decided to engage with Rupert first. It seemed the Milk Sisters, the minority owners that Rebecca had arranged to meet with were no longer minority owners in the club at all. Rupert had lent Bex enough money that she was now Richmond’s newest minority owner.

“When we’re married what’s hers will be mine and what’s mine…well, that will still be mine ‘cause I learned from you.” Rupert told Rebecca.

“Damn.” You whispered to Beard. “If it wasn’t going to displace workers and ruin the careers of two dozen men, I’d almost help her tank the franchise myself.”

Rupert then announced to the room that he and Bex were engaged, and drinks were on him. This earned a celebration from the locals all of whom seemed to share a great deal of loyalty more to Rupert than they did Rebecca or Ted. You got up from the table and approached your two bosses pretending to just notice them.

“Rebecca? Ted! What a surprise! Beard and I were just having dinner,” You nodded your head to your table in the corner. “Ted, you mentioned having a meeting with Rebecca, I didn’t realize it was here. What a small world!” The expression on Ted’s face made it clear that your ruse wasn’t fooling him. He’d told you exactly where his meeting would be. You’d come up with a good explanation for him later.

“Ah, what a surprise.” Rebecca greeted you and Beard who had followed you over to the bar.

“You know now that we’re all here, why don’t we go grab a bite to eat together. Roy took me to this great place down the street.” You tried to give Rebecca and excuse to leave the pub without giving Rupert the satisfaction of being the reason for her departure.

“That sounds great [Y/N] but ah, before we do that, I’d like to challenge our friend Rupert here to a game of darts.” Ted drew the attention of the former Richmond owner.

“Do you like darts, Ted?” Rupert asked him.

“They’re okay.” Ted shrugged. He loosed a dart casually at the closest dart board. You didn’t know much about the game but based on the reactions of the patrols around you Ted had made an unimpressive hit on the board. “I’m more of a cornhole fella myself.”

“How about a wager?” Rupert offered. “Say, ten thousand pounds?” This certainly got the attention of the entire room.

“Well, that’s a little rich for my blood.” Ted informed him regrettably. “How about this, if you win, I’ll let you pick the starting lineup of the last two games of the season? But if I win, you can’t go anywhere near the owner’s box, at least not while Rebecca’s still in charge. What do you think?”

“You’re on.” Rupert agreed. “Double in, double out.”

“Okay.” Ted nodded. “Whatever you say Rupe-a-dupes. Just let me know if I’m winning or losing.”

“Oh, I forgot I had these on me.” Rupert produced an expensive looking case from his pocket. He opened the case to reveal a set of professional grade darts.

“That’s okay.” Ted smiled. “I forgot, I’m left-handed.” He tossed another dart and it landed in the dead center of the board.

“Shouldn’t we stop him?” Rebecca looked to you and Beard, realizing neither one of you appeared all that worried.

“He knows what he’s doing.” Beard told her confidently. It was the confidence of a man who’d accompanied his friend on many drunken nights out. Someone who’d seen this hustle firsthand and watched it pay off almost every time. You’d seen Ted hustle someone at darts only once before, it was at a late-night budget meeting with the Dean. He’d managed to secure a ten percent budget increase for the athletics and art departments rather than the fifty percent cut to both that had been proposed.

“Shall I be giving you the lineup card now, Ted?” Rupert asked when the game came down to Ted’s final turn.

It has been a nail biter of a game with most of the room hoping for a Rupert Manion designated roster. What had started off as a nearly tit-for-tat game had soon turned to Rupert’s favor.  You’d managed to work out that darts scoring was similar to golf. The player with the least points at the end was the winner. Rupert and Ted had started the game with five hundred and one points each and while the former had managed to end his final turn with just ten points, the later was still holding one hundred and seventy points.

“I shall be putting Obisanya back on defense where he belongs.” Rupert continued to taunt Ted.

“That’s exactly what I said!” One of the patrons agreed.

“Now! It’s not all Ted’s fault.” Rupert told the crowd. “My ex-wife’s the one who brought the hillbilly to our shores. I know she’s always been a bit randy, but I never thought she would fuck over an entire team.”

“Hey!” Ted said loudly, calling the attention back to himself.  “Better manners when I’m holding a dart.” He ordered. “You know Rupert guys have underestimated me my entire life. And for years I never really understood why. It used to really bother me. But then one day, I was driving my little boy to school, and I saw this quote by Walt Whitman and it was painted on the wall there. It said ‘Be curious, not judgmental.’ I liked that.” Ted fired a dart and it landed in a skinny red strip on the dart board. Those amongst the crowd in support of Ted cheered.

“So I get back in my car,” Ted continued his story paying everyone else no mind. “and I’m driving to work and all of a sudden it hits me. All them fellas that used to belittle me, not a single one of them were curious. They thought they had everything all figured out. So they judged everything and they judged everyone. And I realized that their underestimating me? Who I was had nothing to do with it. ‘Cause if they were curious, they would’ve asked questions. You know? Questions like ‘Have you played a lot of darts, Ted’?”

Ted loosed the second dart of his turn. It landed in the exact same red square as his previous shot.  This stirred loud “ooooohs” from even his non-supporters in the pub.

“To which,” Ted said as he plucked up his final dart. “I would’ve answered, ‘Yes, sir. Every Sunday afternoon at a sports bar with my father, from age ten till I was sixteen when he passed away’.”

Ted’s final dart landed in the dead center of the board. A shot even you knew was a bullseye. The room was loud and rowdy as if Richmond had won a championship game. Even Rebecca was cheering. Bex whispered something to Rupert and the two made a quiet exit.

“Holy shit that felt good!” Rebecca shouted.

“That was fun.” Ted agreed. “Only one thing left to do now.” He leaned over and whispered something to Rebecca.

“Do I have to?” She sighed before rolling her eyes. “All right then. DRINKS ARE ON ME!”

The cheers and chanting continued as Mae and her staff kept the beers and drinks flowing. You and Beard approached Ted who was collecting the darts and wiping away the chalk scoreboard.

“You two were checking up on me, weren’t you?” He asked you. “You don’t have to worry about me having a mental breakdown at the pub. Mostly ‘cause I don’t think Mae would allow it.” He joked. “I’m glad you’re here though. Saves me the trouble of having to tell the story later.”

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @writeroutoftime​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / @marvelwasmadeforthebis​ / @lastpasttheposts​ / @sugarplumsandmoonpies​ 

The previous 42 Chapters of this story can be found here!

Words:1031
Pairing:Ted Lasso x Reader                          
Summary: With things between Reader and Ted finally heading in a good direction, Reader turns their attention to a bigger issue. Rebecca’s purposeful sabotage of Richmond. 

After your chat with Keeley, you headed back to the Manager’s office. It was still technically a workday so most of the players were sticking around to work out or practice on the pitch. Ted was alone in the office, but he was smiling when you walked in.

“You and Keeley get your girl talk in?” He questioned.

“Yup. You get to talk to Beard?” You countered.

“I did.” He nodded. “I guess all that’s left is to tell the fellas when we’re ready.”

“We should plan on doing that soon, I’m sure they’ll figure something’s up.” You moved to your desk only for Roy to take your place in the doorway. He growled.

“Something on your mind, Roy?” Ted asked. The captain glanced between you and Ted before sighing.

“Me and Keeley might be starting up a thing,” He announced, stuffing his hands into his jacket. “But every time I think about her, all I think about is Jamie Fucking Tartt.”

“I know exactly what to do here.” Ted picked his phone up and began texting someone.

“What are you doing?” Roy asked him nervously.

“No need to fret my fine furry fella for I am rounding up the Diamond Dogs!” Ted explained with conviction.

“Who the fuck are the Diamond Dogs?” Roy looked to you. You offered him a shrug of uncertainty in response.

“I’m going to give you two…” You started to get up but Roy stopped you.

“No. You stay.”  He ordered. “Please?” He added. “You’re her friend and you know how she thinks and feels.” Roy stepped out of the doorway as Beard approached. The assistant coach sat at his desk. Higgins entered the office from the weight room.

“So this is about you and Keeley right?” Nate asked, bringing up the rear.

“Saw this coming.” Beard added.

“Okay, this is my fucking nightmare.” Roy gestured at the three men who’d joined the conversation.

“I think you and Keeley are like cookies and cream.” Ted said. “Two great tastes that go great together, right?”

“Yes, I am into her, but we all know who her ex-boyfriend is!” Roy complained. “The prince prick of all pricks!”

“I didn’t think you’d care so much about who someone’s ex was Roy.” You jumped in. “I mean he’s her ex for a reason.”

“Keeley’s just so kind.” Nate remarked. “To be liked by someone like her must be wonderful.”

“Now, c’mon y’all! Sure, Roy here has slept with a bunch of different people in his past.” Ted got up from his chair and clapped Roy on the back. “But Keeley’s got her own romantic and sexual history that predates Roy. And That’s not okay!”  

“Ohhh he means the opposite.” Nate pointed out.

“I love it when Coach does sarcasm!” Beard interjected.

“I can’t control my feelings.” Roy argued.

“Well, then by all means you should let them control you!” Ted agreed sarcastically. He moved back to his desk and sat down. “Let me ask you something Roy, you kissed [Y/N] before didn’t ya? You can’t deny it, everyone in this room saw you kissin’ at least once.”

“What’s your point?” Roy grumbled.

“Well, do you think I shouldn’t date [Y/N] just because I know you and her kissed before and was living together?” Ted probed.

“Who said we were living together?” Roy demanded.

“I put two and two together when you started coming to work with each other every single day.” Ted replied. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“No of course not, but that’s different.” Roy snarled.

“Because you’re not the prince of all pricks?” Ted wondered. Roy didn’t say anything. Ted had brought up a fair point.

“Roy, you asked me to stay because I’m Keeley’s friend too, right?” He grunted in agreement. “Keeley likes you. She really likesyou. Who she was with before you shouldn’t matter.”

“Coach, you wanna bring this home?” Ted asked Beard.

“Grow up and get over it.” Bead remarked.

“The Diamond Dogs have struck again!” Ted proclaimed. The men in the room began to bark like a pack of wild dogs.

“Pricks.” Roy muttered before leaving the office.

“Thank you, gentlemen, as always for your service.” Ted offered up a salute to Higgins, Nate and Roy. “Speaking of service, that reminds me, I promised Rebecca I’d go to a meeting with some of the minority owners with her. I believe we’re meeting at the Crown and Anchor, just gonna pop upstairs and confirm that with her.” He left the office in search of Rebecca.

“I should get out of the pitch. They’ll be nearly done with training.” Nate also excused himself from the room.

“What and eventful afternoon.” Higgins remarked, but when he headed for the door Coach Beard stopped him.

“Higgins, do you got a minute for me and [Y/N] to chat with you?” Beard asked. Higgins’ eyes darted towards you.

“Would this be about what I said on Friday before you got on the bus?” He questioned.

“We just want to know if you have any proof that You-Know-Who has been doing You-Know-What.” You responded vaguely.

“Of course, you’d want proof. No one is going to believe a club owner could do something so…so…” Higgins appeared to be at a loss for words. He heaved a great sigh. “Unfortunately, I cannot provide proof of any wrongdoing. Rebecca’s been very crafty, not leaving a paper trail of anything.”

“Okay, well then can you be our man on the inside? Keep an eye on things let us know what she’s planning next?” You asked him.

“I’d be glad to! The trouble is,” Higgins frowned. “I’m afraid I’ve been shut out. I doubt Rebecca will tell me any of her plans. She’s been cross with me since Dani’s injury and the cleansing of the treatment room. She wasn’t pleased I assisted Ted with boosting the team’s morale. ButI shall try my best to help in any way possible.”

“In the meantime, I guess it’s up to us, Coach. You have any plans tonight?” You looked over at Beard.

“I assume you’re going to suggest we have dinner together at the Crown and Anchor?” He guessed.

“It’s like you read my mind.” You smirked.

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @writeroutoftime​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / @marvelwasmadeforthebis​ / @lastpasttheposts​ / @sugarplumsandmoonpies​ / 

The previous 41 Chapters of this story can be found here!

Words:1547
Pairing:Ted Lasso x Reader                          
Summary: The team is back at the Dog Track after the away game’s long weekend. While most of the team prepares for an easy debrief, the team Captain, the coaches and Reader cross examine the past 48 hours. 

“We have to get up.” You told Ted the next morning. He groaned in disagreement before kissing your neck. You giggled as his mustache tickled you.

“You have the most fantastic laugh.” He whispered.

“We have a bus to catch.” You warned, detangling yourself from Ted’s limbs.

“Beard’ll hold the bus for us.” Ted yawned. He rolled over, tugging the bedcovers up to his shoulders.

“And what explanation are you planning on giving the team when they ask why we were both late to the bus?” You started gathering your clothes which were scattered on the floor following your…late night activities with Ted.

“Trouble with check out?” Ted suggested, his head still on the pillow.

“Oh, they’ll know it was a problem with checking out.” You laughed.

“Well, if you’re gonna make a big deal out of it…” Ted tossed the covers back and climbed out of bed at last. “But while we’re on the subject, I suppose we ought to discuss what and when we’re going to tell the fellas.”

“Up to you.” You shrugged.  “Roy already knows something’s up and I assumed you’d talk to Beard as soon as you had the chance. Same as me with Keeley. The second I have her away from Rebecca’s clutches…”

“Uh-oh, someone jealous their bestie has another bestie?” He teased stuffing his clothes into his own bag.

“No it’s…yeah.” You nodded. You wanted to tell Ted what Higgins had told you, but Beard was right. You didn’t have and proof. Yet. You had to wait it out. So you decided to let him think you were jealous of Keeley’s friendship with Rebecca.

“Don’t worry, [Y/N], I’m sure Keeley loves ya just the same.” He assured.

Even with Ted’s protesting, the two of you were the first to vacate your room. You waited for the others in the Lobby. Beard and Nate arrived ten minutes after you, each with a coffee in their hands and rubbing sleep from their eyes. Nate volunteered himself to head outside and make sure all the bags were efficiently packed into the bus. You were needed inside to finalize everyone’s check out, so Ted took your clipboard and headed outside.

“You two are all cooperation and chipper smiles this morning.” Beard observed as he saddled up next to you. “Something happen last night?”

“I’ll let him tell you about it.” You told him. The assistant coach simply nodded. “Any changes with the…other thing we talked about last night?”

“I’m trying to be patient and wait for proof. “You sighed. “Which is incredibly difficult considering I don’t want to be in the same room as that woman.”

“Easy tiger.” He warned. “We’ll figure something out. Maybe Higgins can help.”

Sam and Roy having each slept peacefully in their own rooms were the last to lumber into the Lobby. You closed out the numerous reservations you’d booked and according to the hotel staff it was the most well-behaved visit from a football club they’d ever had. You made a mental note to be sure to share this with Ted later. He’d be so proud.

Then it was back on the bus for the long drive back to Richmond. You were once again sat in the front row with Ted, who seemed captivated by his own thoughts. He hardly talked the entire ride. This was fine with you as you had another game the following weekend to prepare for, but it was definitely unusual for Ted. When you arrived back at the Dog Track, Keeley nearly pulled you off the bus.

“I’ve been waiting ages for you!” She complained tugging you inside. Keeley waited until you were alone in her office, with the door secured before explaining herself. “You’re not going to believe what happened last night!”

Keeley went on to tell you that she and Roy stayed at the Karaoke Bar until most of the team decided to call it a night. After that the group splintered in two. The younger lads who wanted to stay out and party more started a pub crawl. While everyone else, headed back to the hotel. Roy walked with Keeley all the way back to the suit she was sharing with Rebecca.

“It’s weird because usually when he’s all quiet it freaks me out.” She told you. “But last night…I dunno. It felt different. So we’re at the door and he leans in to kiss me and…sorry is this too much?”

“Kee, you’re my friend and I’m an adult I think we can both handle you telling me that you kissed I man that I’ve also kissed.” You assured her.

“It was a fucking amazing kiss!” Keeley gushed.

“So what’s the problem?” You asked.

“After the kiss, he just fucking walks off!” She explained. “Like what the hell is that?”

“Well, did you ask him?” You probed.

“What, just say, hey mate why the fuck did you walk away after you kissed me? I thought we was fixing to bang?” She laughed.

“Maybe not just like that, actually it’s Roy.” You disagreed with yourself. “He’d probably love that. It’s a straightforward question with his favorite word in it.”

“Fuck!” You both exclaimed at the same time.

“I dunno.” Keeley sighed.

“If you’re not going to ask him, do you want me to?” You started to get up from the chair.

“No don’t!” She remarked. “He’ll be pissed if he found out I talk to you about it instead of him. I’ll think about saying something.” She decided. “Anything new going on with you and Ted? I noticed the two of you left the club really early last night.”

You felt your cheeks flush with embarrassment. You’d already told Ted you planned on telling Keeley about the two of you. You just hadn’t clarified exactly how detailed you were going to be about your escapades. But it was Keeley and she had a way of working every last element out of you.

Unbeknownst to you and Keeley, some of the Richmond men were gathered in the Manager’s Office to discuss the exact same subject. It started with just Ted pacing behind his desk, and Beard leaning back, relaxed in his chair. Nate was in the office, nursing a waste basket. He seemed to be experiencing either a hangover, motion sickness or some combination of the two. Higgins was also in the office. He was determined to keep a closer on the Head Coach for his own good.

“Look, I absolutely adore [Y/N]. I think everyone in this room know that. Hell I would even say I love her.” Ted announced to the room.

“Well then what’s the problem?” Higgins asked.

“Maybe it has to do with the fact that I went from having a mental breakdown at a karaoke joint in Liverpool to sleeping with a young woman who I care deeply about and somewhere in between there, getting a divorce.”

“Coach, did you have fun?” Beard asked.

“Oh, C’mon Coach you know I don’t like all that kiss and tell stuff.” Ted responded uncomfortably. “Sides [Y/N] probably wouldn’t like us having this conversation right now.”

“Doesn’t she tell Keeley and Roy like everything?” Nate asked.

“Coach!” Beard slapped his hand on the desk for emphasis and he did it again with every word he spoke next. “Did. You. Have. Fun?” Ted could only offer his friend a nod.

“And did she have fun?” Nate added. Teds expression made it clear he was uncomfortable answering the question, but he offered Nate a half-nod of agreement.

“Look, it’s a no brainer.” Beard told his friend. “[Y/N]’s been over the moon for you since we started at U Kansas. She knows all your baggage. She’s great with your family and she’d do anything for you.”  

“I just don’t want to screw this up is all.” Ted exhaled before sinking down into your chair.

“What’s going on?” Roy asked, poking his head into the Manager’s office. “Are you having a meeting?”

“Yup.” Ted nodded. “We’re talking about [Y/N], you know I’d love to get…” Roy began to walk away before he could finish his sentence.

“NO!” The captain shouted as he walked away.

“Ted, can I be honest with you?” Higgins asked.

“Come on, let her rip.” Ted nodded.

“You seem intent on going twelve rounds with yourself. Why?” Higgins demanded. “What did you do wrong?”

“He’s right.” Beard agreed. “You and [Y/N] are two consenting adults. You said this all happed after you were legally divorced. You can’t stress about all the things that could go wrong before you give the two of you a chance to get things right. I think what you need is a pair of these…” He then pantomimed a pair of scissors.

“Yeah, to cut yourself some slack.” Nate agreed.

“Wow!” Ted marveled. “Y’all stuck the landing on that. We got to get y’all some sating jackets made with some fun lil nickname embroidered on the back. Something like Ted Lasso’s Personal Dilemma Squad.” Both Beard and Nate grimaced at the title. “You’re right, it’s a clunky name. There’s gotta be something better.”

“The Knights of Support?” Beard suggested, but this name was also poorly received.

“The Proud Boys?” Higgins tossed out tentatively.

“What about the Diamond Dogs?” Nate asked,

“Attabot, Nate!” Ted beamed. “Diamond Dogs it is!”

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @writeroutoftime​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / @marvelwasmadeforthebis​ / @lastpasttheposts​ / @sugarplumsandmoonpies​ / 

The previous 39 Chapters of this story can be found here!

Words:1089
Pairing: Ted Lasso x Reader                        
Summary: The team celebrates their hard earned victory, but a certain Head Coach still has a lot on his mind…

“You feelin’ okay, Ted?” You sat on the vinyl couch next to Ted. Rebecca, with her infinite pockets, had rented out an entire Karaoke bar for the evening. This meant the players could let loose without fear of the public or paparazzi interfering. You’d been making the rounds checking on players ensuring they were having fun without having too much fun when you realized it’d been a while since you’d checked in with Ted.

The Head Coach looked worn down. Which was understandable. Though Richmond had won, the game certainly hadn’t been an easy victory. The dark circles, which you hadn’t noticed earlier in the day seemed to have returned under Ted’s eyes and his hair once again looked like he’d been tugging at it.

“Hmm? Yeah. You know me.” He waved you off. “Just, ah, thinking about that bit of paperwork at the hotel. I think I might head back and start on it soon.”

“Well, I’ll go back with you and help with it.” You offered. Sam began to call you from across the room. He was holding a shot glass and gesturing that it was for you. “In a minute.” You called back.

“Naw, don’t worry about me.” Ted insisted. “You should stay, have some fun.”

“Ted I really don’t mind…” You began to argue.

“C’mon now, I don’t want you stuck in the hotel going over fifty pages of legal jargon with me. How often do you get to relax?” He asked. “You been working just as hard as these fellas you deserve a night off too.” Dani was now calling for you from the same table as Sam.

“They’re not gonna stop until I go over there.” You rolled your eyes. “Can you just…”

“Go on. I’ll be right here.” Ted promised.

“I’ll be quick, okay?” You walked off towards Sam’s table. But your one shot with Sam and Dani turned into another and may have become a third if you didn’t gesture towards your broken arm and remind them you needed all the help in the balance department that you can get. You were mercifully saved by Keely who dragged you by the elbow to a quiet part of the club insisting she needed to talk to you straight away.

“Are you and Roy still a thing?” Keeley asked. Her eyes drifted over to the footballer in question.

“We’ve agreed to stay friends.” You told her. “We think it’ll be better that way.”

“You remember that conversation we had at the gala. The one in the loo?”  She questioned.

“The one where you said you didn’t want to date footballers anymore because they always treat you like shit?” You remembered.

“Yeah.” Keeley nodded. “Do you think…”

“I don’t think Roy would treat you like shit Keeley.” You told her. “I think the two of you would be great together.”

“It wouldn’t bother you?” She asked. “Because you’re my friend and if you told me it would…”

“No.” You said and you meant it. “You already get on well enough and it would, personally, be greater for me next time I’m in a crisis. I won’t have to spill the tea twice that way. You can just keep each other in the loop.”

“I’m probably not gonna do nothing, I’m too drunk…but maybe tomorrow.” She mused.

Keeley walked away and you scanned the room. Dani and Sam had now convinced Nate to join them sinking back shots. Beard was in possession of the microphone performing a very interesting rendition of Lady Gaga’s Pokerface. That was when you noticed Ted wasn’t in the room anymore.

You checked again. He wasn’t sitting on the vinyl couch next to Roy or the one being occupied by Collin and Issac. Sam, Dani and Nate’s table included even more players no but Ted was nowhere to be seen. You felt someone tap you on the shoulder. You looked to your right expecting to see Ted. Instead, it was Rebecca towering over you.

“[Y/N], I was just with Ted outside.” She told you. “He wanted you to know that he’d gone back to the hotel.”

“Oh shit. I’d told him I’d go with him. How long ago did he leave?” You asked her.

“Only four or five minutes. You might be able to catch up with him.” She said.

“Oh…um.” You looked from Rebecca to the room and drunk young footballers.

“Don’t worry about them.” She told you. “It’s not my first time surprising a group of footballers.” Beard must have finished his song because he appeared at you other side with a wide smile.

“Everything alright you two?” He wanted to know.

“Yes, I was just telling [Y/N] that Ted’s gone back to the hotel, and I’ve done that now so if you’ll excuse me, I believe I it’s my turn.” Rebecca walked towards the small stage where Sassy was standing holding a microphone out to her friend. You took in Beard’s expression as he waited for an explanation.

“She was just telling me that Ted left the hotel. I want to try and catch up with him.” Sensing your hesitation to leave the team, Beard placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder.

“Me, Nate and Roy can keep an eye on the boys. They’ll be fine for one night. Not much sabotaging a person can do at a party. Go be with him.” He told you.

“Thank you, I’ll owe you one!” You said as you put on your coat.

You left the club through a side entrance. You took out your phone and searched the hotel address. It wasn’t far from where you were. Walkable for sure. So you followed the GPS on your phone and dialed Ted’s number. He didn’t answer when you called him, but a few minutes of walking you recognized a familiar blue cardigan and the man wearing it.

“Ted!” You shouted and he turned around. He didn’t walk towards you, but he did at least stop walking. You jogged catching up to him. “I’m sorry.” You apologized. “I should’ve left when you wanted to.”

“It’s alright.” He said. “I told you to stay. Those fellas are a lot more fun.”

“But I want to be with you.” You insisted. “Can I walk back with you?”

“I’d like that very much.” He replied.

“Do you mind if I hold you’re hand?” You asked. “Wouldn’t want you wandering off on me again.”

“Wouldn’t want that.” He agreed. Ted took your hand in his. They were still warm despite the frigid night air.

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets​ / @writeroutoftime​ / @captain-starks​ / @garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @Avengerslover-yee/ @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / @marvelwasmadeforthebis​ / @lastpasttheposts​ / @sugarplumsandmoonpies​ / 

The previous 37 Chapters of this story can be found here! 

Words:1546 
Pairing:Ted Lasso x Reader                      
 Summary: Ted decided to call it an early night. With his impending divorce hanging over him, he leaves Reader, Beard & Nate to supervise the team.

“Well, if it ain’t two of my favorite people.” Ted stumbled across you and Beard on his way to conference room three.

“You bringing work to dinner?” Beard question. He nodded at the manilla envelope in Ted’s hand.

“Hmm?”  Ted seemed to realize what he’s carrying. “No. I was looking for a fax machine. Gotta send some things to Michelle and the lawyer.”

“Did you find the fax machine?” You wondered.

“Hotel doesn’t have one.” Ted sighed. “Figured maybe I’d try actually filling out the forms and then see what my options are from there. Working on a tight deadline too.”

“I can help you with that.” You offered. “Not so much the filling out part, but I can scan the pages on my phone and emailed them to the lawyers or I bet Everton’s got a fax machine. Maybe I could send things over during the game.”

“I don’t know.” He frowned. “I don’t want to put any more work on you right now.”

“This is actual assistant’s work, Ted.” You told him. “I’d just be doing my job. You fill everything out and I’ll do whatever I need to so the documents are sent over.”

“I appreciate you, [Y/N].” Ted smiled. “Oh, and movie tonight.” Ted held up the DVD for the cartoon film The Iron Giant. “We’re about to make a room of grown men cry.”

Ted stayed with the team through all of dinner and most of the movie before telling you and Beard that he was slipping away to fill out to his paperwork. As predicted by the Head Coach, there was hardly a dry eye in the room when you flicked the lights on. Under Roy’s instruction the team stayed and assisted you and Beard with breaking down the projector and DVD player from movie night.

“You all better get some fucking sleep tonight.” Roy ordered when the clean-up was complete. “I better not hear from [Y/N] or the hotel staff that a single one of ya’ was acting out of line neither.” The team agreed with half-hearted grunts or “yeahs” on their way out of the conference room.

“Have you turned on the TV in your room yet?” Roy asked. He was walking you to your hotel room while Nate and Beard loaded the projection equipment back onto the bus. “fucking Keeley’s on every other channel.”

“Really? I haven’t seen any movies or TV shows she’s been in.” You told him.

“Nah she’s like the menu screen or something. Yapping on about the steakhouse and a nearby Karaoke bar. Its unsettling.” Roy shivered. “Hang on.” He looked at the door you’d stopped in front of. “I saw Lasso coming out of there on the way to dinner.”

“There was a mix up at check in. and before you say it,” you held up a hand to stop him from interrupting. “I know I could have asked to stay with you, but Ted was there, and he’s trying and…”

“And you’re still in love with him.” Roy filled in the blank. He smirked. “I’m happy for you [Y/N]. I genuinely am. I hope it works out for ya. Is that why you’ve been avoiding me all day?”

“Yea-s. yes.” You hoped your lie was convincing enough. “I was afraid you’d think less of me for still not being over Ted.”

“I couldn’t give a shit.” Roy shrugged. “Long as your happy. If he hurts you though I’ll…”

“Break his fucking kneecaps.” You laughed. “I know. He knows.”

“Just as well.” Roy pulled a dismissive face. “I was a bit of a bad influence on you. I’ve heard you swear more on the last two weeks than I think you did your first few months.” You both laughed. “He’s not a bad bloke though, is he?  Not really.” Roy remarked seriously. “See you in the morning.” He kissed the top of your head before walking across the hall to his own hotel room.

You opened the door to see that most of the lights were off. You followed the room’s only light source to a lamp sat atop the desk. Ted was sitting at the desk with three tiny bottles of whiskey, or at least they’d contained whiskey at one point but had new been drained of all contents. One of the plastic army men that Henry had sent in his first care package to Ted was also on the desk.

Ted’s hair was tousled, as if he’d been running his hands through it either out of anxiety or frustration. His shoulders were hunched, curled inward towards himself. The thick stack of paperwork laid on the desk before him. He was flipping absently through the pages and apparently hadn’t heard you come in.

“Ted?” You said his name quietly, not wanting to startle him. He jumped out of his seat like someone who’d been caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar.

“Oh, [Y/N].” He said your name, but his eyes seemed to be looked right through you.

“Long day, Couch.” You cooed. “Tomorrow’s looking the same. What do ya say we hit the hay? Early to bed, early to rise and all that.”

“I can’t…I didn’t…” He gestured to the divorce papers scattered around the desk.

“We’ll take a look at them tomorrow.” You encouraged. “Signing them might not feel so daunting after a win.” Nate gave me this by the way.” You held up a piece of paper the Kitman turned coach had asked you to deliver. “I was under strict instructions not to read it.” You moved to the desk, reorganized Ted’s paperwork back into a neat stack before placing the note from Nate atop it.

“Okay, I’m gonna go change in the bathroom, maybe you can find us something to fall asleep to?” You asked. Ted shook his head in response.

“Why are you always so nice to me?” He demanded.

“Because for the most part you’ve always been kind to me, Ted.” You took a good look at the Head coach noticing now not just the tousled hair, but the dark circles forming under his eyes, and the small chips in his fingernails from nervously fidgeting with his pants leg. He’d been hiding how much he was suffering, and you nor Beard had noticed. Or at Least of Beard noticed, he hadn’t thought to say anything.

“That’s not true.” Ted disagreed.

“It is true, Ted.” You disagreed back. “You gave me a place to stay when I didn’t have one. Even when I’ve been upset with you, you’ve been checking on me. Asking me how I’m doing. You bake me my favorite cookies, from scratch, anytime you think you’ve done something worth apologizing for. And you’re not just nice to me. You work so hard to take care of your son even though he is thousands of miles away. You try to call or talk to him at least one a day. There are parents who live in the same city as their kids who don’t do that. You’re an amazing coach…”

“Oh now…” He tried to interrupt you but you stopped him.

“It’s true, Ted. Look at where these guys were a few months ago when we got here. I mean Nate was the kitman. How many other coaches do you know who are comfortable enough to allow their equipment manager to call the shots and make plays? If it weren’t for you, Sam would probably still not be on the starting lineup. You were the first person to notice he was homesick. You got Jamie to participate in a group activity willingly. If nothing else comes of this season, if we lose every game from now on, I wouldn’t be alone is saying that you changed this team for the better, Ted. You are a great coach. You’re an even better man.”

Ted didn’t reply at first. Your last words hung in the air. Ted seemed to be studying your face. You thought he might be looking for cracks in a façade. Any indication that you were just trying to stroke his ego.

“I’d very much like to kiss you right now, but the four-baby sized whiskies and the stack of paperwork from my wife’s lawyer are telling me that might not be the best idea.” He confessed, swaying slightly on his feet.

“The four baby whiskies would be correct. This is not the time. Maybe tomorrow after we win the game. I’m going to go change now.” You collected your night clothes from your suitcase and headed towards the bathroom. Ted turned on the TV by the bed. You smiled as Keeley’s voice filled the space.

“Liverpool has much to offer when it comes to nightlife. From pubs and clubs, to the great Asian pastime of karaoke!”

Ted was already asleep when you stepped out of the bathroom. He was sitting up, propped up by two hotel pillows. His arms were crossed over his chest and he was sitting atop the blankets. With a little bit of tugging and some gentle rolling you managed to move him to a lay on his back. You covered him with the blankets before walking to the other side of the large bed and settling yourself in.

“Night Ted, love you.” You whispered as you closed your eyes.

@ponyboys-sunsets/@writeroutoftime/@captain-starks/@garbinge​ / @darshs​ / @companionjones​ / @fanaticalfantasist​ / @svndancekidd​ / @uhohmando​ / @cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @cloudedbreath​ / @lovely—————-notlovely​ / @grippleback-galaxy​  / @marvelwasmadeforthebis​ / @lastpasttheposts​ / 

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/Part 27/Part 28/Part 29/Part 30/Part 31/Part 32/Part 33/Part 34 /Part 35/Part 36 /

Words: 1276
Pairing: Ted Lasso x Reader                      
Summary: Ted hasn’t been as oblivious to Reader’s behavior all morning as she’d thought. When the two are finally alone he tries to talk to her about it. 

Ted carried your overnight bag as well as his. You had to practically fight him to let you carry your own purse and laptop bag. I’ve still got the one functional arm. You reminded him, leading the way towards your room. It was nice to have something to talk about, something else to think about. You opened the door to the hotel room. Ted carried the bags inside and placed them on the large King-sized bed.

“You feelin’ alright, [Y/N]? I am more than happy to bunk with some of the fellas.”  He offered again. “But I have a feeling this is about more than that. On account of you not wanting to sit next to me or Roy on the bus. You thought I didn’t notice that didn’t ya? S’okay.” He added, moving to sit on the bed while you stayed standing on the other side of the room. “Look, if there’s something I’ve done that’s offended your or if I…”

“No, Ted, god no.” You breathed helplessly. You wanted to tell him that he hadn’t done anything wrong, but you couldn’t fully explain yourself without also telling him that Rebecca had been plotting against him from the beginning. “I just…” You paused trying to craft a lie that wouldn’t come back to bite you later when he found out the truth. “It’s stress is all. You know all the moving I’ve been doing and getting ready for the trip out here. I just need…I need a drink. So I’m gonna head off to the bar. I’ll be back in time for dinner. Conference Room three.” You reminded him of the location you and the hotel staff had agreed on as the place to host dinner.

It wasn’t a good lie or even a good excuse, but Ted didn’t try to stop you as you left the room. Not a bad idea though. You thought as you walked down the hall. A drink might calm your actual nerves. So you followed the posted signs to the hotel’s steakhouse. But the steakhouse’s only occupants had you turning on your heels.

“[Y/N]! [Y/N] is that you?” Keeley shouted from their table. You’d been spotted. There was no use is pretending she hadn’t seen you. You spun back around. Keeley was seated at a table with Rebecca and a third woman you didn’t know. You approached the table slowly. The last thing you wanted to do was be in the same room as Rebecca Welton. “This is Rebecca’s friend Sassy,” Keeley introduced you. “Sas, this is [Y/N], she’s absolutely brilliant.”

“Nice to meet you.” You nodded at Rebecca’s friend. “Don’t mind me. I was just coming to have a drink.” You pointed over to the bar. “And I can see you lot have just about finished.”

“We could stay for another round if you like. We’re trying to help Rebecca forget that it’s her first anniversary since her divorce.” Keeley offered. “I’m sure Ted and the boys can spare you for a few minutes.”

“Yes, by all means.” Rebecca added. “The more the merrier.” You wondered if there had always been a sharp bite to her words or if your mind was exaggerating them now that you knew what you knew.

“No! I mean no, thank you.” You corrected. “I’ve just remembered Ted needs me to file some paperwork for him. But I can happily do my part by keeping the others away from you. Making sure the players and coaches respect your privacy. I won’t tell them why of course. Girl Code and all that. You know, ladies looking out for other ladies.” You hoped that your glance in Rebecca’s direction wasn’t too pointed.

“Ladies helping ladies.” Keeley smiled. “I love that for us. Well, if you change your mind let me know. I’ll text you where we’re at.”

“Okay, will do.” You lied. “Nice meeting you, Sassy. Rebecca, I hope you feel better soon. People do some wild things when they’re heartbroken.”

You left the steakhouse. You walked the halls of the hotel trying to find a place to catch your breath. You just needed a minute or two to get your thoughts in order. Get a plan together. The universe denied your request as you walked right into Coach Beard.

“You okay, kid?” He asked. Maybe you were tired. Or maybe it was just in the earnest way that he asked. But you heaved a great sigh and answered Beard honestly.

“No.” You shook you head.

“This have anything to do with whatever Higgins said to you before we left?” He took in your confused expression before continuing. “I watched him call you into the hall. Then you wouldn’t make eye contact with any of us while the fellas got on the bus.”

“I can’t tell you.” You told him. “I can’t tell you because we need to win this game against Everton.”

“Higgins said something to you that you think will make us lose?” Beard raised his eyebrows.

“Not exactly, but it will pull everyone’s focus from winning if it gets out.” You explained.

“Try me.” He insisted.

“Coach I don’t think…”

“[Y/N] in all the time that you’ve known me, have I ever let information cloud my judgment?” He questioned. “Have you ever let it affect how I coach a game?”  

“No, but this is big. We’ve never dealt with something like this before.” You told him.

“Share the load, partner.” He said. “We can figure it out together.” He was right. You’d feel better if you had just one person who was in on the secret. And if you were going to tell someone Beard was the best person to tell.

“Fine. Not here.” You motioned for Beard to follow you down the hall where the conference rooms were located. You entered the nearest one, ensured it was empty and closed the door behind you. You took a deep breath and shared with him everything Higgins had told you at the dog track.

Beard listened to everything you said. He took in the words and let them marinate in the way that only Coach Beard could. Even after you told him you’d finished he still left your last words hanging in the air for a beat.

“You believe Higgins?” He questioned you finally.

“We have no reason not to.” You said, sinking into a nearby chair. “Someone from the team trying to sabotage things makes a lot more sense than a series of coincidental mishaps. And If we’re going to at least accept that someone is sabotaging the team I can rule out me, you, Ted, Roy and Keeley with certainty. Most of the players wouldn’t benefit from the team being relegated because that can lead to budget cuts.”

“You know what relegation is?” Beard was surprised.

“It was a long bus ride.” You told him. “I did consider the possibility that Higgins was the one behind the sabotage and was trying to deflect attention from himself, but it seems more likely that Rebecca is behind it. She’s in a position of power, she has the motive, and it seems more likely Higgins would go along with whatever she asked for fear of losing his job.”

“Assuming there’s a sabotage at all.” Beard added.

“So what do we do?” You asked.

“Nothing.” Beard shrugged. “At least not until we have proof there’s something to do anything about.”

“I don’t like that, but as usual, you’re right. At least promise me you’ll keep an eye out for anything that might verify what Higgins said.” You pleaded.

“Can do.” Beard nodded. “You ready to get the movie night set up?”

“Absolutely Coach.” You agreed.  

TAGS:@ponyboys-sunsets/@writeroutoftime/@captain-starks/@garbinge/@darshs/@companionjones/@fanaticalfantasist/@svndancekidd/@uhohmando/@cedricscoffin​ / @hellohauntedturnstudent​ / @busybeingtrash​ / @avengerslover-yee​ / @stankface​ / @marjoherbo​ / @the-fanfic-fangirl​ / @illicitghosts​ / @grippleback-galaxy​ / @marvelwasmadeforthebis​ / @lastpasttheposts​ 

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3 /Part 4/Part 5/Part 6/Part 7/Part 8/Part 9/Part 10/ Part 11/Part 12/Part 13/Part 14/Part 15/Part 16/Part 17/Part 18/Part 19 /  Part 20/ Part 21/Part 22/ Part 23/Part 24/ Part 25/Part 26/Part 27/Part 28/Part 29/Part 30/Part 31/Part 32/Part 33/Part 34 /Part 35/ 

Words: 1342
Pairing: Ted Lasso x Reader                      
Summary: Armed with new information from Higgins, Reader has to ride with Ted, Roy and the rest of the team to their away game destination. Lucky Reader can turn to her work as she gets everyone squared away in their hotel rooms. 

Thanks to Leslie Higgins’ nightmare of a confession, you found yourself chewing on the inside of your lip while the team piled onto the bus ready to travel to Liverpool. You were biting so hard you expected the sweet metallic taste of blood in your own mouth if you didn’t stop soon. But biting your lip was the only thing stopping you from falling apart as you stood next to Ted and Beard. You propped a clip board on your cast so that you could check off players who stepped onto the bus.

When it was your turn to board you stood at the front, not sure where to sit. You couldn’t sit at the back beside Roy. He’d sus out that something was amiss the second you sat beside him. Sitting next to Beard or Nate would be a safe bet, but they were occupying a row together. You couldn’t come up with a good enough excuse to ask either of them to move for you.

There was an open seat next to Ted, because of course there was. He’d probably been saving it just for you. You couldn’t sit next to Ted. The drive to Liverpool was not a short one. You couldn’t risk sitting next to your favorite person and watch as he continued to twist himself into knots of guilt about what he could have and should have done differently. When the truth was he wasn’t to blame for the things that had gone wrong on the team at all.

There was an open seat next to Dani Rojas. You moved towards him. Dani was nice enough, but he didn’t know you as well as the other players did. He wouldn’t pick up on your slightly down turned smile and he wouldn’t think to ask why you were searching Premier League regulations or studying what happens to a team that’s relegated. So, you didn’t look at Ted as you walked forward and slid into the seat next to Dani.

Sitting next to Dani had been as quiet and unintrusive as you’d expected. He kept to himself or chatted with the players seated around you. You kept your head down, eyes trained to your laptop screen. You didn’t want to risk looking up and catching Ted, Roy, or Beard’s worrying eyes. You had to get yourself under control. Breathing slowly through your mouth was only going to keep a panic attack at bay for so long. They can’t know anything before the game. You continued to chant in your head. You can tell them after the game.

You arrived in Liverpool and were the first to sprint off the bus. You mumbled something to Ted about needing to coordinate hotel rooms with the staff before leaving the others to unload themselves and their gear. The hotel was expecting y’all of course. You’d been emailed the hotel staff back and forth for weeks in preparation of your arrival. The young man working at the front desk handed you a stack of key cards with their associated hotel room number written on the front of each one.

The team began to lumber into the lobby in groups of two, three or four. The ride up had returned some of their usually comradery. The ominous Everton game the next day temporarily forgotten. They were rowdy, chatting away as they joined you inside, duffle bags and knapsacks slung over their shoulders. They hushed when someone noticed the stack of room keys in your hands.

“Right, listen up fellas, let’s remember that we’re guests here. Treat your hotel room better than you treat your own home. That means the hotel furniture stays in the rooms, preferably the ones you found them in. That also means that any linens or pillows or yes even the things that are not nailed down are to stay where you find them. We’re having Team meal in one hour with entertainment to follow.” You looked over to Ted who nodded excitedly.

“That’s right it’s either gonna be movie night or pillow fight.” He told them. “What’s it gonna be this time around?”

“Movie night!” Was the unanimous answer back from the team.

“Alright. But I tell you what, y’all say pillow fight one time and we’ll never watch another movie together again.” He argued. “Alright now I think [Y/N]’s got everyone’s room assignments. So when she calls your names c’mon and get your card and then head to your room and get settled so we can do dinner on time. Take it away [Y/N].”

“Alright, I don’t want to hear any complaints about room assignments. Zoreaux and O’Brien you’re together in Room 150.” You handed a key card off to each Goalkeeper. They thanked you and trotted down the hall towards their room. “McAdoo you’re with Hughes in 151.” This continued as you went down the list until you had only five Key cards left. “Roy I’ve  given you your own room. Figured it would be a nice perk as a Captain.” You handed him the Key Card to room 163. “And Sam, you were meant to share with Jamie, so you’ll also have a room to yourself.” Both players accepted their keycards and went the same way as their teammates. You handed Beard and Nate the key cards for room 164. That was when you realized you had just one key card left in your hand. Room 165.

“Uh-oh.” Ted noticed the single Key card at the same time you did. “Looks like our friends at the front desk forgot one.”

“I went over the list a few times to make sure I had enough rooms for everyone. I’m sure of it.” Ted followed you back to the concierge desk where the same young man as before helped your sort through your mountain of reservations.

“Oh, right here.” The concierge remarked. “It seems like earlier in the week someone called a canceled one of the rooms. The note in the file says one of the players left the team so you no longer needed the room. The call came from Ms. Welton herself.”

Of course it did. You remarked internally but growled a low Roy Kent style growl externally. Ted gave you a nervous glance which forced you to rearrange your expression.

“Sorry, long day, you know football Clubs stuff.” You smiled at the concierge. “Can you please just book us whatever room is available. It doesn’t even have to be with the others.”

“I’m sorry, Ms. [Y/L/N]. But I’m afraid we’re all booked up.” The concierge apologized. “Even the room Ms. Welton released has been booked.”

“Ok, um thanks we’ll figure something out.” You walked away from the front desk and Ted followed you.

“You know, [Y/N] I don’t need that whole room by myself. I could just as easily bunk up with Beard and Nate.” Ted offered.

“Ted you should have your own room. You’re the Head Coach. You need privacy and you need to be available to the team in case they need you.” You told him.

“Well, I can share then. You and me sharing a room. It’s just for the weekend.” He said.

“You have a king suite, Ted. There’s only one bed.” You told him. “Same thing with Roy’s room. I’d crash with him but he’s also only got one bed. He’s a light sleeper. I don’t want to force him out of a private room and make him share with Sam either.”

“I’ve never seen a king-sized bed before. But I have seen a king-sized candy bar and if they’re anything alike there should be plenty of room for both of us and you know I’m good at sharing.” Only Ted Lasso could turn sharing a hotel room into a relatable analogy about candy bars.

“I suppose I don’t have much of a choice.” You sighed. “It’s sharing a bed or sleeping on the bus.”

This is a very bad idea. You nearly said out loud as Ted left to have the concierge create a second key card for his room.

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