Chiná

⋆˚࿔ about me : 𝄞 Mexican/American 𝄞 I enjoy reading 𝄞 I listen to almost all kinds of music 𝄞 new to tumblr 𝄞

⋆˚࿔ rules : I’ll write anything as long as it doesn’t go against my morals, I won’t be writing NSFW at the moment since I’m still learning how to write that but definitely coming soon..! Also I won’t be writing if I don’t really know the character well, I’ll try to do research but it comes down to context.

⋆˚࿔ notes : i’ve seen a lot of people raving about Tumblr and decided to give it a try just as a viewer and I’m hooked! I write stories in my free time so I thought I should share since I’m bored out of my mind this summer, right now I’m into futbol so I’ll be writing a lot of that for now but I’m in many different fandoms so more is to come! I will be taking requests, I am writing for fun, so please bear with me! 

⋆˚࿔ Requests : please tell me your character and scenario! Also, any other little details you want added, and then I’ll work my magic :)

hope you had a good stay. The door is always open …

𝄞 - Armando Gonzalez x fem reader!

Word count - 4,047

Warnings - angst, hurt/comfort, mentions of alcohol and drinking. 

Summary - Months after their breakup an unexpectedly reunite and slowly find their way back to each other.

Notes - my bad guys this is really long, also I didn’t really get time to reread it so there might be a little grammar mistakes.I wanted it to not feel rushed and feel kind of natural so that’s why I wrote sm! this was a good write for me because not to get all zappy but I added conversations that I wish I had to someone. ANYWAYSS no sad!! hope you guys enjoy! I made Armando a little desperate so yeahhh!!

Everything was perfect, The relationship was perfect. So when it came crashing down, it felt like the world is ending for you. You and Armando were perfect. He was perfect.

Until one day, he called you up to his hotel where he was staying at. You came straight away nothing seemed out of the ordinary. You knocked . He peaked out of the door and motion for you to get in. You came in happily. He close the door behind him. As he turned back to look at him, you could see his expression. His gentle eyes daring everywhere, but looking at you. “are you okay Armando?” he didn’t even look at you. He only stared at the floor. “ can we talk?” His voice came out softer than expected. Those three words made your heart sink. Armando was still wearing his kit, training gear all over the floor. you Quietly took a seat on the edge of the bed.

“ I don’t think I can do this anymore.” He rubbed both hands over his face, exhausted. “The travel, training… everything. I don’t have enough left to give you.” You laughed softly, expecting him to smile and admit it was a terrible joke. He didn’t. “So…” your voice cracked. “You’re breaking up with me because you’re busy?” “It’s more than that.” “Then explain it.” You murmured. “I can’t.” his voice coming out soft as ever. You stared at the man you’ve spent loving.

The same man who had promised you’ve be in the stands every game. The same man who had kissed your forehead after every game, win or lose. The same man who suddenly looked like a stranger. You swallowed the lump in your throat. “okay” you said holding back. “Okay?” he leaned forward at your unexpected response. “I’m not going to beg you to love me…I hope you get everything you deserve.” no fighting. No screaming. no nothing. You leave the hotel room wishing he would come stop you but he didn’t. He let you walk out and that hurt the most. Finally your tears roll down.

The first few months were unbearable. Everything reminded you of him. Soccer games. His jersey hanging in your closet. The number fourteen. It didn’t help that he was plastered on many advertisements. At one point, you even avoided walking down the street. reaching for your phone to text him after work before remembering you couldn’t. instinctively buying his favorite chips at the grocery store. Blocked his interviews whenever they appeared online. It was hearing strangers cheer at a soccer game on television and instinctively smiling before realizing you’d no longer knew whether he’d won. And the nights were colder. Crying until you physically couldn’t. Him haunting you in your dreams. But then you stopped .

You started saying yes, to girl nights. you changed your hairstyle. Hid many photos you never thought you would get rid of. You started laughing. going out. Being yourself again. Not because he healed from him. Because the world kept moving. Because you were tired of someone deciding where you couldn’t and could go.

Music pounded through the crowded bar. The place buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, and people shouting over one another. The lights, casting blue and pink shadows against the walls.

You were sitting with your friends, cheeks warm from two margaritas and a tequila shot you definitely didn’t need. “You should go talk to him,” one of your friends teased, pointing toward a guy across the room. “That’s the worst idea ever!” you laughed. Your cheeks were sore from the dumb smile you had, I guess that’s the price to pay for all the drinks you’ve had. “You look happier,” your friend observed, nudging your shoulder. You smiled into your glass. “I think I’m finally becoming myself again.” “You deserve that.” You nodded softly.

Across the room… The front door swung open. Armando barely noticed where he was being led. His teammates had insisted on celebrating a win. He hadn’t wanted to come. But refusing meant more questions. So he’d let them drag him inside. Beer had turned into tequila. Tequila had turned into whiskey. His shirt was wrinkled, sleeves rolled unevenly to his elbows. The top two buttons had come undone hours ago. His cheeks were flushed from alcohol. His movements just slightly slower than normal. He looked exhausted beneath the intoxication. Now everything around him blurred together. Voices. Lights. Music. His smile was forced. Every laugh sounded distant.

until he saw you. Sitting at the bar. Laughing. Looking effortlessly beautiful. he shook his head and looked again. He honestly thought you were a hallucination at first, but no there you were. His entire expression changed. Like the alcohol suddenly wasn’t enough to numb whatever he’d been carrying. He stood so quickly his chair scraped loudly across the floor. Mateo grabbed his arm. “Dude.”

“I’m fine.” Armando shot back. “You are absolutely not fine.” said Mateo while pulling him down to his seat.

Mateo didn’t loosen his grip. “Dude.”Armando yanked his arm back a little harder this time, jaw tightening. “I said I’m fine.” Mateo stared at him for a second before following his line of sight. His expression immediately softened. “…Oh.”

Across the room, you threw your head back laughing at something your friend had whispered. The sound never reached Armando over the music, but he didn’t need to hear it. He remembered it perfectly. That laugh used to be reserved for him. Now someone else had earned it. The realization hit harder than every shot he’d taken that night. His fingers curled around the edge of the table until his knuckles whitened. “You didn’t tell us that’s her,” Mateo muttered. “I didn’t know she’d be here.” “You should stay here.”

Armando laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “I’ve spent months staying away.”He stood again. This time Mateo hesitated holding him back.

You felt it before you saw him. That strange feeling of someone watching you. Your smile slowly faded as your eyes wandered across the crowded room. Your stomach dropped. Armando. Standing only twenty feet away.

His white button-up was wrinkled beyond saving, sleeves unevenly rolled to his forearms. His usually neat hair had fallen over his forehead, messy from running frustrated hands through it all night. The flush on his cheeks and the unfocused look in his eyes told you exactly how much he’d had to drink. But somehow…Those familiar hazel eyes found yours as if every person in the room had disappeared.

Everything around you slowed. The music became muffled. The flashing lights blurred. Your friend’s voice faded into nothing. months. months of wondering if you’d ever see him again.

Your friend noticed your expression first. “…You okay?” You swallowed. “I…” Your voice caught. “I need a second.” Without waiting for another question, you slid off your barstool. Not toward him. Just…away. You needed air. Needed a bathroom. Needed somewhere that wasn’t directly under his gaze. Anything.

You turned. But before you could take two steps— “y\n….” His voice. Hoarse.

Unsteady. Barely loud enough to be heard over the music. Yet somehow louder than everything else. You froze. No one had said your name like that in months. Like it hurt. Slowly, you looked back.

Armando was making his way through the crowd, bumping shoulders with strangers without even noticing. Someone apologized after colliding with him. He didn’t hear them. His entire world had narrowed to you. Mateo followed a few steps behind, clearly debating whether he should intervene.

When Armando finally stopped in front of you, neither of you spoke. You hadn’t realized how much he’d changed. There were darker circles beneath his eyes. His face looked leaner. His shoulders, somehow, carried more weight than before. He looked tired. Not the kind of tired sleep could fix. The kind someone carried inside them. His eyes searched your face desperately. “You…” He let out a shaky breath. “You cut your hair.” Your hand instinctively brushed the ends of it. “…Yeah.” “It looks…” His lips twitched into the smallest smile. “…beautiful.”

Your chest tightened painfully. months, And the first thing he noticed…was your hair.

Silence settled between you again. Neither of you knew what to say. Because how do you greet someone who used to know every version of you? How do you say hello to someone who broke your heart? Armando rubbed a hand over his face. “I wasn’t expecting…” His words slurred together slightly. “I thought… I thought if I ever saw you again…” He laughed once. A hollow sound. “…I’d have time to prepare.”

You looked away. “You’ve had six months.” “I know.” His answer came immediately. “I wasted every single one.” The words knocked the breath from your lungs. Behind him, Mateo quietly stepped back, giving the two of you space. Your friends exchanged uncertain glances from the bar but wisely stayed seated. No one wanted to interrupt whatever this was.

You crossed your arms—not because you were angry, but because it felt like the only thing holding you together. “You shouldn’t be talking to me like this… you’re drunk.” your voice trembled slightly. “I know”

You don’t mean half of what you’re saying.” That finally made him look up. His expression crumpled. “No…” His voice cracked. “The alcohol’s the only reason I can actually say it.” His eyes shimmered under the neon lights. “I’ve wanted to talk to you every day.” He took one hesitant step closer. “I just didn’t think I deserved to.” The music continued to pulse around you. People laughed. Glasses clinked. Someone shouted over a game playing on the televisions. Yet somehow, the tiny space between the two of you felt impossibly still. Like the rest of the bar had disappeared. Like six months had collapsed into a single, fragile moment neither of you knew how to survive.

Armando’s gaze never left yours. There was something almost unbearable about the way he looked at you now. Not with hope. Not with expectation. With regret. The kind that settled into someone’s bones. He let out a shaky breath, rubbing a trembling hand over the back of his neck. “I’ve replayed that day…” he admitted quietly. “The hotel.” Your heartbeat stuttered. “I remember every second.” You didn’t answer. You couldn’t.

“I remember you knocking.” His voice cracked into a humorless laugh. “You smiled when I opened the door.” His eyes drifted to the floor. “…You had brought me coffee.” You hadn’t even remembered that. Until now. The memory hit you like a wave. The paper cup growing cold in your hands while he told you he couldn’t do this anymore. The way you’d thrown it away before leaving because somehow carrying it home had hurt more. “You were excited to see me.” His jaw clenched. “And I…” He swallowed hard. “I ruined your life in less than ten minutes.” You looked away before he could see your eyes watering.

“No,” you said quietly. “You don’t get to decide that.” He frowned. “You don’t get to rewrite what happened because you feel guilty now.” His shoulders sank. “I know.” “No…” you continued, forcing yourself to meet his eyes. “You made a choice.” Every word felt like dragging broken glass from your chest. “You looked me in the eye….You told me you couldn’t love me anymore.” His expression twisted immediately. “I never—” “You did.” Your voice wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. “You may not have used those exact words…” A tear threatened to fall, but you blinked it away before it could. “…But that’s what I heard.” Silence. Armando’s breathing became uneven. He opened his mouth. Closed it again. Because for the first time… He realized there wasn’t a defense.

There wasn’t an explanation that erased six months. “I thought…” he whispered. “I thought letting you go was the right thing.” You laughed softly.It wasn’t a happy sound. “Congratulations.” Your lips trembled into a smile that hurt more than crying. “It worked.” He stared at you. “You let me go.” Those four words broke something inside him. “No.” He stepped forward before stopping himself, catching his balance as the alcohol threatened to betray him.

His face crumpled. The guilt was written all over him. Not the guilt of someone caught. The guilt of someone who had been punishing himself every day since. “I wanted to call you.” He laughed bitterly. “God…I had your number pulled up so many nights.” His eyes glazed over. “I’d type everything out.” His thumb mimicked scrolling across an invisible phone. “‘I’m sorry.’” “‘I made a mistake.’” “‘Can we talk?’” He shook his head. “And every time…” “I deleted it….Because I kept thinking…” His voice became barely audible. “You deserved someone who didn’t leave.”

Your chest tightened so painfully it almost stole your breath. That was all you’d wanted. An apology. Some explanation. Some sign that losing you had hurt him too. And now he was giving you everything you had begged the universe to hear. Six months too late. Your heart ached at every word. It wanted to believe him. It wanted to run into his arms and pretend none of it had happened. It remembered every forehead kiss. Every sleepy “drive safe.” Every post-game hug where he’d search the crowd until he found you. It remembered the version of him that had loved you so gently.

But your mind… Your mind remembered the hotel room. The way he couldn’t look at you. The silence after you said “okay.” The sound of the door clicking shut behind you. The fact that he hadn’t stopped you. You wrapped your arms around yourself, almost instinctively. Not because you were cold. Because it felt like you were holding your own heart together.

“You’ve been drinking… You wouldn’t be saying any of this if you were sober.” “I would.” His answer came so quickly it startled even him. “I just…” He exhaled shakily. “I would’ve been too much of a coward.” Your eyes searched his face. The sincerity was there. The guilt was there. The longing…That was there too. But so was the alcohol. And that terrified you. Because tomorrow morning he could wake up, remember none of this clearly, and convince himself it had all been a mistake. You couldn’t survive being abandoned by him twice. You shook your head slowly. “I don’t know if these are your words…” Your voice was barely above a whisper. “…or the whiskey’s.” His expression fell as if you’d physically struck him.“They’re mine.” “I don’t know that.”

The words hung between you. For the first time all night, Armando had no response. Because you were right. He had chosen the worst possible moment to tell you the truth. And the tragedy was that every word he had spoken was real. Yet standing there with flushed cheeks, unfocused eyes, and whiskey on his breath… He had no way to make you believe him.

your breathing became uneven. To uneven. you brushed it off to be the alcohol, but that wasn’t the case. it was you fighting your emotions. Fight for your happiness. your head felt light. your eyes trembled looking at him, your mind raced for a comeback. For you to walk away. For you to react. But you couldn’t you froze. Even in his drunken state Armando had realized. It was the same look you had when you would study at his apartment. When you would be tired and overwhelmed from classes. he would always know how to make you feel better. he would wrap you around his big arms, gently holding you. Stroking the back of your hair.

The alcohol betraying Armando. He grabbed your arm. not tight. Just gently, letting you slip away any moment. your eyes widen. But you didn’t go. Your eyes both met for a second. Just a second. His warm, gentle eyes speaking for him. He gently pushed you into his shirt. he wrapped his arms around you carefully. The familiar scent of jasmine and vanilla flooding your nose. Your fingers tugging on the white fabric. you wanted to pull away, but you couldn’t. Your body wouldn’t let you. You unintentionally melted into him. Tears quickly sinking into the his crumpled white shirt. Your emotions have betrayed you. Why were you crying? You were strong. So why?

His arms never tightened. He held you as if he were afraid that even the slightest pressure would make you disappear again. The bar faded into nothing. The music was still loud, people were still laughing somewhere behind you, glasses still clinked against wooden tables—but it all sounded impossibly distant. Muffled beneath the frantic beating of your heart. Your cheek rested against the familiar fabric of his shirt. Wrinkled. Still warm from his body. You could feel the uneven rhythm of his breathing against your forehead. Fast. Shaky. Like every breath was something he had to remember to take.

Then… You felt it. His hands were trembling. Not from the alcohol.

From you. From finally having you in his arms again. His chin rested lightly against the top of your head as he shut his eyes. “I’ve missed you…” The confession came out as nothing more than a broken whisper. “So… so much.” His voice cracked on the last word.

You squeezed your eyes shut. Don’t believe him. Please don’t believe him. He’s drunk. He’s emotional. Tomorrow he’ll wake up embarrassed. Tomorrow he’ll tell himself he didn’t mean any of it. Tomorrow you’ll have to survive losing him all over again. But your heart… Your heart had spent months starving for exactly these words. You hated yourself for how quickly it softened. Your fingers unconsciously tightened around the fabric of his shirt. Armando felt it immediately. He let out the smallest, shakiest breath.

Mateo watched the two of you from across the room, his concern growing with every passing second. Armando wasn’t yelling. He wasn’t angry. Somehow… That worried Mateo more. He had never seen his friend look so completely undone. “Armando.” His voice came from behind him. A hand settled firmly on his shoulder. “I think that’s enough.” Armando didn’t even turn around. “I’m talking to her.” “I know.” Mateo glanced toward you, offering an apologetic smile before lowering his voice. “You’re drunk.” Armando let out an irritated breath.“Mateo.” “I’m trying to help you.” Mateo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You’ve been carrying this around for months. The last thing you need is to say something you’ll regret tomorrow.”

Armando finally looked at him.

There wasn’t anger in his expression.

Only certainty. “I’ll regret walking away.” His voice was quiet. “I won’t regret talking to her.” Mateo hesitated. His eyes shifted toward you. You gave him the smallest nod. Not because everything was okay. But because this conversation wasn’t finished. Mateo noticed. His shoulders relaxed just slightly. “…Five minutes.” Armando frowned. “What?” “I’m giving you five minutes.” “Mateo—” “And somewhere quieter.” He looked around the crowded bar. People brushed past every few seconds, music rattled the glasses on nearby tables, strangers glanced over with curious expressions. “This isn’t the place.”

The cool night air hit your skin the moment the heavy bar door closed behind you. The noise instantly dulled into a distant thump behind the brick walls. String lights stretched between neighboring buildings, casting a soft golden glow over the damp pavement. Somewhere farther down the street, a car rolled past, tires humming against the asphalt. Neither of you spoke immediately. The silence wasn’t awkward.

The conversation had gone quiet. Not because there was nothing left to say. Because both of you had finally run out of things to hide behind. The anger had burned itself out. The tears had slowed. Now all that remained was the truth.

Armando sat beside you on the empty bench outside the bar, elbows resting on his knees. The summer air was cool against flushed cheeks, the distant hum of traffic replacing the pounding music inside. Neither of you looked at each other. You both watched the street instead. His fingers absentmindedly rolled the cap of a water bottle Mateo had forced into his hands.

“I’d park across the street after training.” You looked at him.“I knew you liked that coffee shop.” His voice was almost embarrassed. “I never came inside.” “…Why?” He gave a sad smile. “I’d think…” His eyes stayed fixed ahead. “…‘Maybe she’s here.’” Your heart squeezed painfully. “And if you were…” He laughed quietly. “…I’d drive away.” You stared at him. “I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing you happy without me.” His honesty caught you off guard. “So I’d leave before I had the chance.”

You let out a slow breath. “I cried for months.” His jaw tightened. You smiled faintly through tired eyes. “But eventually…” You looked up at the stars barely visible above the city lights. “…life kept happening.” Armando nodded slowly. Silence settled again. It felt… gentler now. Not heavy. Just quiet.

After another minute, Armando spoke.

“If I asked for another chance…” You immediately looked at him. “…I’d understand if the answer was no.” He wasn’t pleading. He wasn’t trying to convince you. He simply sounded… scared. “But I’d regret never asking.” You stared at him for a long time. Your heart wanted to answer immediately. Your mind refused. “You hurt me.” His eyes filled with guilt. “I know.” You swallowed. “I don’t think I could survive going through that twice.” The sentence nearly broke him.

He nodded before you had even finished speaking. “You shouldn’t have to.” You turned toward him fully. “I need you to really hear me….If I let you back into my life…” Your voice trembled. “…and you leave again…” You looked away. “I don’t think there’d be anything left of me to put back together.” Armando didn’t answer immediately. Instead…He reached into his pocket. Your brows furrowed. He pulled out his phone. For a second you thought he was going to show you something.

Instead, he powered it off completely. The screen went black. Then he set it on the bench between you. “I spent six months choosing football over the conversation I should’ve had.” His voice was steady. “I’m not asking you to trust me tonight.” He gently slid the phone toward you. “I’m asking you to hold me accountable.” You looked at the phone. Then back at him. “If I disappear again…” His eyes met yours. “If I stop communicating.” “If I start shutting you out….If I ever make you question whether you’re loved…” He pushed the phone a little closer. “…I want you to leave.”

Your breath caught. “What?” “The first time…” His voice cracked. “…I made the decision for both of us.” A tear rolled down his cheek. “I will never do that again.” The sincerity in his voice made your chest ache. “You’ll always get a choice.” You stared at him. Every instinct told you to protect yourself. To walk away. To remember the hotel room. But another part of you… The part that had spent loving this man… Could see he wasn’t asking for forgiveness. He was asking for the opportunity to earn it.

Very slowly… You reached over. Not for his phone. For his hand. Your fingers barely touched his. He looked down in surprise. “I can’t promise everything goes back to how it was.” “I don’t want it to.” His answer was immediate. “What we had…” He smiled sadly. “…was beautiful….But we’re not those people anymore.” You nodded. “We’d have to start over….As friends.” He nodded. “As friends.”

“No pretending nothing happened.” You searched his face, looking for even the slightest hesitation. You found none. Only quiet determination. You let out a slow breath. “I’m not saying yes to being your girlfriend.” “I know.” You squeezed his hand once before letting go. “…I’m willing to see if we can find our way back to each other.” Armando closed his eyes. A shaky laugh escaped him as he lowered his head. Not because he had won. Because he knew this wasn’t a victory. It was a beginning.

A fragile one. Built not on grand declarations or drunken promises…

But on something far more difficult.

Patience. Honesty. And the understanding that love alone wasn’t enough this time. Trust would have to be rebuilt. Armando turned to face you, his lips parted.

“One day at a time.”

𝄞 - Brian Gutierrez x fem reader!

Word count - 2,269

Warnings - hurt/comfort / fluff

summary - A long rehabilitation brings a soccer player and his physical therapist closer together until friendship turns into something unexpected.

notes - In honor of Chivas first game last Saturday!! (rip loss 💔) I genuinely felt evil writing this because imagine this injury actually happened. I would feel crushed. Lowkey a little difficult to write because I had to do my research about a ACL tears. I had to cut it short as long as this story already is because I had so many other scenarios in mind. It was crazy,also sorry the month “chapters” are so short I usually write, 1 at like 4am or 2 while I’m at the gym. So there might be a little grammar mistakes I apologize!! With all said and done I hope you guys enjoy :P

The stadium filled with roars from the cheering crowd, seats filled to the brim, waving flags under the red stadium lights. Tonight was Chivas first game in the liga mx since the World Cup.

You stood from the sidelines, tilting your head up, watching the big screen showing all the players running out into the field. This was a normal Saturday for you. you were chivas physical therapist for a while now, you would get perks here and there, and this was one of them being able to be on the sidelines with the team, a fans dream.

But you were professional, you knew you were here to do your job. Even though it was nice being at the games, they were calm, they never really needed you in games, maybe stubbed toe once in a while, so it made your job quite easy in letting you enjoy the game.

You knew most of the players and they knew you, but it was only small talk about what they should be eating or what to do to prevent injuries.

The match went on as usual. By the time it was halftime, both teams were 0-0. chivas started subbing players in. The beginning of halftime Brian was subbed in. He stood on the sidelines blue eyes popping out with the stadium lights. He bent down, touched the field, did a small prayer before running into the field. minutes later Armando was also on the field, the crowd erupted in approval.

minute fifty six. The ball was passed to Brian. He took it and ran basically flying over the field, two defenders from the opposing team right behind him. he pushed it past the halfway line into the penalty box. As he ran the other two defenders cornered him trying to take the ball. His eyes dartedaround looking for a way out as he still kept the ball in his possession.

At the corner of his eye, he saw Armando free. One of the defenders stuck out his leg, becoming more aggressive. Brian juked passed him. Swiftly, one motion he prepared the passing kick. Armando took the ball ready to score. before…

Crack.

The whistle blew.

you stared horror, the stadium becoming quiet for just a second. As Brian was making the passing kick. The other defender that had slipped past Brian‘s vision. Side tackled him trying to take the ball, pushing his knee inwards. He fell to the floor holding his leg, the medics came rushing in. Pulling him out of the field in a stretcher.

you ran over to the swarm where he was at, the medics still examining his leg, he panted looking down at his wound. he groaned tilting his head back, sweat dripping, as the medics put pressure. on the other side Armando pushed the defender, both teams starting to argue and fight.

It was concluded he cannot re-enter the field, echoes from the crowd booing and sighs. “No, no I’m fine, put me back in” he pleaded as he tried getting off the stretcher. “Brian… you tore your ligament… you can’t..” you said sympathetically. He ran both his hands down his face, before looking out into the field, seeing his sub.

“Come on you’ll come to my office” he only stared blankly at that comment. His jaw clenched so tightly you thought he might crack a tooth. “They’re putting someone else in.” His voice was barely above a whisper, yet somehow louder than the chants filling the stadium. You crouched beside the stretcher, ignoring the curious glances from the cameras now pointed in your direction. “Brian.” “They’re replacing me.” “I know.” You spoke softer.“They’re replacing me in the first game back.”

His chest rose unevenly as frustration overtook the adrenaline. His fists curled into the blanket draped over his legs. “I worked all summer.” His voice cracked. “Every extra session… every sprint… every stupid recovery drill…” You stayed quiet. Sometimes athletes didn’t need advice. They just needed someone to listen.

The medic signaled they were ready to move. You walked beside the stretcher as they wheeled him through the tunnel. The deafening stadium slowly faded behind concrete walls until all that remained was the squeak of the wheels and Brian’s ragged breathing. The locker room hallway felt eerily silent.

Once inside the medical room, the medics helped him onto the examination table before leaving you alone to finish the assessment. Brian sat with his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor. The silence stretched. You slipped on a pair of gloves and wheeled your stool over. “I’m going to examine your knee.” He didn’t answer. Carefully, you rolled his compression sock down.

His knee had already begun to swell, angry shades of purple blooming beneath his skin. When your fingers gently pressed around the joint, he sucked in a sharp breath. “There,” he muttered through gritted teeth. You made a mental note before reaching for the ice pack. As you wrapped it around his knee, he finally spoke again. “…Is it bad?” You paused “I won’t know the full extent until the MRI.”

“…But I do think it’s your ACL.” His shoulders slumped. For the first time since you’d met him, the confident midfielder disappeared. Without thinking, you rested your hand lightly over his. His lips twitched, surprised. “I can promise you this.” You squeezed his hand once before letting go. “You won’t go through this alone.”

Brian gets his MRI. Complete ACL tear. The surgeon tells him he’s out for 8–10 months. He doesn’t speak the whole appointment. Back at your office, he finally snaps. “So that’s it? My season’s over?” You stay calm. “No. This season is.” He glares at you. “I didn’t ask for optimism.”

Two months. Pain. Crutches. No sleeping. His knee barely bends. He gets frustrated over tiny victories. “I only bent it another three degrees.” He whispered. You smile. “Three degrees more than yesterday.” He throws an ice pack at you. “You are unbelievably annoying.” Weeks after, brian refuses help. He insists on carrying equipment. Walking without crutches too early. One day his knee gives out. You catch him before he falls. “You done pretending you’re Superman?” “I almost had it.” “You almost tore something else.”He finally listens.

Four months. The rehab becomes routine. Three sessions every week. Eventually… You stop talking only about soccer. Favorite movies. Childhood stories. Embarrassing teammates. What life is like outside football. He starts arriving ten minutes early…just to talk. He learns your coffee order. You automatically bring his resistance bands. He steals your pens. The rehab room’s air conditioning is freezing. You shiver while typing. Brian quietly stands, walks to his gym bag, and tosses you his Chivas hoodie. “You’ll catch a cold.” “I’m fine.” You say as you pick up his hoodie to give back.“You’re literally shaking.” You hesitate.“…Thanks.” He tries very hard not to smile when he sees the sleeves swallow your hands. Armando walks in. “…Are you two dating?” “No.” you both say in unison “…Could’ve fooled me.”

Five months. Brian watches Chivas lose. His replacement scores. Everyone online says the team has a new midfielder. The comments crush him. During rehab…He quits halfway. “I’m done.” You kneel in front of him. “No.” “I can’t.” he whispered

“You can.” “I don’t want to.” You look at his defeated eyes, swallowing the lump in your throat. “Come on it’s do it one more time…”

Brian finally manages a full squat. You clap once. He looks offended. “Did you just clap…I’m twenty-three.” “And?” He rolls his eyes. “You make me feel like a toddler.” “You deserve a sticker.” You laughed as you walked to your desk. “I swear if you pull out a sticker—” You slowly open a drawer. “…You actually have stickers?” he muttered. “I work with youth academy players too.” He sighs dramatically. “I hate it here.”

Five minutes later…He’s walking out wearing a gold star sticker on his shirt because you secretly stuck it there.

Seven months. He starts joking again. He purposely does exercises wrong just to annoy you.“You call that a squat?” “It’s artistic.” He said grinning . “It’s embarrassing.” “You laughed.” “I did not.” You rolled your eyes, trying to hide your smile. “You smiled.”

Brian’s session ended. Another player arrived for theirs. Still…Brian stayed. He leaned against the hallway wall while scrolling aimlessly through his phone. “You know your appointment ended twenty minutes ago.” “I know.” He replied sky blue eyes still stuck on his phone. “So why are you still here? ”He shrugged. “I’ll leave after your last patient.” You frowned. “…Why? Another shrug. “It’s dark…I’d rather know you get to your car.” Your expression softened. When your shift finally ended, he was still waiting exactly where you’d left him. Together, you walked through the empty parking lot. He never mentioned that his car was parked on the opposite side.

The medical wing had gone quiet hours ago. The last patient had been discharged, the monitors in the hallway reduced to soft, distant beeps that echoed through the empty floor. Rain tapped gently against the windows, and the clock above the nurses’ station glowed 11:47 PM. You had told yourself you would rest for five minutes. Just five. The empty recovery room at the end of the hall had looked too inviting after a fourteen-hour shift. One of the beds had already been stripped for cleaning, but the other remained neatly made beneath a thin hospital blanket. You had sat down. Then leaned back. Then closed your eyes. And somewhere between exhaustion and silence, you had fallen asleep.

Brian wasn't supposed to be there that late. He had forgotten his knee brace after evening training and doubled back through the medical wing to retrieve it. The hallway lights were dimmed, casting everything in a soft amber glow. As he passed the open doorway of the recovery room, he slowed. Someone was in the bed.

For one alarming second, he thought a patient had been admitted unexpectedly. Then he stepped closer. It was you. Curled slightly onto your side, one arm tucked beneath your cheek, still wearing your scrubs. Your ID badge hung crooked against your chest, and a pen remained loosely trapped between your fingers as if you had fallen asleep mid-note. Brian's expression softened immediately.

You looked impossibly small compared to the way you carried yourself during the day—always moving, always helping, always taking care of everyone else. Quietly, he set his brace down on a nearby chair. The blanket had slipped halfway down your shoulder. He hesitated only a moment before reaching for it. Carefully—so carefully—you might not have felt it at all, he pulled the blanket back up and tucked it around you. His fingertips brushed your shoulder through the fabric. You stirred faintly, murmuring something incoherent, but didn't wake. Brian smiled to himself, He looked back at you and shook his head gently. "You're impossible," he whispered.

Instead of leaving, he dragged a chair beside the bed and sat down. He watched the steady rise and fall of your breathing, the tension slowly leaving your face as sleep pulled you deeper under. For once, you weren't the one staying late to make sure someone else was okay. For once, someone was staying for you. At some point, your hand drifted across the mattress, searching unconsciously for something. Brian reached out before he could think better of it. Your fingers closed loosely around his. His thumb brushed once across your knuckles.

Nine months. Today he finally runs. You’re more nervous than he is. He takes one step. Then another. Soon..He’s sprinting. When he finishes… He’s laughing. Actually laughing. Without thinking… He runs over and hugs you. Then immediately lets go. “…Sorry.” You don’t move away. “It’s okay.” Neither of you mention how long the hug lasted.

The doctor smiles. “You’re cleared.” Brian should be ecstatic. Instead… He looks at you. Almost sad. “You okay?” you ask. “I don’t have rehab anymore.” You blink. “…That’s a good thing.” But it also means he won’t see you three times a week.

The office feels weird without him. You catch yourself looking at the clock. Tuesday. 3 PM. Brian would’ve been here. The office suddenly feels too quiet.

Two days later… Knock.

You open the door. Brian. “My knee feels weird.” You examine it. “It’s perfectly fine.” you say while you look back up at him. “…You sure?” “Brian.…You’re fine.” He smiles sheepishly. “I know.” He looked at the ground. “So why are you here?”

“…I missed talking to you.”

Dinner. Coffee. Movies. Walking after practice. Armando finally laughs. “You two are idiots.” He rolled his eyes “What?” You looked at him trying to read his thoughts “You’re literally dating.” “We’re not.” your face turns pink.

Brian starts his first game back. Ninety minutes. No pain. No swelling. Final whistle. Chivas wins. The stadium erupts. Reporters rush toward him. “Brian! How does it feel to finally be back?” He smiles. “It feels amazing.” Then…His eyes search the sideline. Until they find you.

Still standing where you’ve stood through every injury, every setback, every tear. Without answering another question…He jogs past every camera. Past his teammates. Straight to you. You laugh. “Shouldn’t you be celebrating?” “I am.” He reaches you, still breathless from the match. “You know…” He scratches the back of his neck. “My knee healed months ago.” His eyes sparkled. “…I know.” you say confused. “But there was one problem….I got used to seeing you.” Your heart skips. He smiles, softer than you’ve ever seen.

“I don’t really want to recover from that.”

𝄞 - Diego lainez x fem reader!

word count - 2,096

Summary - you and your childhood best friend get into a heated argument like old times, but it doesn’t end as usual …

warnings - a tiny bit suggestive ? Frenemies to ???

notes - I literally never see Diego fics anymore so I had to take it up to my own hands! I had such a big Diego phase in like 2022 so I just had to! I took inspirationfrom when Mexico played the US and the commentators said “ es chiquito, pero picoso” (he’s small but feisty) about Diego! Anyway, I’m having so much fun writing, hope you guys enjoy!



You sat on a white folding chair, taking it all in, your friends, your cousins, the little kids running around. The scent of the carne asada on the grill. The sun beaming rays more than you could bear.

All of this used to be normal for you, until you moved to the States for your job. And now you’re back, visiting your dad back in Mexico. He was so happy that he basically threw a welcome party, even though they came to eat like this every Sunday.

It made you feel like you were six years old again in the very same backyard as your dad was teaching you how to play soccer. “Oh hey güera, nice surprise” You quickly snap back from your flashback, turning your head to your back door to see a real-life unwanted flashback. Diego. He stops right outside the doorway.

“What? Not gonna say hi? Too good for us since you moved to the States?” he teased with his usual confidence. You knew Diego ever since you could remember. Both your dads hung out a lot, so ultimately, you had to see him. It always ended in a fist fight, the culprit being Diego. Ever since he could walk all he would do was cause trouble, it was like that was all his life purpose, other than soccer.

He looked basically the same, a little bit taller, same long black hair, a little stubble on his face, you could tell that he’d recently shaved. His black collar shirt was sticking to his skin outlining that he was more toned now maybe because of all the training from his club? You couldn’t help but feel a certain way when you saw him, it wasn’t nostalgia. “Hi Diego. You haven’t changed one bit.”

“Me? Never.” he flips his hair dramatically, slowly walking behind your chair. He places his hands on top of the chair using it as support as he leans down closer to your ear, you twitch feeling his warm breath down your neck. “Ugh! Get off! You know that gives me goosebumps” you demanded before quickly jumping out of your chair, placing your hand on the back of your neck and stumbling back a couple steps.

“Guess you haven’t changed one bit either… so why’d you come visit? You get fired?” he grinned as he swiftly took your seat. “ Diego get off that’s my seat.” “Finders keepers” his nose scrunched as he looked down at the seat and shrugged, making himself more comfortable in your seat. You stand there dumbfounded. You narrowed your eyes to stare at his cheeky grin as you crumbled a piece of napkin into your fists. This really was like back in the day. Even though you’ve been gone for 2 years, he still argues with you as if he saw you every other day.

You rolled your eyes and threw a piece of napkin at him, before going to ask your dad for another chair. You didn’t wanna argue with him. Even though you’re already agitated by the heat, you didn’t wanna annoy your dad, because when you two got into an argument it would end up in complete disaster.

You asked your dad for a chair, and the only chairs left were in your garage. Just your luck. He sent you to get a couple more chairs on your way just in case. Diego, who had been lounging on your chair watching the exchange pushes up out of the chair grabbing his headband to put it on, his long black hair being pushed back, exposing more of his jawline. He jogs towards you as you’re already midway towards the garage.

“Hold up güera” he says, falling into the steps behind you, with that irritating smirk back and full force. “You’re the one who put me in this situation.”

You both enter your garage, the faint smell of rust rushes out as you open the door, and the humming of an old air conditioner. you look around, tools lying everywhere, boxes, random machines your dad had… and chairs!

But on the other end, Diego had already spotted an old soccer ball tucked beneath an old shelf. His eyes lit up like you hadn’t walked in here just to get chairs. He bent down, dusted the ball against his shirt, and tossed it in the air once before catching it on the back of his neck. You tug on his hair, already annoyed. “Chairs.” He lets out a surprised yelp as you tug his hair "Okay, okay—damn, guerita." rubs his head dramatically "You got violence in those hands."

As you turned, his attention went straight back to the ball. “Do you remember how to play güera?” he asked with that infuriating grin. “We’re here for chairs.” You spat back. Before you could even turn around to continue picking up a chair, he flicked the ball towards you. Bouncing off your shoulder. “..Really?” “What?” he shrugged innocently. “ I thought your reflexes would’ve gotten better living in the States.”

You narrowed your eyes. “They did.” “Didn’t look like it” The ball came flying again, this time you caught it against your stomach. Diego gave a slow clap. “congratulations” he mocked. You threw it back harder than necessary. He trapped it effortlessly with his foot, rolling it behind his heel before flicking it back into his hands. “You’re really testing my patience.”

“I haven’t even started güera, I guess the States made you softer”Diego slowly walks towards you fumbling with the ball in his hands, he stands directly in front of you, you tilt your head up slightly to meet his eyes, you guys were practically neck to neck.

swoosh.

He flicked the ball towards your face, pulling it away right before it hits you. “Oops,” he mocked. You lunge trying to get the ball away from him. He darts around you sidestepping with a laugh. “Come on gueraaa finally showing your true colors” he let out a small, satisfied, laugh finally getting the reaction he’s been looking for.

You lunged again. “Come on güera! Is that all -” You grabbed the front of his shirt before he could finish. The playful smile disappeared in surprise as you yanked him toward you. His chest bumped yours. “You done?” you asked narrowing your eyes to hold his playful gaze while holding his collar tightly. He looked down at your fist, then back up at you.

“You know,” he said casually, “people usually grab my shirt after asking me out first.” You rolled your eyes. “In your fantasies, maybe.” His grin returned “Ouch.”

You leaned closer, refusing to let go. His eyes fixed on yours as you hauled him closer basically stretching out his collar, his headband falling in the process, letting down his long brown hair into his face. “You’re pretty strong for a girl.” “You’re pretty short for a guy” his jaw tightened. “Oh…” The corner of his mouth twitched.

Then, in one quick motion, his hand gently but firmly wrapped around your wrist. Your eyes widened, instinctively stepping backwards till your shoulders met the cold garage wall with a small thud. The roles had reversed before you even realized it. He still held your wrist, not painfully but just enough to keep you from slipping away. Your stomach had swirled as your heartbeat started to pick up.

The smugness was now wiped from his face. The space between the two of you suddenly felt much smaller, close enough that you could feel the warmth radiating from him despite the humming air conditioning. “Say that again…” he said through his teeth. You looked away angrily in protest. “Say it. again.” The one thing he hated was you ignoring him and that’s exactly what you were doing. His grip slightly tightened around your wrist.

“Talk, güera.” You turned to look at him and both your eyes met, both of you stared at each other with intensity. In one swift motion, one of his hands came down, grabbing the side of your face, his fingers sinking into your cheeks. For you two being similar in height, his hand basically swallowed your face whole. He pulled you closer giving you enough time to pull away, but you didn’t.

You opened your mouth slightly, before you got to tell him to fuck off. His lips crashed into yours. The kiss was rough, messy, bruising, but gentle while still taking out all his anger in that one kiss. Dizziness rushed through your head. He shoved his tongue in your mouth as he fought for dominance, his hand pulling your face closer as if you were going to slip away. You let out a small moan that was drowned out by his rough lips working violently on you.

You couldn’t think straight, your stomach bubbling,feeling like you had a whole zoo in there, even your legs weakened. all your senses were focused on him, and the one thing you could think about? Is winning this war in your mouth. You started speeding up, kissing harder, being more sloppy, but he would beat you to it. One of your hands snakes around his shoulder into his neck. You instinctively pull him closer breathing in his lavender shampoo, grabbing a fistful of hair through your fingers in the process. He let out a growl before biting your lip and pulling away with a small trail of saliva connecting you, the warmth on your face leaving with him. He stumbled back, his blown eyes not leaving your swollen red lips.

You both pant for air but neither of you moved. Neither of you seemed interested in breaking whatever this was. The tension lingered in the air for a while before it was broken. “I always hated when you ignored me.” Diego huffed as he ran his fingers through his hair. “Idiot.” You stumbled out suddenly finding the floor more interesting. “You enjoyed it did you?” his stupid grin slowly reappeared. You rolled your eyes, trying and failing to ignore the stinging feeling still lingering on your lips.

“Don’t get so full of yourself,” you muttered, brushing past him. “That doesn’t mean you won.” Diego rubbed the back of his neck. “You should see how bad your lips look and then you can talk güera“ looking entirely too satisfied with himself. “You know,” he said, a smug grin tugging at his lips, “getting me all worked up like that…” You raised an eyebrow, trying not to look as flustered as you felt. “What about it?”

“I think it’s only fair you became my stress reliever.” His grin widened. “Call it payback for all these years.” You let out a tiny scoff, your cheeks still pink. “Payback?” “Mhm.” He folded his arms. “You started it.” You stared at him for a second before a shy smile crept onto your face.

“For someone who calls that payback…” Your eyes flicked to his lips for the briefest moment. “You kissed me like you were still mad at me.” Diego blinked. “…Was it that obvious?” You shrugged innocently, trying to hide your grin. “Let’s just say… if that was your idea of getting even, I’d hate to see what happens when you’re actually being nice.” He laughed, shaking his head.

“Careful, güera.” “Why?” His smile turned dangerously confident. “You keep saying things like that, and you’re gonna make me want a rematch,” he whispered while he dipped closer to the crook of your neck giving you goosebumps. He laughed. “Maybe we should stop pretending this is a friendship.” Your eyebrows shot up “Because friends don’t usually end arguments like… that.” Heat rushed to your cheeks.

“That was a one-time thing.” “Was it?” he asked, taking a step closer. “Because if that’s how you act when you’re mad at me…” His eyes met yours, amused. “I’m starting to think I should always end our arguments like this.” You tried to roll your eyes, but the smile tugging at your lips betrayed you. “You’re unbelievable.

“Nah.” He shrugged. “I’m just wondering what else comes with this new arrangement.” You blinked “Arrangement?” He grinned. “You know… whatever this is.” He motioned between the two of you. “Feels like we’ve already crossed the ‘just friends’ line.” You bit your lip to hide your smile. “You know I don’t do “arrangements” so you’re awfully confident.” “Only because” he said opening the garage door for you.

“I have a feeling this won’t be the last time I get to steal a kiss from you.”

𝄞 - Hormiga Gonzalez x fem reader!

Word count - 1,784

Summary - a hotel-wide power outage brings two unexpected strangers together, leading to the night of unexpected laughter, heartfelt conversations, and maybe a romance neither of them saw coming.

Warnings - entirely fluff! 

notes - coming up with a story with so much fun! I was a little stressed out first, but I really enjoyed writing this!! alsooo first fic I’m pretty nervous I changed it a lot! I was trying to make it as perfect as I can, but that would’ve caused me to have a super long story which the story is already long… So I hope you guys like it:)) this also made me realize how much I love writing for hormi!! 

The warm summer night breeze kissed your skin, the crickets chirping, smell of saltwater and the beautiful moonlight shining down into your hotel balcony.

you breathed in the sweet air as your hands rested on the railing of your balcony. It was your second night here you were already exhausted. You looked up at the moon, thinking of all the fun things you and your friends will be up to the next morning.

click.

Your face was only now illuminated by the moon, the once brightly lit beach was now dark. You turned around and walked into your hotel room. You try to flick some of the switches, but nothing worked. “ Was it the whole hotel?” you thought to yourself. You walked over to your door and stepped out, peeking your head out slightly, looking both ways into the darkness of the hallway.

you reached for your phone to use as a source of light, “your power out too?“ spoke the deep unfamiliar voice . You finally shine your phone into the hallway and see a tall, brown haired guy with warm brown eyes standing outside the room right next to yours , “yeah, I guess everyone’s did” you replied trying to give friendly giggle, you look down at your phone as he start moving closer, the faint smell of his woody cologne traveling to your nose, his light shines on you.

“what’s wrong?” he asked, his eyes scanning your face as he saw a small frown appear. “My phones about to die, just my luck. ” you whispered out trying to seem not to phased. “Uhm… well I have a portable charger in my room you can use it” he chirped flashing you a small smile, he turns, walking back to his room before he turns back to see if you’re following too, he stands at his dorm frame for a little before giving you a “you coming?” look. You stand there for a second not knowing if you should follow but you do anyway, he gives you a warm vibe like how moths are attracted to the warmth of bright lights.

“thanks i really appreciate it” you said as you slowly walked in, he entered and walked past you to a table, he rummaged the bag before smiling and pulling out the portable charger, he extended his big, rough hand “here” you reach for it and plug your phone into the charger and wait. both your eyes meet, you finally get a better look at him, he’s wearing a white T-shirt, some kind of soccer shorts and white tennis shoes, his eyebrows were bushy. you both don’t say anything, he nervously touches the back of his neck before speaking quietly “ do you wanna sit? Wait- sorry I didn’t even introduce myself I’m Armando, you?” he fumbled while pulling out a chair for you. “y/n and thank you again” Armando smiled softly as you sat down across from him.

The room was dimly lit by a single camping lantern resting on the nightstand warm golden shadows across the walls. Outside, the waves rolled against the shore, and every so often a distant rumble of thunder echoed across the ocean. “So…” he chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck again. Silence settled between the two of you—not uncomfortable, just… peaceful. Your phone buzzed softly, letting you know it had reached five percent. You glanced down at it “You should leave it here if you want,” he said. “It’ll take a while to charge.” Armando butted in. You nodded. “I don’t really have anywhere to be.” You whispered, His eyes met yours for a second longer than before.

“Well…” he stood, walking over to the mini fridge. “I was supposed to save these for tomorrow, but I don’t think the power’s coming back anytime soon.” He pulled out two cups of ice cream. “They’ll melt if we don’t eat them. ”He handed you one with a tiny plastic spoon before sitting beside you, trying to discreetly, scoot his chair closer.

The two of you ate in comfortable silence, occasionally making fun of how ridiculously tiny the spoons were. “I swear these are made for toddlers,” you muttered. Armando grinned. “Or squirrels.” You snorted, nearly dropping your spoon, His smile softened. “I like seeing you smile.” For a second, neither of you spoke. The only sounds were the ocean outside and the faint chirping of crickets drifting in through the slightly open balcony door “Want to see something?” he asked. Curiosity got the better of you.

He slid open the balcony door, holding it open with one hand. The warm night air immediately drifted inside. You stepped out beside him, resting your elbows against the railing. Being so close to him he finally realized basically towered over you, and he had a very toned body. you couldn’t help to peek here and there.

Without the lights from the beach, or the hotelthe stars seemed brighter than ever. “Wow…” your eyes sparkled, “I know.” The moon reflected across the water like scattered silver. “It’s beautiful,” you whispered. Armando wasn’t looking at the ocean anymore. You turned to thank him for bringing you outside. Instead, you found him already looking at you. The moonlight caught the warmth in his brown eyes. Neither of you looked away. A gentle breeze blew a strand of your hair across your face.

Without thinking, Armando reached over and carefully tucked it behind your ear. The touch was so light you barely felt it. His hand lingered for just a second. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, suddenly realizing how close he’d gotten. “I probably shouldn’t have—” “No…” Your voice came out softer than you expected. “I didn’t mind.” His shoulders relaxed, and a shy smile appeared. “I was hoping you’d say that.” Neither of you moved. Your shoulders were almost touching now. Somewhere below, someone laughed on the beach, reminding you there were other people in the hotel. Yet, up on the balcony, it felt like the entire world had gone quiet just for the two of you.

“do you play cards?” you shook your head “Perfect!” Armando grinned as he pulled out a deck of cards out his pocket “ do you just carry cards everywhere?” you questioned. “nah I was playing earlier with some of my buddies, come on I’ll teach you how to play!” he said, as he pushed off the railing and sat down on one of the chairs out on the balcony. You followed sitting next to him, legs crossed, watching as he starts shuffling the cards with surprising skill.

For the next half hour, he taught you a simple card game. Every time you forgot the rules, he’d dramatically sigh and tease you, while you insisted he was making them up as he went. “You definitely changed that rule.” you joked “I absolutely did not.” Armando cooed as he crossed his big arms into himself “You smiled.” You protested “I smile all the time.”

Eventually, you managed to beat him. You threw your hands up in victory. “I won!” You cheered almost jumping out of your seat. Armando stared at the cards in disbelief. “…I let you win.” he demanded “You absolutely did not, You looked offended when I played that card.” he snickered at that comment “I was acting.”

“You are a terrible actor.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Okay… maybe you actually beat me.” He smiled at you for a moment before saying quietly, “…You have a nice smile.” Your celebration came to an abrupt stop. “What?” You could feel the heat coming in your cheeks. “I noticed it earlier.” His voice was softer now. “You smile with your whole face.” you giggled nervously. “You’ve been observing me?” You questioned him “I guess I have.” He looked away, suddenly embarrassed “Sorry… that sounded creepier out loud.” You couldn’t help but laugh.

You leaned back against the chair “Can I ask you something?” “Anything.” you replied nervously, not knowing what’s coming next. The atmosphere felt different from when you first went out to the balcony, you could hear the loud waves crashing into the ocean floor,the smell of seawater and local food stands mixing together in the air, but now all you could smell was him, his warm, his presence, his cologne. The waves seemed nonexistent, now so did the blackout.

“When was the last time you laughed this much?” he questioned one of his bushy eyebrows raising up as he slightly lean closer to hear your answer. You thought for a second. “I honestly don’t remember.” “Really?” he said, surprised his eyes widening and a little O on his mouth appeared before he covered it with his calloused hand. You nodded “I’ve been busy with life…” you shrugged “ sometimes I feel like on the way I forgot to slow down” you looked down at the cards and then out of the balcony before meeting his eyes again “and then the power went out, and you got stuck with me….” He smiled “I don’t feel stuck” his comforting words came out so naturally that neither of you realize what he had said until seconds later.

His once pale skin now beat red “ what I was trying to say-“ he looked around, searching for the right words. “ I think tonight reminded me that some of the best moments aren’t planned.” You looked out into the dancing stars in the sky that felt like they were putting on a show for just the both of you. “ I was supposed to spend the night just scrolling on my phone till I fell asleep.” you admitted. He looked at you softly, his expression melting into something sweeter, making your heart skip a beat, his shoulders being more relaxed. for a while neither of you reach for the cards again.

You scanned him you completely forgetting why you even came in a hotel room of some guy you just met. But it relaxed something in your body. It felt like the piece you were missing. this random guy magically put your mind at ease.

click.

All the hotel lights flickered on at once, you both could hear cheers from the other people out on the balconies, even on the beach. The room behind you glowed brightly, destroying the coziness of the darkness you’d gotten so used to. You both looked at each other and burst out laughing. “ I kind of already miss the blackout.” Armando admitted while admiring your beauty under the new light. he paused a little before putting his hand behind his neck again. “Um when the sun comes up… would you wanna get breakfast with me?” Your smile came up effortlessly.

“I’d like that”