#end game

being famous had never really scared you. you’d been in the spotlight your whole life really, your mother was a popular model back in the 2000’s and she had you young. so, it was a big deal when you were born, your face was practically everywhere when you weren’t even one years old.

you always had a love for arts, but especially singing. your mom noticed it immediately and got you into singing classes at the age of five. you always thank her for it because she’s the reason you are where you are today.

people always had opinions about your music, your outfits, things you said in your interviews, and really everything you ever did. you had learned a long time ago that strangers would always have something to say.

you never intended on dating someone else that was famous, you also kind of always feared it. everyone knows how fans can be, especially wild, young fan girls and dating someone just as recognizable as you was a completely different story. you scrolled through another headline while sitting in the back of your car.

“pop-star princess spotted with man city’s golden boy.”

“power couple or publicity stunt?”

“who’s the real catch?”

“is she using him for money and fame?”

you locked your phone before another article could load. you sighed quietly and leaned your head against the window. the noise never really stopped, you watched the city blur past outside.

it followed you to award shows, interviews, and meet-and-greets. you’d constantly get questions about him and you. it didn’t necessarily bother you too much, but you just wanted people to know your name apart from his.

and it followed him to stadiums. he jogged onto the pitch while thousands of supporters sang your songs around him, they held up signs telling him to break up with you, and his teammates always shoving more posts about you two in his face.

even when you were just buying coffee together or walking the streets. you laughed awkwardly as another stranger secretly took a picture. everyone wanted to know how long you’d last. you read the comments for exactly five seconds before closing the app again.

he noticed you pulling away before you even realized you were doing it. he watched you stare at your untouched dinner for multiple nights in a row.

you answered his texts with fewer words and you set your phone down after sending another “i’m okay.” you smiled whenever he asked if something was wrong and nodded no, hoping he wouldn’t notice how forced it looked.

recently the rumors and speculation got worse. you were off at a studio in a different city to record with a certain artist while erling was still back in manchester playing football. you had always gone to his games, but you missed at least three of them.

and of course everyone noticed it. they also noticed you two posting less and less of eachother, it wasn’t because anything was happening between you two, you were just too overwhelmed with it all.

you didn’t necessarily have a big, bad reputation, or at least you thought so. you did have somewhat of a controversy a year or two before you started dating erling.

many people still bring it up today because it happened with one of his teammates, rúben dias. you two had been texting and talking about seeing eachother, you ended up hanging out one time at the beach before deciding to stay friends.

paparazzi’s had taken pictures and put text over them that were out of context, and published them only after you were seen publicly with haaland.

“pop-star seen with two players from the same team?”

“does star, haaland, know about her past?”

“rúben dias’ ex, now seen with erling haaland on a possible date.”

fortunately for your boyfriend, his biggest controversy was a rap video he made when he was young. you read more and more articles when you couldn’t sleep. staying up for hours at a time, running off of energy drinks, and splashing your face with cold water as to not fall asleep.

one rainy afternoon, there was a knock at your apartment door, you looked up from your personal notebook that you were writing lyrics in.

you weren’t expecting anyone, you slowly walked over and unlocked the door, he stood there holding two paper bags and a bouquet of white tulips. his hood was soaked from the rain.

“before you say anything.” erling smiled softly as he stepped inside.

“i brought lunch because i figured you forgot to eat again.” he held up one of the bags, from your favorite spot.

you couldn’t help smiling a little, “you’re getting predictable.” you laughed quietly.

“good to know.” he winked with a grin, “means i’m doing something right.” he kicked his shoes off by the door.

the apartment slowly filled with the smell of warm food. the two of you sat cross-legged on the living room floor instead of using the dining table, because it was what he preferred.

for a while, neither of you talked about anything serious. you laughed over a story about one of his teammates accidentally wearing mismatched boots to media day, so they had to doordash some.

and he listened to you excitedly explain a melody you’d been working on all morning, sharing some of your lyrics with him as well, his eyes stayed on you the entire time.

it felt normal to be just you two, alone, without people around and making rumors up. you didn’t realize how much you’d missed that feeling.

when lunch was over, he reached across the coffee table in the living room and intertwined your fingers with his. his thumb slowly brushed over your knuckles.

“can i ask you something?” he looked at you gently.

you nodded, and you felt your heart beat a little faster.

“when did you start believing them more than me?” he asked, his voice stayed quiet.

the question caught you completely off guard. your smile slowly faded into a slight frown. you looked down at your joined hands and tightened your fingers around his.

“i don’t know.” you admitted, “i just get overwhelmed.” you let out a small, nervous laugh, “everywhere i look, someone’s saying we’re going to break up.” you swallowed.

“someone’s saying you’re too good for me.” you pause, feeling your throat tighten, “someone else says i’m using you.” your shoulders slumped.

“after a while it started to feel like everyone was waiting for it to happen.” you said even quieter while looking away.

he stayed quiet until you finished, squeezing your hand once more, “look at me.” his voice was gentle.

you lifted your eyes and head up to look him in the eyes.

“i’ve scored goals in front of eighty thousand people.” he smiled faintly, “i’ve missed open nets in front of eighty thousand people too.” he chuckled.

“people cheer.” he shrugged, “some boo, but then they go home.” he smiled and nodded, “and you’re the one i go home to.”

“they don’t know what we laugh about.” he reached over and brushed a strand of hair behind your ear.

“they don’t know how excited you get when you finish writing a chorus.” he smiled to himself, “and they don’t all the sleepless nights you helped me through when i needed it most.” haaland says, blushing.

“they don’t know that you always fall asleep halfway through movies either,” he jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

“they only know our names and so-called reputations.” he paused, letting go of your hand, “they don’t know our whole story.”

“you’re my end game.” he smiled, looking at you for approval.

“every version of my future has you in it.” erling said while scratching his arm, and reaching over to wipe the first tear.

another tear rolled down your cheek before you could stop it and you laughed through it, “that was cheesy.” you wiped your face with the back of your hand, joking but you both knew that you only joked because you weren’t the best at showing affection in the way of words.

“i practiced it in the elevator.” he admitted, letting out a laugh.

you rolled your eyes, laughing and wiping your tears once more, “i love you.” your voice cracked.

he turned his head just enough to kiss the top of yours, his hand found yours again without thinking, “good.” he smiled against your hair.

“because i’ve been planning on loving you for a very long time.” he got up and sat next to you, wrapping an arm around your shoulders.

the next month you two kept quiet, he helped you through hard times, you started reading less articles and less comments. instead, you started focusing on your music more.

you finished a song you’d been working on for months, called “end game.” you performed it at your concert on erling’s birthday, pointing at him in the crowd and throwing up a heart sign for him.

after your concert ended you met him backstage, “that was fucking amazing, thank you love.”

you took your ear piece off, nodding, catching your breath, “i’m glad you did, happy birthday.”

he pulled you in for a hug, placing a kiss on your lips before, “it’s better than anything i could’ve ever asked for.”

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e. haaland taglist: @sierrakook , @maryfett99 , @rite-te-suli-kireysi-ite <3