#longhorns

FAMILY LINES

pairing — arch manning x Brady!reader

synopsis — your father never reached out after what happened at the UT Austin football game. You waited for a phone call that never came. It took Gisele a while to reach out, but it was only because your mom ripped tom a new one. You wanted to feel solace in a family life, so when you were invited to Arch’s thanksgiving, you were excited to be apart of a family

warnings — lowkey very fluffy. tom is still a dick. also! Disclaimer I know tom is a decent dad irl and that the Eli vs tom rivarly isn’t this huge of a deal but it’s fun to make stories like it’s a huge deal! Lmk if you want more Brady!reader!

requested — yes!

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word count • 3,3k

Warning • fluff, Smut, Jealousy, Rivalry

Writer note • Thanks to anon for the idea 🫶🏾

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You'd been his best friend since freshman orientation, back when he was still the new guy trying to live up to the Manning legacy. The pressure was immense the scouts watching his every move, fans dissecting his throws, the shadow of his uncles and grandfather looming over him. But you made it bearable. Late-night study sessions in the cramped dorms turned into all nighters watching old football tapes, debating plays until your eyes burned. Then came the lazy afternoons at Barton Springs, splashing around in the cool water until the sun dipped low, your skin glistening under the Texas heat. Arch had fallen for you somewhere between the third slice of pizza during a movie marathon greasy fingers brushing as you passed the box and the way you'd patched up his scraped knee after a brutal scrimmage. But he never said a word. Why risk ruining the one good, steady thing in his life? You were his anchor and he couldn't bear the thought of losing that.

'Hey Manning! You're zoning out or what?' Michael Taaffe voice quickly snapped him back to reality. The safety jogged over, clapping Arch on the back with a grin that showed off his perfect teeth straight and white the kind that screamed easy confidence. Michael was everything Arch wasn't in the social game effortlessly cool, with that smooth Southern drawl that made girls swoon without trying. And lately, he'd been directing all that charm toward you, like a heat seeking missile.

'Just thinking about that last play you were off your game man missed the coverage by a mile.'

Michael laughed unbothered wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. 'Nah, I was distracted. Saw your girl over there she's really pretty you know. He nodded toward you, eyes lingering a beat too long and Arch's jaw tightened involuntarily. Your girl. The words burned like fire in his throat possessive and mocking all at once

You waved at them both from the sidelines you jogged over with a water bottle in hand. 'Great practice guy’s, Arch you killed it on that deep pass threaded the needle like it was nothing' Your eyes stayed on him a second longer than necessary warm and appreciative or maybe that was just his desperate imagination playing games on him.

'Thanks' Arch mumbled taking the bottle from you and chugging it down in one big long gulp. The cool water did nothing to calm the fire building inside him. Michael wrapped his arm around your shoulders casually like it was the most natural thing in the world his fingers brushing the bare skin of your arm. 'What about me I laid out that wide receiver like a boss felt that hit all the way to my bones'

You giggled the sound of light and teasing, leaning into him just a fraction barely enough to make Arch vision tunnel. 'You were amazing too Mike that tackle was brutal you still up for grabbing tacos after this I could use some company I'm starving?'

Arch's stomach twisted into knots. Tacos that used to be your thing just you and him at that one spot off campus sharing plates loaded with queso stealing bites from each other's trays and laughing until your back’s hurt. Now Michael was inserting himself into those rituals and you were letting him while smiling up at him like he hung all the stars in the sky over your head.

'Sure thing sweetheart' Michael said squeezing your shoulder before releasing you with a wink. 'Catch you in the locker room Arch don't work too hard' he said as he jogged off toward the tunnels, his stride loose and carefree. Arch stood there water bottle dangling from his fingers the plastic now warm from how strong his grip was on it. You turned to him concern on your face your brow furrowing in that way that always made him want to spill everything.

'Are you okay you look like you swallowed a lemon and puckered '

He shrugged avoiding your eyes by staring at the field where groundskeepers were already rolling up cones. 'Fine just tired i’ve had a long week.'

Your hand brushed his arm light as a feather but sending sparks racing up his skin straight to his heart.

'Liar talk to me Arch you've been weird all practice.'

For a split second he almost did almost grabbed your hand pulled you close, and confessed how every casual touch from Michael felt like a knife twist how he dreamed about being the one with his arm around you kissing the top of your head after a long day. But the words stuck in his throat, heavy and unspoken.

'Really it's nothing go have fun with Taaffe he seems to know how to make you laugh these days'

Your brow furrowed even more a flicker of hurt crossing your face like 'What's that supposed to mean are you mad at me or something?'

'Nothing' he repeated harsher than intended the edge in his voice surprising even him. He turned away abruptly grabbing his helmet from the bench and heading for the locker room. Behind him he heard your sigh heavy with disappointment.

The next few weeks all mixed into a haze of practices, classes, and stolen moments that felt increasingly rare. Arch buried himself in film study poring over tapes in the dim light of the athletic center until his eyes blurred ignoring the way his heart raced whenever he caught sight of you with Michael. They were everywhere together now an inseparable duo that grated on his nerves like sandpaper. Laughing in the student union over shared trays of fries your head thrown back in genuine joy. Walking back from the gym Michael hand occasionally touching yours as you talked about nothing and everything. Even at the team barbecue under the string lights in the backyard of one of the player’s houses, Michael had you pinned against the cooler, whispering something low in your ear that made you blush your cheeks flushing red as you touched his chest playfully.

Arch watched from across the yard a beer in hand, his grip tightening until the aluminum can crumpled with a metallic crunch. Jealousy clawed at him, hot and unrelenting, a feeling he couldn't hide for much longer. He wanted to storm over yank Michael's arm away pull you into his chest and claim you right there in front of the entire team teammates, coaches, the works. Let them see that you were his, had always been his in the ways that mattered. But he didn't. Instead, he flirted back with the sorority’s girls who hovered around him like moths to a flame, their hands lingering on his arm, tracing the lines of his biceps, their giggles filling the air like cheap perfume. It was petty and childish retaliation born of frustration, but seeing the way your eyes narrowed from across the yard when one of them a bubbly blonde leaned in a little too close, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered some inane compliment?

You felt it too, that sharp sting of envy twisting like a thorn in your side. Arch had always been yours,your confidant through late night doubts, your rock during family drama or exam stress. The one who'd show up with ice cream after a bad day, no questions asked but now he was pulling away, surrounding himself with those bubbly blondes who batted their lashes and touched his bicep like it was a trophy to be admired. When that girl pressed against him, her body language screaming intent laughing at some dumb joke about his last game, you'd excused yourself from Michael's side mid conversation and slipped into the house. In the bathroom, you blinked back hot tears, staring at your reflection in the mirror—mascara smudged eyes red rimmed. Why did it hurt so much? Michael was nice, funny in that lighthearted way, attentive with small gestures like holding doors or remembering your coffee order he made you feel seen. But he wasn't Arch. No one made your pulse sky rock like Arch did, with his intensity, the way he looked at you like you hung the moon and the stars, even on your worst days. You'd always wondered if there was more there dropping subtle hints a lingering hug, a playful nudge but he'd shut down every one, retreating behind that wall of friendship. So you leaned into Michael, hoping the attention would drown out the what ifs the endless questioning of what if he feels the same?

But it wasn't working the facade cracked more each day. Late one night, after Michael dropped you off at your dorm with a kiss on the cheek sweet but lacking the spark you paced your room, phone in hand. The clock ticked past midnight and sleep was a distant dream you finally texted

Arch: Can't sleep movie? Please?

His reply came quick, almost immediate

: I’m on my way be there in 10.

He showed up in gray sweats and a faded Longhorns hoodie, hair messy from sleep, carrying a plastic bag crinkling with your favorite snacks. You let him in with a relieved smile, the door clicking shut behind him. You curled up on the couch together, some mindless rom-com on the screen. But neither of you paid attention to the plot the tension between you ran like electricity.

His thigh pressed against yours warm and solid through the thin fabric of your shorts and the air thickened. 'You've been distant lately' you said finally pausing the movie with the remote, the sudden silence amplifying your heartbeat. 'Like really distant Is it because of Michael be honest please ' Arch stiffened beside you, his body going rigid.

'What no why would it be he's a teammate you're friends..'

'Because you're acting like a jealous asshole'

You shot back frustration starting to bubble quickly in you. 'One minute we're best friends sharing everything the next you're icing me out and letting every girl on campus climb you like you're the damn goalpost what's going on Arch?'

He laughed bitterly a rough sound that didn't reach his eyes, running a hand through his messy hair. 'Jealous of what exactly your new boyfriend hanging off your every word?'

'He's not my boyfriend' you scream back at him, heat rising in your cheeks. 'And even if he was what do you care? You've made it crystal clear you're not interested in anything more. So why does it bother you so much? '. He stood abruptly, pacing the small room like a caged animal.

'Not interested Jesus how blind are you do you have any idea what it's been like?'

You blinked heart pounding against your ribs like a drum 'What? '

He stopped, looking at you his chest heaving. 'I've been in love with you since the day we met every laugh you give, every touch, every time you look at me like I'm more than just the golden boy quarterback it's tortured me watching you with him letting him touch you kiss your cheek hold your hand... it's killing me inside piece by piece

You suddenly couldn't catch your breath, the world tilting in front of you. The word echoing through your mind remembering every memory in a blinding new light the late nights, the shared secrets, the way his gaze softened just for you. Tears welding up in your eyes but not from sadness but from a rush of relief, of feelings you'd buried deep under layers of denial. 'Arch why didn't you say anything all this time?'

'Because I was scared i didn’t want to lose you' he admitted, voice raw and cracking, stepping closer. 'Scared you'd laugh it off or worse pity me and ruin what we have I'm not good at this feelings, vulnerability’

Tears failing over now on your cheeks. You stood closing the gap. 'I'm jealous too you idiot every time one of those girls looks at you, touches you, I want to scream from the rooftops that you're mine that I've been waiting for you to see it’

The confession shattered the dam between you. Arch closed the distance in two step, taking your face in his large hands brushing away your tears. His eyes searched yours desperate for confirmation and then his lips crashed into yours aggressively, hungry, years of pent up.

You melted into him, hands in his hoodie as his tongue swept into your mouth. He groaned low in his throat, the vibration rumbling through you, backing you against the wall with his body pinning you hard, his erection already visible against his sweats.

'Gosh I've wanted this for so long' he murmured against your lips, nipping at your bottom one before soothing it with his tongue. His hands roamed greedily, sliding under your top to trace the curve of your waist, thumbs brushing the sensitive underside of your breasts sending shivers racing down your spine. You arched into him gasping as he ground his hips forward the hard length of his cock pressing insistently against your thigh hot even through the layers of clothes his wearing. 'Arch... please'

He pulled back just enough to look at you eyes blazing with desire and something deeper more tender. 'Tell me to stop if you don't want this If it's too much.'

'Never' you whispered fiercely, tugging him back by his hoodie your mouths fusing again in a slower deeper kiss

Clothes came off in a frenzy your shirt yanked over your head and tossed aside, his hoodie discarded in a second, pants shoved down legs tangled in urgency. He lifted you effortlessly, strong arms banding around your waist, carrying you to the bed with purposeful strides. He laid you on the sheets like you were something precious fragile but there was nothing gentle in the way he hovered over you devouring you with his gaze stripping off the rest of his clothes to reveal the sculpted lines of his body broad chest dusted with hair abs rippling cock standing thick and proud.

'You're so fucking beautiful' he said voice deep with tenderness, as if seeing you for the first time. His mouth descended on your neck making hickeys on your skin that would loom for days. His hand grabbing your boobs, thumb circling your nipple until it hardened into a tight peak, then pinching lightly to draw a moan from your lips.

You writhed beneath him, fingers threading through his hair, pulling him lower with insistent tugs. He obliged lips trailing down your collarbone before taking your nipple into his mouth. He sucked hard, teeth grazing the sensitive flesh just enough to send shock of pleasure straight to your core. Your pussy clenched emptily already wet gather between your thighs.

'Arch, please I need you' you begged

His hand dipped between your legs fingers slid through you finding you drenched

pushing two fingers inside you without warning. They curled against that spot deep within, the one that made stars burst behind your eyelids pumping steadily as his thumb continued its assault on your clit. Jealousy lingered in his touch possessive and edged with fire, but it only fueled the heat coiling in your belly. 'No one's touching you like this but me' adding a third finger stretching you further scissoring them to prepare you. 'No one else gets to hear you moan like this'

'Yes fuck Arch right there!' Your body shuddering violently, pussy clenching around his fingers as waves of pleasure ripped through you, coating his hand in your cum.

He withdrew slowly bringing his fingers to his mouth and licking them clean with a smirk that made your toes curl eyes locked on yours the whole time 'Taste like heaven' Then he fully removed his boxers revealing his dick thick, veined, the tip coated with pre cum. He settled between your thighs, rubbing the broad head along your slit, teasing you with shallow dips before pulling back. You wrapped your legs around his waist. With one powerful thrust, he goes in, both of you groaning in excitement.

Then he moved, pulling out almost all the way before slamming back in slow.The bed creaked under the heavy force his hips snapping with building intensity skin clapping against skin. You met him thrust for thrust, nails digging into the muscles of his back, leaving red trails that would sting tomorrow.

Sweat slicked your bodies the room filling with the obscene sound,with your moans and gasps. He hit deep with every drive, touching your g-spot repeatedly coiling the tension low in your belly until it was unbearable.

'Come for me again baby' he panted against your ear hot breath fanning your skin reaching down to rub tight circles on your clit 'Show me you're mine let me feel it.'

The words, combined with the relentless pace tipped you over the edge. You shattered around him, pussy clamping down in pulses milking his cock. Arch followed seconds later, thrusts turning erratic a groan escaping as he spilled inside you, hot cum filling you up, marking you from the inside and out as he buried his face in the crook of your neck, body trembling.

You lay tangled together breaths ragged and syncing his weight a comforting heavy blanket on top of you. 'I love you always have, always will'

'I love you too'

The morning after brought a new kind of ache the good kind sore muscles from the night's before and a heart full to bursting with possibility. Arch woke first the early light filtering through the blinds, watching you sleep with a soft smile. Your lashes fanned out against your cheeks, lips slightly parted in repose, looking peaceful. He couldn't resist leaning in, brushing a kiss on your forehead then the tip of your nose, then finally your mouth until your eyes open, hazy with sleep.

'Morning beautiful' he murmured voice gravelly, inhaling your scent warm skin. You stretched beneath him a bit at the delicious pull in your thighs. 'Morning what time is it it feels too early'

'Early enough practice isn't till noon we've got time'

'Okay, okay breakfast first then'

He groaned dramatically burying his face in your neck with an exaggerated huff but relented, rolling off and pulling on a pair of boxers before padding to the kitchen. You followed shortly after slipping into his hoodie. He attempted pancakes burnt the first batch to a crisp, as was his traditionan d you teased him mercilessly from the counter stealing bites of the salvageable ones and feeding him syrup-smeared kisses that left sticky trails on his lips.

Over mugs of coffee at the small table, the conversation turned serious the post-confession glow giving way to practicalities. 'What about Michael?' you asked tracing the rim of your mug with a fingertip. 'We can't just ignore that'

Arch's expression softened reaching across to cover your hand with his. 'I'll talk to him today man to man, after practice clear the air no drama'

'I'll let him down easy' he assured you squeezing his fingers. 'It was never serious just a distraction It was always you, Arch even when I didn't want to admit it '

Relief washed over his face like sunlight breaking through clouds and he tugged you into his lap wrapping strong arms around your waist. 'No more holding back'

'Promise' you murmured sealing it with a kiss slow.

The rest of the day unfolded in pure, unadulterated bliss lounging in bed with tangled sheets, watching reruns of old sitcoms his head pillowed in your lap as you played with his hair, fingers combing through the soft strands. When practice time rolled around he walked you to your car in the parking lot stealing one last lingering kiss under the shade of an oak tree. 'See you after? Dinner at our spot?'

'Wouldn't miss it' you replied watching him jog toward the field.

Word spread fast on a campus, knowing glances from teammates in the weight room. By the next home game against Oklahoma, everyone knew the golden couple, Arch and his longtime best friend finally together. Michael took the news like a champ clapping Arch on the back after their tense but respectful conversation in the locker room. 'She's all yours man happy for you both really just don't fuck it up'

Months passed in a whirlwind of stolen moments and shared dreams, the rhythm of college life weaving your lives tighter. Away games meant late-night FaceTime calls from hotel rooms he recounted the day's plays then turned filthy, telling you exactly how much he missed your body, your touch. 'Can't wait to get home and fuck you properly'

Home games were electric you in his jersey, screaming his name from the stands as he led the team to victory. Celebrations often spilled into the locker room shadows, heated kisses against cool tile, hands wandering under clothes before you made it back to privacy.

Jealousy reared its head occasionally a spark in otherwise smooth waters like when a female reporter flirted shamelessly during a post-game interview batting lashes and touching his arm, or when Michael's new girlfriend made lingering eyes at Arch during team dinners her foot 'accidentally' brushing his under the table. But you talked it out turning the angst into fuel for passion. One night, after a particularly tense argument over a misinterpreted text nothing major, but emotions raw you made up with rough, urgent sex.

New prints have been added to my shop!

Please share if you're feeling kind 🙏😊❤️

I will also be at OCPL Comic Book Day May 17, from 10-3! (Jacksonville, NC)