You again pt. 3 - Leila Ouahabi x reader
A/N: this has taken me a lot longer to write than expected but I wanted to finish it today to celebrate Leila being a City player for a year. I also wanted to say thank you for 900 followers. I really appreciate those who have stayed through my waffling and sometimes exceptionally random posts đŤśđź
Your interrupted interaction doesnât stop the pining looks and soft smiles that pass between you during training, in fact Leilaâs reaction gave you more of a reason to hope than ever before. It was so freeing to finally know how she felt about you, you didnât have to hide it anymore and that was the best feeling in the world, so much so you carried this new feeling into the new week as well as the next few games.
It felt like you were flying and you even bagged a couple of goals while you were on cloud nine, six to be exact in the form of two hat tricks, earning plenty of praise from your teammates and one in particular.
Leila had always been affectionate, all Spanish people are but the defender was clearly eager to make up for lost time, not in bed considering youâd never actually slept together but rather she always wanted to be close to you, always in some sort of contact, running her slim fingers through your hair, holding your hand or a finger if you were in public; it comforted her.
Youâd never addressed what Steph had interrupted in the corridor, nor did you want to any time soon, you wanted to stay in this bubble youâd created without fear of rejection.
There was still a small doubt in your mind that you were going to wake up one day and Leila would have left you for someone better, but you pushed it to the back of your thoughts every time it arose and you would keep doing it until it either disappeared completely or it overtook your entire brain.
You didnât just have that to contend with, you had the small fact of trying to find your way without your mentor to guide you now that Vicky had left for Roma. She promised that you would always keep in touch, that you always had a room in her home no matter where she lived if ever and whenever you should need it, something she promised to both you and to Leila and an offer the two of you would be sure to take her up on.
Missing the midfielder was inevitable but it developed into missing her so badly that it started to take over your everyday life and you couldnât hide it even from Leila, which wasnât hard.
âCariĂąo please, just talk to meâ she pleads, âI miss her as much as you do, you must know thatâ.
âDo I?â you turn on her, âbecause I would not be where I am today if it wasnât for Vicky. She pulled me out of one of the darkest moments of my life, she welcomed me with open arms when I moved here and she helped me get settled but most importantly, she believed in me when I didnât, she saw my potential when I couldnât. She was more than a teammate and a mentor Leila, she was familyâ you choke.
Sadness creeps onto Leilaâs features, the defender unable to hide her reaction to the heartbreaking sight any longer, fighting battles with her own feelings as she struggles to find a way to help. Eventually she caves and does the only thing she can, holding you close as the sobs rack your body, gently rocking backwards and forwards to soothe you as best she can, not letting up until the crying subsides.
âMi amor?â she whispers, âletâs move somewhere comfierâ she suggests.
The position youâve adopted on the floor is becoming more and more uncomfortable by the second so you miss the pet name but donât hesitate at taking her advice, letting yourself be guided to your room; Leilaâs hand never leaving your own. Tugging on her arm, she spins around and almost crashes into you, steadying herself as you start peppering kisses along her jaw and down her neck.
Her warning is breathy, the effect of your kisses on her body starting to make itself known, ây/n, stop por favorâ she pulls herself away, holding you at arms length. She sighs, running one hand through her hair, the other resting on your shoulder, ây/n I donât know why youâre doing this, but sleeping with me while you are so upset⌠itâs not rightâ she explains.
You stop, dejected but also because you know sheâs right, âsi, lo sientoâ you duck your head.
âHow about we go and lie down?â Leila suggests, running her hand down your arm, and lacing her fingers through yours, âthings always seem better after a sleepâ she adds and nodding, you let the defender guide you once again and without protest this time.
You donât even know how long youâve been asleep for but when you wake, one thing is for certain, Leila has vanished and you are alone.
An empty bed was a horrible thing to wake up to but it also wasnât a very nice way to wake up either, the reoccurring nightmare you had about your team abandoning you when you needed them most, usually revolving around the team you currently played for but could also include your former clubs and teammates, startled you awake with more of a jolt than normal.
You wanted nothing more than to crawl back under the blankets and hide from the world, to process the fact Leila had confirmed all your worse fears but the sound of footsteps outside your door changed that.
Too frightened to move, you sit there frozen as whoever the mysterious intruder is struggles with the door handle, muttering to themselves before pushing it open.
âLei?!â you question.
âBuenos dĂasâ she smiles, moving further into the the room and setting the very laden tray down on the bed, gesturing for you to move over so she can join you. âI thought you were an intruderâ you add as Leila pulls the blankets back over her, snaking her arms around your waist to pull you closer, cold hands bringing up goosebumps wherever they come into contact with your skin.
âWhat made you think that?â she asks as you relax into the hold, unable to stop the smile that plays on your lips when she presses a kiss to your temple.
âYou werenât here when I woke up⌠pensĂŠ que me dejasteâ you whisper the last part, not wanting to give away the real reason you were so surprised to see her walk through the door, âmĂĄs fuerte, I canât hear youâ Leila frowns. Shifting slightly in her hold, you hide your face in her neck, ashamed of your reasoning, âI thought you leftâ you say a little louder, cheeks reddening when Leila starts to laugh, âwhy ever would I do that hermosa?â she asks.
Deliberating whether to tell her or not, you bite the bullet and explain, Leila listening intently and not stopping the circles sheâs gently running across your hip or the soft kisses pressed into your hair.
She had always been good at the physical side of things, the little touches, the small but sweet kisses everywhere she could get access to, a hand on your thigh or the small of your back. Her comforting presence, particularly in moments like this, is what has made you feel safe enough to be vulnerable in the past and what allows you to open up without much hesitation now.
âI canât promise that I wonât ever leave you butâŚâ she pauses, shifting so she can look you properly, âI can promise you I will always come backâ.
Leila perhaps stays a little too true to her word over the next few days, knowing how much you need her and in turn, how much she needs you.
You are pretty much inseparable.
Ordinarily this might have tempted you to say something but after your recent confession, you really didn't mind and were happy to accept all the love the defender was willing to give.
It came in all different forms, a freshly made coffee when you woke, hugs when she could see you needed it most, making you laugh and fresh flowers every time Leila passed a florist or the markets, which seemed to be a lot as the apartment was overflowing with the things and you'd even run out of vases to use, having to resort to glasses.
The Spaniard never failed to include you even while you were around the team and so even the most oblivious of the girls had now picked up on the connection you shared.
Cooking was a part of the package too and boy, could Leila cook, making you all sorts of dishes from home, favourites of hers she wanted you to experience and vice versa. She even attempted favoured meals that some of your teammates had suggested as well as some sushi and a particularly tricky Dutch meal which was so confusing that you admitted defeat and ordered pizza.
Tonight was a particular favourite of Leilaâs that she could make with her eyes closed, meaning you could be in the kitchen without distracting her. Little did you know, you could distract her whether you were five feet or five hundred miles away.
Swinging your legs from your position atop the counter, you watch her dance around, the defender now able to locate everything in the cupboards with ease.
âIt smells deliciousâ you comment.
Hopping down, you wrap an arm around her waist and lean into her, savouring her touch when she presses a kiss to your head in reply before pulling away to find bowls and cutlery so she can start plating up.
There was something different about the Spaniard tonight, she looked particularly good and even in joggers and a plain old white t-shirt, the sight of her in the kitchen had you gulping down your wine a little faster than usual. You couldnât quite put your finger on it, but you were sure something had shifted the minute sheâd laid eyes on you this morning.
Everything was done with a purpose, nothing was rushed or hesitated, all the little touches, kisses on cheeks that lingered or the longing looks that passed between you.
It was almost as if she wanted you to catch her.
âY/n⌠¿estĂĄs bien?â Leilaâs voice pulls you out of the daydream, eyes focusing back on the woman opposite and vaguely aware of how your legs are tangled under the table.
âSi⌠si estoy bienâ you reply taking another, rather large sip from your glass, all without breaking eye contact and only once she is satisfied does the defender break said contact, but just so she can remove your now empty bowls to the kitchen as you rise and follow behind her like a lost puppy.
The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife and once again Leilaâs actions are extremely thought through, from the way she turns her body to face yours to way she reaches for your hips and pulls you closer, bodies flush and eyes flicking down to your lips.
You stand there for what feels like hours, neither person daring to breathe or even move as the contact from Leilaâs hands starts to feel as though itâs burning your skin.
Then out of nowhere, a wave of confidence, overtakes your body and suddenly your lips are on her, the grip she has on your hips tightening as she pushes you back against the counter. Leilaâs lips find your neck, sucking on the skin as you let out a soft noise, tilting your head and allowing her more access, her hands winding their way up your shirt and across your back.
âLeiâŚâ you breathe, pushing her head away.
She frowns, ânot hereâ you add and you swear her eyes almost pop out of her head, drawing a small smile on your lips, âlead the wayâ she replies.
The first thing you register upon wakening are the strong arms wrapped tightly around your waist and the body pressed up against your own, the owners warm breath tickling the hairs on your neck.
It takes you a second to realise who it is but when you do, you canât help but break out in a smile.
Shifting your body, slowly and carefully so as not to wake the sleeping brunette, you bring yourself face to face with Leila, studying her features as she sleeps on and wondering how it had taken you so long to get to this point. She had always been the person you connected with the most and after so many mornings spent alone after one night stands, having someone who stayed and having that person be Leila was something you felt so deeply you couldnât explain it.
âI can hear you thinking cariĂąoâ the defenders eyes are still firmly closed but there is a rather large smirk on her lips, âyou stayedâ you whisper almost completely choked up.
Leilaâs eyes now blink open, the defender bringing a hand up to your cheek, using her thumb to wipe the stray tear that has fallen, âbuenos dĂas hermosaâ she smiles, âbuenos dĂas, mi amorâ