#nfledit

JOE BURROW Pardon My Take Podcast | February 12, 2025

Joe Burrow x Reader

You didn’t think this would be the hill you’d die on.

But as you stood in the kitchen, flyer clutched in your hand, it felt like everything had led to this moment.

“It’s one hour, Joe.”

Your voice was steady—but barely.

Across from you, Joe leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, jaw tight.

“I know what it is,” he said. “You’ve told me three times.”

“Then act like you understand why it matters.”

“I do understand,” he snapped, pushing off the counter. “I just can’t be there.”

The words hit harder than they should have.

Or maybe exactly as hard as they always did.

“You can’t,” you repeated slowly. “Or you won’t?”

Joe exhaled sharply, already frustrated. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Turn this into something it’s not.”

A bitter laugh slipped out before you could stop it. “Something it’s not? Joe, it’s his kindergarten program.”

“I know that.”

“Do you?” your voice cracked. “Because it feels like just another thing you’re okay missing.”

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing once like he always did when he felt cornered.

“It’s not ‘just another thing,’” he said. “I have practice. Meetings. I don’t get to just leave.”

“You’re not asking to skip a game,” you shot back. “It’s a school program. Parents take time off work for this stuff all the time.”

“I’m not ‘all the time,’” he said, sharper now. “You know that.”

“And that’s exactly the problem.”

The words hung in the air.

Heavy. Final.

Joe stopped pacing.

“Say that again.”

“You heard me.”

“No,” he said, stepping closer. “Say it again.”

Your chest tightened, but you didn’t back down.

“I’m tired of coming second to football.”

Silence.

Complete. Deafening silence.

Joe stared at you like you’d just said something unforgivable.

“Second?” he repeated, quieter now—but somehow worse. “You think that’s what you are?”

“It’s what it feels like,” you said, your voice breaking despite your best effort to hold it together. “It’s what it’s always felt like.”

“That’s not fair.”

“You always say that,” you whispered. “Every time I bring this up, it’s ‘not fair.’ But it’s true.”

He shook his head, disbelief written all over his face. “I’ve built everything for this family.”

“And we’re grateful,” you said quickly. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t need you here.”

“I am here.”

“No, you’re not!” The words came out louder than you meant, emotion finally spilling over. “You’re there, Joe. On that field, in meetings, traveling, training—everywhere except where we actually need you.”

His expression hardened.

“You knew what my life was when you chose this.”

Your breath caught.

“I didn’t choose to do it alone,” you said softly.

That one landed.

Hard.

For a second, neither of you spoke.

Then—

“He asked about you,” you added quietly.

Joe’s head snapped up. “What?”

“He asked if you were coming,” you said, your grip tightening on the flyer. “He told his teacher his dad plays football and he’s really important… but he still might come.”

Joe’s jaw clenched.

You saw it—the crack in his armor.

“He’s five, Joe,” you whispered. “He doesn’t understand schedules or obligations. He just knows his dad might not show up again.”

“That’s not—” Joe stopped himself, swallowing hard. “That’s not how it is.”

“Then what is it?” you challenged, tears finally spilling over. “Because from where we’re standing, it looks exactly like that.”

Joe turned away, dragging a hand down his face.

You could see the conflict in him.

The pull.

The weight of it.

But you were so, so tired of watching him choose.

And knowing which way it would go.

“I can’t be in two places at once,” he said finally, quieter now.

“I’m not asking you to be everywhere,” you replied. “I’m asking you to be there.”

He turned back to you, frustration bleeding into something else now—something heavier.

“And if I can’t?”

The question hung between you.

Your chest ached.

“Then we stop pretending this doesn’t matter,” you said.

Joe’s expression shifted.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” you said, your voice shaking but firm, “that this isn’t sustainable. Not for me. Not for him.”

Realization hit his face.

Slow.

Sharp.

“You’re giving me an ultimatum over a kindergarten program?”

“No,” you said, shaking your head. “I’m begging you to show up for your son.”

Silence.

Long. Painful.

Joe looked at you like he didn’t recognize you.

Or maybe like he finally did.

“I don’t want him to grow up thinking he’s second,” you whispered.

That did it.

You saw it in his eyes—the moment it broke through.

The moment this stopped being about you.

And became about something bigger.

He exhaled slowly, shoulders dropping just slightly.

“When is it?” he asked.

Your breath caught.

“Thursday,” you said quietly. “10 a.m.”

Joe nodded once, like he was already doing the math in his head. Practice. Meetings. Expectations.

Everything pulling him in the opposite direction.

“I’ll try,” he said.

And somehow—

That hurt too.

You gave a small, sad nod. “That’s what you always say.”

Joe stepped closer, hesitating before reaching for your hand.

“You think I don’t hate missing this stuff?” he said, voice low. “You think I don’t feel it every time?”

“I think you’ve learned how to live with it,” you replied. “And I haven’t.”

His grip tightened slightly.

“I don’t want to lose this,” he admitted.

Your heart clenched.

“Then don’t,” you whispered. “But you have to choose us sometimes, Joe. Not just everything else.”

The room fell quiet again.

But this time—

It wasn’t just anger.

It was fear.

And love.

And the terrifying realization that sometimes—

Meet Cute

Summary: Colston may have just met the love of his life?

notes: you guys are LOVING the Colston fics!!

colston is going into his sophomore year of college !

and also this is short and sweet but it’s rlly cute to me

Colston rarely found time for himself, he spent most of his time training for the college football season, he was lucky to get a week off of practice. the county he stayed in in michigan was having their county fair, how exciting!! Colston went with some of his football friends, but they all quickly split off to do things colston had no interest in. He had one attraction on the brain. The ferris wheel.

Ever since he was a kid he loved a good ferris wheel. he practically skipped into the line, it was a long line with people filing in behind him still. Colston stood tall, rocking back and forth on his feet as he waited patiently. he scanned the area, a big “NO SINGLE RIDERS” sign right infront of his face. he groaned under his breath, he was so excited to ride this damn ferris wheel. Reluctantly, Colston turned to step out of the line “excuse me?” he jumped slightly at the voice

a girl stood infront of him, her hair framed her face so beautifully, her eyes sparkled under the sun. His heart skipped a beat when she spoke “are you alone?” she asked, “yeah, i wanted to ride it bad but,” he gestured to the sign, the girl smiled “do you mind if i ride with you?” he had to hold his tounge from yelling yes in her face, smiling at the girl. “sure!” he says, allowing her to stand next to him in the line. Colston was always the confident type, he didn’t know what it was about this girl that made him so nervous.

“my names y/n” she says, the line moves forward and so do they. “i’m colston” he says, flashing her a grin. “from around here?” he asks, trying to find a way to not make the interaction awkward. “no, i’m visiting some friends” she says, only then did he take a big long look at her outfit. she wore a white skirt, with a red and white crop top. the words “Go Buckeyes” drawn on the front, he gasped, a smirk painting his face “buckeyes?” she grinned, showing off her shirt proudly “well duh, in enemy territory i had to rep” she said with a snicker, he leaned closer “wanna know something?” his voice grew lower, she nodded “I play for the wolverines” he revealed. they stepped forward in the line and y/ns jaw dropped

“i can’t be seen with you” she jokes, hand moving to her chest in shock, her smile shining bright through her her banter. the line moves more and the two follow, finding themselves climbing into the next set of seats. crammed next to eachother colston laughs nervously, y/n is still smiling. “I go to ohio state, i’m from cincinnati” she says seriously, looking out over the fair. “what’s your major?” he asks, watching her look over the fair. “journalism” she said, looking back at him.

he studied her eyes like he’d never see them again, the sun setting at such a light her eyes sparkle more than they already did. The ferris wheel rounded the top, y/n takes a breath as she looks down at the ground, Colston watches her demeanor become less confident “are you afraid of heights?” he asked gently, placing his hand on her shoulder, she nods lightly, turning back to him. “i’m traveling before going back to school conquering some fears, numbers 8 and 9, hanging out with a stranger, and heights” she said with a giggle, as the ride comes to a rickety stop as they tried to move from the top, no budge.

Being stuck with a stranger in the middle of the air was not apart of the deal, y/n froze. “you okay?” colston asks, reaching for her as if he’d save her from the heights she was facing. “yeah i’m good” she breathed slowly. “tell me more about this bucket list?” he changed the subject, making her look into his eyes again. “i’ve always been a really anxious person, i’m done living my life in fear” a smile creeped back onto her face again, showing pride in her accomplishment “i respect that” he laughs, leaning back in in seat causing it to shake, y/n shutters.

“The fix is gonna take an hour!” some riders relayed from the worker at the bottom. y/n let out a frustrated sigh, colston continued the questions. “so what are some fears you’ve conquered” he loved how she would brighten up everytime he asked a question, how she turned to him and her eyes glistened when they met his. “Airplanes, driving to another state, calling for my own appointments, and go to a function alone are some” he smiled at her rambles, the way her hands met her hair instead of clenching the bar showed her comfort level, the way she relaxed as she spoke “that’s why your here alone? exploring the world and who you are, i like that” she had such a pure soul, he thought. “why are you here alone?”

colston scooted over closer to her, she followed in suit without a word said about it. Colston looked down at an attempt to spot his friends, slowly not caring if they left without him or not. “i wanted to ride the ferris wheel, but my friends thought it was stupid” she let out a gut filled laugh, “i think it’s cute, how humans are automatically attracted to the fun and whimsical, no matter the age” she observed, colston took a breath, “the way you see the world is, so pure and beautiful” her smile reflected his compliment as the seat rocked slowly, he kept up conversation to distract her

she giggled as he asked her about her life, her dreams, her passions. He watched her speak so highly and optimistic about the world, about her home, about her travels. her eyes glistened with hope and his melted with admiration. there was no fear in her heart being stuck in the air with colston loveland. like floating in the air was okay if he was there talking to her.

her sighs of relief came just an hour after they initially stopped, colston and y/ns cart rounded safely to the bottom and y/ns feet landed on the ground again. she sighs happily “i had an amazing time, but boy did i miss the ground” she laughed as he looked into her soul. he looked at her like he was still stuck on the ferris wheel. “thank you for riding it with me,” she said softly, “thank you for helping me face my fears” he was still speechless, coming up with words to keep her next to him. but he was losing her, she was turning to leave, he was too engrossed in her beautiful eyes to spit out his words until her eyes turned away from him.

“Y/n!” he called, her eyes met his once again. “we should face more of your fears together” he offered, she paused. a beautiful smile painted over her disappointed face. she hands her phone to him, unlocked on the contact page. he smirked, taking it gently and adding his number into a phone, shooting himself a little text. he hands her back her phone and she takes it thankfully. “shoot me a text, we’ll figure something out” she says, nodding to him with a final sweet smile.

colston watched her leave, hope filling his heart as he pulled his phone out to shoot her a text “go out with me tonight” it wrote, confidence rising into his chest. he watched her stop, read the message, and turn around. she nodded to him and he practically ran to her.