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(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
...
And just like that, everything else faded again.
Morning came gently this time.
No alarm.
No sudden urgency.
Just light.
Soft, steady light slipping through the curtains and settling across the room like it belonged there.
Francesco stirred slowly, eyes opening without resistance. For a moment, he didn't move. Just lay there, staring up at the ceiling, letting his body catch up with the fact that the day had started.
The heaviness from the match was still there.
Not sharp.
Not painful.
Just… present.
A quiet reminder.
Anfield.
Ninety minutes.
Everything they put into it.
He exhaled slowly, then turned his head slightly.
Leah wasn't there.
That wasn't unusual.
She tended to wake earlier on days like this, even when she didn't have training. Something about routine, about keeping momentum going even after big moments.
Francesco pushed himself up, stretching lightly as his feet touched the floor. His muscles resisted just a bit, but nothing unexpected.
"Yeah…" he muttered under his breath. "Still there."
He stood, ran a hand through his hair, and moved toward the bathroom quickly.
Routine.
Always.
Nothing rushed.
Nothing wasted.
By the time he stepped out and headed downstairs, the smell hit him before he even reached the kitchen.
Warm.
Comforting.
Familiar.
Breakfast.
Leah stood by the counter, moving with that easy rhythm she always had in the kitchen. Not hurried. Not slow. Just natural.
Cheddar was already there.
Of course.
Tail wagging.
Alert.
Waiting.
Francesco stepped in.
"Morning."
Leah glanced over her shoulder, smiling.
"Morning."
Cheddar wasted no time, sprinting toward him and jumping up slightly.
Francesco crouched just enough to catch him.
"Hey."
The dog's energy hadn't changed at all since yesterday.
Still full.
Still excited.
Still completely unaware of what had happened at Anfield.
And maybe that was the best part.
Francesco scratched behind his ears.
"You didn't miss me that much, huh?"
Cheddar barked once.
Leah laughed softly.
"He did."
Francesco stood again, walking over to the counter.
"What did you make?"
Leah slid a plate toward him.
"Light breakfast. Nothing heavy."
Simple.
Clean.
Exactly what he needed.
He nodded.
"Perfect."
They didn't talk much at first.
Didn't need to.
The quiet wasn't awkward.
It never was.
It was just comfortable.
Francesco ate slowly, not rushing through it. Every now and then, he glanced at his phone resting on the table.
It buzzed once.
Then again.
Then again.
Leah noticed.
"Group chat?"
Francesco smirked faintly.
"Yeah."
He wiped his hand quickly, then picked up the phone.
The team group chat was active.
Of course it was.
Messages stacked on top of each other.
Walker first.
"Anyone watching the Champions League draw tonight?"
Then Walcott.
"Obviously."
Ramsey.
"We should watch it together."
Cazorla.
"Better with food."
Giroud.
"Always with food."
Francesco shook his head slightly, scrolling.
Sánchez had joined in too.
"We need to know who we destroy next."
Typical.
Francesco leaned back slightly in his chair, thinking for a second.
Then typed.
"Come to mine."
A pause.
Then added:
"We can watch it here."
He hit send.
And just like that, the responses came instantly.
Walker:
"Say less."
Ramsey:
"Done."
Giroud:
"Perfect."
Cazorla:
"I bring something."
Then Sánchez again:
"17:00. Everyone bring food and drinks."
Francesco smirked.
"That didn't take long."
Leah leaned slightly against the counter.
"What?"
Francesco set his phone down.
"They want to watch the Champions League group draw tonight."
She raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
"They're coming here."
Leah blinked once.
Then smiled.
"Of course they are."
Francesco shrugged lightly.
"I told them."
A small pause.
Then he added, more directly,
"You okay with that?"
Leah didn't answer immediately.
Not because she needed to think too hard about it.
Just… considering.
Then she nodded.
"Yeah."
Simple.
"I'm okay with it."
She pushed herself off the counter, stepping a bit closer.
"I want to see it too."
Francesco looked at her.
"The draw?"
She nodded.
"Yeah."
A small smile formed.
"I want to know what group Arsenal gets."
Francesco huffed a quiet laugh.
"Fair."
Cheddar barked again, as if trying to be included in the conversation.
Leah glanced down.
"You don't get a say."
Cheddar ignored that completely.
Francesco shook his head slightly, then picked up his phone again, typing one more message.
"17:00. Don't be late."
Walker replied instantly.
"I'm never late."
Francesco smirked.
"Liar."
Leah crossed her arms lightly, watching him.
"So… how many people are coming?"
Francesco thought for a second.
"Probably everyone."
Leah let out a small breath, but she was still smiling.
"Alright."
Then she added,
"We'll need more food."
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"I can go later."
Leah tilted her head slightly.
"You already went yesterday."
"Yeah, but that was for you and Cheddar."
Cheddar perked up at his name.
Leah laughed softly.
"Good priorities."
Francesco shrugged.
"Obviously."
The morning continued like that.
Calm.
Unrushed.
Francesco finished his breakfast, then leaned back slightly in his chair, stretching his legs out under the table.
The house felt different today.
Not quiet in a lonely way.
But quiet in a settled way.
Like everything had found its place again after the noise of the match.
Leah moved around the kitchen, tidying up, occasionally glancing toward him.
"You going to train today?"
Francesco shook his head.
"Recovery."
She nodded.
"Makes sense."
He stood up, grabbing his empty plate and bringing it to the sink.
"I'll probably do some light work later."
"Of course you will."
He smirked.
"Routine."
Leah leaned slightly against the counter again.
"You ever stop?"
Francesco thought for a second.
Then shook his head.
"No."
Leah didn't push it.
She just nodded.
"Fair."
Cheddar trotted between them, clearly undecided about who to follow.
Francesco reached down, scratching his head again.
"You'll have a busy afternoon."
Cheddar wagged his tail.
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"He doesn't know what that means."
Francesco smirked.
"He'll figure it out."
A small pause settled between them again.
Comfortable.
Then Leah spoke again.
"Big win yesterday."
Francesco nodded once.
"Yeah."
She studied him for a second.
"You played well."
He didn't react much to that.
Just a small,
"Thanks."
Then she added,
"Man of the Match."
Francesco exhaled lightly.
"It's done."
Leah smiled faintly.
"You always say that."
He shrugged.
"Because it is."
She didn't argue.
Because she understood.
That was just how he worked.
Always forward.
Always onto the next thing.
Even when the previous thing had been significant.
Like that performance in Anfield.
The hours passed quietly after that.
Francesco moved through his usual light recovery routine.
Stretching.
A bit of mobility work.
Nothing intense.
Just enough to keep everything moving.
Leah stayed around the house, occasionally checking her phone, occasionally glancing at him, both of them aware that the evening would be different.
Busier.
Louder.
More social.
Around midday, Francesco checked the group chat again.
Still active.
Walker had already sent a picture of snacks.
"Bringing essentials."
Giroud replied:
"That's not enough."
Cazorla:
"I bring more."
Ramsey:
"Drinks sorted."
Sánchez:
"Don't be late."
Francesco smirked.
"They're serious about this."
Leah looked over from the couch.
"Of course they are."
He set his phone down again.
"Should be alright."
Leah nodded.
"It'll be fun."
Francesco didn't disagree.
But he didn't say much more either.
Because for him, it wasn't really about the event.
It was about the group.
The team.
The connection.
Moments like this mattered.
Not as much as matches.
But still important.
Because they built something else.
Something that showed up on the pitch later.
Afternoon slowly began to shift toward evening.
The light outside changed.
Softer.
Warmer.
The house, which had been quiet all day, felt like it was waiting now.
Not tense.
Just… expectant.
Francesco stood near the window for a moment, looking out toward the driveway.
"17:00," he muttered.
Leah walked up beside him.
"You think they'll actually be on time?"
Francesco smirked.
"No."
She laughed softly.
"Yeah… me neither."
Cheddar barked again, sensing something was about to happen.
Francesco glanced down at him.
"You're going to regret this."
Cheddar wagged his tail harder.
Leah shook her head.
"He definitely won't."
Francesco looked back toward the driveway.
He kept his eyes on the driveway for a second longer, then glanced down at the small screen mounted beside the wall near the window.
The CCTV feed flickered softly.
A familiar angle.
The gate.
The road just beyond it was empty.
Then headlights.
One.
Then another.
Then a third pulling up behind it.
Francesco didn't need to guess who it was.
A horn sounded.
Short.
Then another.
Longer this time.
Leah folded her arms, already smiling.
"Subtle."
Francesco smirked.
"Very."
Cheddar's ears perked up instantly, body going rigid for half a second before exploding into movement.
Barking.
Running toward the door.
Sliding slightly on the floor as he tried to stop himself.
"They're here," Leah said unnecessarily.
Francesco stepped closer to the screen.
More cars had pulled up now.
Walker's was obvious.
Of course it was.
He leaned slightly toward the camera at one point, waving exaggeratedly like he knew Francesco was watching.
Another honk.
Francesco shook his head.
"Yeah… definitely him."
Leah laughed.
"You're not going to leave them out there, right?"
Francesco reached for the control panel beside the screen.
"Depends."
Another honk.
Longer.
More dramatic.
Walker's voice faintly audible even through the closed windows.
"Open the gate!"
Francesco pressed the button.
The gate responded instantly.
A low mechanical hum as it slid open.
Slow.
Deliberate.
The cars began to move forward one by one, headlights sweeping across the driveway as they entered.
Cheddar barked louder now, sprinting back and forth between the door and the window, completely overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of multiple people.
"Relax," Francesco muttered.
Cheddar did not relax.
Not even slightly.
Leah walked toward the door, glancing back.
"You're dealing with him."
Francesco followed, grabbing the handle just as the first car rolled fully into the driveway.
Walker's.
Of course.
He didn't even wait for the engine to fully cut before the door swung open and he stepped out, stretching like he'd just completed another match.
"Finally!"
he called out, looking toward the house.
"Thought you forgot about us!"
Francesco opened the door just enough to lean slightly against the frame.
"I was thinking about it."
Walker grinned.
"Yeah, sure."
Behind him, more doors opened.
Ramsey stepped out next, holding a bag.
Cazorla followed, another bag in hand.
Giroud climbed out of his car, adjusting his jacket.
Sánchez arrived last out of his, already looking around like he was assessing the place rather than visiting it.
"Nice," he muttered.
Francesco pushed the door fully open now.
"Come in."
Cheddar didn't wait.
The second the door opened wider, he bolted forward, stopping just short of the driveway before bouncing in place, barking excitedly.
Walker pointed at him immediately.
"There he is!"
Cheddar sprinted straight toward him.
Walker braced himself.
"Whoa—"
Too late.
Cheddar jumped.
Walker caught him just enough to avoid falling back.
"This one's got energy," Walker laughed.
Francesco stepped out onto the driveway now, arms folded loosely.
"He doesn't stop."
Cazorla crouched slightly, reaching out.
"Hey, Cheddar."
The dog immediately switched targets, running over and sniffing before accepting the attention.
Giroud walked up beside Francesco, glancing around.
"Nice place."
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
Simple.
Ramsey lifted the bag slightly.
"We brought food."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"You better have."
Ramsey smirked.
"Obviously."
Sánchez approached last, stopping just in front of Francesco.
A short nod.
"Good house."
Francesco returned the nod.
"Thanks."
Then Sánchez added,
"Good idea."
Francesco shrugged slightly.
"Easy."
Leah stepped out behind him then, drawing immediate attention.
Walker straightened slightly.
"Ah, the real host."
Leah smiled politely.
"Welcome."
Cazorla waved gently.
"Hello."
Giroud nodded.
"Good to see you."
Ramsey gave a small smile.
"Thanks for having us."
Sánchez gave a brief nod.
"Hi."
Leah stepped slightly to the side, gesturing toward the door.
"Come in."
That was all it took.
The group began moving inside, one by one, carrying bags, talking over each other already.
Walker entered first.
Of course.
"Alright, where do we put everything?"
Francesco stepped back inside, closing the door behind them.
"Kitchen."
Walker pointed.
"Perfect."
He moved ahead like he'd been there before, heading straight toward the kitchen area without hesitation.
"Make yourself at home," Francesco muttered.
Walker grinned.
"I will."
Cheddar ran between them all, trying to greet everyone at once, failing completely but enjoying it anyway.
Ramsey set his bag down on the counter, opening it.
"Got snacks."
Cazorla followed, placing his own bag beside it.
"More snacks."
Giroud added a couple of drinks.
"Balance."
Sánchez placed his items down more quietly, but with the same efficiency.
"Essentials."
Leah moved in smoothly, helping organize without taking over.
"Put the drinks here."
"Snacks there."
It all came together quickly.
Naturally.
Like they'd done this before.
Maybe not here.
But somewhere.
Walker grabbed a drink immediately.
"Good start."
Francesco leaned lightly against the counter, watching it all unfold.
No chaos.
No awkwardness.
Just team.
Outside of the pitch.
Inside his home.
Different environment.
Same people.
Same energy.
Cazorla looked around the room.
"Where are we watching?"
Francesco nodded toward the living area.
"Over there."
Walker was already moving again.
"Claiming a spot."
Ramsey laughed.
"Of course you are."
They all began shifting toward the living room, settling into seats, some on the couch, others standing for a moment before choosing where to sit.
Cheddar jumped onto the rug, spinning once before settling down briefly.
Then immediately getting back up again.
Too much happening.
Too many people.
Too exciting.
Leah sat down near the end of the couch, watching the group with a small smile.
Francesco remained standing for a moment longer, arms loosely crossed, taking it in.
This.
This was different.
Not match intensity.
Not pressure.
But still important.
Still part of something.
Walker looked over at him.
"You just going to stand there?"
Francesco smirked.
"For now."
Walker shook his head.
"Sit down, captain."
Francesco walked over and finally took a seat, leaning back slightly.
Comfortable.
Relaxed.
The room filled with low conversation again.
Small jokes.
Light teasing.
Discussion already starting about possible Champions League groups.
"Imagine we get Barcelona again," Ramsey said.
Sánchez smirked.
"Good."
Walker pointed.
"You would say that."
Giroud leaned back.
"Big teams only."
Cazorla added softly,
"It will be interesting."
Leah glanced toward Francesco.
"You ready for it?"
Francesco nodded once.
"Always."
Cheddar barked again, as if agreeing.
Walker pointed at him.
"He's ready too."
Francesco shook his head slightly.
"He just wants food."
Walker laughed.
"Same."
The room settled.
Not silent.
But comfortable.
The kind of atmosphere that builds naturally when a group knows each other well.
No effort.
No forced conversation.
Just presence.
Francesco leaned back slightly, eyes moving across the room for a moment.
Then toward the screen.
Still off.
For now.
But not for long.
The room didn't quiet down when the TV flickered to life.
Not completely.
It shifted.
The conversations softened, stretched thinner, but didn't disappear. There were still small comments, quiet jokes, the occasional laugh but now everything was orbiting around one thing.
The screen.
Francesco leaned back slightly into the couch, one arm resting along the back, the other loosely holding a bottle he hadn't really touched yet. Around him, the team settled into their spots in a way that felt natural, unforced.
Walker had claimed the best angle, of course.
Feet stretched out.
Drink already half gone.
"Alright," he muttered, eyes locked on the screen. "Let's see who we get."
Ramsey leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees.
Cazorla sat relaxed but attentive.
Giroud crossed one leg over the other, calm.
Sánchez sat a bit apart, but not distant just focused.
Leah sat quietly beside Francesco, her attention already fixed on the TV.
Cheddar tried to jump onto the couch.
Failed.
Tried again.
Succeeded.
Then immediately walked across three people before settling halfway between Francesco and Walker.
Walker glanced down.
"You good, yeah?"
Cheddar wagged his tail.
"That's a yes," Walker nodded.
Francesco shook his head faintly.
The broadcast began properly.
Bright lights.
Formal stage.
The kind of presentation that always felt a little overdone, but still carried weight.
Because this mattered.
Names were introduced.
Clubs.
Seasons.
Moments.
Then the draw started.
Group A.
Balls drawn.
Names revealed.
The room reacted mildly.
Nothing major.
Just commentary.
"Decent group."
"Tough away games."
"Not bad."
Group B followed.
Same rhythm.
Same reactions.
Walker leaned slightly forward.
"Come on… get to ours."
Francesco didn't say anything.
Just watched.
Because this part, you didn't rush it.
You let it come.
Group C.
There it was.
A slight shift in the room.
Subtle.
But clear.
Ramsey straightened.
Giroud leaned forward a bit.
Sánchez's eyes sharpened slightly.
Even Leah leaned in just a little.
The first team drawn.
Arsenal
Walker pointed immediately.
"There we go."
Francesco didn't react outwardly.
But his focus locked in.
Because now it mattered.
Now it was real.
The second team drawn.
Atletico Madrid
A small pause hit the room.
Not silence.
But something close.
Walker exhaled.
"Yeah… okay."
Ramsey nodded slowly.
"That's tough."
Cazorla gave a small, knowing smile.
"They're always difficult."
Sánchez leaned back slightly, arms crossing.
"Good."
Francesco's eyes stayed on the screen.
No reaction.
But inside, the recognition was immediate.
Atletico Madrid wasn't just another team.
They were structure.
Discipline.
Relentless.
A team that didn't give anything away.
Then the third team.
AS Roma
Walker let out a low whistle.
"Alright… that's not easy."
Giroud nodded.
"Very good team."
Ramsey rubbed his hands together once.
"This is getting interesting."
Leah glanced at Francesco.
"Is that bad?"
Francesco shook his head slightly.
"No."
Then added quietly,
"Just… serious."
Because that's what it was.
AS Roma brought something different.
Technical.
Organized.
Dangerous in moments.
A team that could punish you if you switched off for even a second.
And then the last team.
Qarabag FK
Walker nodded once.
"Alright."
Ramsey added,
"Still not easy away."
Cazorla agreed.
"Long trip."
Francesco leaned back slightly again.
Group C.
Set.
Arsenal.
Atletico Madrid
AS Roma
Qarabag FK
For a moment, no one spoke.
Not because they didn't have anything to say.
But because they were processing it.
Walker broke it first.
"Yeah… that's a group."
Ramsey nodded.
"No easy games."
Giroud leaned back.
"Especially them," he said, nodding toward the screen where Atletico Madrid was still displayed.
Sánchez smirked slightly.
"Good."
Walker pointed at him.
"You enjoy this too much."
Sánchez shrugged.
"Big matches."
Simple.
Francesco finally spoke.
"It's difficult."
The room quieted just slightly.
Not completely.
But enough to hear him.
He didn't rush the words.
"Atletico Madrid…"
He paused for half a second.
"They don't give space."
Then,
"AS Roma…"
Another pause.
"They punish mistakes."
Then finally,
"Qarabag FK…"
He nodded once.
"Different challenge."
Walker leaned back.
"So basically… no easy nights."
Francesco shook his head.
"No."
Leah looked between them.
"So… it's a hard group?"
Cazorla answered gently.
"Yes."
Then added with a soft smile,
"But good."
Ramsey nodded.
"Very good."
Giroud added,
"This is Champions League."
As if that explained everything.
And in a way, it did.
Francesco looked at the screen again.
Group C.
Locked.
No changing it now.
No avoiding it.
Just facing it.
Sánchez leaned forward slightly.
"We beat them."
Not a question.
A statement.
Walker grinned.
"I like that."
Francesco didn't smile.
But he nodded once.
"Yeah."
Because that was the only mindset that worked.
Not hoping.
Not wondering.
Just knowing what you were going to do.
The conversation picked up again after that.
More animated now.
More detailed.
Ramsey started breaking it down.
"Away at Atletico… that's going to be intense."
Walker nodded.
"They press like crazy."
Cazorla added,
"And they defend deep."
Giroud chimed in,
"You need patience."
Sánchez smirked.
"Or speed."
Walker pointed.
"That too."
Leah listened quietly, absorbing it.
Different world from her own matches.
Same principles.
Different scale.
Cheddar shifted again, clearly uninterested in tactical breakdowns, and instead focused on trying to reach a bag of snacks on the table.
Walker caught him mid-attempt.
"Not for you, mate."
Cheddar ignored him.
Francesco reached down, pulling him back slightly.
"Relax."
The dog settled, for about three seconds.
Then tried again.
Leah laughed softly.
"He's persistent."
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
Then glanced back at the screen.
The draw continued for other groups.
But for them, it was already decided.
Group C.
And the weight of it didn't feel heavy.
Not really.
It felt challenging.
Serious.
Exactly what it should be.
Walker stretched his arms.
"So… when do we play them?"
Ramsey shrugged.
"Soon enough."
Sánchez leaned back again.
"Good."
Francesco finally allowed a faint smile.
Not big.
Not obvious.
But there.
Because this was what it was about.
Not the easy games.
Not the comfortable ones.
This.
The ones that tested everything.
Leah nudged him slightly.
"You like it, don't you?"
Francesco glanced at her.
Then back at the screen.
"Yeah."
Simple.
Honest.
Because deep down, this was kind of group he wanted to be.
______________________________________________
Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 18 (2016)
Birthplace : London, England
Football Club : Arsenal First Team
Championship History : 2014/2015 Premier League, 2014/2015 FA Cup, 2015/2016 Community Shield, 2016/2017 Premier League, 2015/2016 Champions League, Euro 2016, Premier League Champion 2016/2017, and 2016/2017 Champions League.
Season 17/18 stats:
Arsenal:
Match: 11
Goal: 14
Assist: 1
MOTM: 1
POTM: 0
England:
Match: 0
Goal: 0
Assist: 0
MOTM: 0
Season 16/17 stats:
Arsenal:
Match: 55
Goal: 87
Assist: 5
MOTM: 14
POTM: 1
England:
Match: 1
Goal: 1
Assist: 0
MOTM: 0
Season 15/16 stats:
Arsenal:
Match Played: 60
Goal: 82
Assist: 10
MOTM: 9
POTM: 1
England:
Match Played: 2
Goal: 4
Assist: 0
Euro 2016
Match Played: 6
Goal: 13
Assist: 4
MOTM: 6
Season 14/15 stats:
Match Played: 35
Goal: 45
Assist: 12
MOTM: 9