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totaly-obsessed · 2 months

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A Lesson in Accepting

Barcelona Femení x reader

-> Despite reader's best efforts to hide her illness and join in training, a she learns the importance of listening to her body and her teammates

-> Wordcount: ≈ 1.770

-> The happiest birthday to @sleekswosobession - love you!

➳ Masterlist

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"Oye! No chiqui - off!”

Hmmpf.

Out of all the older players, Lucy was usually the fun one. But today she didn’t want you climbing on her and she had gotten annoyed when you tried to steal her shoes. Maybe a new victim was needed for your shenanigans. But who?

Just as you started to look around for Vicky, the arm of Marta found its way onto your shoulder, Caroline now at the other side as they dragged you into the changing rooms. “Don’t even think about it.”

Music blasted through the room, with Salma by the speakers as her phone was connected to it, getting ready while swaying to her music. A quick look around made it obvious that your cubby for the day was between Frido and Ingrid.

Great.

You missed the days were you were at your rightful place between Patri and Cata, Claudia joining you after quickly changing into her kit. Those were the fun days when you had just joined the team. Fresh from Australia and full of energy and nerves Patri and Claudia had taken you under their wing.

Just two weeks later Alexia fell over her tied-together laces, just to see you laughing in a corner, hiding behind your new friends. The room had fallen quiet, everyone scared of what their captain would do.

Laugh.

Alexia Putellas, their strong and serious captain, started laughing at being tricked by a sixteen-year-old Australian rookie. Hesitantly the other players started to laugh, watching the blonde from the corner of their eyes, just to make sure that she wouldn’t get pissy at them laughing.

But now you were stuck between different adults every week, your number never hanging in the same spot, and for today's game, it was the space between two tall scandis. While they were incredibly nice, neither of them had a fable for letting you run wild - but they let you yap as much as you want. A win is a win. And at this point, you’d take anything.

Rainy games were your favorite games. You loved sliding around on the drenched pitch, tackling an opponent whenever you could, and getting your kit as dirty as possible. And that game was no different.

Sliding here - sliding there.

Mapi thought it was hilarious how you sprinted across the waterlogged pitch, stealing the ball of one opponent after the other.

“Chiqui come here and let me dry your hair, you’ll get sick.”

Irene was in mother mode, fussing over you and Vicky, who looked like the two happiest girls on the planet. Both of you had been in the starting eleven, something that didn’t happen as often. But with the weather conditions and the not-as-competitive opponent, Jona caved to your synchronized begging.

“I won’t. Promise!”

And with that, you were off again. Running outside, leaving the changing room early. Jona had been quick with his talk and the girls were just warming up and getting something to eat or massaged. But you run out to play on the field with the girls sitting on the bench.

Bruna and Jana made it a fun game, sending the ball just slightly wide every time, so that you had to be quick, falling over more than once during it.

Alexia just shook her head in amusement when she came back to the pitch, the other girls following in their captain's stride.

“Chiquitita wear a jacket for me please?” The Catalan’s English was great, even if she was too shy to speak it most of the time. Her hands held out a jacket to you, an eyebrow raised in question.

“I’ll be okay, thank you, Ale!”

And you would be okay, at least for the rest of the night - giving it your all on the pitch and giving it your all when you were the entertainment of the following movie night. Mapi had given you one of those cheap Karaoke microphones and with that, you kept narrating the movies much to everyone else's annoyance.

Mapi thought you were hilarious though. And with everyone smiling at you even if they acted annoyed, you kept going all the way until Lucy and Ona dropped you off at the apartment Barcelona gave you.

In the beginning, the Team members had been worried about you living there, all alone at only sixteen. But Vicky had been fine - she was an angel as opposed to the whirlwind of an Australian that had been added to the team with you. You would be at training most days anyway and doing stuff with the girls even on days off, so you’d be fine. Right?

Well usually you would be fine, but waking up with an itchy throat, annoying cough, and a runny nose topped by a fever, was not a funny thing.

Just like that, all your plans with Vicky for the day had been canceled. The two of you wanted to explore the city and then visit the library closest to the Sagrada Familia, but all of that went to waste now as you were trying to get rid of this cold as fast as possible.

But it turns out it wasn’t that easy. A day later you were still sick, your voice so hoarse that it was hard to understand. You had debated calling Jona and letting him know, but then Alexia and Irene would have been right when it came to you getting sick. You just needed to power through. Tomorrow you will be all good again.

After oversleeping you practically raced to the training center for gym day. Well raced as fast as you can with public transport - a mask secure on your face. You looked sick enough that strangers raised a brow at your sweaty forehead.

To your luck the changing rooms were empty, all of the girls were already in the gym, so you could change in peace, trying to take deep breaths as well as you could. Man, you hated having a stuffy nose.

The bright lights and the loud music made you wince when you entered the big space, with everyone on different equipment. You quickly explained to Jona that your bus had been late, and just by his facial expression you could see that he didn’t believe a word out of your mouth.

He knew. Fuck. But he didn’t do or say anything, just going over the plan for today with you.

The other girls tried to get a good look at you, whispering to themselves. This wasn’t the first time you had been late. Sometimes the bus really didn’t come, and sometimes you overslept. But the training staff was never too mad at you - you were a growing girl after all, and needed your sleep.

But usually, when you came in, you would go around greeting the girls one by one, telling them the crazy stories of your bus driver. Today, however, you picked out an empty corner, starting to stretch all by yourself.

When one of the trainers called for partner exercises you were quick to kidnap Vicky, who didn’t even react as she was used to your antics by now. But then she looked at you.

“You’re sick!”

“Shhh!”

With, what you thought, quick reflexes you pushed her head down so that she would lower her voice. “Don’t tell on me! Or I’ll tell Sandra.”

The young Spaniard was caught in an odd situation - realistically she knew she should tell Alexia, or at least someone - but she was terrified of the goalkeeper finding out. With a solemn nod, she gave in.

You didn’t believe her, holding onto her right hand as tightly as you could “No! "Promise me!”

“Fine. I promise. Now get your clammy hands off me please.”

Now it wasn’t just you who ran around like a headless chicken, stumbling over nothing and barely strong enough to lift any weight at all, but also Vicky, who desperately tried to avoid eye contact with someone else, whispering hushed annoyances in your ear.

“They’re weird, no?” Aitana had made her way to Alexia, who was watching the whole thing unfold in front of her. “Very weird..", she nodded.

When a break was called, you hurried off to the bathrooms, while Vicky tried to avoid anything and everyone.

But that didn’t hold on for too long, as she was cornered by Alexia, Irene, Aitana, and Ingrid. The other girls watched from a distance, knowing what was happening.

“I don’t know anything!”

“We didn’t say anything.” Irene was trying really hard not to let an amused smile crack through and instead keep up the intimidating frown.

One eyebrow went up. Then the other.

“Okay, fine!”

Alexia relaxed her face again, knowing that had been enough for Vicky to spill everything she knew.

“She’s sick.”

“Chiquitita!”

Ingrid didn’t get an answer and started looking around the facilities as quickly as she could while Aitana tried to console a guilt-ridden Vicky, telling her that she had done the right thing, emphasizing how dangerous it was that you were exercising.

They could hear you coughing before they even saw you, as Ingrid dragged you to the gym as gently as she could, nearly just carrying you.

“Ai Chiqui. What are you doing here, you’re sick amor, you need to rest.”

Alexia's soft mothering tone gave you the rest, tears forming in your eyes. “I’m sorry… Just didn’t want to miss out.” Sobs wrecked your tired body as some of your letters got swallowed.

“Shhh, let’s get you home.” Your captain dried tears after tears as she helped you out of the room and into the showers.

Jona looked happy with how everything turned out, he knew that Alexia would take care of it - her heart was soft for the youngsters on the team, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

On your way out your eyes met Vicky's. “You promised not to tell Vic!”.

“Oye, keep walking, or we’ll call Catley. I’m sure she would love to hear about your situation.” It was Mapi that nudged you, a teasing smile on her face.

Hmmpf.

"Sandra Vicky put shaving cream in your gloves!"

And with that you let your captain drag you out of the room, smiling at the chaos that exploded behind you.

After getting washed up and changed, Ale helped you to her car and started driving to her home, not listening to the whines that you wanted to go to your apartment.

“You can say it now, Ale.”

She could see you were close to falling asleep, head resting on your seatbelt.

“I told you so. Now let’s get you healthy again.”

#woso #woso imagine #woso x reader #woso imagines #barça femeni #barca femeni #barcelona femeni #barca women #barca femini x reader #barcelona femeni x reader #barcelona women #alexias putellas #alexia putellas x reader #mapi león x reader #mapi leon x reader #irene paredes x reader

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multiversediaries · 1 year

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enough.

klaus mikaelson x reader

summary: caroline has always been the one everyone prefers and chooses over you. how dare you think klaus would be any different?

warnings: small angst!!!

part count: 2/2

a/n: hi! sorry it took me a while for me to write the second part, but i really hope you guys enjoy it!!! i loved the plot for this, but i truly had the biggest writers block on it, hence the long hiatus :3 but i’m officially back~ please enjoy and take care of me again in the future ^-^

part one

you hugged yourself, as you walked back home from the convenience store near your home. it was a chilly night. mystic falls has always been a cold city, but lately, for you, there hasn’t been a warm day. not ever since your break up with klaus mikaelson.

thinking of klaus was painful, as you remembered that night at the ball. the night you caught him lovingly staring into caroline’s eyes, and kissing her. you both ultimately broke up. well, you decided to call things off. you just couldn’t forgive his betrayal. he knew. caroline has always been a worry in your life. from past relationships to your career, everything was a competition and you always lost. klaus was no exception. it seemed klaus and caroline had actually became a couple after your break up. it was heartbreaking to say the least.

“y/n, please wait just a second. listen to me, dear.” klaus asked desperately, his eyes slowly but surely watering at the realization of what was happening. you held your suitcase close to you, your hand tightening around the handle, trying your hardest not to give in to klaus anymore.

“let me go.” you repeated once again, not daring to meet his eyes anymore.

“y/n, please.” klaus pleaded. “i’m sorry. i truly am. i never intended for this to happen.” he said, his hand trying to hold yours, but you pulled away again. apologies meant nothing. you had nothing else to say. you were done. your relationship was done.

“darling, please, just—” klaus pleaded yet again, his hands now laid on your soaked cheeks. the nickname tugging at your broken heart. a few tears left your eyes in pure anger and betrayal.

“no!” you raised your voice, your throat aching as you continued. “you kissed her!” you said, as you forcefully removed his hands from you. klaus stared, sorrow in his eyes, shaking his head.

“y/n—”

“do you love her?”

“what?” klaus asked, taken back by the sudden question. you wiped your teary eyes and spoke again.

“answer me. do you love her?” you asked once again, terrified of the answer. but needing the response.

“please..” klaus begged, not daring to respond. but you knew the answer. after all, who were you next to the caroline forbes?

you nodded in response, understanding. you weren’t her. you would never be as special as her. who were you to think you could be appreciated and loved? how naive. you sniffled, placing a few strands of your hair behind your ear, ready to walk out of his life for good. klaus looked for your eyes, worried about you, and about the hurt he has caused you. but you never met his eyes. you completely ignored his existence, and left.

you shivered gently, as warm air left your mouth. you held the grocery bag, that contained a few snacks, headache pills and a bottle of wine, to continue to drown your sorrows in. you were over him. you swore you were. but from time to time, you couldn’t help but hurt. you have never loved anyone the way you loved klaus. not matt nor tyler. no one ever came close, not that it mattered anymore.

the streets were empty, probably due to all the werewolves and vampire attacks in the city. this was no surprise to you, you were used to it. werewolves and vampires just didn’t scare you anymore. who would even try to lay a hand on you? you were klaus mikaelson’s ex girlfriend, and a close friend of the mikaelson family. the brothers and rebekah had been taking great care of you. they knew more than anybody what happened between you two, and understood your need for space. kol and elijah were very fond of you. rebekah believed they were in love with you, often joking about another love triangle. the mikaelson family has helped you so much through all of this. it has been a year. you healed, but you never wanted to see caroline or klaus ever again.

you pouted a bit, as you realized how quite far the store was from your place. you wanted to be home already. times like this is when you wished to be a vampire. the speed would really help you right now. you smirked at your dumb thoughts as you fixed your airpod, continuing your walk home. you took out your phone, wanting to skip a song, when you heard a familiar voice call out for you.

“y/n?” the voice asked, making you almost freeze in your tracks. please don’t let this be who you thought it was.

your eyes looked up from your phone screen and met his. your past lover’s eyes. the eyes of the man you so desperately loved, but you felt nothing but sadness for. you took a deep breath as you took a look at him. he looked good. healthy.

“it’s—” klaus started, before looking down at the watch in his wrist, his eyes full of worry and confusion. “it’s two am, love… why are you wandering around so late at night?” klaus asked gently, scared to anger you, or sadden you, but so worried about you.

it was very late already. it had been dangerous around town. he knew you were an easy target to hurt him. you were human, and had no protection around you. klaus lived in constant fear of waking up with the news of your death or kidnapping done by his many enemies. you tilted your head at his soft tone. you sighed softly, shrugging your shoulder.

“it’s alright. just needed something from the store down the road.” you replied, signaling at the plastic bag in your hand. he tilted his head in utter confusion, why wouldn’t you wait until morning? regardless he nodded slowly.

“i see…but why must you walk all alone at this time of night? it’s been dangerous lately.” klaus said, you furrowed your eyebrows and and looked up at him. he sounded so genuinely worried and you couldn’t understand why.

“why do you care, niklaus?” you asked, your tone tired. klaus looked into your kind eyes, and felt a rush of sadness wash over him, as he remembered his time with you.

the truth is… caroline wasn’t you. she really wasn’t, and klaus despised it. caroline was kind, but not as kind and selfless as you. she was loving, but he didn’t feel as alive with her as he did with you. she could offer him eternity, but he realized he would prefer spending a limited lifespan by your side. it wasn’t that you were caroline, it was that caroline just wasn’t you.

“i just— you do know i care so deeply about you, right? i just wanted to check up on you.” klaus half lied, he just missed you. he missed you like crazy and it was eating him alive. the big, bad original vampire was nothing with you. you chucked under your breath, not wanting to offer him a reply to his cheap excuse.

“let me walk you home, won’t you?” klaus continued, real concern in his voice, and you heard it. you bit your lip, hesitating.

“i beg. i just want to be certain that you got home safe and sound.” klaus said softly, as you started fidgeting with your hands. you sighed, nodding your head after a few minutes of hesitating. he seemed so genuinely worried, a little company wouldn’t hurt anyone after all.

it was silent most of the time. you wanted to ask. how everything was with caroline, but why would you want to hurt yourself even more? why would you care? so you didn’t ask. and wouldn’t even talk if he didn’t start a conversation first. klaus could feel his heart breaking as the silence broke out yet again. you always had something to say, something to tell him, but now you were dead silent. it pained him.

“i miss you.” klaus finally confessed, your heart stopping at his sudden words. for the first time, you looked at him, in utter shock. but klaus continued looking upfront, terrified to meet your expression. after a few minutes of thinking, you spoke up.

“you don’t get to do that.” you mumbled, loud enough for him to hear. he nodded in agreement, biting his red lips. you were right. he has no right to even miss you at all. he was the one who caused this.

“i acknowledge that, believe me.” klaus said, a sigh leaving his lips mid sentence. you could sense the honesty in his voice. “i just wanted to tell you.” you nodded, your eyes now locked towards the floor you both walked on.

“caroline…” klaus continued, the mention of her name felt like a knife to the chest. you swallowed your hurt and continued to listen to klaus mikaelson pour his heart out for you. “she’s lovely. she’s sweet, delightful and kind…” klaus said, every one of his words deepening your wound.

“but she’s just not… you.” klaus said, stopping his walking and turning to face you. “i realized how big of a mistake i made. i knew of your past with her, and i still did it, and i want to apologize.” klaus spoke, as you listened.

“in this past year, i have done nothing but miss and love you.” klaus confessed and you felt your skin turn pale. “you are the one made for me, y/n. and i was incredibly foolish for even doubting it.”

“klaus..”

“please— let me finish.” klaus begged, his strong, big hands reaching over to hold yours. “she’s not you. she is just not the woman i am so desperately in love with. she is absolutely no one and nothing next to you. and i feel so miserable for adding onto your pain, and self doubt.” klaus continued.

“klaus—” you tried saying once again, only to be interrupted.

“i was wrong.” klaus whispered softly, his right hand now resting on your soft cheek, his thumb stroking your skin. “my biggest mistake to day is hurting you.” klaus confessed, his eyes slowly watering, to your surprise. you heart was being shaken by his broken expression, the way his eyes were filled with pure regret and sadness, and how his mouth frowned at you. it took everything in you to not wrap your arms around him and console who used to be your gentle hybrid. after a while of staring into each other’s eyes, klaus spoke up again.

“would you please give me another chance to redeem myself? let me make this right, my love, please.” klaus finished, his eyes full of sincerity. the nickname he used to always endearingly call you taking your breath away instantly.

you stood in the middle of the street, with the man of your life holding you, and pleading to have you back. you bit your lip, holding back the tears that threatened to run down your cheeks. he wanted you back? he realized he was wrong? he regrets everything? you don’t know if you wanted to laugh or cry.

you wanted to give in, and be his again. you adored him. you were sure he was the love of your life. but could you even trust him anymore? after everything he put you through? after all the turmoil, heartbreak and self distrust you felt for yourself? he was part of the cause of your low self-esteem, and lack of self confidence. the person who used to be the main reason for your confidence and self love, was now the reason of your infinite sadness and self loathing.

“i can’t…” you started, your hands rushing over to remove his from your body. klaus looked at you, shocked by your actions. “i won’t go back to you, klaus.” you replied gently. even if he broke your heart into a million pieces, you wouldn’t want to hurt him. he mattered to you. the only way you were going to hurt him was by not going back to him, and letting caroline have him. that would be your revenge for everything she has put you through. letting her believe the man she wanted most loved her, when in fact, he adored you.

“darling…”

“no, niklaus.” you said gently, shaking your head. “you and caroline are perfect for each other, can’t you see?” you said, his heart tightening at your words.

“you’ve hurt me enough. how sure can i be that you won’t change your mind like you did before?” you asked, and klaus shook his head, refusing. his hands ran to your cheeks again, his forehead now resting in yours, eyes closed as he begged you. klaus mikaelson was begging you. a mere human.

“i will never. i will never commit the same mistake as before, my beloved.” klaus whispered to you, his voice breaking. you fought your tears, breaking the contact between you two.

“and what if you do? what if this happens again? i won’t put myself through this again, klaus. i deserve better.” you said, finally putting yourself first. you mattered, before anyone else. even before the man you loved.

“i just can’t find it in me to trust you again.” you said, taking a few steps back, ready to continue walking home, and leave all this behind. you wanted to start over and regain the love you once had for yourself. klaus stared at you, as tears now ran down his cheek. it took everything in you to not kiss him and forgive him in that instant.

“then please.” klaus spoke again, raising his voice, so you could hear as you walked away from him. “please keep your heart open for me.” klaus spoke for the last time, desperation in his voice. a smile creeped up in your lips, as you continued walking him.

—

taglist <3

@filternini @mjpark15 @regulus-black-223048 @vickymendes30 @angelinevalentine89 @arcticseasemeseeds @jorjakal1905 @xoxo-shy @kissforvoid @kindaslightlyacidic @wrxting

#tvd #the originals #the vampire diaries #klaus mikaelson #niklaus mikaelson #klaus mikealson x reader #klaus mikaleson imagine #klaus mikaelson angst #klaus mikaelson x y/n #klaus mikaelson masterlist #the originals angst

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uswntdreamer · 24 days

Text

babygirl.

summary: you meet some new faces while in the children's unit. one of those faces being vicky, who has a close bond with alexia.

series: in sickness, in health.

warnings: mentions of child abuse.

"so what kind of jobs do you think were on the market in bikini bottom?"

"are you serious, aitana?"

"no, just curious."

keira walsh, front desk assistant in the children's unit, stared at her coworker in disbelief. the short nurse stared back at keira, waiting for the woman's answer.

keira looked back at her computer. "i don't know. they probably worked nine to five jobs. don't you have a child to attend to?"

nurse bonmatí shook her head. "nope. it's lunchtime, which means i'm free for the next hour."

"and you've decided to bother me?"

"yep!" nurse bonmatí beamed as she sat down next to keira. keira bit her lip to hide an amused smile.

"ladies." dr. frido interrupted as the three of you entered the other two's presence. "have either of you seen asisat? she's needed in the surgery unit."

keira and nurse bonmatí shook their head. "nope, but it's lunchtime which means she'll be here in a second." aitana explained.

keira raised her eyebrow. "is this about caroline and alexia?"

your body tensed up immediately. "how did this woman know?" you thought to yourself.

keira seemed to notice your change in body language. "news spread fast here, my friend."

nurse bonmatí looked between the two of you in confusion. "what happened between dr. hansen and dr. putellas?"

keira only stared at you. you looked away with a deep blush painted across your face. mariona coughed awkwardly. dr. frido explained the drama to the nurse since no one else was going to.

"oh.." nurse bonmatí looked at you. you felt so vulnerable under their gazes. it was already awkward since you didn't know either of the women in front of you, but to have them in your business made it worse.

"i'm sure osho has already made her way down." keira spoke after a moment of awkward silence. "there's no need to feel bad. those two have never gotten along with each other. if you want, you could help us out in the children's unit?"

"thank you..." you sqeaked out quietly.

frido, sensing the tension in the air, excused herself and left. mariona followed suit.

it was just you, keira, and nurse bonmatí at the front desk. nurse bonmatí called you over to have a seat at the front desk, you accepted her invitation and sat down between the two of them. you spent the next twenty minutes getting to know the two women, aitana was more vocal about her life while keira was a bit reserved about the information she shared.

"it's the language barrier." aitana excused her. "she's really talkative outside of work. especially about.."

"quiet, aitana!" keira warned.

"so i can't mention.."

"no! no, you can't."

aitana chuckled teasingly. keira shook her head in annoyance and continued eating at her salad. you and aitana continued to conversate while keira listened. your conversation was interrupted when a young girl, wearing purple scrubs, entered your vision.

"is there something you need, esmee?" keira asked the brown skinned girl with pigtails, who stood awkwardly across the desk.

"uh yeah..." she shifted uncomfortably. "can i get an extra pillow, please?"

aitana immediately jumped up from her chair and ran to get a pillow for the girl. it caught you off guard at how fast she got up. keira held back her laugh.

"i think we'd get more things done around here if you were in charge, esmee." keira joked. "aitana isn't the only one whipped for you, frido and ingrid would do anything for you too."

esmee smiled shyly. aitana returned with six pillows tucked between her short, but muscular arms. keira couldn't contain her laugh this time as aitana wobbled over to esmee.

"i... i didn't need all those pillows... just one."

"nonsense!" aitana rebutted. "you need all these pillows, i'm sure your current ones are all flat. let me change them!"

"aitana, stop." keira laughed. "just give her the one pillow she asked for."

aitana frowned. "but her other pillows.."

"she only asked for one."

"but.."

"esmee." keira sent esmee an encouraging look.

esmee swallowed her protest and reached out for only one pillow, "thank you, nurse aitana. i only need one." and began to walk back to her assigned room.

"okay, honey! let me know if you need anymore!" aitana shouted out. keira facepalmed herself as you sat confused in the chair.

"aitana is esmee's assigned nurse." keira explains. "nurse engen was esmee's nurse and frido is her doctor. they all have a special bond with the young girl."

"what's she being treated for?" you asked out of curiosity.

"cancer."

"oh..." you were caught off guard by how causally keira answered, like it was no big deal.

"yeah, frido works with her. ingrid used to work as her nurse before she got transfered to work in the pregnancy unit, so aitana works with her. though, ingrid still comes by to visit."

you nodded along to keira's explaination. you thought it was kind of adorable that the doctors and nurses formed bonds with the girls. you wondered if you'll form a bond with a girl here.

"alexia comes by often to check on vicky." keira adds.

that immediately catches your attention.

"who's vicky?" you asked.

keira looked at you, this whole time she had been staring at her screen. "vicky's an eleven year old in room 30. she's one of alexia's child patients, which is rare since alexia doesn't like working with children."

"why doesn't she work with children?"

keira shrugged. "not sure. i don't talk to alexia, but you could talk to vicky since lunch is over. i'm sure she's in her room now."

you froze. "i don't know... you think that's a good idea?"

"you're clearly into alexia, maybe not romantically or anything like that, but i can tell you want to be a part of her world. vicky can help with that. be nice to vicky and alexia will come around. just don't be weird about it."

you nodded along to keira's advice. "but what if vicky doesn't like me?"

keira chuckled. "vicky likes everyone. you gotta be a real asshole to get her to hate you." she dug into her lunchbox and pulled out a juice box. "here, give this to vicky. she loves juice boxes."

you took the juice box out of keira's hand and made your way down to room 30.

you knocked softly on the aquatic decorated door in front of you. you're not sure why, but you were nervous about meeting vicky. children don't make you nervous, but this one did. probably because she's linked to alexia and you would hate for her to tell alexia you were weird to her. that would ruin any future relationship with alexia, and maybe your career.

you were going to leave, but when you heard a small "come in", you knew it was too late to back out. so you opened the door and closed it softly. you saw a brown skinned girl sitting comfortably on the bed, her hair was brushed back into a bun, and her body was covered by purple scrubs, which was covered by an aquatic themed blanket.

"hi vicky..." you greeted. you told her your name and handed her the juice box. you looked up at the tv mounted on the wall and saw a women's football game being broadcasted, feeling bad that you probably interrupted her.

vicky looked at the juice box in her hand then back at you. "are you my new nurse?" vicky questioned with a twinkle of happiness in her brown orbs.

you frowned and shook your head. "no. i'm not." you noticed how quickly the happiness disappeared from her shining eyes. "would you like me to be your new nurse?"

vicky shrugged her shoulders. "i don't know. are you mean?"

you were taken aback by the question. "no. is your current nurse mean to you?"

"yes." vicky admitted sadly. "she doesn't help me when i need her to, she forces me to leave the bathroom door open whenever i use the toilet or shower, and when i tell her that i'm hungry or thirsty, she takes forever to come back, sometimes she doesn't come back at all."

you were disgusted; how could anyone treat a child like this? you took a seat in the chair next to vicky's bed. "how long has she been doing this?"

vicky hummed to herself as she thought about it. "about a week and a half? i try not to need anything so i won't have to interact with her, but it's hard when my heart stops beating every now and then."

you gripped the armchair in anger. "who else knows about this?" you tried your best to conceal the anger in your voice.

"dr. putellas knows. she's been trying to get me a new nurse, but all of the children's nurses are busy."

your anger subdues when vicky mentions alexia. you leaned in closer to vicky. "are you and dr. putellas close with each other?"

vicky beams excitedly. "yes! we're best friends! she even lets me call her alexia when we're in private!"

you couldn't contain the smile that painted itself across your face. seeing how giddy this little girl became now that the conversation was focused on alexia, you couldn't help, but feel giddy as well.

"are you and alexia friends?" vicky asks you as she took a sip from her juice box.

you shook your head. "no, but i'd love to become friends with her."

"everyone wants to be friends with alexia! that's what asisat told me, she told me how popular alexia is among the nurses. it's true, isn't it?"

you nodded. "alexia is very popular."

vicky sighed. "well she told me she wasn't looking for any new friends and that i'm the last friend she'll ever make."

you frowned a bit. "can i be your friend at least?"

vicky nodded happily. "of course you can! you just can't be my best friend or else alexia will get upset."

"okay then." you agreed. "why doesn't alexia want any more friends if she's so popular?" you asked her.

you already knew why alexia was setting boundries for herself, but you were curious of what vicky's reasoning will be. did alexia tell vicky about the harassment she dealt with or did she lie?

vicky shrugged and took a sip of her juice. "no idea. we don't talk about her during work, we talk about our personal lives."

"what do you talk about?" you were definitely pushing the limits by asking this invasive question, but you were so desperate to get any information of the older woman. even if it meant interviewing a kid.

vicky gave you a weird look. "i can't talk about that! it's personal between the two of us." the girl may be eleven, but she also has a set of boundries not to be crossed.

"okay okay." you agreed. "i'm just curious about alexia. it's hard to become friends with someone when you know nothing about them."

vicky shrugged. "have you tried talking to her?"

you didn't answer immediately. you've never made an attempt to talk to the woman because you knew alexia's distain for it. vicky was staring at you with a raised eyebrow.

"no, but that's because she doesn't like it when people approach her for non work related things." you explained.

vicky nodded understandably. "ah..." she looked up at the ceiling as her own thoughts consumed her before turning her attention back to you. "who's your patient?"

"i don't have one." you answered plainly.

"then you can be my nurse. alexia always comes by in the morning at breakfast and in the evening during dinner. you can talk to her during those hours." vicky suggested.

you thought about it for a second. it wasn't a bad idea, you knew you'd have to convince irene to switch to the children's unit, but if you could then the plan would be solid. it would also mean that vicky wouldn't have to deal with that awful nurse anymore. a win-win situation.

you smiled brightly at vicky. "okay vicky! i'll see if i can be your nurse, that way you won't have to worry about the mean one you have now."

vicky matched your bright smile with her own. "really?! thank you! i really don't like the nurse i have, she's like a witch who hasn't reached her final form yet."

you chuckled. "don't worry, vicks. you won't have to worry about her again. i'll talk to dr. paredes about switching."

vicky let out a sigh of relief and leaned back against the bed. you stood up from your chair and excused yourself out of the room, not wanting to waste anymore time. the faster you could make the switch happen, the better.

you passed by the front desk, where keira and aitana talked amongst themselves. you placed your hands flat on the front desk and leaned over aitana.

"aitana? you transferred to esmee because ingrid left the unit?" you questioned aitana like you were some detective of some sort.

aitana nodded. "yeah they were low on staff. ingrid specializes in children's health and maternal health. i specialize in children's health and standard health so they picked me to replace ingrid when ingrid was pulled to assist in the pregnancy unit."

"do you have to be specialized in children's health to work as a nurse in this unit?" you asked. both aitana and keira nodded silently.

you cursed internally; you weren't specialized in children's health, or in any other department for a matter of fact. that's probably why you were caroline's assistant nurse because you had nothing else to bring to the table. if you weren't feeling useless before, you definitely were now.

"are you specialized with children?" aitana asked.

you shook your head.

"but you wanna work with children?" keira asked.

you nodded your head.

"hmm..." both aitana and keira hummed together. the three of you sat in silence as you contemplated your next move.

"wait!" aitana spoke up. "osho works with the children and she doesn't specialize in children's health."

"asisat isn't a nurse, so she doesn't specialize in any kind of health. she's a teacher with a degree in children's development and education." keira explained. "and when she isn't with children, she's here at the front desk." keira pointed to asisat's chair next to her.

"oh right..." aitana bummed out.

you didn't have any degree relating to children. maybe this plan wouldn't work out after all. maybe alexia's actions earlier today meant nothing. maybe you'll just have to settle for being a background character in her world and a nobody in caroline's.

but what about vicky? she'd have to suffer from having an neglectful nurse. no child should have to go through that.

"what if a nurse was neglecting a child? would that nurse be transferred?" you suddenly asked.

your question puzzled both of the women in front of you. keira and aitana looked at each other then back at you.

"she'd be fired." keira answered. "and there would be a scramble to find another nurse to take her place."

aitana squinted her eyes at you suspiciously. "what are you thinking?"

you tell them about vicky's situation and how you want to become vicky's nurse instead. you made no mention of wanting to get closer to alexia, realizing that vicky's safety and comfort was more important than some hospital drama.

aitana's and keira's mouth were slacked open. aitana clasped her hands together. "i fucking knew it. i knew that girl couldn't be trusted, i knew it! i tried to warn irene, but she wouldn't listen!"

keira closed her mouth gently and typed away at her computer. "i knew she had a weird attitude, but i didn't know she was abusing vicky."

"you guys know who she is? vicky didn't tell me her name." you got up from the couch and made your way behind the desk.

"that fucking castillo." aitana spat quietly. "that little rat. when i get my hands on her..."

"calma, aitana." keira commanded softly before turning her attention to you. "nurse athenea. she's been vicky's nurse for about a week now."

"she's not a 'nurse', keira!" aitana snapped.

"quiet, aitana." keira snapped back.

"irene knows? and didn't do anything about it?" you felt your blood start to boil. "vicky said alexia's been trying to get her a new nurse, but to no avail."

"i'm not surprised." keira admitted. "we're low on staff."

"but if a patient, a KID, is being abused then they should do something about it." you challenged, not liking how calm keira was about this.

"it's a disgrace." keira agreed. "but it's up to irene at the end of the day."

"we should..." before aitana could finish her sentence, the front desk phone ringed.

keira hushed the two of you and picked up the phone. "hello?"

"alright. she's on her way down now."

"okay, bye." keira hung up the phone.

she swiveled her chair towards you. "it's irene. she wants to talk to you."

you started to get nervous. it was only your third week and you were already being called down to irene's office. "what does she want to talk about?"

"doesn't matter!" aitana snapped. "tell her to get that rat out of here!"

"aitana, please lower your voice." keira hushed her again.

aitana got up from her seat and stormed off down the hall. keira moves closer to you. "i'm sure this has something to do with what happened earlier, but if you could mention del castillo then that would be the perfect time."

you nodded at her advice and stood up. "got it."

keira sent a pair of thumbs up towards you as you made your departure.

you froze once you were face to face with irene's wooden door. you could hear a few voices going back and forth behind the door, but you couldn't make out what was being said or who was saying what. you just hoped that none of those voices belonged to alexia or caroline.

turns out the universe wasn't on your side today. when you opened the door and stepped inside, you immediately made eye contact with alexia. you ripped you eyes away from hers and landed on caroline, who continued to stare out the window.

you also noticed two other figures besides irene; it was mapi león, the head officer and ingrid's lover, who stood against the window and another woman who you've never seen before. she wore her brown hair into a neat bun that complimented her sleek black suit. her big brown orbs burned a hole into you and you could tell she was the oldest in the room based off her authority.

"thank you for joining us." irene approached you and gestured to the only available chair for you to sit in. the only available chair being next to caroline.

you awkwardly sat down next to the norwegian woman, trying your hardest to ignore the look alexia sent you.

"now that everyone is here..." irene presented herself in front of everyone. "there's going to be some changes going forward. we're not going to keep arguing with each other because we are professionals and it's our job to be professional, but it's not professional when we have this silly soap opera going on."

you took your eyes off of irene for a second and noticed that no one, except you, was actually paying attention to her. mapi's eyes were on irene, but she looked like her mind was somewhere else, both alexia and the mystery woman kept their eyes on you, whilst caroline continued to stare out the window.

"so, i'm gonna take a big risk with this purposal. i've been talking with dr. guijarro about this and we came to the idea that you two need to confront each other in your differences. you don't need to get along, but you need to stop hating each other." irene continued as she paced around the room.

caroline spoke up. "i don't hate anyone."

alexia scoffed. "liar."

"fuck off, putellas." caroline took her eyes off the window and glared at alexia, who glared right back at her.

"you two need to stop! seriously!" irene stressed.

"i do my work, i don't bother anyone, i prefer to be alone." caroline started. all eyes were on her now. "and yet, this piece of shit keeps harassing me for no good reason. what's the reason, putellas? you have all these women foaming at the mouth for you and yet, you still find yourself in my laboratory!"

"if i'm a piece of shit, then you're the devil incarnate. you're an awful fucking person and you don't belong in this hospital." alexia snapped back. "you disregard the human life around you and you treat our patients like... like test subjects rather than actual people who need help!"

caroline laughed. "what the hell are you even talking about? are we resorting to stupid lies because we can't come up with a good enough excuse? is that what we're doing now?"

"i'm not lying. irene, marta, i'm not lying. this woman is a madwoman and you're encouraging her by keeping her employed." alexia looked between irene and the other woman.

"bullshit." caroline responded. "you're literally pulling shit out of your ass. i could also speak on you and how you love to hookup with the nurses here, but that wouldn't be a lie because it's actually true."

alexia was quick to her feet. mapi stepped in and held her arm across the taller woman's chest. both you and marta shared a look of bewilderment while irene messaged her temples.

"i swear to god, i'm going to fucking lose it." irene muttered under her breath.

"testing on patients? sleeping with coworkers? irene what the hell is going on here?!" marta asked as she stood up from her seat.

"I DON'T KNOW, MARTA! I DON'T KNOW!" irene screamed which caught all of you off guard. irene dug her face in the palms of her hands, she attempted to regulate her breathing and you could see her body withering.

when it seemed like things couldn't get worse, the door slammed open revealing a pissed off aitana.

"uh oh..." you muttered to yourself.

"aitana stop!" you heard keira's voice from out the hall. aitana ignored her and glared down at you.

"did you tell her?!" aitana questioned. you knew what she was referring to, but didn't respond. aitana scoffed. "of course you didn't. irene!" she called out.

"what now, aitana?!" irene was already at her breaking point.

"you need to fire athenea del castillo right fucking now!" aitana demanded. "that woman is a rat and is abusing the children!"

the bomb had dropped, but it had yet to explode. marta's eyes shot wide open. irene clinched her hair in fustration. "this again?! i already told you that i'm working on it!"

"what do you mean again?" marta asked.

"well stop working on it and get to firing! you're an awful boss if you're letting your employees abuse children! it's bad enough we're low on staff and money, but you're gonna let child abuse slide?! fucking come on irene! DO YOUR JOB!" aitana snapped.

the bomb had exploded. irene picked up her laptop and slammed it down onto the floor, shattering the electronic device into pieces. "THAT'S IT! ALL OF YOU GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE!!! I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY OF YOU FOR THE REST OF THE DAY! GET OUT! NOW! RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!"

caroline sprung out of seat and exited the room quickly. keira yanked aitana out from the doorway and dragged her down the hall. mapi pulled both you and alexia along with her out. marta was the only person who stayed behind, watching as irene destroyed her own office.

(couldn't come up with a good villain, so i just threw athenea del castillo under the bus. sorry bout that.)

#alexia putellas x reader #alexia x reader #alexia putellas #caroline graham hansen x reader #caroline graham hansen #barca femini x reader #barcelona femeni x reader #barca femeni #barcelona femeni #vicky lopez #woso #woso imagine #woso x reader #woso community #woso fanfics #vicky lopez x reader

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sleekista · 3 months

Text

death is a funny thing

alexia putellas x fem!reader

prompt: alexia angst on 10/10 out of angst scale - for madres bday

A/N: happy birthday madre @greynatomy ! 🥳🥳 you are now stuck at the restaurant

i cried while making this. i dont cry while writing or reading fanfic.

TW: Death, hurt/no comfort, the thought of me not making a part 2 for this

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2 weeks. That's what the doctor said. 2 weeks until you're dead and you soul is gone from the earth. How does one hold that infomation? How are they supposed to take it? It's not like anyone's alive to really tell you how to cope or react.

So, you sit in silence. Being taken back to the memories of playing football as a child, being in your national team for the first time. Playing for your senior team for the first time. That first kiss with Alexia which was unlike any you'd had before. The first time you'd told her you loved her, and how she immediately said it back.

All of it would come to an end.

You knew you should've been here weeks ago when you first started feeling off, but you weren't one to go a doctor when something felt bad. Just hoped it would go away unless you knew it was an injury that'd affect your career. The only reason you were in the room was because Alexia dragged you there.

What would have happened if she hadn't?

You stare at the wall in front of you, mind without thoughts. Just the shell of someone who used to be there. You feel bad for Alexia, how would she cope? You knew she had plans of proposing, you just didn't know when. That will all be a dream in only a fortnight.

How much will change by then? Will she push you out like she does with most others? Or will she hold you close, thinking that if she did you wouldn't leave her when you both know that won't happen.

When you do look at her, there's tears streaming down her face. Staining her shirt and falling onto the floor. The doctor leads you both out giving a form of all legal action needed before you die. Who to give your money to, how you want to be buried or cremated.

You wonder how they can say such news then proceed to hand papers while being devoid of any emotion. Maybe they've done it too many times to really feel.

- - - - -

Alexia drives home, eyes still leaking with tears. You're not quite sure how she's driving but you both make it home. You watch her mundane and robotic movements, until she's in the living room. That's her breaking point.

You immediately go to her, wrapping your arms around her without saying a word. This makes her sob harder.

"I can't live without you. Please no." Is all you hear over the sound of her breaking down.

"Alexia." You say, but she shakes her head.

"Alexia look at me." Again, it's no use.

"Ale please." She finally listens, looking up shaking as her lip wobbles.

"When I am gone, you will be sad yes but I trust you'll get over me. I trust you will be even better than you are now. You are the greatest woman I've ever met and you are the strongest. I will be with you here until the end and even when I'm not here physically..." You pause and touch her heart with your hand. "I'll always be with you here, remember that. And if heaven or the afterlife is real, I'll watch over you. I promise." You whisper resting your forehead against her own.

She whails into the evening, you cry along with her. Reality and the fear of death finally sinking deep into your bones. You will die. You can't be here forever.

- - - - -

The next day when training is supposed to be on is when you tell everyone at the club, sadness lingers in the air as you hug your friends. The ones who had become a new family for you. The young players like Salma and Vicky whom you'd baiscally 'adopted' when they joined the senior team. You consoled them along with Caroline (your best friend) the most. Those apart from Alexia being the ones you were always with.

It was decided a farewell dinner would be hosted. The last memories and last time to be with you.

- - - - -

Alexia wouldn't leave your side, you didn't want to leave hers either. The weight she'd carry on herself after this is too much for your own failing heart. You wanted to be with her for the rest of your life, and by that you meant grow old. Not die at 27.

The dinner was as much as anyone would expect it to be. Teary eyes and frowns painted on everyones face. The mourning had started before you left, and somehow that was even more painful.

Your will was mainly going to the football club, with no family left to give it to. Part of it went to investment in womens sports and some went to Alexia. You'd asked to be cremated, 1/3 of your ashes in the new Camp Nou, 1/3 of your ashes to be washed away by the heavy winds at the beach you loved so much, and a third to be with Alexia to do as she pleases. Whether to keep or give to people you held so close.

The end is near, it's relieving in a sense. That all this anxiety toward the date will just go. Everything for you will stop. But, you hate being the reason people are upset. All you'll leave is pain and anguish until one by one your friends heal. Alexia heals.

- - - - -

Today was the day, you're not sure how you know but you do. You wait with Alexia, remembering all good times. No words are said, she's trying to remember every detail in your face. Fearing the she'll forget you.

"Alexia." She takes a deep breath, nodding at you to continue.

"I love you, I love you in everyway possible. I love you in every universe. I love you to the moon and saturn. Never forget me, as I'll never forget you." You whisper, breath shaky as you feel yourself drifting away.

"I could never, forget you amor. You're safer wherever you are next. I love you. More than words could ever convey." Her voice breaks.

You don't want to leave her, why did it have to be like this?

She places her lips against yours one last time. Your eyes close, one last time.

—————————————————————————

well... no part 2. reader will not come back from the dead like melanie martinez

but last night i dreamt i kissed taylor swift so theres that

#woso #woso community #woso x reader #woso fanfics #barcelona femeni #wlw #alexia putellas x reader #alexia putellas

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kamii-2 · 10 days

Note

can i req a angst? kk arnold x reader. reader was having a tiring and stressful day! so she was angry, very angry and bored. kk tried to approach her to annoy her a bit (as always) just jokingly, but reader unintentionally ends taking out everything in kk, she yelled at her, cursed... and kk becomes sad 🥺🥺

hi anon,i hope you enjoy the story!

warning(s): cussing, angst

genre: angst & fluff

pairing(s): kk arnold x reader

==================================

today was one of those days where everyone was making you mad. you woke up mad and as the day went on you got more mad, nobody really talked to you today and you were glad. after all of your classes you went to your apartment, kk was already there waiting on you. when you walked in you put everything up then went to sit on the couch. “hey baby.” kk said as she walks out from your room, sitting next to you, you muttered a hi back and started to work on homework and other things on your computer.

kk started to poke you over and over again even if you said what, and you were starting to get mad and should’ve said stop but you weren’t thinking straight and instead of saying stop you yelled at her. “kk stop, i’m not in the fucking mood, leave me the hell alone for once!” yoi realized what you said and immediately shut the laptop and set it down on the coffee table, “kk i’m so sorry.” you said as kk moved to the other side of the couch, visibly upset. “please kk im sorry, i didn’t mean to yell at you.” kk kept ignoring you. “kk.” you said as she got up and put her shoes on and walked out of your apartment.

the moment kk left you started to write a paragraph to her about how sorry you were and you told her the reason you yelled at her in the first place. she replied fast and it was not what you were expecting at all

“why are you texting me? i thought you wanted me to leave you alone for once” reading the text made your heart break and you started crying so hard. you had no response to the message so you left her on read and went to bed, the sweetest and happiest person you know is now mad at you and won’t speak to you. the only person who can cheer you up no matter what was now the reason you’re crying. you were thinking of all of the things she might do, will she break up with you? will she stop talking to you? you weren’t sure and you didn’t want to find out.

it had been a week since you accidentally yelled at kk and she left your apartment. you guys haven’t talked since, she’s been ignoring you, you didn’t know what to do. even though kk has every right to be mad, you mad at her for being mad. you were mad that she wouldn’t hear you out and listen to what you had to say. you were getting sick and tired of her ignoring you over an accident.

you were so sick of it you literally went to her dorm. you knew she most likely wouldn’t answer because it’s her shared dorm with her team, but you didn’t care. it was 7:12 pm and you were at her dorm, knocking and waiting for someone to answer. after a few minutes her teammate caroline answered, “kk doesn’t want to speak.” she said while attempting the shut the door. you slide in as she was shutting the door, getting smashed but still getting in, “i don’t care.” you replied and you ran to kk’s room before someone could grab you.

when you walked in kk was in her bed, looking sad while scrolling on her phone. she looked up and seemed happy before immediately looking mad, “how did you get in?” she asked rudely, “doesn’t matter, anyway i came here to apologize for everything. i said the things i did brii was in a really bad mood, which doesn’t excuse my behavior, but still im really sporty and ill do anything to make you forgive me. im really sorry.” you quickly but sincerely apologized. kk just stared at you for a second before getting up and hugging you, “im sorry to over reacting and not talking to you for a week but what you said really hurt me.” she whispered into your neck, still hugging you.

you weren’t sure how but this simple hug felt like it fixed everything. she hugged you so tight, not loosening her grip once. everything felt like normal, it wasn’t awkward and silent like how it had been for the past week. this hug was everything but awkward, it may have been silent but it wasn’t a bad one, a comforting one.

you two stood there hugging for a while, you were surprised nobody walked in or tried to. when your long hug ended, kk led you to the bed and showered you with kisses and praises. “i love you so much, i never want to lose you.” she smiled and she continued to kiss all over your face, you giggled and wrapped your arms around her waist, pulling her closer into you. everything was back to normal.

==================================

so sorry this took 4 million years to get out but i really hope you liked it, i hope you have a good day/night, love you 💋💋

#uconn wbb #uconn huskies #uconn women’s basketball #kk arnold #kk arnold x reader #wlw post #wlw #angst #fluff #angst with a happy ending

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suchawrathfullamb · 3 months

Text

Caroline always gave me major vibes MAJOR vibes that she was super into the whole alana/margot thing (as in she had a lil crush on the actress), and listening to the commentaries just confirmed it. she gushed about the actress for minutes (and never said more than two words about any other cast mate ahahaha), then she literally asked Bryan for a lesbian sex scene and was all like "I'm up for it, please, do it do it" lmao good for her, mads is crying, poor mads, he did not get his wishes

#but good for caroline!#hannigram #nbc hannibal #hannibal #will graham

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felix-lupin · 1 year

Text

In Coraline, there’s a recurring theme with names and identity, and I personally don't think it's talked about enough.

(As a note, this is dealing largely with the book, not the movie, although there are some hints of this theme in the movie as well)

Coraline’s neighbors constantly get her name wrong, calling her “Caroline” and not “Coraline”, to which she persistently corrects them. Despite her attempts, they never get it right, until chapter 10, in which Mr Bobo (Mr Bobinsky) finally gets it right.

"It's Coraline, Mister Bobo," said Coraline. "Not Caroline. Coraline." "Coraline," said Mr Bobo, repeating her name to himself with wonderment and respect. "Very good, Coraline."

It should be noted that, until this chapter, Coraline did not know Mr Bobo’s name either. In fact, it had never even occurred to her that he had a name. Up until then, she had just been thinking of him as “the crazy old man upstairs”, not as a person with a name. This moment, with her learning his name and him getting her name right, is a moment of genuine understanding and connection between the two, humanizing them both to each other.

Coraline’s other neighbors get her name wrong, which is representative of them not listening when she says anything, really, such as her telling Miss Spink and Forcible that her parents are missing and them literally not even acknowledging it at all??

"How are your dear mother and father?" asked Miss Spink. "Missing," said Coraline. "I haven't seen either of them since yesterday. I'm on my own. I think I've probably become a single child family." "Tell your mother that we found the Glasgow Empire press clippings we were telling her about. She seemed very interested when Miriam mentioned them to her." "She's vanished under mysterious circumstances," said Coraline, "and I believe my father has as well." "I'm afraid we'll be out all day tomorrow, Caroline lovely," said Miss Forcible. "We'll be staying with April's niece in Royal Tunbridge Wells."

Mr Bobo gets her name right after being corrected (only after being corrected alongside her using his name, mind you, showcasing her making an effort to listen to and understand him as well), which is representative of him actually making an attempt to listen and understand her. This point is further illustrated by a conversation Coraline had with the Other Mr Bobo in chapter 10.

As Coraline entered he began to talk. "Nothing's changed, little girl," he said, his voice sounding like the noise dry leaves make as they rustle across a pavement. "And what if you do everything you swore you would? What then? Nothing's changed. You'll go home. You'll be bored. You'll be ignored. No one will listen to you, not really listen to you. You're too clever and too quiet for them to understand. They don't even get your name right."

He equates those in the real world not getting Coraline’s name right with them not listening to her, and fundamentally not understanding who she is. So, somebody getting her name right, then, shows them actually listening to her, and being willing to understand who she is.

The mice in the real world know more than they should be able to know, and they also get Coraline’s name right.

"The message is this. Don't go through the door." He paused. "Does that mean anything to you?" "No," said Coraline. The old man shrugged. "They are funny, the mice. They get things wrong. They got your name wrong, you know. They kept saying Coraline. Not Caroline. Not Caroline at all."

They seem to know about the other world, somehow, on some level, and the dangers it presents. Them getting her name right represents them knowing more than they should know, more than they are told. Animals in general seem to have this type of quality in Coraline, actually.

The cat does not have a name. It says so in chapter 4, that cats do not need names. It says that this is because cats know who they are. But humans need names, because they do not.

"Please. What's your name?" Coraline asked the cat. "Look, I'm Coraline. OK?" The cat yawned softly, carefully, revealing a mouth and tongue of astounding pinkness. "Cats don't have names," it said. "No?" said Coraline. "No," said the cat. "Now, you people have names. That's because you don't know who you are. We know who we are, so we don't need names."

The cat shook its head. "No," it said. "I'm not the other anything. I'm me." It tipped its head on one side; green eyes glinted. "You people are spread all over the place. Cats, on the other hand, keep ourselves together. If you see what I mean."

This shows that, in humans, names are connected to our identities and who we are. Names are used to individualize and distinguish ourselves from each other. But cats do not need names to recognize each other, or be recognized.

"Oh. It's you," she said to the black cat. "See?" said the cat. "It wasn't so hard recognising me, was it? Even without names."

With or without names, it is still the same cat.

During the Other Miss Spink and Forcible’s performance, in chapter 4, they begin quoting Shakespeare. The specific quotes that they use are interesting to me when looked at under this lens of the importance of names, especially Miss Forcible’s.

"What's in a name?" asked Miss Forcible. "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

"I know not how to tell thee who I am," said Miss Spink to Miss Forcible.

Now, of course, this is just them quoting Shakespeare. But. Why these quotes specifically? They’re at the very least notable when discussing Coraline’s recurring theme of names. Especially the quote about the rose. It makes me think of what the cat said earlier, about how cats are sure of who they are so they don’t need names, about how Coraline didn’t need the cat’s name to be able to recognize it for who/what it was.

But, of course, this does not apply for humans. We need our names to be able to know ourselves, to be able to tell others who they are.

In chapter 6, Coraline wakes up and is disoriented. This disorientation is compared to the feeling one might experience upon being suddenly pulled out of a daydream. In this comparison, forgetting one’s name is equated with forgetting who one is and where one is.

Sometimes Coraline would forget who she was while she was daydreaming that she was exploring the Arctic, or the Amazon rainforest, or darkest Africa, and it was not until someone tapped her on the shoulder or said her name that Coraline would come back from a million miles away with a start, and all in the fraction of a second have to remember who she was, and what her name was, and that she was even there at all. Now there was the sun on her face, and she was Coraline Jones. Yes.

The ghost children have also forgotten their names, and with it most of who they were. In chapter 7, when Coraline is locked behind the mirror in the Other World, one of the ghost children says that names are the first things that one forgets after death.

"Who are you?" whispered Coraline. "Names, names, names," said another voice, all faraway and lost. "The names are the first thing to go, after the breath has gone, and the beating of the heart. We keep our memories longer than our names. I still keep pictures in my mind of my governess on some May morning, carrying my hoop and stick, and the morning sun behind her, and all the tulips bobbing in the breeze. But I have forgotten the name of my governess, and of the tulips too." "I don't think tulips have names," said Coraline. "They're just tulips." "Perhaps," said the voice sadly. "But I have always thought that these tulips must have had names. They were red, and orange-and-red, and red-and-orange-and-yellow, like the embers in the nursery fire of a winter's evening. I remember them."

The ghost children may have their memories, but they have largely forgotten who they were. They may remember their tulips, and certain strong memories, but there is very, very little left of them, and they have forgotten who they once were, they have forgotten their names.

"That is why we could not leave here, when we died. She kept us, and she fed on us, until now we're nothing left of ourselves, only snakeskins and spider-husks. Find our secret hearts, young mistress."

"She will take your life and all you are and all you care'st for, and she will leave you with nothing but mist and fog. She'll take your joy. And one day you'll awake and your heart and soul will have gone. A husk you'll be, a wisp you'll be, and a thing no more than a dream on waking, or a memory of something forgotten."

The Other Mother stole their hearts and their souls and their selves. She stole who they were away from them, their identities and names and the names of those they loved, leaving nothing in her wake.

The same ghost that talked about the tulips and the names of the tulips struggles to answer when Coraline asks their gender, as well, and when they do eventually give an answer they seem somewhat unsure of it, as shown by the word choice of “perhaps” and “I believe”

"A boy, perhaps, then," continued the one whose hand she was holding. "I believe I was once a boy." And it glowed a little more brightly in the darkness of the room behind the mirror.

(I personally take this quote, specifically it "glow[ing] a little more brightly" after coming to this conclusion, to mean either that the ghost is happy at realizing that he was once a boy, or even to mean that he has become somewhat more tangible upon this realization; upon remembering something about his self, and his identity.)

As an aside, it's noteworthy to me that we never learn the Other Mother’s true name. She is simply “The Other Mother” and “The Beldam.” Never is an actual name applied to her, only titles. We do not truly know who, or what, she is. Beings without names are shrouded in mystery (or should i say mist-ery). The ghost children are benevolent mysterious beings, the cat is an ambivalent-leaning-helpful mysterious being, and the other mother is a distinctly malevolent mysterious being.

"Who are you?" asked Coraline. "I'm your other mother," said the woman.

"She?" "The one who says she's your other mother," said the cat. "What is she?" asked Coraline. The cat did not answer, just padded through the pale mist beside Coraline.

But in conclusion, names in Coraline are extremely important. I’m sure there’s probably more that I'm missing, and feel free to add onto this, but basically—

People need names to know and remember who they are, and forgetting one’s name is the first step to losing the rest of who one is. Names humanize a person; with a name, they are less shrouded in mystery, more clear.

Knowing somebody's name helps one connect to and better understand that person; it is the first step in getting to know them and see them as a full person, the transition from “the crazy man upstairs” to “Mr Bobo”. Names, to people at least, are one of the fundamental building blocks of who we are.

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