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coochiequeens · 1 year

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WTF Scotland?

The independent LGBTI association representing police in Scotland is fundraising for a youth charity which recently referred itself to police over allegations of child sexual exploitation.

LGBT Youth Scotland, formerly the Stonewall Youth Project, is known as Scotland’s national charity for “LGBTI young people.” The charity referred itself to Police Scotland after Reduxx reported on historic abuses alleged by two former youth members.

Sam Cowie, a university student from Glasgow, described his experience with LGBT Youth Scotland to Reduxx in December of 2022. He stated that he first became involved with the charity in 2010 at the age of 15.

“At first I thought it was great. There was a diverse group of young people involved. Colorful people and people who were unapologetically themselves. It was eye-opening and a lot to take in. The staff were friendly and nurturing,” Cowie said in December.

“I really didn’t realize I was being groomed until a much later date. It started with being given cigarettes. It later progressed to being taken for drinks and given alcohol. I was given a [fake] ID by a member of staff to gain entry into adult venues. I was given things that were considered special,” Cowie explains. “A staff member also made me show him my torso in the bathroom.”

Cowie recounts being taken by charity staff to gay clubs in Edinburgh while he was underage. He was exposed to a much older group of men who began offering the vulnerable teen money in exchange for sex.

“I was plied with alcohol free of charge, encouraged to sleep with older men and given money to perform sexual acts,” Cowie had told Reduxx.

Cowie cut ties with the charity at 17 and, now an adult, he is speaking out about his experience and demanding answers. Specifically, Cowie has been pursuing answers as to why a safeguarding investigation was not carried out into the organization after their former Chief Executive Officer, James Rennie, was convicted of organizing Scotland’s “largest pedophile network” in 2009, just one year before Cowie became involved with the charity.

James Rennie became Chief Executive Officer of LGBT Youth Scotland in 2003. In 2007, his pedophile ring was uncovered following a lengthy operation by Lothian and Borders police.

As well as collecting thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse, Rennie also sexually abused his own infant godson over a four-year period. The abuse started when the child was just 3 months old. Rennie had also used the e-mail handle “kplover,” (kiddie porn lover) to communicate with another pedophile who described how he would like to rape, torture, and murder a child.

While soliciting child sexual abuse materials, Rennie once sent an email specifically requesting material featuring “young Down’s syndrome or learning difficulty kids.”

Rennie’s accomplice and fellow ringleader, Neil Strachan, had also sexually abused an infant boy, attempting to sodomize him while being HIV positive.

Cowie first spoke out against LGBT Youth Scotland on social media. His tweet inspired another survivor to come forward, and both of the young men spoke to Reduxx on their experiences with the charity. Daniel Nechtan became involved with the organization while Rennie was still CEO when he was just 13 or 14 years of age.

“Although I was young, many people involved in this charity were in their twenties and thirties, and, as far as I can tell, there was no safeguarding or anything. In fact, it seemed more like a social network to connect older men with [often vulnerable] teenagers.”

Nechtan told Reduxx that charity staff had encouraged him to use “gay chatrooms” where he met a 24 year-old man pretending to be a 16 year-old boy. He describes how the older man became his “boyfriend”. Nechtan explained that through his older “boyfriend” and the older men he were met through the charity, he was encouraged to accept payment in exchange for sexual acts. He also explained how he met Rennie and Strachan through the charity, the leaders of Scotland’s “largest pedophile ring.”

Nechtan explained how they would buy him drink and drugs as a teen. Rennie and Strachan would give him alcohol in exchange for sexual contact. On one occasion, Strachan allegedly instructed Nechtan, who was then aged 17, to have sex with a 16 year old boy in front of him. Despite Nechtan’s experience, LGBT Youth Scotland claimed at the time of Rennie’s arrest that no youth members of the organization had been impacted by his predation.

Following the Reduxx exclusive in December of 2022, LGBT Youth Scotland released a statement on their website addressing the allegations.

“LGBT Youth Scotland are aware of allegations of historic exploitation made by individuals who used our services in the past. LGBT Youth Scotland takes any complaints and allegations seriously and we have reported these allegations to Police Scotland and will support them fully with any investigation.”

Speaking to Reduxx on behalf of LGBT Youth Scotland, Holyrood Public Relations provided the Police Scotland reference number associated with the investigation and confirming that they had in fact referred the allegations to police. But Police Scotland has repeatedly refused to provide concrete details on the nature of the investigation despite multiple requests.

Despite an ostensibly open police investigation involving the charity and calls for them to be investigated by the UK charity commission for alleged child abuses, Scottish LGBTI Police Association announced on February 24 that they were crowdfunding on behalf of LGBT Youth Scotland.

In the description of their crowdfunder, the Scottish LGBTI Police Association wrote that LGBT Youth Scotland creates “safe spaces” for “LGBTI young people aged 13-25.” The Association is an independent membership group for police officers and policing staff in Scotland. They are officially recognized by the Scottish Government, Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland and UK-wide police forces including British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police and Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

The Scottish LGBTI Police Association shared their fundraiser on Twitter but were met with backlash from twitter users who pointed out the on-going investigation into the charity.

The Scottish women’s rights organisation, For Women Scotland, responded to the Scottish LGBTI Police association saying: “Aren’t the police supposed to be investigating this organization? Do @PoliceScotland make a habit of raising money for groups under investigation for child grooming and abuse?”

Survivor Sam Cowie also spoke out against the association on twitter calling the fundraiser “an absolute kick in the teeth,” and said he felt the move would send the wrong message to other alleged victims of LGBTYS who might be considering coming forward.

“Police Scotland are raising funds for the charity that groomed me and others. The same Police Scotland that aren’t doing anything to help me. The same Police Scotland that investigated former CEO paedophile of this charity and said his crimes weren’t connected to his role,” Cowie wrote on Twitter.

Scottish LGBTI Police Association have since put their Twitter account on private, but the crowdfunding page is still active.

The fundraiser was part of Purple Friday, a campaign organized by LGBT Youth Scotland to encourage people to show support for “LGBTI young people” by donating to their charity. However, the charity has only raised £1,612 on this year’s Purple Friday, their largest fundraising drive, despite having a target of £25,000.

On their official TikTok, the Scottish LGBTI Police Association made a music video about their efforts.

The funds are purportedly being used to fund LGBT Youth Scotland services and resources. As well as offering youth groups for children as young as 13, the charity provides information packages for public education, such as one created for school teachers to use on “international pronoun day.”

Other resources offered by the charity include a detailed sex guide for girls as young as 13 which includes information about anal sex, sex toys, oral sex and masturbation.

LGBT Youth Scotland also manages a scheme for employers and schools. They award businesses their “LGBT Charter” if they complete their program which involves training and a review of policies and procedures.

The Edinburgh division of the Scottish police signed up to the LGBT Youth Scotland’s LGBT Charter in 2021.

In addition to the police, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner of Scotland is also directing young people to use LGBT Youth Scotland’s services while the investigation into the organization’s potential misconduct ongoing.

By Shay Woulahan Shay is a writer and social media content creator for Reduxx. She is a proud lesbian activist and feminist who lives in Northern Ireland with her partner and their four-legged, fluffy friends.

#UK #Scotland #LGBT Youth Scotland #James Rennie #Neil Strachan #Scottish LGBTI Police Association #The pigs protect abusers #Grooming minors

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callsign-songbird · 2 months

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This was supposed to be a short rambling and ended up turning into a mini fic lol. I know the tense shifts, I know it's sloppy lol

Anyway, Simon has a sweetheart who gets kidnapped and gets to meet "Ghost" for the first time.

The first time you meet Ghost, it's supposed to be carefully planned and controlled. After all, Simon was so worried about opening that part of himself up to you. To you, he was Simon. Soft, introverted, sweet, desperately trying to break a cycle of generational trauma. You had never met Ghost.

But, of course, nothing in Simon's life can go according to plan, and when you have people that mean something to you, they become weaknesses. So, when you get kidnapped by a Russian military company with the intel that you were important to Task Force-141? Ghost has already burnt down the world once, you're sure as hell that he would do it again for his love. So, when you meet Ghost, it isn't carefully rehersed and planned like Simon wanted. No.

Instead, you're terrified, bound, and gagged on a cold concrete floor wearing little more than your skivvies as tears stream down your face. Then, out of the blue, gunfire and shouting rings through the halls. Stealth be damned, as soon as their cover is blown, you know that Ghost will fight like a rabbit animal. He barges into your cell, tackling a man against the wall with a knife to his throat and a gun at his head.

Those eyes that had looked at you so softly and tenderly were completely unrecognizable when they were this wide and intense, wild with bloodlust. "Where is the girl?" He spits out in fluent Russian before his eyes catch sight of you.

'BANG'

A single bullet through the soldiers' skull, splattering Ghost with even more viscera and gray matter. Ghost doesn't even seem phased as he holsters his pistol and pulls away, letting the body drop with a sickening thud. He walks brazenly up to you, but pauses as he notices the way you frantically back yourself into the corner, trying desperately to stay away from this monster who had surely come to drag you from one hell to the next.

Then, he crouches down and outstretches a gentle hand to you, letting you come to him. He called your name so sweetly, and that was a voice you recognized. You tried to muffle out his name through the rag shoved into your mouth and tied around your head. That earned a low chuckle, a dangerous one that you hadn't heard before. "Not quite, love. Ghost. Now, let's get you home, eh?"

Ghost. The name echoed in your mind, bouncing around as you tried to remember where you had heard it before. Your eyes flicked over to the corpse splayed in the doorway of your cell, making you nearly vomit in your mouth before looking away. Ghost shifted closer, using the knife still in his hand to cut through the rough ropes binding you. "Bloody hell... idiots didn't even use chains, could have escaped right easy, you could of." Ghost muttered, mostly to himself. The words were terrifying to hear.

He reached to untie your gag next, a chuckle rumbling lowly in his chest as you flinch away. He gives you half a second to compose yourself before he unceremoniously rips the gag off of you and tosses it to the side. Red marks are etched into your cheeks where the gag had dug in, and the sight makes Ghost seeth. "Oh, love..." His words are soft, but his tone is enraged, as if those marks alone could start his new crusade.

"LT!" Blue eyes and a neatly groomed Warhawk pop into the door, stepping casually over the corpse as the new face made his way over to you. "This her, LT?" A thick Scottish accent was present, along with a bit of thinly veiled appreciation. "Off limits Johnny, this is her. This is my girl."

Whenever Simon called you his, it was soft and reverent, as if astonished that he could call someone so precious his. But when Ghost said it? It was commanding, possessive, and left no room for argument. You were his. And that thought was almost scary.

Ghost wasted no more time, scooping you up into his arms and making their way quickly through the facility you had only caught glances of while Ghost and Johnny talked in some military jargon you didn't understand.

That's when you noticed it.

Even though Ghost was holding you so tight and close, even though his touches seemed so rough and careless, even though he was splattered with all sorts of blood and viscera, you had none of it on you. Ghost had been so careful with his touches, with how he held you, determined not to stain and taint your delicate skin with the fuel to his fire, the essence of his soul. And that was quite possibly when you realized that 'Simon' and 'Ghost' were merely two sides of the same coin. And they were both yours as much as you were theirs. his.

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care4dog · 2 years

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7 Things Why The Irish Wolfhound Dog is Gaining Popularity in The World

The defining characteristic of the Irish Wolfhound dog is its imposing height; It is the tallest breed of dog. One of the largest pup species, the Irish Wolfhound, can reach the size of a small horse. But a good wolf isn’t just a tall dog. It is a strong yet fast dog, capable of hitting and killing large animals. It has a typical Greyhound build, only bigger and stockier. The legs are long; the…

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#Are Irish Wolfhounds dog Hypoallergenic?#How much exercise do they need?#How to groom an Irish Wolfhound?#Irish Wolfhound #Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane #Irish Wolfhound vs Scottish Deerhound #Popular Wolfhound mix breed #What is the best feed for an Irish Wolfhound?

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the-adventures-of-dave · 1 year

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I thought there was a breed of short-legged cats where the trait wasn’t connected to anything harmful, but now you’re saying Munchkins are unhealthy. Is there some other breed I’m getting them mixed up with or do I need to completely bin my daydream of getting a stumpy lil’ cat?

I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but I'm referring to the same short-legged breed. All short legged cat breeds (napoleon, rughugger, scottish kilt, minuet, minskin, etc) all can be traced back to mixes with the Munchkin cat.

Physical health-wise Munchkins are better off than some other breeds, though due to their short legs they have a greater chance at developing things like osteoarthritis. There is some evidence munchkins also have deformations or malalignment of their limbs, though this hasn't been studied extensively. The gene that causes the short legs is also lethal when a cat has two copies, meaning like the burmese and bombay, poor breeding practices can lead to stillborn kittens.

Another issue that stems from Munchkins are the fact that their main breed trait (the short legs) prevents them from fulfilling usual cat behaviours like climbing, running, scratching, grooming, and jumping. Some Munchkins fare better than others, but research suggests cats of that breed will suffer some lower quality of life due to the limitations of their shorter legs on their ability to act like cats.

You can read more about Munchkins and their health here and here. I do have to note that Munchkins are not an extensively researched breed, so there may or may not be further underlying issues related to their short legs.

#munchkin #oniongrass #pet injury mention #pet death mention #ask #thanks for the ask!

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release-the-hound · 4 months

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If you're ever worried about giving your dog a silly haircut, I promise you won't regret it.

#shortbread biscuit the scottish terrier #dogblr #dogs #scotties #scottish terriers #dog grooming

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buckychristwrites · 10 months

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Could This Be | Chap. Eleven | j.t.

Pairing: Jamie Tartt x F!Reader

Summary: One minute, you're single and working for AFC Richmond as the team's medic. The next minute, you're in a fake relationship with the team's handsome striker who you know next to nothing about.

Word Count: 5.1k

Warnings: Discussions of Previous Emotional & Physical Domestic Violence. Cussing. Fake Dating

A/N: And that's a wrap! Thank you so much for reading! I hope you all enjoy!!! Also YES i changed Beard's wedding to fit my needs SUE ME

Masterlist | Could This Be Masterlist | Main Blog

The only thing you could hear was Keeley’s sobs as she leaned on your shoulder.

“Keeley, please!” You whispered, trying hard not to laugh through your own tears. “You’re being so loud!”

“I just love weddin’s so much,” She choked out as she tried to wipe her face without smearing her makeup.

The backdrop of the wedding was stunning, in the beautiful garden of a Scottish castle with the sunset painting the world from behind. Standing between Jamie and Keeley, you found yourself choking up during their hand written vows. Although, the sentimentality of it wore off after the eighth page of Beard’s. And that was only the halfway mark.

With the ceremony over, and the bride and groom off to take a quick set of pictures, everyone was filing inside to get to the reception.

Hand in hand, you walked through the grass with Jamie, as Keeley was linked to Roy on the other side.

“Can we have a wedding here?” Keeley asked Roy, looking at him with a pout in her lip. His expression didn’t falter.

“No.”

Her lip poked out further.

“Why not?”

“Fuckin’ stupid to have a weddin’ outside in England. The risk of rain is too high,” He explained, in a logical way that made a lot of sense. Keeley considered this, although she still had the pout on her face.

“Where would you get married?” She asked, turning to you. You were taken aback by the question, the heat filling your cheeks and burning them from the inside out. Although you refused to look at him, you felt Jamie give your hand a squeeze.

“I don’t think I’d want a big wedding,” You admitted. “I’d be fine with the courthouse.”

“Really?” The shock in her voice was evident, her staring at you like you had said you’d like to get married in the mouth of a shark. She looked to Jamie. “What about you?”

His gaze fell to the grass, shaking his head before pointing at you with his free hand. “Whatever the lady says.”

It had been an awkward morning.

The hotel room that had been booked for you was the same hotel room that was booked for Jamie, as it was assumed that you two would’ve done that anyway. And, obviously, that meant that the room only had one bed. It was a regal room, decorated as if it were plucked out of Buckingham Palace and placed inside this castle for you to stay in. After a hearty debate on what to do. as there was no couch in the room that could properly accommodate a person, the two of you decided to just share the bed. Jamie on the left side, you on the right side. The two of you mumbled good night to each other before switching off the lights and turning to face the opposite walls. Which was fine and dandy.

Until you woke up pressed into Jamie’s bare chest, his arms wrapped around you. You had no recollection of moving, having definitely been on your own side when you went to bed the night prior. Was he shirtless when he went to bed? He must’ve been. It was like waking up from a dream to another one, your face against his skin and his chest rising and falling against yours. And for a long time, you allowed yourself to stay like that. It wasn’t scary. It wasn’t weird. It felt normal. Like you had been waking up this way for years and years.

It made you think of when you and him slept together. When he spent the night and left the following morning. He had woken up before you, and was out of bed by the time you awoke. Had this happened then, too?

Your eyes had snapped shut when he shifted, and for a brief moment, he seemed just as content as you. Then, suddenly, he was out of the bed so fast that you almost rolled off the mattress in stunned confusion. The exchange was brilliantly painful, as he apologised and rushed to the bathroom while you got yourself together and dressed before fleeing the room entirely.

The incident had completely shattered the groove the two of you had. Ever since, you had no idea how to act, and neither did he. All morning, you two stumbled around each other, as if you hadn’t been kissing and holding each other in public for about a month at this point. Maybe it was the fact that it was a moment in private, a thoughtless act in a place where there was no fear or rationale to fight through. Just two fake yet somehow real lovers, entwined.

“I can’t see you settlin’ for a courthouse,” Roy said, eyes narrowed at Jamie. “Jamie Tartt’s weddin’? In a fuckin’ courthouse?”

Jamie shrugged before saying, “I don’t think anything I do with her is settling.”

The butterflies in your stomach made you nauseous.

The interior of the castle was decorated so beautifully for the wedding. Fresh flowers were everywhere, filling the room with a lovely scent. Candles were everywhere, a stunning flicker against the setting sun that was shining through the windows. Against the wall were rows and rows of tables, filled to the brim with food. Your mouth began to water. The morning had been so hectic that you had forgotten to eat.

“I will die if I don’t get food soon,” You mumbled to Jamie as the two of you followed Keely and Roy to the assigned table.

“I think we have to wait,” Jamie responded, looking around. No one else even approached the buffet tables. It made your heart want to cry.

Jamie pulled out the chair for you at the table, allowing you to sit before taking the seat to your right. In the middle of the table were appetisers, a feature you weren’t expecting. Both Jamie and yourself immediately reached forward to grab a random assortment.

“Do you think we’re supposed to eat yet?” Keeley asked, looking around nervously to see if others were eating off the plates on their tables.

“I don’t fucking care,” You said before shoving a mini sandwich into your mouth.

“Oh fine,” She said, reaching for the plate of what looked like stuffed mushrooms. Jamie, at the same time, also reached for one.

“It’s got a weird smell to it,” Keeley remarked as she examined it.

“You could still like it,” You pointed out to her. “Maybe plug your nose before you eat it.” She stared at the stuffed mushroom sceptically before popping the whole thing in her mouth. Instantly, she shut her eyes.

“Oh, it’s fucking wonderful,” She exhaled. “You have to try one.”

Your fingers were on the cusp of grabbing one when Jamie grabbed your hand.

“Oi. Those have lobster in them.”

“Does it?” Keeley asked loudly before grabbing another one to examine it. Slowly lowering your arm back down to the table, Jamie still had a soft grasp on your wrist.

“Oh my god, it does!” She exclaimed, leaning forward. “I almost killed ya. I’m so sorry.”

Jamie rose from his seat, leaning towards you before saying, “I’m running to the toilet.” As he walked away, you watched him until he disappeared down a hallway.

“I’m so glad you two found each other,” Keeley said, and it was then that you noticed she had moved into his seat when you weren’t paying attention. As you turned your head towards her, your gaze lingered on the hallway he disappeared down for another moment before jumping back to her.

“I spent months during our relationship wishing he would look at me the way he looks at you.”

You smiled down at your lap.

“It’s not real,” You said without thinking. “None of it is real.” Keeley looked surprised at your sentiment briefly. She leaned forward, placing her hand over yours.

“Of course it’s real, babe,” She said softly. “Anyone can see how much he loves you, and how much you love him. And you should hear how he talks about ya when you’re not around.”

This made you look up. Opening your mouth to speak, you were interrupted by the music getting louder. It was time for the bride and groom to make their entrance. Just before they made their entrance, Jamie rushed in with his head down. Keeley spotted him just in time to switch back to her own seat.

You leaned towards Roy. “Aren’t you supposed to be up there too?”

“Fuck no. I hate this shit, and told Beard I wouldn’t do it.”

The room erupted in applause as Coach Beard and Jane made their entrance, dancing down the pathway in the middle of the room towards the table set just for them. It took you a second to realise that everyone around you had stood up, and you quickly shot out of your seat to join them. You heard a laugh from behind you, and you had to resist the urge to shoot Jamie a dirty look.

An announcement was made that the buffet was now open, and before you knew it, you were rushing over to join the line.

The options felt endless and chaotic, which, in fairness, really encapsulated Beard and Jane’s entire relationship quite nicely. There was pizza, pasta, chicken tenders, burgers, fries, a salad bar. If you thought of any sort of American cuisine, it was probably somewhere on that table.

“What’re ya grabbin’?” Jamie asked, leaning over your shoulder as you used a pair of tongs to pick up some fries.

“Probably everything,” You admitted, your stomach picking that exact moment to let out a loud rumble. As you set a few chicken tenders on the plate, Jamie reached over and grabbed a fry off your dish, plopping it in his mouth as yours fell agape.

“That was mine!” You whined. “Get your own!”

“Why would I do that when you’re doin’ it for me?” He asked, grabbing a tender from your dish and taking a bite. It was hard to feel genuinely offended when he was smiling at you the way he was.

“I’m gonna starve to death because of you,” You said, feigning the offence as best as you could. “Then you’ll feel really bad, won’t you?”

His laugh could be heard over the music, a symphony filling your ears that drowned out every other sound.

“Fine,” He said, putting some fries on his own plate. “I won’t deprive ya anymore, darlin’.”

“Thank fuck,” Roy said from behind him. “If I had to keep watchin’ this, I’d have to throw up on the bride.” A crinkle formed between your eyebrows.

“I don’t think you’d have to throw up right on the bride,” You pointed out. He shook his head.

“I would,” He declared. “You two would force me to.”

“Plenty of other places to vomit, I think,” Jamie added.

“And yet, it would be right on the bride. And after, I’d tell her it was because of the both of you.”

Once back at the table, you dug into your food without much conversation. You mainly spent the time looking around. For the most part, the wedding was smaller than you had imagined it to be. It was just the team, Jane’s family, and then a random assortment of people who they both knew.

The maid of honour rose from her seat, clearing her throat before bringing her mouth to the microphone.

“Here we go,” Jamie muttered, continuing to eat.

“Is it bad that I hate these speeches?” You whispered to him. “Like I’m here for the bride and groom… why do I care about what some other random person has to say about it?”

“It’s like, I don’t need their full story of how they know the couple, ‘cos I don’t care ‘bout them at all. They ain’t who I’m here for,” He mumbled in agreement.

“And then they’re trying so hard to say something thought provoking and profound…”

“Okay, sweetheart, you’re not the next Hemingway or some shit.”

“Exactly! I won’t be using your speech in my instagram captions anytime soon.”

Roy grunted from across the table and the both of you stopped talking. You continued to eat your food and didn’t listen to the speech that was given. The applause of the small crowd alerted you to the end, and you kindly set down your plate and joined in.

“Your turn?” Jamie asked, gesturing his fork towards Roy. To the surprise of both of you, Roy shook his head.

“No speech from me,” He said simply. Jamie and you exchanged a look before turning back to him.

“Not entering with everyone else is one thing,” You said, face scrunched in annoyance and confusion towards your friend. “But not doing the best man's speech? Roy, please.” But he simply shook his head, in lieu of words, before nodding behind you as the sound of the doors clicking open echoed through the hall. Everyone in the room turned in their seats, curious by the new entrance being made.

“Sorry I’m late.” The familiarity of the voice made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Your head snapped in Roy’s direction, who, in rare form, was smiling.

You turned back towards the door in time to see the former AFC Richmond Coach, Ted Lasso himself enter the room.

“Airport lost my luggage. Had to find a store that could get me a tux faster than lickity split.”

Coach Beard shrieked.

Half of the room was flying out of their seats, Jamie and Keeley included.

The entire AFC Richmond team surrounded Ted, loud cheers and shouts coming from their direction. He was laughing, giving each member a hand shake or- most commonly- a big hug. The excitement was contagious, the smile never waning from your face. Though you knew Ted as well, you stayed in your seat and watched the purifying scene in front of you. There would be chances to say hello later.

“You big fucking softie,” You said to Roy, turning back to face him. “You arranged this for them, didn’t you?”

“I would arrange anything to get out of givin’ a speech.” Despite what he said, the smile tugging at his lips gave the answer you were looking for.

Jamie was the last to hug Ted before the team all excitedly went back to their seats. As Jamie sat down, you noted him wiping tears from his eyes. Coach Beard was standing, but he never left the spot next to his new bride. Ted cleared his throat before turning back to his friend.

“Wrote a little somethin’ on the plane,” He continued, taking out a couple of pieces of paper out of his jacket pocket and unfolding them. “There are many perfect pairs in our world’s history. Peanut butter and jelly. McCartney and Lennon. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. And, at least in my world, these two have joined those ranks.” he looked around at the crowd wistfully. Everyone was on the edge of their seats, waiting to hear what he was going to say. “What a powerful love we’ve all gotten to witness, and now see come together.” He smiled, shaking his head. “It’s the kind of love we all wish we had.”

Subconsciously, you looked over at Jamie, only to find he was already looking at you.

“When I met our friend Coach Beard here, he was a lost vessel of a man, tryin’ to find his place in a broken society. Watchin’ his transformation into the loving, quiet, passionate man he is today is a privilege, and so is calling him my best friend.” Tears were streaming down Coach Beard’s face in bucketfuls. Ted gave another small head shake. If you looked close enough, you could see the tears forming in his eyes, as well. “He found Jane exactly when he was meant to, when he was ready to.”

Jamie took your hand in his, giving it a tight squeeze.

“I know that these two will be making each other happy for the rest of their lives. Playing chess without a board. Being silly and loud and weird in a way only they understand. And I hope we can all agree when I say I can’t wait to be there to see it.”

Your heart in your chest was thumping a million times a minute as you looked at Jamie, electricity shooting down your spine. His attention was back on Ted, eyes and cheeks wet.

“To end this out, I have a quote from one of the best romantic dramas to grace this Earth.” Ted took a deep breath before continuing. “‘I don't want to sound foolish, but remember love is what brought you here. And if you've trusted love this far, don't panic now. Trust it all the way.’” Ted gave a smile. “Congratulations to my friends, Beard and Jane.” A waiter walked up with a glass of champagne, handing it to him. “Thanks, bud.” He raised the glass in the air. “To a lifetime of being weird together.”

Everyone began cheering and applauding as they raised their glasses to Beard and Jane. Beard basically jumped over the table and ran into the arms of his friend. Seeing them together again made tears spring into your eyes.

“Fuck you, Roy,” You said as you dabbed at your eyes with a napkin.

“The fuck did I do?”

“If you had given the speech, I wouldn’t be crying right now.” He grunted.

“Actually, you should’ve heard what he had prepared before asking Ted,” Keeley said, shaking her head. “‘Bout bawled my eyes out.”

“Yeah,” Roy added. “You should be thankin’ me.”

“I’ll stick with telling you to fuck yourself.”

Ted returned the microphone to the DJ before making his way over. Roy stood and gave him a hug, the both of them giving the other a loving clap on the back. He leaned down and hugged Keeley, mumbling a greeting into her ear that you couldn’t hear over the start of the first dance.

“And here’s my favourite medic,” Ted said excitedly as he leaned down to hug you.

“My favourite former AFC Richmond coach,” You said as you hugged him back. He kissed your cheek before letting you go, a glowing smile on his face.

“I heard you’re finally making my man here settle down,” He said, clapping a hand on Jamie’s shoulder. A warmth filled your cheeks as you glanced at Jamie, the realisation hitting you that his hand was still holding yours.

“I think it’s him settling me down, honestly,” You told him. Ted chuckled.

“That doesn’t sound like something I’d hear about the old Jamie,” He said, shaking his head before turning towards the footballer. “I’m still so proud of the man you’ve become.”

Jamie’s eyes were welling up again as he looked up at his former coach.

“Couldn’t have gotten here without ya, Coach.” Ted shook his head.

“You were always destined for better. Can’t give me all the credit,” He said simply, giving Jamie’s shoulder one last squeeze and wandering off. When Jamie turned to face the table again, his hand was against his chest, and it stayed there for a long time before dropping down to his lap once more.

Once the first dance ended, the music switched to another slow song, the dance floor filling up with couples sharing a dance.

“Wanna dance with me?” Jamie asked, raising his eyebrows at you as he stood from his seat. You smiled, not speaking as you stood up with him.

Finding an empty corner on the dance floor, Jamie turned and took a step closer to you. Your lungs forced a deep exhale before you draped your arms over his shoulders, his hands on your hips as you and him began to sway to the music.

“Sorry ‘bout this mornin’,” He said sheepishly as he took a look around. “Just caught me off guard, is all.”

“It’s fine. Caught me off guard too,” You admitted. Nodding his head, he turned back to face you. The light was hitting his eyes in just the right way, adding a twinkle as he stared directly into yours.

“Dunno why it felt so weird,” He said, a furrow forming in his eyebrow. “Like, we’ve actually slept together, and yet wakin’ up like that tossed us, d’ya know what I mean?” You nodded, not saying anything for a while. You knew exactly why it felt weird. The dynamic was largely different before that night spent together. Feelings hadn’t been put on the table yet. There was one thing he was wrong about though.

“It rocked me,” You said in a distant tone as you stared off into the dancing crowd. “Us sleeping together.” A beat passed. “In more ways than one, I should say.” He laughed at your joke, despite continuing to look confused.

“How?”

Your eyes trailed back to look into his.

“It made this real,” You said, biting your cheek tersely before going on. “And it made me afraid… so afraid. That’s why… That’s why I said what I said before the last match.”

You were very aware in this moment of his hands on your hips, and his eyes searching your face.

“What are ya afraid of?” He asked, as if the question had been lingering in his mind for too long. You swallowed down the lump in your throat.

“That you’ll see right through me,” You said quietly. “And that’ll cause you to leave, eventually.” He leaned in slightly closer.

“Do ya wanna hear a secret?”

Confused, you nodded.

“I already see right through you,” He said so quietly that no one could overhear. “And that’s what’s been makin’ me stay.”

It felt like your brain was short circuiting. All you could do was stare at him, trying and failing to process what he said. The music stopped and the bride was getting ready to throw the bouquet, not that you noticed. Keeley ran over to grab your hand and drag you away from Jamie, who was smiling softly as you were pulled away. The two of you joined the group of women already lined up to fight for the bundle of flowers, and their supposed chance at marriage.

“Get ready!” Keeley said in a voice that suggested that she would spill blood in order to catch this bouquet. Taking a slight step away from her, you turned to the front just as the bride threw the bouquet. Without moving a muscle, in true romantic comedy fashion, the bouquet landed easily into your hands. If it hadn’t been so easy, maybe you wouldn’t have been so surprised. But Keeley still yelled out in excitement for you.

“YES BABE!” She shrieked, throwing your hand up in the air and spinning around towards Jamie. “Tartt! You’re next!”

Jamie’s face was beet red as he was being congratulated by the members of the team, who had all gathered to watch the bouquet toss. They grabbed him and shook his shoulders, or smacked his back playfully. His eyes landed on you, his smile wide, as your brain went right back to stalling out.

You stared at the flowers in your hand. It felt like something had just changed in your head. Something clicked. You took a look around, trying to see if anyone else was also feeling this way. But no. Why would they? It was just you. When your eyes found the flowers once more, you let out a staggered breath. A drip of sweat was running down your spine. When did it get so hot in here?

As the men gathered to do whatever Coach’s equivalent to the garter toss was, as Jane insisted that there would be no taking pieces of clothing off her body and throwing it into a crowd of men, you snuck out of the dance hall and made your way outside. Your lungs felt like you were stuck in a building on fire, desperate for oxygen.

The back garden felt like a maze as you walked along the pathways, surrounded by shrubbery and flowers. A set of steps lead down to more of the same. The whole area was well lit with lanterns, which you were grateful for.

A second set of steps lead to a field of grass, which ended with a large lake. In the middle was an island that had a giant tree, almost like a fairytale. Slipping out of your shoes and leaving them on the steps, you walked through the grass and towards the water. The grass felt amazing against your feet paired with the cool breeze kissing your skin. The flowers were still in your hands, held against your chest as if you were walking down the aisle yourself.

Overwhelmed was an understatement.

He found Jane exactly when he was meant to, when he was ready to.

‘I don't want to sound foolish, but remember love is what brought you here. And if you've trusted love this far, don't panic now. Trust it all the way.’

Was that why it happened the way it did? Was that why that one summer evening, at a house party in Keeley’s backyard, you were catapulted into the whirlwind fake romance that you didn’t ask for? Because you were ready to move on from the arsehole who broke you in more ways than one? You certainly didn’t feel ready at that time.

But you were now.

It hit you like a tsunami making contact with land.

It couldn’t wait another minute. There was no sense. A perfectly good man, who was kind, loving, and not a hurtful bone in his body was right there, waiting for you to decide that you were willing to put aside your hurt and pain to be with him. It felt so senseless. There was never going to be a perfect time. A time where you were perfectly mentally healthy and over your trauma. He knew of the ghosts of your past and the damage you had been dealt, and still loved you anyway.

Maybe you didn’t have to be completely over the mountain in order to let him in. Maybe that was the point. He wasn’t waiting for you at the peak. He wanted to help you get there.

“Oi! You alright?”

When you turned, Jamie was making his way through the grass towards you. Tangling from his hands were the shoes you had just taken off. “Not goin’ for a swim, are ya?”

You shook your head, breathing out a shaky laugh.

“Too cold for swimming, I think,” You replied. He stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

You swallowed hard.

“I’m ready.”

The moon shined off his face, so you could just make out the confusion filling his expression.

“To leave?” He asked. “We just got here-”

“No, Jamie,” You said firmly, taking a small step forward. His arms seemed to fall closer to his sides as he waited. You took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

Realisation fell over him, his eyebrows raising to his hairline as his mouth formed into an O shape. He took a step forward, appearing as if it was involuntary.

“What changed?” He set your shoes down onto the grass.

You glanced down at the flowers before looking back at him.

“Nothing.” Pause. “Everything.”

Carefully, he began to walk towards you, as if your mind would be changed by his speed. With every step, your heart beat faster, almost taking off out of your chest by the time he stopped directly in front of you.

“You better mean it, if you say it,” He said in a low voice, slightly quaking. “Don’t do me any favours-”

“I mean it,” You interrupted, shaking your head. “It wasn’t the wedding. Or me feeling lonely or some other dumb shit. It was me being tired of wasting time pretending like this isn’t real. Like I’m not stupid in love with you.” A tear fell down your cheek in a way that was annoying, but you kept going anyway. “I’m sorry for taking so long. I’m so sorry.”

His lips were crashing into yours before you had the chance to realise he was even leaning in. The bouquet fell to the ground. His left hand was holding your face tightly, as if he feared you would pull away, his right arm tight around your waist. While you had one hand tangled in his hair, the other had the collar of his shirt wrapped in a fist.

“I love ya,” He mumbled against your lips as he continued to kiss you.

“Say it again.”

He pulled away from you, giving you a look before bringing a kiss to your forehead.

“I love ya.”

A kiss to your temple.

“I love ya.”

A kiss to your other temple.

“I love ya.”

A kiss to your cheek.

“I love ya.”

A kiss to your other cheek.

“I love ya.”

A kiss to your nose.

He leaned in close to your face, his breath hot against your cheeks

“I love ya.”

Then he was kissing you again. The wind blew passed, but you already had a shiver shooting up your spine, making it hard to feel the cold in the air. He ran his hands up and down your arms, from the tops of your shoulders to the ends of your fingertips.

“Fuckin’ hell.”

He shrugged off his jacket, and was throwing it over your shoulders before the kiss had even ended.

“Fuckin’ freezin’, you are. Why didn’t you say somethin’?” He asked before pulling away. Laughing as he adjusted the jacket on you, he leaned back to admire how it looked. You shrugged, looking brightly at him.

“I didn’t notice,” You admitted. Because you hadn’t noticed. You were too wrapped up in his warmth.

“Alright, goofy, let’s go back inside.”

He wrapped an arm around your shoulder, pulling you close as he lead you back towards the garden.

“Only if you dance with me again,” You told him, bumping your hip into yours.

He looked over at you, smile full and eyes wide, before saying, “For you, love, we can do whatever you want.”

And for the first time in your life, you knew without a doubt that as long as he was by your side, you would never have a want or beg for anything again.