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catt-marp · 4 months

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A Shoulder To Lean On

“This sucks so much shit, dude.”

Kyle almost spat the words, his frustration boiling over. Star pitcher of the prestigious Driftveil University baseball team, knocked out for the indefinite future because of his own shitty anatomy and bad luck. At least, that’s what he thought. Big burst of pain on the inner side of his elbow after throwing a pitch deep into a game. That’s all it took. Apparently he tore a ligament in his arm? Bullshit.

Surgery on his ligament took place a few months back. During the intervening time, countless people assured him that only the best surgeons worked on his precious arm. They better have–those knife-wielding playing-god motherfuckers held his entire future in their shaky hands. When they told him about the expected recovery time, he flipped his lid faster than his Arceus-damned fastball. A year?

Which led him to today, mulling over the inherent unfairness of the world from his spot on an exercise table in a physical therapist‘s office in downtown Driftveil.

He’d suffered through months of nothing but the simplest of exercises and stretches on the recommendation of his trainer. No throwing, no sprinting, nothing. The most excitement he’d had was riding a stationary bike at a leisurely pace through a computer-generated meadow projected on the screens of his exercise equipment. Absolutely thrilling stuff.

He’d protested, but doctors and trainers alike insisted that any more “strenuous” exercises could risk increasing the time to return to peak form. Worse, the wrong “stress” could lead to permanent losses. Kyle was stubborn and frustrated and annoyed, but he wasn’t an idiot.

Give it time and do what you’re told. That mantra repeated in the back of his mind over and over.

Finally, FINALLY, the news came that he could advance on his treatment plan. Did that mean he’d get to throw the ball again? Some Janitor throws, or step back pivot tosses? Maybe even a towel drill?

No, of course not. It just meant it was time for some slightly different silly stretches. He wanted to scream.

Instead, he worked his shoulder muscles for the billionth time.

“All of the shit. Just draining down the back of my throat. Nasty, disgusting, diarrhea shits.”

“You humans are strange sometimes.”

The voice had come out of nowhere, a deep baritone woven within an electronic pattern; the sign of a functioning translation device. The sound heralded Kyle’s villain for the day, the reason for his sour mood.

Stupid Pokémon.

Kyle turned to face the perpetrator. A colossal wall of a Throh greeted him, a stoic look on his face. The standard physical therapist’s outfit of loose, dark blue scrubs replaced the more traditional judogi his species normally wore. Located over the left side of his chest, a badge held an ID photo of the Throh, his name written above in text too small for Kyle to make out. The text he could make out was more important, after all. Physical Therapist.

Who decided it was a good idea to let their pet play pretend?

“Listen, Mr. Muppet Man, I’m just trying to work through the stress of my life being thrown directly into a blender, alright?”

A bit more venom escaped in his words than he expected, but his frustration felt justified. His Physical Therapist left him with these useless repetitive motions before leaving the room to take a call. She said Kyle would be fine with her partner, who was standing off to the side of the room for the duration of his appointment until this point. He spotted the Judo Pokémon greeting him with a small wave when he first got settled in his exercise room, but he had not made himself known until now.

The Throh arched his brow at the remark, but if it upset him, he made no note of it. He slowly ambled towards Kyle.

“My apologies for this…thing,” he said, gesturing toward the translator device pinned to his uniform near his badge. It took Kyle a moment to realize that the deep voice lacked any electronic hum. “I can speak Human, but…must be clear for care of patients.”

With a flick of a switch on the side of the device, it lit up again with a brilliant green light, indicating it was working. The Throh pulled a chair alongside him and sat down next to the table Kyle was using. He made eye contact with Kyle, a calm look on his face.

“Sorry for the late introduction. Toshiro’s the name, physical therapy is my game, believe it or not. I just felt your words were strange. But many humans say strange words here,” Toshiro said, tilting his head to the side in thought.

Kyle realized quickly he much preferred when the big lug of a Pokémon pretended to be a statue and not his trainer.

“We do that when we are frustrated, I guess. Start spewing whatever’s on the top of our head. Like yes, my elbow is getting so much better by stretching my back and shoulder. Of course that makes perfect sense.”

Toshiro nodded along, not appearing to pick up on the sarcasm dripping from Kyle’s words.

“That was ironic, Throh. This is stupid,” he growled, putting a little emphasis on the words to make his meaning clear to the stupid fighting creature.

A frown split Toshiro’s neutral expression. “Did Sarah not explain at the start of this visit? Or did I mishear her?”

Kyle had not misheard her; he just didn’t care for the details. He needed to ease himself in and strengthen muscles. Not mess things up long term. Things he knew, but he found that thinking about them repetitively was worse than the physical repetitions he was oh so familiar with at this point.

“No, please enlighten me, Mr. Physical Therapist,” Kyle said in the most sickly sweet voice he could muster.

Without a word of complaint, Toshiro got up and walked over to stand on the right side of Kyle.

“May I examine your arm?” the Throh asked, tone professional.

Arm held out, Kyle internally rolled his eyes at the lack of a rise at his words. It looked like the big lug was actually trying to help him, so he would do as asked and pay attention. He could do that much, even though he just expected a parroting of what he heard before from Sarah. This was her Pokémon after all, right?

Toshiro took hold of Kyle’s arm, one hand on the upper part and another on the lower.

“You had a total tear of your UCL–it’s the ligament on the inside of your elbow that connects the bone in your upper arm and lower arm. The surgeons took some tissue from somewhere else on your body or had a donor to replace the torn ligament. You most recently had the elbow brace removed that was being used as a support for the last month or so. All this sound correct?”

Kyle nodded, uncertain where Toshiro was going with this, but willing to play along.

“Studies suggest the best way to give athletes a chance of full recovery is through ensuring surrounding muscular structures remain active and strong. These have also revealed that these injuries can lead to long-term balance issues and problems with shoulder joints. This leads to muscle deficits in the medial flexor-pronator complex because of maximum activation during–oh sorry, I got ahead of myself there. Does that make sense?” Toshiro said, pausing for a moment with a sheepish expression on his face.

Kyle blinked. Sarah had not gone into this amount of detail. The young man had goals of being the best pitcher he could be, so he knew more about the mechanics of arm muscles and structures than most people thought. That the Pokémon next to him knew this much and could go into even more detail if pressed surprised Kyle. Thoughts of books and judging covers crossed his mind before he returned to the conversation.

“Yeah, it does. What else ya got for me?” he said, a sudden burst of energy filling his words.

A smile grew on Toshiro’s face as his hand on Kyle’s upper arm moved up to the athlete's shoulder as he continued, “Well, the elbow itself functions as a sort of kinetic chain, where all the structures in tandem work together to ensure proper delivery of force and power. Because of this, strengthening not only surrounding muscles, but the muscles in your core and in your hips, will give you a greater chance of recovering well and getting back to your pitching goals.” He paused for a second to wait for questions. Kyle had none, but watched Toshiro with rapt attention, as if asking for more. “Research has shown that focusing on the shoulder, wrist, legs, and your abdomen decreases stress on the elbow and aids in its own recovery.”

Kyle mused on these thoughts for a moment. Strengthening the body as a whole could improve the individual parts, huh? He supposed that made sense and could work with that. Better than nothing. The question from before barged its way into his mind, however, demanding an answer.

“Okay, I understand that. More detailed than Sarah, but still the focus is on everything but the injured part of my body! Why can’t I start with elbow stuff? Isn’t doing nothing about it also bad?”

Toshiro kept his same polite expression, moving the hand on Kyle’s forearm up to the elbow proper while the other remained on Kyle’s right shoulder. He gently took hold of the elbow, and then rotated Kyle’s arm at the shoulder joint a few times to test something only he was aware of. No wince or grimace of pain appeared on the young man’s face.

“Right, here’s the thing. The plan was to move forward by adding elbow-focused exercises, but only once the soreness improved and you could move your elbow without pain. We will continue to provide pain relief–like the ultrasound machine, electric stimulation, muscle manipulation, and more throughout all this. Not to cause any grief, but, well, Sarah mentioned this near the end of her explanation, but you appeared a little…distracted, I suppose, and may have missed it?”

Kyle groaned and looked back on that conversation about half an hour prior. Yes, she had mentioned something about “next steps,” hadn’t she? Ugh, how embarrassing, he thought. He blamed the frustration and lack of specific answers. No one had tried starting off with this much detail before.

“Okay, yeah, uh…shit, she said something like that? I wouldn’t miss shit like that if people didn’t baby me, though. I care enough about my future to look into this stuff, y’know?”

Toshiro kept manipulating his elbow and doing the soft-tissue mobilizations they told Kyle about previously while he spoke without missing a beat. “Did you ask? Everyone on our team is happy to share as much or as little information with patients, as long as you understand the important stuff.”

Heat filled Kyle’s cheeks. He had not, in fact, asked. Stupid, idiotic, boneheaded play. The frustration from before swelled, but not directed at any of the people he had worked with. No, this was all directed straight at himself. He stewed a bit in these thoughts, but his lack of an answer was one enough for Toshiro.

“Hey, it’s fine, you know? You’re not wrong. It is a major, life-changing event for you, and even doing everything right can lead to injuries like this,” he said, taking a hand off Kyle’s shoulder and clapping his back in a reassuring manner. “Your frustration, your fears, these are valid feelings. We are only here to help you through this and get you to where you yourself want to be, aye?”

The room was still, with neither of the two moving for a moment as Kyle processed the words. He would never admit how touched he was by the words. A rueful smile spread across his own face, thinking of his behavior and his own first impressions of Toshiro. He had definitely jumped the gun on this guy.

“You’re right. I am frustrated. But I apologize for my words earlier. They were fucking rude,” Kyle said, moving to rub his left hand on the back of his head. “And, uh, I’d like to hear more if you’re willing to work with me.”

He looked away as he said this, more embarrassed with himself than anything. A chuckle escaped the Throh, untranslated; the sound felt like it came from a deeper register than possible. It finally, truly hit Kyle how his trainer actually was a Pokémon, not human.

“Of course, Kyle. What other questions do you have?” Toshiro moved back, ready to continue this session in Sarah’s absence.

The frustration at his situation no longer overran Kyle’s thoughts. It was still there, and he didn’t think it would go away throughout the entire length of this recovery period. This was bullshit. But the drive to improve, to listen, and to better himself was never stronger, and all it took was a brief chat with a Pokémon.

Actually, Kyle thought, it was a chat with a good physical therapist.

#pokemon #oc #throh #drama #medical #physical health #physical therapy #recovery #healing #self reflection #introspection #baseball #ulnar collateral ligament #UCL tear #pitcher

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anadiasmount · 4 months

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along with you - jude bellingham x reader.

GIF by anchyxsblog

quick sum: when giving him a taste of his own medicine, doesn't work out the way you planned... frustrated with your sudden change, jude is faced with his biggest fear, when all he wants is to be along with you.

wc: 2.5k | masterlist | jude’s masterlist

psa🗣️: hiii!! seems like the theme on here is angst to fluff, so here’s a fic!! also my lovely @judethluvr has wrote a fic similar to this so please check it out here! like always, hope you enjoy! 🤍

“you’re stressing me out jude! please all i'm asking is five minutes in peace!” you yelled, covering your head and walking away from an agitated jude. “y/n you started this? what are you talking about? all i’m asking is why you did come to today's game?” jude followed behind, talking with his hands.

“why would i jude? it’s not like you even wanted me there,” you laugh sarcastically, crossing your arms and facing a confused jude. “i heard what you said in your stupid interview yesterday and today. i’m not going to a place i’m not wanted or invited!” you stressed, feeling tears wanting to run down you’re cheeks.

it had been a rough start for you, not for jude. top goal scorer in the league, back to back man of the matches, top of the group table in the UCL. he had no trouble quickly adapting to a new city and country. while you had it different, the language barrier, your new school, and job, friends. you had no one here besides jude.

it was easier in germany where you could easily travel to him by train or plane. it was closer to england, and your home. where your family and friends were. you could spend the weekend there and come back for school and work. when jude asked you to move with you were estatic, more than grateful to have a partner like him who respects and values you always.

madrid was interesting start. the move was easy and finding the home was better. spending constant nights on the single couch and eating takeout because his and yours stuff from germany had been delayed. when jude became the new sensation, you didn’t expect the constant stalking, digging into your private life, crowds everywhere you went together even if you had tried to hide from them.

you could never get used to it, and it was becoming difficult when jude started to feed into that attention. spending more nights out with his team than at here with you. he constantly forgot about events you had, when you never forgot any of his. always there when he asked and said. you just wanted jude here. your jude.

“what are you in about? what did i even say?”jude tries to defend him, coping your movements by crossing his arms. “you know exactly what you said. i refuse to be treated like a plate for a second table. if you think i can’t be enough for you tell ME not the whole world?” you say, looking at the floor.

“all i want is for you to start being there for me. i missed one game jude, one game. you missed so many of my events since we moved here because you’re so focused on what’s ahead instead of what’s and who’s around you, living life in the moment. i’m tired, i’m tired of you acting selfish.”

you had said it. you always spoke your truth. if they wanted to listen, you’d speak until you felt the need to stop. you were humble and honest, which jude loved. but right now he felt his head would explode from anger and disappointment in himself. his chest tighten at how your words stung and told him to face reality.

“i’m being selfish? it’s my job y/n! i have to think of what’s my future, how i can better in myself and help my teams! just because i missed your events doesn’t mean you should do the same!,” jude stunned you, looking at him with wide eyes. sadness disappearing and now fury filling your veins.

“you see what i mean! this! this whole new persona and attitude! this wasn’t the jude from a year ago who always cared for those around him. this jude is to stuck, sticking his head in the wrong places. afraid to make any mistakes, because oh god forbid he can’t make them,” you say, voice laced with venom as you’d told up straighter.

“what am i supposed to do y/n? you hardly go out anymore, you’re always here or at work or uni. moaning and always tired, getting to our home late. what about the times i need you here? here with me to spend time with each other? to be there for you along with you?”

jude had finally caught up to the taste of his own medicine. it took him nearly three months to realize what you were doing. he did the same, so why couldn’t you? make him feel what you felt. what he was putting you through.

“excuse my language, but that’s bullshit. i’m always here, you just don’t care enough anymore to see that. i’m done with you testing my patience and limit, jude. if you can see or at least acknowledge where i’m coming from then we should think of our future. since your so good at that these days,” you say shakily, becoming afraid of what his next words would be.

jude saw you. you were standing here begging him, at your most vulnerable and sensitive state. your eyes pleading him to understand. you rarely got like this, and when you did, it absolutely drained you. your muscles felt lose, throat sore, eyes puffy, and head hard at steel. you hated fighting, or even have the smallest arguments, but if they didn’t happen, it wasn’t a healthy relationship.

“maybe i will y/n…” jude said angrily. he felt angrier at himself than the situation. you knew you had your reasons to not go and that was fine. he didn’t expect you to attend always but he needed and wanted you there yesterday. it was hurting him but he knew you were just telling him the truth. the truth that needed to be said the moment he started to change.

“if you feel like that jude, i won’t waste your time any longer. just say the words jude,” you test him, tears falling down your cheeks as you approached him pointing to the floor with your index finger as you spoke. jude tensed, clenching his jaw and swallowed heavily.

you took his silence as an answer, shaking your head as you began to cry and go upstairs. you felt torn and confused at where you two laid. it wasn’t easy. making a choice like that, let alone saying it out loud. your eyes felt red and dry, cheek having stains if your makeup and tears, heart dwelling to make things right even though it shouldn’t be you.

your heart was beating faster, and it didn’t stop the entire evening as you got ready for bed. we’re you really prepared to let him go just like that? just because of miscommunication and wanting to be petty? just because you were asking from his part when you did yours? it wasn’t fair, he was never like that before. he didn’t make you question your every move or word nowadays.

you attempted to fall asleep next to him, but you just couldn’t. your head raced at every interaction and touch with him. tears continued to fall from your eyes as you stared at his back facing you. why did he feel like a stranger all of a sudden? someone you couldn’t read anymore? someone who felt distant and cold? he was your boyfriend!

you couldn't stand it anymore... the distance, the argument, the pain, the confusion. you quickly grabbed your blanket and pillow and headed downstairs to the guest bedroom. you were careful with your movemntst and noise not wanting to wake up jude who desrved his sleep. he overworked himself, and the last thin you wanted was to wake him and him be angry at you again.

once settled in, you tucked yourself into the sheets. you went into a fetal position, tears continuing to fall down your face and landing on the pillow softly. when they rolled down slowly, they tickled your skin. you were super sensitive and when you cried, you cried like your life depended on it. you didn't even feel yourself fall asleep, eyes slowly closing and went complete dark.

jude was still puzzled and disappointed in himself. he sat on the kitchen island left wondering why the hell he isnt fighting for you and make you feel wanted, to fix and do what you were asking for. jude knew you were having trouble adapting here, but he was wrong for thinking you'd get over it. you were right, he was thinking of himself and him only.

he can't even remember the last time doing something for you when you asked. you always agreed with no hesitation, no matter how tired or unsure you were, you were there always. why couldn't he do the same for you? why did he let himself be this naive and selfish and think about him only?

the future he had in his head was getting married, having kids, owning a couple of pets, and traveling to give you the world. jude knew he wanted and needed you here in Madrid, he thought it would be best for both of you, a new chapter, which is why he asked you. you left a whole country, friends and family, your old life for him. and here he was acting ungrateful over a stupid game you didn't attend?

the images of you crying and looking lost at him triggered and were marked in his head. the way you slowly let out a breath of disbelief at his silence before rushing upstairs to lock yourself into the room, jude should've given you the space when you asked but he was eager to know and wanted to listen to how you felt, he should've never pushed or made assumptions about you.

jude couldn't sleep either, overthinking how the situation went. his body was drained from the game and how even he let out a few tears when he was left alone. how he had given the impression he had given up. he blinked rapidly, biting his lip anxiously at how he should approach you or apologize.

"y/n?" jude turned over, panic running up his body as he propped himself up at the sight of an empty bed, sheets ruffled and no pilllow there. he ran into the bathroom, then down the library you use to study, all empty. he walked downstairs figuring you may have gotten a glass of water. but nothing was there. he looked in the final place which was the guest room.

he knocked on the door, met with silence. "y/n? my love are you in there?" he knocked again, a bone inside him telling him you were there just choosing to avoid him. "please y/n..." jude landed his forehead on the wooden door, facing the fact whether to go in or go to sleep. he picked the first option, immediately nervous at the sight of you laying on your side.

you had woken up, your throat felt dry and your eyes even drier than before. you felt the bed sink in, jude lying close to you as you faced the window, eyes following the trace of lights outside caused by the moon. you yawned, closing your eyes and trying to focus on what he would say.

"i know i don't deserve it, but you know i can't sleep when you're not next to me..."

"i'm so stupid y/n... you were right. all along i've thought about myself and stuck my head in place it should've never been. all because i have this fear if i don't do what they say, i will fail. when in the ned i failed you, my sweetest y/n..." jude said softly, mimicking your moves and laying on his side where his chest made contact with your back.

"i should be able to make those mistakes and learn from it, it's a part of being human. one mistake can't define my whole career and life. you and i know i'm better than that. which is why i won't make the mistake of pushing you away when i know i should fight for us." jude kissed your bare shoulder. you could feel your chin tremble and your chest hot as tears threatened to fall again.

"i can't make the mistake of giving up on someone who moved a whole new city for me. make the mistake of walking away from the person who will drop what they're doing just to hold or talk to me. make the biggest mistake of leaving the person i can call home and be safe in. i can't and i refuse to let you go when you belong along with me..." jude cried, his words coming out shakily as he cried as well.

"i'm so sorry y/n. you didn't deserve anything in what i put you through... for how i made you feel? for how i treated you? not anything that was caused by my idiocy. i should've have listened to you, cared for you, maybe even helped you to try and find a solution," jude continued to let out, stopping every now and then to peck your shoulder and neck. showering you with the love and touch you craved.

you hadn't moved, your tears silently killing you from the inside and out as you heard his pleas and cries. your inside burned and you almost felt suffocated at the world for how they threw things at you when you least expected it. "whatever it takes, i will make it up to you. be there for you like you always have been for me. to love and care for like i promised to you that day."

you turned over slowly, meeting jude's brown eyes bloodshot red. you brought your hand to wipe his tears away, kissing the tip of his nose, watching how his eyes fluttered in a relaxed manner. you hugged him, your head finding home in the nape of his neck as you cried. "just hold me, please jude..."

and he did just that, nails raking against your bare back and hand smoothly running up and down your spine as he held you close, afraid to let go. jude knew it was a start and it would take a while for you to fully accept his apology. but he was willing to take anything you wanted or asked for.

"i'm glad you're prepared and know what you want because to me that means security and trust. that i know were on the same page and i won't be afraid of telling you what i want. just please jude, don't ever push me away like you did just to satisfy yourself and others around you..." you demanded, your forehead resting against his.

"i promise princess. you have my word."

your lips were centimeters apart, and with a final push, you closed the distance. jude hummed in delight as you kissed him with pure love and urgency. not pulling away until you giggled and pushed back. "now let's go to sleep, but in our bed, because staying in here is starting to freak me out..." you say laughing. jude picked you up, throwing you over his shoulder as he walked out into the stairs.

"couldn't agree more. let's go to our bed, where i can finally sleep peacefully knowing we're okay..."

#jude bellingham #jude bellingham x reader #jude bellingham imagine #judey thoughts 5️⃣#jude bellingham blurb #jude bellingham one shot #football fanfic #footballer #football x reader

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