#because suddenly he's ted lasso -- A MAN I LOVE

[rqgnarok]

delicate - jamie tartt

fandom: ted lasso

wc: 3,589

warnings: no mentions of specific pronouns for reader, jamie being a lil self deprecating, mentions of his dad, allusions to smut but, like, barely. set in season 2.

summary: jamie hadn’t planned on dating. his reputation’s never been worse. but then he met you.

masterlist / ao3 / ko-fi

Jamie’s nervous.

This shouldn’t even be happening. Dating had been the last thing on his mind after his life fell apart. Leaving Man City, joining and being kicked out of a reality show, and coming back to Richmond with his tail between his legs– it had all been a domino effect; a very bad, terrible, decision after another. 

Jamie hadn’t planned on dating. His reputation’s never been worse. But then he met you. 

He’d gone out to some dive bar with a so-called friend of his– some guy he met during the production of Love Island that loved weed and Jamie’s connections– on a fucking Tuesday, of all days. Jamie was supposed to be in bed because training started at 7 sharp the next morning, and the last thing he needed was to show up late and tired. Instead, he’d been in a back alleyway behind a club downtown, moping and drinking his third fruity drink of the night, sweet and heavy with alcohol. 

It was a stupid idea, but he was lonely. The certified-prick plaque that he usually wore so proudly wasn’t so shiny anymore and his dad had been blowing up his phone about everything he was doing wrong– what he wore, how he combed his hair, who he hung out with, the failures that landed him back at Richmond. 

Jamie had been in need of alcohol and human company and up to that point of the night he was 50% on his way. He was considering finishing his drink and calling it a night when the muffled beat of the music inside the building exploded behind him, becoming so much louder it rattled his teeth.

Someone came out the back door, he realized. You; pretty with your own drink in hand, looking around. Your eyes fell on him and he sat a little straighter on the curb, unsure of what kind of attention he was gonna get.

You blinked. “Oh. Hi. I wasn’t expecting anyone here.”

“Sorry,” he answered automatically. He’d been doing a lot of apologies as of late. “Was a bit stuffy in there, ain’t it? It’s usually alone in here.”

He expected his accent to be a dead giveaway, gearing himself up for a photo or an autograph or a rant about something he’d done to upset you somehow. Instead, you smiled at him and turned towards the ground, shy.

Cute, Jamie had thought. He’d been doomed from the start. 

“Yeah. Don’t know what we were thinking, going out on a Tuesday,” you’d rolled your eyes, referring to the group of friends that had refused to take no for an answer and dragged you clubbing not even halfway through the week. “Like a hangover’s exactly what I need to get through this week.”

“That bad, huh,” Jamie raised his eyebrows in amusement, watching you huff and puff under the streetlight the back of the club offered. He hoped you couldn’t see him very well, his dark jeans and Nikes along with his designer shirt were pretty much footballer prick Jamie Tartt’s trademark, recognizable even to the worst of drunks. But Jamie didn’t want to be recognized, he just wanted to talk to someone. 

“You wouldn’t believe me,” you huffed, sipping your drink and obviously giving him an out. You’d both come out here for some peace and quiet, after all, but Jamie was done with quiet. 

He wanted his friends back. He wanted his efforts to be noticed, for his dad to leave him alone, and to enjoy the company of a pretty stranger at the back of a bar. 

So instead of following your cue, he patted the spot next to him, looking up at you with an attentive expression. “Try me.”

And so you did. You sat next to him and talked until three in the morning. Suddenly the bar was closing and the dark cloud that hung over Jamie’s head for months was momentarily dispersed in your presence. He went home with your number on a napkin and less than four hours to catch up on sleep before he had to go to work, but a happy man.

And, okay, look. Jamie’s popularity is– in the dumps, really. It’s all negativity at this point, and he usually balanced it with good football, but that was back when he took any honest criticism of his person as petty jealousy. Now, with his shattered self-image and after becoming the internet’s laughing stock, he’s been trying his best to keep his head down

since the media and most of England trashes him whenever he dares to take a breath in public. 

At least his mum’s talking to him again, or rather Jamie’s finally picking up when she calls, but things still don’t feel right. He’s playing and getting enough minutes but it’s not a victory if he can’t hug his teammates when he scores a goal. If he comes home to an empty apartment and no messages on his phone, no one to celebrate the night with. 

So, pretty much everyone hates him. Even Keeley’s bordering on forced politeness these days, which says a lot about how badly Jamie’s done it this time, and yet–

And yet. 

“The fuck are you smiling about?” Isaac grunted when he caught sight of Jamie biting back a grin while typing, lacking his usual bruv. Still in the doghouse, apparently. “Won’t kill you to be early for once, ey? Put that fucking thing away.”

Jamie did, not before a quick look at his texts before pressing send.

hey 

its jamie from the bar??

was wondering if u wanted to go out sometime. i really enjoyed spending the other night with u

He spent all training missing his cues, taking fouls from his teammates, and making Ted’s mustache twitch with… not disappointment but something. It made him a little nervous, but any thought about it flew out his head when he got his hands on his phone at the end of the day, your notifications on his lock screen.

Hi, I’d love to!

I really enjoyed being with you too :) 

Is tomorrow night too early?

It wasn’t. But your schedules were nightmares to line up and you spent almost three weeks trying to catch up to each other. You had a work thing, Jamie came back too tired from a game, you had a friend visit, another game was rescheduled… You name it. Anything that could’ve stopped that date from happening happened. 

But neither of you were giving up. While you couldn’t see each other, your text thread grew and grew and grew, never running out of things to talk about. Despite having seen you only once in person, Jamie was pretty sure he knew you better than he’d ever know other girlfriends and boyfriends he’d had. 

When you texted him to get a good night's sleep and when he told you to get home safe, he pretended, only with a little shame, that this was something you did all the time. That when you were on your way to your place he’d be there waiting for you, asleep on the couch because he tried to stay up for you. When you wished him sweet dreams he’d imagine you next to him, tucked close against his side.

He pretended he was yours. All the damn time.  

And this– today– when the planets finally align and a version of his illusions happens to come true, he’s nervous. Can’t help it, no matter how well it’s going. And it is going well, with Jamie in your apartment where you’d set up a nice dinner for both of you, the date you��ve been talking about for almost a month. He would’ve suggested his own place, but it’s filled with football memorabilia and awards he doesn’t want to explain yet. 

He likes how you treat him. You talk to him like he’s a normal bloke you met at a bar and not a celebrity you’re too afraid to even joke around with. 

“Oh, dinner looks ace, love.”

“Yeah? If I accidentally poison you at least it’ll taste good.”

“I’ll die chuffed, at least.”

A snort. “You’re so fucking British.”

“Oh, bug off, please! Thanks! Cheerio!”

“Jesus Christ.”

“Didn’t know you were so religious.”

“What can I say, Jay, you make me feel closer to God.”

“Ha! Haven’t even kissed you, yet.”

“You seem awfully confident.”

“Night’s very young, angelface.”

It’s so easy, being with you. Being himself with you. 

So what if you barely even know each other? He already knows all about your childhood dog and you’ve been made aware of what’s it like to grow up in Manchester. But shit, just because Jamie wants to bare his soul to you maybe it doesn’t mean he should. He could at least wait until you’ve seen each other in person more than twice, and yet.

And yet. 

He’s at your place, looking at your record collection, running his fingers over the spines of the books on your shelves. He just ate the pizza you cooked– vegan, because he did mention sometime in the past weeks that he’s on a strict diet regime and the fact that you remembered makes him wanna cry a little. 

He likes you so much. Doesn’t he owe it to you to be honest?

“I gotta tell you something,” he pipes up, obviously catching you off-guard.

“Alright,” you say slowly, leaving your wine glass on the coffee table and scooting to give him space on the couch, arms wrapped around your legs. “Sure. Shoot.”

Jamie sits, messing with his hair and avoiding your eye. He looks behind you at the picture frame hanging on the wall, a photo of you with your friends on a trip you took to the States last summer. The stories you told about them made him laugh so hard that he’d snorted and spilled his drink everywhere.

“I didn’t know how…” he sighs, figuring there’s no use beating around the bush. “Haven’t been completely honest with you, love. About… what I do. Who I am.”

“Jamie–” you begin, consoling and standing up straighter, reaching to place your hand on his arm. He shakes his head.

“I just– I didn’t know how to tell you,” he rushes out, meeting your eye with a pleading expression. How scared he must look right now he doesn’t know, but your features soften even further into something sympathetic, kind. He doesn’t deserve you. “And– and I know we– we’ve barely gone out, yeah, but I– I like you. Fuck, man, I like you so much, but you deserve to know–”

“Jamie,” you say again, firmer. You duck your head to try and meet his eye, searching for his stare. You’re still smiling. You haven’t stopped smiling at him since you met him. “I know. If this is about you being… famous, I know, okay? About everything.”

The anxiety that’s been clawing at his throat freezes and fades, just a little. “You… do?”

Your smile turns sheepish, a little guilty. “I… kind of recognized you the night we met. It took me a minute, but I knew I’d seen you somewhere. Your voice helped, too. I think I’d recognize it anywhere.”

“Oh,” he says, feeling like an idiot. He still wants to cry a little, but it’s less hysterical now. He manages to feel safe in your apartment, a space that screams you everywhere he turns to look. Your photos and posters on the walls, your chipped mugs in the kitchen, your colorful rug under your coffee table with one leg shorter than the others, held up with books underneath it. 

“I sound like a creep,” you admit, embarrassed yourself. “I’m a fan of the sport, is all. But I figured you wouldn’t like to talk about your life with a stranger, so I didn’t push. I’m sorry.”

Jamie shakes his head, finally reaching for the hand you have on his arm. You haven’t been a stranger since that first night. “Don’t be. I should’ve told you from the start. You deserve better than that.”

“Than… you?” Jamie doesn’t reply. His jaw tightens and your voice turns reproachful. “Jamie–”

“The public hates me,” he cuts you off. He hates to say it but you need to hear it. Even if you think you know what his life’s like right now, you don’t know the depth of the mess he’s in. “You… being seen with me will probably ruin your life. Wasn’t fair of me to ask you out and not tell you what comes with it.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Jamie,” you say, instantly fierce and defensive of him. You’re defending him for some reason, and you don’t know half of the things he’s done. “Not the truth, not a damn thing. You don’t need to put your whole life on display just to get me to… to trust you, or something.”

Tears blur his eyesight, but he refuses to cry in front of you. Not on the first date at least. Or is it the second one? Does your late night at the dive bar even count as a date?

“Love,” he says gently, threading lightly. “I’m serious. Wasn’t bluffing when I said I like you. A lot. And I know it’s only been, like, one date–”

“Two,” you pipe in. Jamie can’t help his amusement. That answers his question, he guesses. 

“Two dates, then,” he continues, rubbing soothing circles on your knuckles with his thumb. Your eyes go back and forth from his face to the touch, mesmerized. “But this could be somethin’, you know? Somethin’ good and I don’t want you comin’ into it blind or whatever. I’m not– I ain’t exactly a good person.”

You don’t even blink. “I don’t believe that.”

You’re stubborn. It’d be endearing if Jamie wasn’t so convinced of his shortcomings. “Love, I’m a twat. I’m mean to everyone I know, even people I like. I don’t tip enough at restaurants. Never been a very good boyfriend either. ‘m not sayin’ it to be mean. ‘s just who I am.”

You cup his face with your free hand and Jamie melts into it. It’s the first caring touch he’s been offered in fuck knows how long. “What if I like who you are? Public suicide and all, what if I want to be with you? What if you make me happy, Jamie?”

Jamie can’t see how he would but he doesn’t you to leave, either. Like, ever. “You make me happy, too. It’s like I know you already you know?. From a past life or somethin’, does that make sense?”

Your shocked silence makes him hesitate, his hands twitching in discomfort. “Is that… cool?”

“Cool,” you say, eyes full of wonder and voice a little emotional, pulling him closer before he can do something stupid like let you go. “Jamie, I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I met you.” 

A pleasant surprise washes over him, warm. He says, a little choked. “Cool. That’s– that’s cool.”

You grin, trying not to laugh, and cup the back of his neck to bring his mouth to yours. “Cool.”

There’s little talking after that, and who would’ve known your couch is the perfect make out spot? Jamie’s mouth is pilant and responsive against yours, his hands wandering for any skin he can reach and making tiny sounds at the back of his throat that you swallow greedily, unable to get enough of him. 

He leaves your place that night disheveled and happy, kissing you goodbye at least five times (two of them in the hallway before he finally scurries off) and not without making you promise to watch Richmond’s game this weekend. 

It takes you a little too long to clean up after, even if Jamie did wash the dishes you used during dinner (“what kinda guest would I be if I didn’t help? Ma would have a heart attack!”) because you keep bringing your fingers to your lips, tilted upwards in a dreamy smile. 

You make it work. Both you and Jamie continue with your lives trying to be subtle about this new development and a new routine is created; he comes to your place after most games and training unless he’s too tired. Then you meet him at his house, avoiding taking the same roads in case the paparazzi get a bit too creative. 

It’s a little weird. Definitely new, but you find yourself trying to spend as much time as you can with Jamie. Dates at smaller spots and at weird hours; he even takes you running at 4 am once, to which you responded with never again and I’ll forgive you for doing this to me if we share a shower. Needless to say, the early morning wasn’t a total loss.

But your homes turn out to be the safest places to turn to. He becomes ingrained in your apartment as do the flowers he buys for you and puts in a vase on your kitchen table: red chrysanthemums and white clovers, daffodils and heliotropes, blue salvia. 

You once use his phone to order takeout and he has a website on flowers and their meanings open. When he sees you carefully put some of the flowers in a book for safe-keeping, Jamie's face fills you with a need to keep him safe, too, coped up in your home and away from the world that keeps asking too much of him.

His teammates are warming up to him, albeit slowly. Jamie has reassured you he’s alright, that he knows mending the bridges he’d burned on his way out of Richmond will take longer than he’d like, but he’s hopeful about the way things are turning out. 

You feel bad sometimes for keeping him distracted at such pivotal moments in his life of self-reinvention, but he outright refused when you offered to distance yourself a little so he could spend more time with the friends he very clearly cared much about. He was almost offended about it.

We could wait if you want. Maybe it’s too soon to do this yet. I know it’s a delicate situation Jamie, and I don’t wanna rush you into anything.

I don’t wanna wait, Jamie had answered, stubborn. He tucked a piece of your hair behind your ear, pressing you against the kitchen counter. His eyes wouldn’t leave your face. I want you. 

And he has you. Completely and undeniably; this thing between you, this relationship, however delicate, becomes steadier as time passes. You’re already talking about meeting his mom and taking him back to your hometown for a visit, possibilities Jamie could never have dreamed of when he first met you. 

You’d told him during those first dates how unpredictable relationships could be. And neither of you can deny how your personal situation makes things even harder, but that doesn’t mean you’re not willing to try. 

I can’t make any promises of what’ll happen next. No one knows shit these days, Jamie. But I can be with you. And I can make you a drink, if you want. 

He tells you about his dad, too, eventually. In his effort to be more honest with you, even if you tell him multiple times he’s got nothing to make up for. He tells you anyway, wrapped in your arms on your couch while a movie plays in the background, the only source of light in the room. 

Me dad weren’t… you know. Good, or whatever. He’s always thought ‘m too soft and shit. And when I try not to be I… I’m someone I’m not, y’know? Someone I don’t like.

It puts a lot of things into perspective. About when you first met and how he later tried to push you away, convinced he was a terrible person and you wouldn’t want to be with him if you truly knew him. 

What you do want is to track down his dad and, like, throw a brick at his window or something. But you only embrace Jamie tighter, kiss his hair, and don’t mention how tightly he holds your arms to keep them around his torso. If he cries a little, then that’s between you and God, and you’ll die before you ever make fun of him for it.

You wake up one morning to find Jamie staring at you, eyes lidded and sleepy. 

“Dreamin’ of me, angel?”

Your first action of the day is to snort thanks to your fantastic boyfriend. “You wish, handsome.”

“I do wish,” he grins wolfishly. You see his hand sliding through the sheets, moving smoothly and calculated towards your naked body. 

“If you think I’m up for anything before you get some food in me, you’re gonna be awfully disappointed,” glee shines on Jamie’s face and you push it away with your hand, groaning at his dirty-mindedness. “Food, you shameless bastard, I said food. How do you get anything done with your mind stuck in the gutter all the time?”

“Takes some effort,” he says, pride unhurt and still reaching for you. You relent quickly enough, loving the feeling of his hands on you. “Come on, babe, I’ve gotta be up for trainin’ in an hour. We’ve more than enough time, huh?”

“That depends,” you support your head in your hand, elbow digging into your pillow. “What’s in it for me?”

“C’mere and I’ll show ya,” he promises, an endearing frown on his features. “What’re you doin’ all the way over there, anyway?”

He pulls you towards him with ease and you let yourself be caged in his arms, kiss after kiss after kiss.

________

AHHHH HERE IT IS, HERE IT IS

i hope you like it! i kept ya’ll waiting a little but the response was insane!!! i wanted to give you the best i could write AND i wanted to use this fic to thank you for 1.1k! thank you for making me feel so welcome when venturing back into writing and for trusting me with your favorite characters <3 and prepare yourselves bc im making myself put as many fics out this month as i can!

<3

________

taglist: @clonecaptains @gold-fishhhhh @scott-mccall-could-lift-mjolnir   @sunny747 @avengersfan25 @sokkigarden  @rexorangecouny​ @yokolesbianism​  @buckychrist​ @natlovesu​  @lil-tracys​  @mmarberry​ @scenesofobx​  @wasikowskasfilms  @asmuo​  @rae4725  @remmyj10  @reddeadgirl666  @daydreamerswestwood  @sjprongs​  @userashs-stuff  @oncasette​  @zoei93​  @daariaanm​  @beneoli​  @oceanncurrent​  @starlightparkr​  @qquell​  @piper570  @thenewdaysalreadyhere  @pleasemakeitgayer​  @earth2hannah​  @jamietarttdodo​  @tippyeddy  @annistep​  @uvedoneitagainqueen  @daphneblakeswife​  @calembour-4​  @pomegrannate9​  @hadlange​  @sunshine-rains​  @katsu28​ @shorty-jordie​  @cha0sdreaming​  @almost-blonde-brunette  @bobbybarnes​  @trashbagsthings  @anakinmybelovedboy​  @iglooturtle  @fannib2001​  @thepastofmontreal @lucky-recollection​  @moonstarsandsongs  @tortilla-maria1  @que-es-life  @callsignhaze  @captainfrisbee  @tuesday-rose​  @danika1994  @for-fuck-sake-im-alive​  @chaoticllama33​  @lovinnscarletknight​  @ok-anon​  @little-shop-lover  @awkwardandalivee​  @thats-my-pie​  @estro21  @thegirlthatwantedtowrite​  @euphorism​  @bonk-child  @isabellasversi0n  @ranchysposts  @et-homephone​  @anyasromanovs​  @dollyydaydream​  @lovedbyzoe  @knicoleworld  @thewildestwonderland  @iluvvdillffsz  @hanybunch​  @maffion​  @devrill  @james-potters-animagus​  @1-800mushroom​  @wisteriablooming   @sheepandlams​  @babbyyy13  @raven2  @goldenroyalrose​  @ringpopdust  @not-graceful​  @anephemeralwoe​  @loveforaugust​  @dracoisdaddydaddy​  @bea-the-tenth​  @sensitivesatan42​  @artemismaximoff​  @rey26​  @wombwound23  @wraiths-stuff  @alipap3​  @cancvr​  @beforefolklore​  @cantditchthisurl​  @ladygrey03​  @kyliesalvatore​  @justmadsstuff​  @puckyou-forpuckssake​  @loopdity  @rainydaysfrappesandsitcomcliches  @hnhn18​  @cualccino  @babygirl7xo  @thatredheadwithglasses  @youbelongwithflo​  @fromdaydreams  @flowmizu27  @qardasngan​  @redermraven  @mus-tbe-a-weasley​  @melodramaticdramaqueen  @natasharomanoffffff  @vintageleather​  @recklesslessie  @rochelld  @thiswitch-aesthetic​  @isaxbull  @live--aloud  @madam-senator  @orangejuice-simpson​  @franksandbeans99​  @idontknowwhyimhereatthemoment  @pradaandbrownies  @flashyourgreeneyesatme​  @johnnyknovilleswhore​  @sarahmclean15​  @dinismandalor​  @netflix-addict  @glossy-min​  @dosaldebaran​  @ellsbells-88  @meg-ro  @leo-heart​  @motorsportmania​  @thefutureblake  @cleavergreene1​  @dylan1721​  @lwritesstuff​  @hopenshaw​  @funnyvqlentine  @jamieroyjamieroy  @curlypeter​  @glitterquadricorn​  @mickschumacherswhore  @brianandthemays​  @randompostsirelateto  @batsy-bats1  @idealisticdramaqueen​  @ickydollysstuff​  @katdahlali  @vigilvntesbff​  @lechevalierdeparis  @shakespeareanwannabe​  @whosyourdaddienow​  @starangel5593  @presidental-facts  @ooxidised​  @tylerkennedystrandstan​  @idontknowwhatimdoinhereimachild​  @bethdelusional  @yepyeahuhhuh​@rae-1989  @guccilongboard​  @mountfolk​  @peanutweanut  @vampirodelascajas  @lucifersadvisor  @pandorasprongs​  @giggling-sewer-ginger​  @eboneeadams​  @percysaidnever​  @lightninginab0ttle @topnerd03​  @lmao15girl  @jrcannotcan  @gi313  @booklovingduck  @ghwoticz  @lloveletters  @tahliarosecarrington​  @addie333333​  @nnatel​  @alivepoetssocieties​  @chaoticpenguindetective  @marcar9  @thlove63​  @barzy90​  @tvshowgirl81​  @hotdoglamp  @atabigail​  @alularae3​  @shineforever19​  @psychiatristreturning​  @coysblr  @thescriptforsharkboyandlavagirl  @whitetxilwxlf  @moonlighkt​  @alliya-trueblood  @lovingyoulovinme2​  @groot-am-i​  @golden-hoax​  @ohkayylla  @lesdehaas​  @criminalyetminimal​  @leclrc16s​  @mainevil​  @blacksoul09​  @chelswdc  @higherthanheroes​  @littlepugh​  @schittspark​  @shephard17895​ @universalbeings  @ihavenomemoryofthisplace  @popsycles  @partyhardinamaserati  @thisapplefellfarfromthetree​ @scott-mccall-could-lift-mjolnir​

#ted lasso #jamie tartt #jamie tartt x reader #leo writes #reader instert #phil dunster #roy kent #isaac mcadoo #keeley jones #fanfiction #ted lasso fanfic #ted lasso x reader

[hmslusitania]

“Oi. Listen up.”

Jamie keeps working the knots on his boots but he echoes in on the “yes coach” that the rest of the lads throw Roy’s direction.

“Me and Keeley are back together,” Roy says. “So I don’t want to hear about any of your friends or sisters or who the fuck ever who are single and just perfect for me, got it?”

Jamie gets halfway through wondering who on the team is ballsy enough to try and offer their sisters and single friends to Roy, but across the room, Dani is already throwing Roy a respectful salute.

“Yes, Coach,” he says.

“Well, Coach Kent, I think I speak for everybody in here when I say that we’re mighty glad to hear that,” Ted says.

“Feels like everything’s right in the universe again,” Beard agrees.

“Yeah,” Jamie mutters. “That’s all just fucking perfect.”

The only person close enough to hear him is Sam, who shoots Jamie a questioning look, both eyebrows raised.

Jamie ignores him, finally finishes with the knots in his laces, and doesn’t hurl his boots at Will, but that might only be because Will catches them gracefully and they don’t hit him.

It’s not like… Jamie isn’t, like, 100% over Keeley. He knows that. He doesn’t think he ever will be, but he doesn’t think anyone ever actually gets over their first love. Especially not when they know, without question, that they’re the one who absolutely fucked it up.

And he knows that. He had his chance with Keeley, and he fucked it, and it’s a matter of the better man winning and Roy is the better man and he won, and so Jamie does not understand why he’s suddenly feeling like someone’s kicked him in the bollocks of his heart or whatever.

It’s good. Keeley and Roy are good together and they’re two of Jamie’s favourite people and he wants them to be happy, and they’ve seemed happier when they were together and…

And so what that for a while it seemed like maybe Roy had fucked it with Keeley himself, and he and Jamie were in a club together about it. So what that they were getting close enough for Phoebe to assume Jamie was Roy’s best friend and Roy didn’t fucking tell him to his face about Keeley and put him back in the same level as the rest of the team? So fucking what, yeah? It doesn’t matter.

It matters when Roy turns up at Jamie’s at four in the morning like everything’s normal.

“The fuck is your problem?” Roy asks when Jamie just starts running rather than waiting for Roy to catch up.

“I don’t have a problem, Coach,” Jamie says, and he really shouldn’t, but it feels like a lie.

“Like fuck you don’t,” Roy says.

“You really want to pry into everything wrong with me, Coach Lasso?” Jamie shoots back.

Roy grumbles but stops prying lest Jamie — rightly — accuse him of more Ted-ness.

Jamie trains, and he runs until he can’t feel his legs anymore, and only then, when it’s past dawn, does Roy bother him about it again.

“Are you going to be weird about me and Keeley?” Roy asks.

“No,” Jamie says but that feels like a lie too. “Just thought maybe you’d tell me in person about it because we’re best friends now and all.”

Roy frowns. Jamie braces for whatever sort of rebuke Roy’s going to throw at him — that they’re not best friends, that Roy’s love life isn’t any of Jamie’s business, that Keeley’s love life definitely isn’t any of Jamie’s business anymore.

“I don’t…” Roy starts, slow enough that Jamie pauses mid stretch to stare at him. “I don’t know why I didn’t. But you’re right. And I’m sorry.”

Jamie feels his mouth fall open. It’s just blank shock.

“Don’t be a twat,” Roy scolds when he sees Jamie’s face.

“I’m not, I’m just — wow, Roy Kent apologised to me,” Jamie says. “I’m flattered.”

Roy rolls his eyes, but fond, and Jamie abruptly remembers the last time he’d claimed to be flattered. Colin, recently out to the team, and the team trying to do a headcount and figure out who else in the locker room must be queer.

Jamie’s still not sure how the rest of the lads seemed to entirely miss Trent Crimm’s rainbow mug and Dolly Parton shirt, but they had and they’d looked mostly at him.

“I guess I thought you’d be… jealous,” Roy says, snapping him back to the Richmond Green.

“Nah,” Jamie says.

“Because I know you’re still a little in love with her,” Roy points out.

“She’s Keeley fucking Jones, you don’t just get over her,” Jamie replies and falls forward to do some press ups rather than have to look Roy in the eye anymore. “But mostly I want her to be happy.”

“Yeah,” Roy says, gruff but like he gets it.

“Believe it or not, I want you to be happy to,” Jamie adds, speaking to the grass and tree roots between his hands. “Because you’re Roy fucking Kent.”

Roy doesn’t respond to that, and Jamie keeps staring at the ground. For a moment, he thinks he’s overstepped, and then Roy kicks his heels up to rest on Jamie’s back.

Jamie smiles and appreciates the burn of the extra weight in his triceps and shoulders.

“I appreciate it,” Roy says finally, and something in Jamie’s chest fractures.

It’s not like Jamie doesn’t know what bisexuality is. He’s spent enough time around Keeley that it’s come up frequently. But there’s been some sort of block that sounds a bit like his fuck of a dad between him knowing that, and knowing it about himself.

Because he finally gets it, dripping sweat into the dirt in the early summer morning. He is jealous of Roy and Keeley getting back together.

Trouble is, he has absolutely no idea if he’s jealous of Roy for getting back with Keeley, or if he’s jealous of Keeley, for getting back together with Roy.

#Ted lasso #rkjt #the ghost ship scribbles #no one look at me I can’t believe ive done this lol #i have literally never written a Ted lasso episode coda #but I guess??? here we are???? #i wrote this on my phone into my drafts any mistakes are. expected #jamie tartt #Roy kent

[my-soupy-brain]

Hi!! I’ve never requested before and I’m a new follower but I’m so obsessed with your writing. I’m wondering if you could write one where reader is pregnant and hormonal and gets upset at Ted because of it and then feels bad? And then he would be so sweet and understanding about it because of course he would be!!!!!

I think I can do this! Also, welcome! I'm answering as quickly as I can/when I have time, but I appreciate you joining the inbox parade! Ted would b e so damn understanding. Let's gooo!

---

Relationship: Ted Lasso x reader (F)

Warnings: Pregnancy, body image, moodiness, jealousy/angst + makeup and a little smut

---

Two months.

Two months left until Baby Lasso comes along. And boy, you were counting down the minutes.

Waddling around your flat in your circus tent shirts was getting hard on the feet and legs. You felt uncomfortable. Puffy. Unattractive.

Even though Ted doted on you hand and foot.

He was always rubbing your feet, fluffing your pillows. He told you how beautiful you were every morning and every night. He'd pull you into his side to touch you, his hands roaming down your body, but then settling over the warm hump between you, where he'd talk to the baby.

"I'm gonna take care of your momma now, so no peekin'," he'd say, leaning in to kiss your lips.

There was no doubt Ted Lasso, your husband, was madly in love with you.

Your hormones though? They wanted to play some games with you.

...

It was the evening of the gala and while Ted assured you that he'd stay home with you if you wanted, you didn't want to miss the opportunity for a night out. It might be the first and last in a long time, once the baby comes.

So a maternity evening gown was acquired, and while you liked it when you bought it four days ago, you feel differently now.

Hormones.

Ted zipped you up and kissed your neck gently.

"Absolutely gorgeous, darlin'," he whispered, his eyes glittering at the draped silver dress.

"I look like a disco ball!"

Ted chuckled and shook his head. "Naw, not possible. You're just beautiful. And even if you did look like a disco ball? It means everyone gets to hover around you and admire you."

You mustered a weak smile and headed to the gala.

Which was full of... beautiful people.

The players, sure. But they were children to you. But then in walked Rebecca, a lifesize Barbie of power and badassery. Keeley, with her cheery smile and slight frame. Oh, and of course Sassy. Downing a shot, laughing, her slender frame in a long red dress.

"Marlboro man!" Sassy called out, coming over to the two of you. She waved and nodded in your direction and embraced Ted in a hug, which he returned.

Oh, no.

Ted chatted with Sassy, his hands in his pocket. As usual, his attention on the speaker, nodding and responding. Always a good listener.

You felt...small.

Well, not small. But ignored.

When Sassy went off to get a cocktail, Ted turned to you and brought you to a table. He encouraged your foot in his lap, slipping it out of the shoe where you were starting to swell, and rubbing the tightness from it.

"How's that darlin'?" he asks with a kind smile. He's so handsome in his suit and red tie, your heart could burst. Or you could take him in the bathroom and...

Fucking hormones.

"Good, thanks, sweetheart," you answered, leaning your head back with a sigh.

Nature calls.

"Oh, I need the restroom," you said suddenly. "Where's the bathroom?"

Ted pointed at the corridor. "Just down there. Need me to go with ya?"

Your mind flitted to how you'd like him to take you on the counter but no, no, no. Down, girl!

"No, it's OK!"

You got up and shuffled/waddled down to the bathrooms, glad to take a quick break before you tried to dance.

But when you came back, you about froze in your tracks. Sassy had Ted's hand in hers, dragging him to the dancefloor.

He was clearly looking around for you. But when he looked back at Sassy he smiled and followed her. And you almost hit the roof.

You stood on the edge of the dance floor and cleared your throat before the song began.

"Honeybunch! Hey! I was hopin' you'd come back so we can cut the rug," Ted says, leaving Sassy and walking toward you, ready to give you a kiss.

But you pull away before he can.

"I don't think so."

Ted's eyes bunch with worry. "What? What's the matter?"

Sassy is watching the friction flare between the two of you and if wouldn't send you into early labor you'd love to give her a piece of your mind, too.

A small voice in your mind tells you to breathe, just breathe.

But instead of answering Ted, you turn on your heel and head toward the lobby.

He follows you with a wide step, not far off your trail when you turn into a darkened hallway.

But your anger fades to sadness and humiliation like the flip of a switch.

Damn it to hell, these hormones!

As tears spurt from your eyes and Ted hears your light wail of a cry, he knows...

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, there sugar, hold on," he says, catching up and grabbing your delicate hand, pulling you toward his chest.

"What's up, buttercup?"

You sniffle and cry and then get a little angry again.

"You, Ted! What were you doing with Sassy?!"

Ted looks at you confused. "What... what do you..."

"Don't play that game with me! You were going to dance with her!"

Ted shakes his head, he can see the gears turning, your eyes getting wide, cheeks getting read. Your chin quivers as your sadness and anger collide.

His hands move to cup your face and you push them away, sending panic rising into his throat.

"It's not what you think, darlin'! I was waitin' for you to get back from washin' up and she kept tuggin' me to the floor..."

You smirk and nod. "Mmmhm, teeny tiny Sassy pulling the solid-built Ted Lasso... Yeah, OK."

He can hear the sarcasm. But he also sees your eyes take him in hungrily. He'll address that later. He hopes.

Ted giggles and shakes his head.

"Honest, honey, I wasn't gonna dance with her. She got me to the floor but I would've stood there like a damn stalk of corn until you found me."

The rage subsides, back to self-humilitation.

"I don't blame you, Teddy," you murmur, fat, salty tears rolling down your cheeks. "Sassy's beautiful. Thin. Not this... waddling...disco ball..."

Ted laughs at the disco ball comment again and pulls you toward him. He loves feeling the baby bump between you. He loves knowing there's a life you created together in there.

"Honey, baby..." Ted says, his hand coasting up and down your back. "You are...the most beautiful creature to walk this earth. You were seven months ago, and a year before that, and you will be tomorrow, and after this baby comes, and until we're old and gray..."

"You don't need to worry about my eyes or heart goin' anywhere else but following you around the room," he adds. That line makes your heart bloom.

"But!"

Ted shakes his head.

"I know you're feelin' awful low. And your emotions are bouncin' around like a ping pong ball. The books said that would happen," he adds. He hadn't read an expecting book for years since Henry, and decided to do it again for you.

"But you're the only thing I've got eyes for, I promise."

Your fingers play with the lapels of his jacket, the edge of his red tie. You can't look at him yet. His eyes are trained on you though.

"It's just that...you and Sassy have...history..."

Ted smirks with one side of his lips.

"Sassy and I have a mistake, that's what we have," Ted says. "A one-night mistake."

You remember that Ted told you about that when you started dating. How he'd signed his divorce papers. How she'd knocked on his hotel room door. How vulnerable he felt, and how he wanted to shut off.

You'd be lying if you hadn't side-eyed Sassy for doing that to him. A psychologist should know better, but you digress...

"Ted?"

He looks at you with a sweet smile.

"I'm sorry, honey," you offer. "I just don't feel like myself. I'm just... full of emotions. I'm hungry and bloated and tired and energetic and angry and horny..."

He looks at you with blushed cheeks.

"Is that so?"

"Is what so?"

"Horny?"

You blush harder, looking down at your...well, not your feet. You can't see them past your belly.

"Yeah, horny. I'm just a big mess of moods!"

Ted smiles and pulls you in by the small of your back, moving your hair away to kiss your neck gently. He takes one hand in his and places the other at your hip as he starts to sway with you in the dark hallway.

"What are you doing?" you ask with a smile.

"Dancing with ya. I owe you a dance, right?"

You lean against Ted's shoulder and he smells like his spicy, woodsy cologne. His shampoo. Your stomach tightens a little, your head a little dizzy.

"Mmmm..."

He holds you closer.

"What was that?"

Uh-oh, you moaned out loud?!

You stall. Ted laughs, his lips tickling your neck, then your earlobe. His teeth nibble it lightly and you feel the hot puff of his breath there, making your eyelids flutter closed.

"I was thinkin',..." he starts, his hand coasting lower, over your ass, "maybe we'd cut out early. God home. See how long it takes for me to lick your body from head to toe."

He continues...

"Yeah, I wanna touch every perfect curve of that body, lick that perfect hot center that's always ready for me..." he knows what to say since he knows you're horny. Dammit.

"I wanna make love to you slow and deep all night, make ya scratch my back up."

You moan again, the spark striking like a hot flint.

"You like that? I like that," he adds. "Then maybe I can get you in a nice, warm bubble bath. And I can touch ya until your thighs shake and you scream my name."

Another moan. He smirks.

"I think you like that, too. Shall we?"

When he pulls back you nod quickly and eagerly, swallowing. Your eyes are glassy and cheeks blushed brightly.

"Alright, my queen. Let's get you home so I can worship that perfect body the way it needs."

Ted leans down to the tummy.

"Earmuffs, little bean. Your momma's mine tonight."

---

This was fun. I don't have kids so I can't relate to pregnancy but plenty of friends have them and I hear it's a rollercoaster. But Ted would be ultimate about it. Great prompt, friend! Thank you!

#ted lasso x reader #ted lasso fanfic #ted lasso fanfiction #ted lasso fluff #ted lasso x you #ted lasso smut

[youwillfindilluminating]

Roy x Jamie x Keeley & Roy x Jamie fic recs - Part 2

Part 1 is here

Part 3 is here

These recs cover the fics I’ve read from about 4/22/23 - 6/17/23, but some of them were written earlier.

-

Roy x Jamie x Keeley:

be your teenage dream tonight - liesmyth - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

Probably my favorite 3x11 OT3 fic!  6k. It’s just the right amount of hot and sweet. Mainly set in the hotel room after they were at Jamie’s old house. Includes lots of poster talk, which is my fav. Includes Keeley suggesting Roy come on Jamie’s face. 👌👌👌

“Reality living up to the wet dreams?”

“You can take the piss all you want, it won’t work,” says Jamie, who has no fucking shame. He sounds so immensely proud of himself that Roy doesn’t know if he wants to suck his dick or smother him with a pillow.

.

because your right foot was kissed by god - jedusaur - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

Another amazing 3x11 fic! 3k.

Their first time starts with some light D/s (Roy smacking Jamie’s ass and telling him to get Keeley another drink), and flows into body worship of Roy, which Roy is uncomfortable with and has to work through his feelings in his head about it. Includes the following fantastic lines:

"Roy is extremely tempted to grab him by the fucking walnut mist and fuck his throat, but he resists the urge."

-

"You know, I almost got away from men entirely," she says wistfully. "Now somehow I've ended up with two of you dipsticks on my hands."

-

"You and Keeley are more than anything to me. Why are you not listening?"

.

Tongue Tie - MoreThanSlightly (cadignan) - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

Another fantastic 3x11 fic. 3k. It makes sense that the thing that would ease them into an OT3 is a competition (over who eats out better).

Champagne in the physio room is a good idea until the first bottle’s nearly empty and Jamie leans forward and says, “Tell the truth now, Keeley. Does he eat you out as good as I did?”

.

soft things - inlovewithnight - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]  

Just as the title says - SOFT and precious. They’re moving Jamie into his new house that’s connected to Roy and Keeley’s via the garden, and they find his old teddy bear in the closet. 1k.

An uncertain look flickers across Jamie’s face. “I can bring him to the new house, right?”

“Of course you can. It’s your fucking house.”

“And if I wanted to bring him round to Keeley’s… the main house?” Figuring out what to call what is a complete fucking mess, and if Roy had his way they would’ve just bought an entirely new house and started from scratch, but it’s important to hold up the illusion of things until either Jamie retires or the world suddenly gets very cool about polyamory.

.

our love keeps the things it finds - Chapter 1 - shampoobaby - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

This is gorgeous. I sometimes skip feminization stuff, but this was just the right amount for me. Roy calls Jamie “princess” and it’s sort of the catalyst for the OT3 (but mainly Roy and Jamie) working through some gender-light stuff. (I’m doing a bad job of describing it). Ends on a lovely Greek vacation for all of them.  I loved the bit with always-cold Jamie and him not wanting Roy to “baby” him at practice by asking him to wear a coat. 20k.

 .

if you could redirect my day - lady_ragnell - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

This is SO GOOD. 11k. I’m assuming this is one of the OG OT3 fics out there. Written for Yuletide in 2021. Keeley kind of sends Jamie to Marbella to keep Roy company. The author really nails the characterizations, it’s incredible. Two of my favorite quotes that I pulled:

The first thing Roy thinks about is the way Keeley always smiles a little when Jamie says her name the way he does.

-

“That man has wanted you to tell him he’s good or that he’s a brat or both in a really dirty kind of way since before he even met you. He just doesn’t handle things well.”

.

en déshabillé - inlovewithnight - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]  

13k. A fluffy OT3 fic where Jamie gets into lingerie (with Keeley). They all take a trip to Paris and it’s all very lovely! There’s a good bit in the middle where Roy asks Jamie if it’s a gender thing and Jamie tells Keeley he just likes pretty things. The ending scene is based off Carey Price using his wife’s underwear as a pocket square. 👀

.

wishing, wanting, yours for the taking - inlovewithnight - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

Listen, if there’s some well-written Consensual Non-Consent out there, I’m gonna find it and rec it. This one is particularly delightful because the nature of it is kind of theatrical and jokey, as they’re playing parts in a sort of historical scene (the only way Roy was comfortable doing it).  Jamie gets what he wants, they all have fun, there are plenty of check-ins and lots of aftercare and everyone is happy. 4k.

Keeley can't believe she's the only one willing to commit to the concept here. After all the negotiating and discussing and research and Roy's PowerPoint presentation, the two men she is, for some reason, in love with can't be bothered to dress for the theme?

.

Follow the Hearts and You Can't Go Wrong - inlovewithnight - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

3k. An OT3 future fic that centers around Jamie’s retirement. Roy and Keeley go up to Scotland for one of his matches. I love future fics and they are hard to come across sometimes.

 -

Roy x Jamie:

Once More, with Feeling - liesmyth - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

8k. An Amsterdam anniversary fic. Roy’s the new manager, the team is doing amazing and Jamie scores 3 goals and takes Roy out after. They go cycling and Jamie stops him and asks what Roy would do if he kissed him. There’s also a part where he’s telling Roy random facts and he tells him one about Roy as a young player, and it’s precious. I love Jamie’s characterization here, he’s such a happy sunshine boy!

“Yes, yes, you were fucking gorgeous out there, but I meant now. The post-match.”

Jamie’s bike falters, a bit, the front wheel swerving in the mud. He gets it back under control and raises his eyebrows in Roy’s direction. “Fucking gorgeous, am I?”

“What, you angling for compliments?”

“From you? Yeah.”

[…]

“When we do something together, that’s always the best part of my day, you know that? I wake up in the morning and I’m fucking excited to do sprint intervals just ‘cos we’ll get to talk about it later. When I get good news I can’t wait to tell you. It’s just, I’m proper fucking gone on you.”

.

The Secret Language of Bum-Smacks - jedusaur - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

3k. Another amazing kinky fic by jedusaur! Butt pats turn into something more. Praise kink, spanking, etc.

"Just realised the gaffer don't pat me bum, like, ever. Pep did it all the time."

Roy shrugs. "Americans. They think it's fucking sexual harassment or some shit."

Jamie makes a face like what the fuck. "It's nice, though," he says. "Like a little 'good lad' without having to speak, y'know? I like it." He takes a swig of water and bounces on the balls of his feet, awaiting further instructions.

.

nobody's ever crashed this hard before - silverhelme - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]  

5k. A very sweet, well written Amsterdam fic!  They talk about their feelings at a café. Very in-character and the dialog is so good. Jamie bats his eyes at Roy and there’s a callback to the “ugly boy” scene.

.

Chip Shot - baffledbear - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

13k. This is phenomenal! This basically covers from the beginning of the show, from Roy’s perspective. Keeley mentions how fun it always was that Jamie liked being told what to do. Roy and Jamie start training together. It rains – they go back to Jamie’s. Things happen! The smut is SO well written in this. Roy is very in character, but he’s also sweet. Lots of mentions of how he’s falling for Jamie, etc.

.

i know how you learn best, tartt - leaveanote - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]  

“Jamie’s never sucked dick before.” AKA BJs with feelings. It’s pretty rare to see fics where Roy is Jamie’s first time with a guy, and this one does a nice job with it.

.

the pull of you - soofyahn - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]  

8k. Uncle’s Day get-together. The second half is very sweet and fluffy (and hot).

.

take my hand (take my whole life too) - LikeAMovieIOnceSaw - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]  

2.5k. Jamie gifts Roy his dirty jersey from the England game and asks if he can suck his dick. D/s elements, a bit of praise kink, subspace, Jamie coming in his pants. All things that are good!

.

heaven-sent is the way you say you're proud of me (i'm unconditionally loved) - holographiccs - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

2k. Roy helps Jamie understand that being soft is a good thing. I am such a sucker for emotional h/c around Jamie’s daddy issues.

“You soft thing, you,” Roy chokes out around the lump in his throat. Doesn’t even think about the word until he clocks the way Jamie freezes. The way every muscle in his back seems to tense up at once.”

.

Something's Gotta Give - pepperlandgirl4 - Ted Lasso (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

3k. Season 1 AU where they’re assigned to be road roomies for a night. Roy hates him and Jamie loves teasing him. This is sexy! I want more S1 AUs where they have a ton of sexual tension and Jamie is basically openly horned up for Roy. There are two sequels as well that are worth a read!

“I knew you could be nice,” Jamie murmured.

“I’m not fucking nice.”

“Knew you liked me.”

“I fucking hate you.”

“Hmm, and you think I have a pretty face.”

#roy x jamie x keeley #roy x jamie #ted lasso #ted lasso ot3 #jamie tartt #roy kent #keeley jones #roy x keeley x jamie #royjamie #fic recs #long post #ted lasso fic recs

[allthingsmustfall]

Ted Lasso, Season 3, Episode 6

Look you know, I don’t even go here, but That Episode of Ted Lasso in Amsterdam, with Trent and Collin and the complexities of coming out has been sitting in my head all week (I mainlined the third season in about 2 days, sue me).  

I’m sure Tumblr has already had several schisms on whether or not this was done well, but as someone who came relatively late in life that I’m a dyke, the conversation between Trent, who has a complex backstory that implies that he came out while he was still married to his wife and whatever hell and heartache that followed after (even if she was unhurt and supportive, that could not have been easy), and Colin, a young man with very simple, heart wrenchingly wants and goals from his life, while they sit quietly, gently in front of Homomonument while the bells of Westerkerk chime is just - 

OK, back in ye olden times of fanfic, so many of the stories were a bit hamfisted (me, me, i’m talking about me) treatises on coming out or coming to terms with attraction or what have you.  Character A wants Character B, but to see if they really want Character B, they have to bang some chicks to prove they’re not REALLY gay or something something - it wasn’t always great, but what i remember from that era was that the fear of being gay/being exposed was a part of those stories.  And I’m not saying it was always necessary or done well, but it did feel a bit more grounded in reality.  In more recent times, probably as a function of fanfiction being more acceptable and some of the stigma around queerness that i felt in the 90s and aughts easing (things aren’t good now, not with our trans brothers and sisters suffering so acutely and publicly, but i’m just saying there’s been a culture shift), those sentiments have become more of a footnote in fanfic.  And good!  Not everything has to be a realistic take on every inch of what queerness looks like, and I am 100% behind the freedom of enjoying fiction in which the sorrow and anger and confusion that I have felt is not an important part of how the characters feel.  We deserve uncomplicated joy and happy endings.  

But what I think might be missing from stories now (and oh yes this includes my own) is how earth shattering a queer community is when you’re making your first forays into being out.  Pride is our celebration because for so long what the world asked of us was shame.  The celebration of a history that you weren’t born to but came to later, that you claimed as part of your lineage because suddenly, things like Stonewall aren’t just historical events of note, but your progenitors throwing bricks through the obstacles we’ve now never known.  

So yes, a young and somewhat fearful gay man sharing his pure hopes with another gay man, who has been through his own struggles, while they sit in front of a monument to queer folk who lost their lives to blind persecution, while bells of hope peel on - it reached into that small aching part of me that clawed my way to a community that loves and accepts me, and a community that taught me my own history.  

I just adored this representation deep down in the depths of me

#ted lasso #trent crimm #colin hughes #queer community #Fanfic wank #god i said wank i'm dating myself #coming out

[51kas81]

Rupert Mannion comes up as “The Devil” in his ex-wife’s phone. Really, can you blame her? The guy dumped her, claimed he didn’t want children, and then married another woman with the same name … and then had a daughter. But Ted Lasso’s third season made the case for just how inherently villainous Rupert was capable of being, beyond vacationing with his “dear friends” the Sacklers. He’s hit by unsavory allegations of sexual impropriety, has no issue continuing his cheating ways behind closed doors, and then, in the finale, shoves his team’s coach to the ground when he refuses to play dirty on the pitch — losing his precious West Ham United in the aftermath. It’s all so diabolical, his name might as well be Rupert Minion.

Anthony Head, who was “scared of being a spoiler” throughout the season, thinks it’s a hoot that Rupert was Ted Lasso’s only character to regress back to his old ways. He’s also pleased that viewers got to see a little bit more humanity in Rupert at certain points in the narrative, which made his 360-degree turn back all the more satisfying. “A lot of us are very insecure,” Head explains. “So it’s such fun being able to play someone else who isn’t.”

I know we have more important matters to discuss, but can we start with Rupert’s Darth Vader–esque coat? It exuded authority and you looked fabulous in it.

Well, thank you. At the end of season two, when Rupert gets Nate onto his side, Jason Sudeikis whispered into my ear that there was something similar to the Emperor and Darth Vader, and how the Emperor brought Darth Vader onboard. I then whispered that same thing into Nick Mohammed’s ear. Wearing a coat like that is wonderful. When you walk away, you know you’re flowing and have a cloak behind you. It was a fun little twist to put in there.

Your character ends Ted Lasso as the sole villain who doesn’t get a redemption. This is a pretty pointed narrative decision, since the show made great effort to transform the behaviors of a lot of unlikeable people. Are you happy with this outcome?

Yes, I am. I loved episode ten, the Super League scene, where the whole thing with Rupert and Rebecca happens. You can see part of the younger Rupert, how they fell in love, and the relationship they had. What I found fascinating about the whole deal was, for me, it was about playing someone with a heart and soul who sometimes might get viewers to manifest into thinking he might work out. But then, no. Let’s have a spinoff series.

What does this man’s heart and soul look like?

He’s a narcissist. Jason and I were talking about how there are elements of him being a sociopath. It’s like everything in the show: It’s based on how characters have grown and have been built. It may have been his childhood or his teenage years. When I got the part, I decided to make Rupert an entrepreneur who had money early on, probably from the telecommunications boom in the ’80s and ’90s. It made him into a rich man, but not somebody who was necessarily productive. He’s very good at seeing things and making people feel enriched.

It seemed like Rupert was heading toward a good light in the final few episodes, but then he implodes in such spectacular fashion during that final Richmond game. How did you want to approach this loss of control so it didn’t seem unbelievable?

I played it with the feeling of being displaced. His sexual behavior, which he always thought he could get away with, was suddenly in the light. It was a very clever piece of writing that Miss Kakes and Bex, his wife, come together and go to Rebecca. People like Rupert, thankfully, are less and less these days, but they still get away with a lot of stuff. I wanted to play it like he finally realized he wasn’t going to get away with it. That’s the core: He’s lost it and he doesn’t know how he’s going to be able to pull it back together.

There was a quote earlier in the season from Rebecca that has stuck with me: “Rupert always gets what he wants.” We’ve primarily seen that in a material sense, both what he owns and his choice in trophy wives. But how do you think that applies to a level of fulfillment? What does he want out of life itself?

There are a lot of people out there who think about others, How could you do that? Why would you do that? How is that going to be good for anyone? But they believe the world revolves around them. If he wants Miss Kakes, he’ll get Miss Kakes. He’s bored with Bex because she’s dealing with his [daughter] now. It’s hard to say what he wants, because he just wants to win. He thinks that winning Nate over is giving him a flashy car and giving him a beautiful woman to have an affair with. He doesn’t really think twice about anything. He just assumes he’s right.

The whole thing with narcissism is until a narcissist actually owns it, they don’t know who they are. It’s a mental journey. The whole show is about the way that we’re all becoming who we are. We shouldn’t be scared of building and learning. That’s what makes life. But someone like Rupert isn’t going to go through that. He’ll probably feel like he’s been prosecuted and singled out. He’ll say Miss Kakes came on to him.

Are you of the opinion that he never fell out of love with Rebecca?

There’s probably a little bit of love lurking. But it goes back to him wanting to have power. I don’t think he ever thought to himself, Oh, I wish I had Rebecca back. But perhaps he thought he could win her back one day if he needed to.

I had a nice conversation with Nick last week, and he told me about the discussions he had with Jason about the direction of his character over the course of this season. Did you also feel it was necessary to get further reasoning from the writers about Rupert’s behavior?

It’s not necessary for me. You play what you feel. A number of people were always on set, and if they had an idea, they would come out and say, “Well, what about this?” Jason would throw in all of these nuances and explain where a line would come from, because some lines had come from a place of authenticity in his life. I didn’t feel like, Oh, I need to talk this over. If someone wanted to, I was very happy to do so. I remember several years ago I went to an acting school in Los Angeles called Beverly Hills Playhouse. The teacher’s whole ethos was: The words will take care of themselves. Just play the emotions. Try them out in the air. When you get a whisper in your ear, “Why don’t you try it?” you should respond, “Okay.” If you leave yourself open to that, it doesn’t restrict you in any way.

Nick’s journey was more specific and potentially more complex. I can understand why he wanted to know further details. But with Rupert, the course was cleverly set. Him dropping out of sight was essential. You kept thinking to yourself, Where’s Rupert? Sometimes you feel things are played on-camera so the audience can see it all. But here, it didn’t all play on-camera. Not all is said. The show asks us to have a thought about that.

The last time we see Rupert is him being taunted by a “wanker” crowd chant as he leaves the pitch —

The American word is “jerk,” isn’t it? But it’s not as powerful as “wanker.”

And a newspaper headline a few days later confirms he was ousted at the club. What would’ve been your ideal ending for him if this wasn’t it?

I thought he might go down for fraud. Something that would undermine the core of his business. Because there has been a bit of that. People who have lots of money can be pulled to that sort of thing.

#ted lasso #anthony stewart head #anthony head #interview #interview 2023

[church-of-lilith]

Honestly what does give me a little comfort in kind of a messed up way is the fact that us sapphics aren't exactly alone-they pretty much screwed over EVERY minority lmao: Nate's storyline wasn't really explored and mostly centered around his relationship with Jade, Keeley could have had a whole fish out of water storyline like Ted about winning over her coworkers but instead the focused on her relationship drama, completely wasted Edwin and Shandy's potential for cheap laughs, gave a half assed attempt at writing Sam's storyline only to call him literally getting hate crimed a "big whoop" and never address it again, never actually giving Dani a storyline, like the list goes on and on XD its honestly kind of impressive how they managed to lowkey tear down their entire legacy Omg if you can edit your reddit post you should also mention how the only other sapphic character on the entire show is that creepy dog breeder..

This is so true. It feels like they dropped the ball for every single minority character and the longer you think about it the worse it gets.

Let’s talk Nate for a second because his whole storyline really baffles me. They had him coaching at Westham, and then they had him quit (or was he fired?) from Westham OFF SCREEN? And then suddenly an episode later he’s back as the assistant kitman for Richmond? I’ll never understand why these writers were so dead set on him coming back to Richmond, all so he could just fade into the background. And while I do believe the whole kit man decision was a temporary one, and that going forward they made him a coach again, I don’t like the implication that he worked through his issues this whole season to just end up back where he was. There’s no reason Nate couldn’t have gone off and gotten another coaching job at another team! He’s still the Wonder Kid, clearly has mad skills and credibility, you can’t tell me there isn’t a team who would have wanted him! I understand he had to return to Richmond briefly to have closure and make his apologies, but then he could’ve gone off to coach elsewhere and continued to spread the Lasso Way and change the lives of other people! We didn’t need him at Richmond when basically all the work has already been done. I wish they would’ve given me any indication that he’d really been impacted by this whole arc he went through & then gone off to be the change he wanted to see in the world.

Keeley’s whole storyline being about Jack & the business was such a waste of Juno Temple’s amazing acting, and an underutilization of the fan favorite character we know and love. Most everything about her seemed so off this season? And as you pointed out, she really didn’t even become Miss Independent until the very end when Rebecca took over financing and she was able to make decisions about her own business finally. I would’ve much rather they had Rebecca funding it from the start (or at least earlier in the season) so we could have seen her adventures and misadventures through running her own company that didn’t have anything to do with her messy, exploitative relationship with Jack.

The way I feel about them trying to tackle racism with Sam’s storyline is the same way I feel about them trying to tackle homophobia with Colin’s. If you’re gonna half ass it, don’t do it at all. And they certainly didn’t put half the amount of time and effort they needed to into thinking up how to properly handle Sam’s storyline. We went through the whole hate crime that was never addressed again. And then we had this big problem with Edwin in the final episodes where he was like “I’m going to destroy your entire life and you’ll never make money with the restaurant and you’ll never play for the National team.” And then that was just NEVER addressed again?? Not even a throwaway line about Rebecca taking care of it or something?? He was suddenly playing on the Team and the only explanation we were given from Brendan during the AMA was that it was due to ‘national outcry’ like give me a break. Not to mention we never saw Simi again and so we never got to see if she and Sam ended up together. We were sort of just left to infer that everything worked out for Sam, and that just doesn’t work for me.

Poor Dani Rojas was doomed to be nothing more than a joke from the very start. He deserved more, but at the same time I’m almost glad they didn’t give him more because the storylines this season were awful.

So yeah, feels like all of the minorities on the show lost. I don’t know how the writers managed to do this in so little time, but you’re right it is really impressive.

#thanks anon! #how did every character manage to lose #ted lasso #nathan shelley #nate shelley #keeley jones #jack x keeley #sam obisanya #colin hughes #dani rojas

[veryace-ficrecs]

Trent/Ted Lasso fic recs part 2

This list will include all ratings and tags, so read at your own discretion! :)

part 1 here

some small comfort by trentcrimminallybeautiful (biDEMONium) - Rated T

Trent finds Ted having a panic attack in the coaches' office. 

Curious & Judgmental by r_n_g_are_dead - Rated T

When he was ten and three-quarters-years-old, Ted Lasso’s parents left him at the Allen-Bradley Clock Tower for 3 hours and 42 minutes. Well, more like the park across the street. While there, he met a young British boy. Ted gave him a football trading card. The British boy gave him a pen.

Time was infinite. Time with people in your life was not. But sometimes you got more time with them than you ever expected.

what do dogs dream about? by trans_chickens - Rated T

She nestles into her pillows and is just about to close her eyes when she suddenly seems to remember something else. She sits up straight again, blinking at Trent. “He was silly I think, when he said a thing about you.”  Trent, who was this close to feeling triumph over a toddler brought to sleep with no incidents or hiccups, suddenly feels like he’s losing a battle. “What… did he say about me, love?” he asks, mouth dry. Maybe he doesn’t want the answer. He wasn’t even gone that long for the ice cream, how could Ted and Olive have fit in a whole conversation about dog dreams and also talk about Trent behind his back? It’s not fair. It doesn’t make sense. He’d think Olive was making it up if it wasn’t for her sincere expression. That and the fact that Trent suspects his daughter hasn’t figured out the concept of lying yet. He dreads the day she’ll get there, and hopes he still has tons of time until then. He almost wants to believe that time is now when he hears the next words out of Olive’s mouth. “He said you’re pretty.”

recipe for happiness (in khabarovsk or anyplace) by prewars - Not Rated

Series: 7 Works

Ted does what he does best: talk. Trent listens.

I Told You I Would Stay by hippiecommune - Rated G

Coach Ted Lasso from America, the man whose incurable optimism and seemingly infinite supply of well-wishes had somehow wrangled a good opinion out of quite literally everyone he’d ever met, was giving up. He was going home. Trent was here to ask questions about relegation and Ted was here to announce formally that he was resigning. Trent knew this because Ted had left a message three hours ago giving him a heads-up.

the funny thing about coincidences by mmummydust - Rated T

MrBlueSky: What are you working on tonight? Or thinking about on your walk? starman72: Coincidences, coincidentally. MrBlueSky: :) What about them? starman72: Nothing in particular. Just thinking. I’ve had a lot of them occur lately. Just a bit funny how things work out sometimes. --- Ted Lasso has been talking to someone on Bantr. Trent Crimm has also been talking to someone on Bantr. Turns out, they're both using it as a fairly poor distraction for their feelings. This doesn't turn out to be as big of an issue as it seems. Or - Ted and Trent are both incredibly, helplessly oblivious.

the courage to put on the cape by clementines_and_colourful_things - Not Rated

Trent Crimm, The Daily Planet. — A Ted Lasso Superman AU inspired by a Tumblr post by matttheratking. Thank you for violently (and metaphorically) shaking me by the shoulders.

things we are too young to know by andaskwhynot - Rated M

The other man stops talking, looks straight at him. And Trent was wrong, the look he had fixed on him earlier was not a smile, not really. Because now he is smiling at him, and it is nothing short of a beam, bright and open, and there are dimples, and even though the other man has a face that is more narrow than not, all Trent can think of as he looks at him is ‘corn fed’. Trent does a year abroad in the states, gets assigned a football player as a roommate and has his life turned upside down. It's all horribly cliched, until it isn't.

Words are very unnecessary (but they brought me to you) by blueberrywizard - Rated T

“At 4:44 in the morning the smell of coffee, like every other day, woke Trent up. At 4:45 kitchen radio started to play quietly in the background and Trent could, just like yesterday, recognise the sounds of Enjoy The Silence, which he thought was a little bit of a strange coincidence, but well. Stranger things had happened. At 4:50 he was at the kitchen table, thinking about his life choices. About journalism and football and life that kept having turns that he couldn’t predict.” Or: Trent Crimm, The Independent finds himself stuck in the time loop. There’s a lot of British 80's music and questionable life choices included.

Trent Crimm Cannot Be Objective About This by thegables - Rated E

“I’m bigger, you know, so I won’t get as cold, and you’re… not as big, so the cold would bother you more, it stands to reason, so you should just let me go on the outside by the window.” Trent said, “You have the gallantry of a big-jawed American film hero.” His tone when saying it was such that Ted said, “Sorry.”

in my head (I found you there) by lilysaid - Rated E

Trent loses the last three years to amnesia and can't figure out where overly-familiar American football coach Ted Lasso fits into his life.

friday (never hesitate) by oriscribes - Rated G

Trent froze with a small wince. Oops. This was too much. This wasn’t what he meant to do. But it was Ted and he was fucking leaving. But right now Ted was looking at Trent with a gentle smile and a gentler look in his eyes and well shit. Trent needed to leave before he did something stupid like kiss the the gaffer like he got the boy at the end of this fucking fairytale of a season. OR: an alternative take of when Ted is reading over Trent's book.

that funny feeling by bearfeathers - Rated T

Ted needs to talk to Trent about the security footage he found. Except that's hard to do standing in West Ham's facilities with people bustling all around them. So he does the only reasonable thing he can think of: he invites him to dinner.

Total Writing by sbkmm - Rated T

'He’s bouncing off the walls. He definitely made at least two weird noises and waved his arms around like a Muppet.' What happens to Trent after That Scene in s3e07. Can he recover his cool exterior? (spoiler: he can not.)

Take My Whole Life Too by ItsClydeBitches - Rated G

Ted Lasso was the kind of man who taught NSYNC choreography for a going away party and bent his players into impossible positions just to say “Hi, Boss!” in the morning. He’d organized fearsome bets over darts, baked heavenly biscuits on the regular, and had requested at least two boxes from Nate Shelley’s niece, one of which still sat on a shelf in his office, despite the betrayal. Ted was also a passionate believer in what he referred to as “rom-communism,” all the trappings included. In retrospect, Trent should have known he’d go all out for Valentine’s Day.

red-handed love by clementines_and_colourful_things - Not Rated

The ever-bubbling reservoirs of hyperactive energy stored deep in Ted Lasso’s sun-touched soul never ran dry. — Or, Ted Lasso is not the most spatially aware, which leads to a head injury, a hospital visit, and a very stressed Trent.

When Life Gives You Lemons by Springandastorm - Rated T

Trent snorts, which is a sound that Ted has trouble believing he's able to make. "You didn't want to touch the knob?" He repeats. "Nah, it's got all kindsa nasty germs on it, and I know that you bake 'em out anyway, but this one time in college I got food poisoning from a bad donut and spent about two days straight on the—wait." Trent waits patiently for Ted to finish realizing, arms folded. Ted feels his face break open wide. "Trent Crimm, are you making a dick joke?" "...I'm attempting to." Ted thinks that if there were a little meter for how much he likes Trent, that might've just broken it.

lonely, lonely boys (this one's for you) by clementines_and_colourful_things - Not Rated

Nothing about Kansas feels right. And that’s only partly due to the massive fucking tornado.

Or, Trent ventures to Kansas to attempt to drag Ted back to Richmond, but nasty weather throws a wrench in his plans.

Biscuits for Blushes by JessJesstheBest - Rated G

“Clara’s class is having a holiday party and it just so happens that she has listed your biscuits as her ‘Favorotti’ of all time. She absolutely refuses to bring her classmates anything else to the party.” Or Trent's daughter has requested Ted bake cookies for her whole class and obviously he's on board.

Can’t Cry in Public and Can’t Drink Alone by WordsInTheNight - Rated G

When the wifi goes out at Ted's, Ted and Beard turn to watching the Shocker game at Mae's. Trent happens upon them and is invited into the wonderland that is watching football--with football coaches. Ted jumps on chairs. Beard is as protective as a mama bear, but buys Trent a pint. Just some smoopy afternoon getting to know each other and sharing each other's space. Pre-relationship, but the air is thick with promise. Set slightly after season 2, so two-ish years since the Shockers won the Division II NCAA championship. Trent Crimm is working on a book about Richmond. They haven’t hooked up, but intention is in the air.

exercising restraint by trentcrimminallybeautiful (biDEMONium) - Rated E

Following a fun and informative encounter with his favorite ex-journalist, Ted has a rather uncomfortable meeting with the Diamond Dogs. Featuring: Trent Crimm and the be-catted bag, Leslie Higgins knowing a lot about BDSM, Roy Kent being the world's most unwilling participant in this conversation, and Beard being Beard.

Top of the List by infiniteeight - Rated G

Rebecca wants Ted to be happy. Ted is good at making other people happy, but sometimes he needs to be nudged into taking something for himself.

The Humble Himbo by ItsClydeBitches - Rated G

Join narrator Trent Crimm as he follows one of the world's most magnificent creatures, the Himbo, capturing never-before-seen moments within AFC Richmond.

linger by trentcrimminallybeautiful (biDEMONium) - Rated G

Rebecca comes to see why Ted hasn't gotten off the team bus yet.

#veryace recs #ted lasso #trent crimm #ted lasso/trent crimm #tent #afc richmond #ted lasso fic rec #fanfic recs #ao3 fic recs #ao3

[finerllines]

you and that moustache [football!h]

a/n: hello! i am back with another blurb for football h that is inspired by my love for ted lasso <3 reblogs and comments are always appreciated and if you have any ideas for this au please lmk!!

summary: harry hates how much y/n loves ted lasso

wc: 900+

cw: none :D

///

y/n doesn’t wait for Harry as she carefully balances her bowl of leftovers on her bed and leans forward to press ‘play’ on her laptop. The familiar cold open immediately puts a smile on her face.

“What are we watching today, love?” he asks, carrying his own dinner to join his girlfriend on the bed. “Again? We’ve watched Ted Lasso so many times already.”

“Shh. You said I can pick today and I wanna watch Ted Lasso.”

Harry grumbles to himself, mocking y/n when she laughs at the show. It’s not that he doesn’t like Ted Lasso, he found it funny the first three times they had watched it. But this must be nearing the tenth time and he is getting sick of it. Not just sick of rewatching the same episodes over and over, but sick of the show in general.

Ever since the show aired, y/n has been obsessed, even by her usual standards. She started a new side blog dedicated to the show and even though there hasn’t been a new episode in months, she is still consistently making gifs and photosets. Now, Harry likes to think he is a supportive boyfriend. He has never made fun of her having fan blogs or laughed at her when she cries over shows, but he is finding it difficult to not feel annoyed.

At first, he thought this would be a fun way to get y/n more interested in football because despite having been to a good number of his football matches, she really only goes to cheer when his team gets introduced and wish him congratulations after. He isn’t even confident that she knows any of the rules. Well, she probably didn’t before Ted Lasso, but after the first season, she wouldn’t stop asking about what ‘off-side’ meant and whether teams really did fun formations.

Harry was all excited too, thought that she had suddenly developed a new love for football. Now, he can safely say all his excitement has died.

“I don’t understand why you love this show, you don’t even like football.”

“Well, maybe I do like football now.”

He scoffs. “Then why are ya watching a bloody show, love? You’ve got a fit footballer at your beck and call. I can bring you to the field tomorrow. Fuck Roy Kent.” His tone coming across more serious than he intended.

“Well, it’s less about the footballers and more about Ted.”

“Ted?” he asks, almost offended. “All this time you’ve been crushin’ on Ted?”

She doesn’t answer, choosing to shove a large spoonful of food into her mouth instead.

Harry can’t let this go; he doesn’t understand.

“What is it about this ‘Ted’ then? He’s old.”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. He’s funny, kind, has a moustache …”

“Please, I’m funny and kind, and I can grow a moustache.”

“Can you really?” she asks, attention pulled away from the screen for the first time this entire conversation.

“That bloody moustache. You didn’t tell me you like moustaches. You never gave me a fair shot!”

y/n catches onto the seriousness in Harry’s voice. She pauses the show and gently pinches his chin so that they are facing each other.

“Harry, are you mad at me?” she asks softly.

He pouts. “No.”

“Lovie, I love you and I am very attracted to you. I think you’re the hottest man alive, hotter than Ted. I’m sorry, I didn’t realise you were so upset by this stupid crush, but I love you the most and it’ll take more than a moustache to make me stop. Okay? I’ll shut up about the show, I promise.”

With both hands she cups his face gently and he closes his eyes momentarily at the contact as he leans further into her palm. “I’m sorry, I’m being stupid and jealous. I just … I couldn’t make you like football and this stupid fake football team can. I don’t know, I know you love me, but this one’s just a bit too real.”

“Oh Harry, that’s because you are more than just some football guy to me. There are so many cooler, more lovable things about you than how good you are at football. No need to be jealous okay.”

“Okay, but I’m still a little hurt so I think I need to be little spoon again tonight.”

She rolls her eyes at her needy boyfriend. “My big baby, of course I’ll cuddle you.”

Still wearing a pout, he tugs at her hips to pull her to nestle in between his legs and lean against his body. One hand stays wrapped around her waist while the other slowly spoons his dinner into his mouth cautiously.

“You can watch your dumb show now.”

y/n tilts her head up to press firm kisses under his jaw, snuggling into Harry’s warmth. The best way to watch her favourite show, she discovered, is wrapped in her boyfriend’s arms, surrounded by his scent.

“Wait ‘til my moustache grows out,” he whispers into her ear, “then you’ll lose your mind.”

She thinks she just might.

#harry styles blurb #harry styles imagine #harry styles #harry styles fanfic #harry styles x reader

[all-chickens-are-trans]

i’m always going back and forth between my expectations and fears for ted lasso s3 - on one hand being worried that the gay club filming is nothing really and won’t be addressed much, on the other being absolutely convinced that it’s going to be a major plot point that will involve several characters and will span over the course of several episodes - but today i’ve reached a new high

you know these straight-baiting shows? that kinda get set up for one or two seasons without addressing queer sexuality much, but then BAM suddenly it’s all queer and the queerness is deeply woven into the whole narrative?? yeah I’m really thinking about that today. imagine if we got several characters confirmed queer?? in various ways??

of course colin is gonna be right at the start of it all. the show has put out the bread crumbs for us to follow, and it’s all leading us to a ‘colin is gay’ arc

and he needs someone to talk to! because maybe his dating life sucks or the press are becoming difficult to handle and he tries to avoid a scandal - so he turns to keeley, who will now be confirmed bisexual, making it clear that those weren’t just jokes in the past

keeley is good with pr, but there’s the thing with being a gay professional athlete where she really doesn’t have much to help. that’s where trent crimm, newly independent and a gay/queer man in sports, comes in to help out

and from there? who knows. everything is possible, babes <3

maybe colin will actually get a love interest?

maybe it’s a whole domino chain reaction - now that it’s a topic in the locker room, all sorts of people might have realizations or revelations about themselves

what if there’s something between isaac and colin?

what if dani has always been indifferent to the gender of the people he likes, just never made a big deal out of it?

what if it wasn’t an editing mistake that there was a guy on sam’s bantr?

what if the continued meow meow-fication of jamie involved a storyline about internalized homophobia?

what if ted himself got a go at it? oohh the possibilities are endless with this one, from “has always known he liked guys, too, and was just too in love with Michelle so it never came up” to “is only just realizing this now” and i’m in love with all of them

ooohhhh i could go on and on

one final point is that it could be so perfectly interwoven with the story of Rupert as the main antagonist and Nathan walking that line between redemption arc and falling to the dark side - honestly who would be surprised if Rupert was homophobic? and trying to take Ted down for turning AFC Richmond into a ‘clown show’/’pride parade’ (e.g. going to a gay club with his team, letting his captain wear a rainbow armband on the pitch, etc.) but please please ask me about that another time, i have too many thoughts about this to make them fit into this post

anyway, whoa. Imagine all we could have. i’m tinhatting today <3 feel free to share your thoughts, add on, etc.

#ted lasso #colin hughes #trent crimm #keeley jones #isaac mcadoo #jamie tartt #nathan shelley #my posts #ted lasso s3 #ted lasso spoilers #okay to reblog

[itsclydebitches]

To add to that gif-set, Ted's "This is still their team, we're just borrowing them" when he let public watch practice, with Rebecca's "Just bc we own these teams, doesnt mean they belong to us" in the newer episode

Ooo nice catch, anon! I want to re-watch the episode solely for all the callbacks and references. It feels like every scene was a nod towards some earlier moment, usually as a way to highlight someone's growth, which is real nice to see as the series winds down. I've actually wanted to tackle Ted's "This is still their team" moment since it aired, especially because the fans come to watch - and are crucially excited to watch - BEFORE Total Football begins the winning streak. I think it shows the profound growth of the town too (as shown through our pub trio) that we've gone from "Wanker! Wanker! Wanker!" to support even while Ted is losing/in the middle of (from an outsider's perspective) changing tactics in the middle of the season. Even if they won't admit it (as, again, seen in the pub scene when Henry is visiting), the town believes in Ted now, even when Ted isn't actively proving why they should.

The only thing I'm meh about in that episode Nate's continued off-screen development where we suddenly slam into an episode and discover he's made some huge leap forward without, from our perspective, any catalyst for it: he wants to apologize to Ted! He's got the confidence to snag a girlfriend! He leaves this high-powered job because it's the Right Thing to Do! I mentioned in another post that I think they took Nate too far into antagonist territory and his issues are too complex for him to just ~magically~ improve. Especially when he's in an environment that, by logic and his history, should be exacerbating his worst tendencies, not encouraging him to question them. So I would have actually liked more callbacks for Nate as a means of helping him work through some of those challenges. Instead, we're continually bombarded with new information: Nate has quit his job, Nate's father actually just wants him to be happy, Nate can play the violin and has been labeled a "genius" long before Richmond, Nate is sneaking into the club to give apologies...

I mean, it's not bad (I thought, in a vacuum, that moment with Will was extraordinarily lovely, taking Nate back to his kitman roots and having him embrace "Wonder Kid") it just doesn't feel earned to me? No one can claim that Nate hasn't improved tremendously over the course of this season, which is what I wanted, but I wish we could have seen a more nuanced depiction of how that came about, especially given just how deep into self-hatred and anger he was at the end of Season 2. It feels like Season 3 opened with a far more chill Nate than the one we last saw and since then he's just been improving in leaps and bounds... but without the support that, Ted Lasso argues, is necessary for improvement in the first place. So Nate grows because it's the last season and he has to, not because that makes any sense after two seasons of stewing in a warped perspective of events, being cut off from everyone who could help him see clearly, while simultaneously being manipulated by the one man in this show who is truly excellent at making people think the worst of themselves.

Seriously, Rebecca only escaped Rupert's influence after divorcing him and taking on three years of hard emotional work with Ted to steer her, but Nate sees through Rupert while actively under his thumb and with most of Richmond hating him (as shown by Beard still making target dummies of him)? Ehhhh that's real convenient for the short time-frame of the series.

#Ted Lasso #Ted Lasso spoilers #Nate Shelley #sorry anon that turned into a Nate ask unexpectedly

[crazyintheeast]

When you suddenly realise that the entire premise of Ted Lasso is about a middle age white man being handed an extremely high paying job he doesn’t deserve and how he keeps failing upwards while doing basically nothing . And we cheer for him because he is …. sympathetic ? like don’t get me wrong I love the show but yikes

#ted lasso

[my-soupy-brain]

Morning (Part 2)

Description: The morning after helping Ted through his panic, and staying with him to keep him safe, your feelings for each other come to fruition.

Relationship: Reader (f) x Ted Lasso

Warning: Oral sex, teasing, grinding, fingering

Smut level: 🔥🔥🔥

—-

Your eyes squeak open with the morning. Ted is behind you, his arm keeping you close by your waist. You hum at the embrace.

You curl tighter, burying your head in the pillow. It’s not time to get up, so you don’t. As you move around, Ted squeezes you closer, his face near your neck, his breath fanning your hair. His hand moves up and down your waist, making your heart flutter, before settling in your hip.

And you feel something else behind you too. With one more shimmy of your waist, you feel it twitch against your ass.

You’re tempted to torture him but you don’t.

Once more for good measure. You back up closer to him, bumping into him. His hand clutches your hip harder and you hear…

“Uuughhhh…” gently leaves his lips, and you feel his lips against your neck.

You stop moving, feeling guilty for teasing him. But instead, he holds you tighter, moving his hips against you while he groans. He must still be asleep because he wouldn’t do this awake.

You love Ted, always have. Being with him is a dream so if this is as close as you get, you’ll welcome it. As you attempt to turn over to see his sleeping face, you find two hazel eyes open, his lips curled in a smile.

You return a smile, batting your eyes in nervousness at his glance.

“G’mornin’, darlin’,” he murmurs, his hand still on your hip, yours on his bicep.

“Hey there,” you whisper. “How did you sleep?”

“Better with you here,” he answers. “I’m so glad you are still here.”

You blush at his words and move your head closer to his, sharing a corner of his pillow.

“Yeah? Me too,” you reply, looking at his lips, his beautiful jawline, the stubble of his face, that nose you adore whenever he turns his head.

He suddenly raises his hand to your face, his thumb tracing your cheek. And he leans forward to press his lips to yours. You meet him, humming delightedly at the sensation, which feels electric. Your tongue teases his lips, and he opens to you, both of them dancing together. His hand goes to the arch of your back, holding your body close to his. The feeling of his erection against your thigh makes you slick between your legs.

Deep pockets of air go through your nose, not daring to disconnect for even a second from this man.

Your hands cup his face, down his shoulders and arms. You push him closer to your body, his erection more prominent and the way you want all of him right now is indescribable.

But he suddenly pulls away.

You look at him shocked, lips red and swollen. “Ted?”

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” he mutters. “I don’t know…what came over me…”

You shake your head, holding his face in your hands.

“Don’t apologize, please. I…have wanted this moment for longer than I can explain, Ted…”

He smiles, bashful.

“I have too, darlin’ but I…I feel like I’m taking advantage of your kindness, your friendship…”

You shake your head again.

“No, Ted, never. Never. I’ll be your friend forever if that’s what you want. Don’t feel like you owe me…”

He stops you.

“I…have had a bit of a crush on you for a while…but I…I really like you. I just don’t want you, gosh, I don’t know.

You look into his hazel eyes, his hair flopped on his forehead.

“Can I kiss you again, Ted?”

He nods and meets you. A slow, languid, lazy kiss that feels like you could melt into the mattress.

He rolls you onto him, his strong thigh between your legs. His hands are in your hair, down your back, and your hips grind against him, making you moan into the kiss.

“I’m sorry,” you whisper, suddenly aware of what’s happening.

“Does it feel good, sugar? Keep going…”

He kisses you again, down your ear, your neck. You grind harder and the throb between you legs is too much before you’re shaking.

“Ugh, god, Ted you feel so good…” you murmur while he sucks on your neck and collarbone.

He moves his thigh with your hips and that sends you over, just the pressure. Having been so lonely, untouched for so long.

“Fuck, I’m…I’m coming…fuck…”

Ted smiles into your neck. Your hands skate down his front to the bulge in his boxer briefs. Your palm meets his cock - thick, hard, and big.

His hands grab your hair in lust.

“Oh, baby…oh…” he pants.

“Can I taste you?” you ask in his moans.

His eyes go wide. Even Michelle didn’t do this. He’s suddenly self conscious until he looks at the glint and need in your eyes. He nods, and you skirt your hand under his briefs to touch him, and you’re eager to know what he feels like. Hopefully someday.

His cock springs free, wet at the tip already. As you shimmy down his torso between his legs you kiss the head and deliver a long lick from base to tip.

His hands are in your hair, holding it back so he can watch you. Before you return you take off your shirt, no left only in your bra and panties. As you bend down, Ted’s eyes are at your cleavage, watching your head dip back down.

“You’re…beautiful… so beautiful,” he says, his drawl making the words slip from his lips.

You smile.

“You’re perfect, just perfect, Ted…”

Your lips wrap around him, taking him in hand to pump him slowly into your mouth. Your other hand skates up his thigh to his belly under his shirt. The feeling of his hair there - soft but masculine - makes you moan.

You push your mouth down further, relaxing your throat to take as much of him as you can. He’s already jerking, cock twitching.

“Oh, ohhh, I’m…I think I’m gonna…you should…”

You squeeze his hand and look up at him, your eyes gleaming in lust. “Let go, Ted. I want it.”

He throws his head back, his fingers cradling your head, as he starts to climb. You hum approvingly.

“Aahhhh, oh, oh my God!” he moans loudly, and you shiver in pride at making him feel so good.

He releases hot ropes of come in your mouth and you smile, the taste of him finally in your body.

As he softens, you gently let go, climbing back up to him. He brings your face to his immediately, tongue finding your mouth. The fact he wants to kiss after this makes you sigh in happiness.

He pulls away again, big eyes searching your face, your lips, and you smile.

“I’ve never felt like that before…” Ted says. “I…I don’t know what to say…”

You smile and peck his lips.

“You don’t have to say anything, love. I’m…glad I could make you feel good.”

Ted sighs. “Can I…touch you?”

You nod again. “Please, please…”

He rolls you to your back and kisses you, unclasping your bra and marveling at your naked breasts.

“You’re so beautiful, darlin’…” he mutters, moving his lips to your tightened nipples.

His mustache scratches the soft skin and it feels so good you could burst. You buck your hips and his hand skates down your rounded belly, tickling under the hem of your panties. When he finds your lips - wet, puffy, and excited - he sighs in relief. He can’t wait to bring you over.

“You’re so wet… you feel amazing…” he says, bringing a finger to his mouth to taste you.

His hand returns, a finger circling your clit making you buck again. He slides a finger inside you and sighs again. One finger and he’s almost taking you apart.

He pumps it slowly, curling it to a spot that makes you unravel. He rises to your lips and kisses you gently.

“Does that…feel good?”

You nod furiously. “So good. It’s been…a long time for me.”

You blush at the admission and Ted smiles.

“You’re tight… you feel amazing…”

You moan at that, hearing Ted talk like this is driving you further.

“More,” you request, knowing this is going to stretch you more.

Ted smiles into his kiss, tongue tracing your lips. He slides another inside, his thumb stroking your clit.

“Ahhh, ah fuck… you feel so good…” you mumble.

“Yeah? Tell me, baby…” he drawls and you melt. “Tell me what to do.”

“Kiss me.”

He kisses you deeply. He’s half hard again, rutting against you. The feeling of his warm, manly body, his lingering cologne, the taste of his mouth…

His fingers keep working you, thumb increasing speed and your climax is close, your body shakes.

“Let me hear you, baby…”

You squeak out a cry, tears escaping your eyes.

“Oh, fuck…Ted… I’m coming… God, you know…how to work me.”

He moans against your lips at that, slowing his fingers down and rubbing you gently as you come back to earth.

You kiss him again, pulling his hand up to your lips to taste yourself. He finishes the job and sucks his two fingers in his mouth.

Where has this man been all your life? How did someone leave him?

His hands come to your side, pulling your nearly naked body against his. His kisses are addictive. Your hands touch everywhere, soft pets and caresses. Eventually he pulls away, laying on his pillow while you lay on his chest. He holds one of your hands over his heart.

Quiet. A few moments.

“Thank you, Ted,” you murmur. He tilts back to look at you. “Thank you for your friendship, thank you for this… for making me feel loved.”

He holds you tighter. He’s quiet. You’re worried.

“I want to be…more than your friend… but only if - if you want that,” he answers, his hand stroking your arm.

You smile.

“I’d love that, when you’re ready…”

He sighs, remembering where he’s at in his process. The divorce. He holds you tighter.

“I’ll wait for you Ted. And if you change your mind, I’ll still be here.”

He kisses your head. In his mind, he knows you’ll be there. And if you are, he’s not changing his mind. But he hopes you’re still there.

Wonderful you. Kind you. Comforting you. Warm, beautiful, smart, gentle. He hopes you’re still there.

#ted lasso #ted lasso x reader #what a man what a man what a mighty good man #ted lasso fanfiction #I had to do this #the man is rotting my brain

[anditendshowyoudexpect]

i need you to admit (that some things just exist)

“So, when did you know?” the words come out seemingly with no input from her conscious self. This has been happening more and more often, and she is fine with it. It’s nice not to have to choose her words carefully—she has come a long way, with a lot of help from her friends.

They have more or less moved on from random calls to a bidaily audio video routine: his early morning/her lunchtime, his midnight/her early morning. She doesn’t think it’s fair, him taking on most of the inconvenience of the time difference. He insists that it’s only fair, as he is the one without a full-time job for now. “Until a more equal arrangement can be,” he declared solemnly, “let the less sleeping one be me.” She was impressed and told him so, giggling at his exaggerated insulted expression.

The more she thinks about it, however, the more she doubts the inconvenience of their temporal imbalance for Ted. She is almost never in bed when they talk, because her evenings are Ted’s afternoons and Ted’s afternoons are Henry’s. Ted, on the other hand, almost always is.

He hums and thoughtfully fiddles with his moustache, the muscles of his forearm flexing slightly, his other arm bent behind his neck. She watches his long fingers move, fascinated and, frankly, more than a little excited, and doesn’t tell herself to stop acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, just squirms a little in her office chair. Nothing, it appears, is safe from becoming a kink these days. A whistle shrills outside, like a call to order.

“Don’t say always,” she warns with a smile. “I don’t want your sweet lies, Lasso.”

“Feels like always, now,” he shrugs, smiling back. “You want a timeline, Welton?”

She does want a timeline. A record, a chronicle of sorts. So much of their relationship seems to have happened without either of them even knowing about it. She wants it to see the light of day, or, in Ted’s case, the soft soporific glow of his bedside lamp.

“There must have been a moment when you thought, ‘Boy oh boy, I wonder what it’d be like to find a ladder and kiss this pretty lady giant’.” Her attempt at his accent is atrocious but it does the trick. Ted’s face on her phone screen jumps up and down, as his laptop rides the waves of his belly laugh. She loves that he laughs with his whole body. He may be excellent at hiding his darker moods, but his joy is impossible to miss.

“Actually…” he says, wiping his eyes, and suddenly looks down, and there is suspicious color on his cheeks that wasn’t there before. “Wait, no, young lady, that’s not what you were asking!”

“Oh no, you are not stopping mid-pee!” Intrigued, she goes through the mental array of her most flattering outfits.

“Okay, but please bear in mind that’s a very natural reaction and has nothing to do with your original question.” She nods impatiently. “Remember your gala my first year in London?”

Ah. Of course. That was the first time she noticed Coach Lasso was a man, not bad-looking one, too, even if she ascribed most of his appeal to his suit.

“I did look quite fit in that black and gold thing, didn’t I...” she sighs dreamily, leaning back and trying to imagine his eyes on her that night. He looked and he noticed, and he was very vocal in his appreciation, but he certainly didn’t ogle, she would have remembered that.

“No, I mean when you were picking a dress in your office and I was trying to tell you my pajama story. Which, by the way, you still—”

“Ted, I was in my fucking dressing gown!” she huffs but can’t help a giggle.

“Yeah, with nothing under it,” he mumbles out of the corner of his mouth and wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

“There absolutely was something under it.”

“Now, Rebecca, first off, did you really have to tell me that. And second, your attractiveness got nothing to do with what you’re wearing, you know that.” She supposes she does know that. She also suspects he is taking the piss, and under her squinting gaze, he gives up. “Alright, that was a joke. Maybe not one of my best. To tell you the truth…” he trails off, chewing on his lower lip in hesitation. “To tell you the truth, this is one of those things I’d prefer to talk about without two screens between us.”

“Ted—” she chokes on a sudden lump in her throat.

“But if you really have to know, that moment was the moment I first saw you.” She is struck dumb and he misunderstands. “I know it was inappropriate, but that was my exact thought. Well, not in those exact words. I’d never call you a giant even in my head.”

“Ted—”

“You’re tall but you’re not that tall. I definitely wouldn’t need a ladder, although if you’re into—”

“Ted.”

He is visibly relieved to see her grin.

“Here it is,” he says gently, sliding his laptop closer, and her heart skips a beat. “Here is my sweet truth. There may not have been one single moment when I knew. But, darling, now there ain’t a single moment when I don’t.”

She must do something, she thinks as she looks into his very serious eyes, forgetting to breathe, about these two bloody screens between them.

#ted lasso #ted x rebecca #fanfiction #snippets #i swear this isn't me #this is just my needtobreathe playlist #i'll stop when i'm back on ismael serrano

[steampunkforever]

Sleeping with other people is an interesting film inasmuch as it tackles the “will they won’t they” dynamic not through blatant miscommunication (though there’s some of that, yes) but by tracing the stories of two people who can’t get over personal hangups, be it scumbag commitment issues or the relatable “can’t stop being hung up on this mediocre person who I loved in the past.”

Alison Brie plays the perfect weird girl for that job. Though her work in Community certainly proved it, this movie had her playing the semiobsessive romantic lead in a way that certainly gave off red flags without making her hostile. When Aubrey Plaza plays a crazy ex you excuse her actions because “she’s fun and attractive” but Brie’s performance is right where it needs to be, where you clearly understand the harm of her actions but still feel enough for the character to forgive her for the antisocial behaviors exhibited. Plaza’s crazy girl characters run more in the tradition of danger as attractive, which wouldn’t have worked for this film at all. Brie was the perfect casting.

Likewise, Jason Sudekis was also the perfect casting. All in all his character is a total scumbag, where a traumatic youth and commitment issues explain the WHY of his behavior but he still functions as a basically bad person. Normally I’d be tired of this character. No matter how handsome, there’s been enough of these rom com protagonists almost permanently stuck in the “enemies” portion of enemies to lovers that putting up with them to the personal growth part of the film is such a chore. Not so with Sudekis. Even when he isn’t playing Ted Lasso this man is so dang charming that while his tendencies may be negative you can’t help but love him. Great casting on this part.

The film’s ability to entreat you to love these characters despite their very apparent flaws is its superpower. Unlike so many films where the heroine of the tale does *something* and suddenly the male lead has seen the light, the romance in this movie focuses around personal growth and moves the character development subtly if with sophistication. I didn’t expect this! It’s cute!

The second time these two characters meet they’re HORRIBLE for each other and even recognize this fact. Then we find ourselves in the third act as these two people are deeply in love and not sure what to do about it and have no idea how we got there. The movie puts you from point A to point B where the end is predictable but the route the film takes is not. Subtle character development and watching these two slowly grow as people is so much more enjoyable for that fact.

Of course the very best part of the film is Adam Scott’s antagonist character, described early on as “the Pontiac Aztek of people.” Specifically what I love about him was the design choice to give him what is essentially a “mustache twirling villain” costume spruced up for the modern age. He looks like he should wear a monocle and have a maiden tied tie a train track. It’s incredible.

#sleeping with other people #filmposting

[thesschesthair]

Things I Ioved/hated about the final Ted Lasso episode.

Loved:

Rebecca's plea to Ted - I felt her desperation at losing her friend. Their scenes were incredibly heartfelt and she absolutely KILLED IT! The impact he'd had on her and vice versa... it hit hard and was truly beautiful.

Nathan's apology - while I still don't like what he became, his apology to Ted was raw and real... I can't deny that. He was really hurting and really regretted what he'd done.

Roy & Jamie's friendship - these lads give me life. I love them.

Roy becoming manager - Yes. Just- Yes.

Sassy - I just love her... and her brutal slagging off of Rupert.

Ted leaving - Obviously it broke my heart to see him go, but I loved that despite how loved and needed he was, how he'd built this newfound family.... he stuck to his guns for his son. His heart wanted to go home to his boy, and while it probably tore him apart to leave, he didn't falter. I bloody miss him already, but seeing his son's reaction to him coming home? It's clear why Ted couldn't stay. He's a father first and an amazing coach second.

Trent losing his shit in the crowd - About fucking time! Trent, you're a fucking LEGEND!!! That was glorious to see.

Dr Sharon - Yaaay!!! She got sucked in and I loved seeing her cheering the boys on :D I was so glad to see her.

Colin kissing his man - YES. Fuck what people might think. Your team loves and accepts you, you love and accept you, so grab that smooch of your guy and celebrate!! No more having to hide.

Hated:

The song & dance - I'm sorry but I feel like the 'himbo' jokey side of the squad became a bit too cartoony. It felt like an episode of Glee and dumbed the players down, personally.

Roy & Jamie - the whole fighting over Keeley thing was unnecessary. Yes, they both love her in their own way, but these two have come so far in their own ways to suddenly revert to that. Jamie has grown tremendously, and Roy was the responsible adult who didn't play childish games in the beginning.... that whole plot felt like it was regressing both men purely for comic relief. I really wasn't a fan.

Nathan - I just can't forgive him that easily. I respect and love the team for being able to move past it and welcome him back into the fold... but the nastiness this guy showed to those who built him up and made him someone, all because of jealousy & daddy issues.... I can't trust him, even if his apology was true and heartfelt. I just can't. He crossed a line with me I can't forgive so easily.

I'm sure there's other moments I loved/hated that i've missed, but those are the ones I remember.

Overall, i'm really sad to see the show come to a close, but am forever thankful to this wonderful series for bringing me some amazing characters I got to love.

It ended on a good note with enough doors left ajar if they ever want to explore or reprise later on, I guess? But i'm not expecting that.

Farewell, Richmond.

Greyhounds for life.

#ted lasso spoilers #just my thoughts #I'm sad to say goodbye #but blessed to have had it while it was here