WOSO x Reader imagines

Fear of Failure (Alessia Russo)

A/N: An Alessia Russo fic after I go see Arsenal is becoming a thing.

You had felt like a failure after losing the World Cup Final. It was you job as captain to lead and as a striker to score. When the 90 minutes were over you felt like you did neither.

The pain you felt was tough but it failed in comparison to what you felt when you saw Alessia crying. If possible, her eyes were a brighter shade of blue due to the tears she had shed.

"Come on. Let's go in" Alessia tried to take your hand but you pulled away.

"I'm going to stay out here. I can't face them" you walk away leaving Alessia stood alone until Ella comes.

Your relationship was Alessia was very new even though the feelings you had for each other were anything but. It was the first time she had seen you like this and she didn't know what to do.

The lockeroom is quiet but goes silent as you walk in. You ignore the eyes on you as you head into the ice bath where Lucy is waiting for you.

"What should I do?" Alessia asks Lotte knowing that the defender has experience with you at a club level.

"Give her time. She'll come to you when she's ready" it was wise advice and Alessia listened to it.

You came to her when she was on the coach. She left the seat free next to her and you happily slid in. You didn't say anything but you didn't pull away when Alessia held you hand. She saw that as a good sign.

She thought that once you were back in England and at Arsenal that you might have cheered up but that wasn't the case. You were focused on the champions league qualifiers. So much so that you were working yourself into the ground.

The whole team knew it was a cruel form of punishment for the summer so they told Jonas who promised to keep an eye on you.

The first game comes 17 days after the final. You had missed a penalty in the first half but you were relentless after that. Arsenal get the win yet you cannot bring yourself to celebrate. This is what you expected when you play a team like Linköping. You did however make the extra effort to celebrate your girlfriend's debut.

"Girls" you stand up gaining the attention of the entire team "to Alessia who is now officially a member of the Arsenal"

"I think that's the first time I've seen her smile since Australia" Lotte nudges the woman in question.

"It is and even now I don't think it's real" Alessia was really begin to worry about you. Everyone you normally talk to isn't here. Leah, Beth and Viv will meet the team in Germany. Your girlfriend is hoping that once you're around them then something will change.

When you line up against Paris FC you expect the same result but you find yourself two nil down until the final ten minutes. Alessia gets a goal and hopes you celebrate with her but by the time she finds you, you have the ball in your hand and are running back to the spot. Your determination is rewarded as you score in injury time. Paris then take a lead but you manage to get one back and the game is sent to penalties.

It ends with Arsenal losing and you are quick to blame yourself for the loss. It feels like yet another reason why you are a failure.

"Hey" Alessia tries to get your attention as you walk down the tunnel but she gets not response. She doesn't give up though "Y/N" her voice is a slightly more serious tone.

"Less, please, I can't" you cannot meet her eyes.

"Can't what? Talk to me." The blonde asks. You were never one to hide from her. Maybe other people but you were always open with her.