Alessia Russo Oneshot

Bonds Beneath the Blanket

The evening air was crisp outside the cosy lodge where the Arsenal team had gathered for their bonding night. Inside, laughter mingled with the crackling of the fireplace, creating an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. You found yourself nestled comfortably on a plush couch next to Alessia Russo, the talented forward whose skills on the field were matched by her infectious charm off it.

The room was alive with banter and occasional cheers from the team playing board games nearby. However, in your corner, Alessia's attention seemed solely fixed on you. Her eyes sparkled in the soft glow of the fire, her smile inviting and genuine. As the night progressed, the temperature dropped, and someone had the brilliant idea of distributing blankets.

Alessia leaned closer, her shoulder brushing against yours as she pulled the blanket over both of you. "Better keep warm," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper but loud enough to send a shiver down your spine.

Your hand lay casually on the couch between you, and Alessia's fingers found their way to intertwine with yours under the cover of the blanket. It was a simple gesture, yet the warmth that spread through your chest was anything but simple. Her touch was gentle, reassuring, as if it held a promise of friendship and something more.

The night wore on, conversations ebbed and flowed around you, but the world seemed to shrink to just the space under the blanket where your hands were joined. Occasionally, Alessia would squeeze your hand lightly, a silent reassurance amidst the cheerful chaos of the team gathering.

At one point, she leaned in again, her lips near your ear as she whispered a joke shared only between the two of you. You couldn't help but laugh softly, feeling the closeness between you deepen with each shared moment.

As the fire crackled and the night grew late, you found yourself reluctant to let go of her hand even after the blanket was no longer necessary for warmth. Alessia glanced at you, her gaze lingering before a small, knowing smile curved her lips.

"Hey," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability beneath its usual confidence, "I'm glad you're here."

The words hung in the air, unspoken but felt deeply. In that simple statement, you knew that beneath the competitive spirit and the drive to win, there was a connection forming, a bond forged not just on the field but in quiet moments like this.

You squeezed her hand gently in response, a silent affirmation of your own. It was a night of laughter, warmth, and shared secrets beneath a blanket, a night where friendships deepened and possibilities whispered in the air. And as you sat there, hand in hand with Alessia Russo, you couldn't help but wonder where this bond might lead next.