slut - Alexia Putellas

23.

good evening everyone.

all eyes on the match tomorrow, hope they'll be able to claim their bronze medal. is anyone else sad that the olympics will end this weekend? it went by so fast.

enjoy this thursday evening update. ☕️✍🏼

Navigating the Ballon D'Or winner's sports car into the parking lot of the medical center, Erin glanced over at the midfielder beside her, noting the tension etched into her unsettled features.

Alexia let out a nervous exhale, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her seatbelt.

"Thank you for coming with me, Erin. I don't think I could have done this alone," she admitted gratefully, her hazel eyes flickering with a mixture of anxiety and gratitude as she uttered her first words ever since they got into the car.

Flashing a warm smile as she switched off the engine, Erin tried to lighten the mood. "Well, you know, my therapy reputation depends on your knee getting top marks, so you better behave yourself in there," she teased, her eyes twinkling with playful sincerity.

Entering the building, the therapist sensed the FC Barcelona captain's nervous energy like a palpable presence once they settled into the chairs in the waiting room.

Alexia had been silent the entire ride there, and the blonde couldn't help but notice how her gaze was fixed on her knee, on the white bandage that concealed the scars beneath.

Yes, the Ballon D'Or winner was struggling.

She really was.

Leaning back comfortably, Erin spoke with a very calm and soft voice, offering as much comfort as she possibly could. "The scars will heal beautifully, Alexia. I've seen many athletes through this process."

Turning her head to meet the therapist's gaze, the captain's voice trembled slightly with uncertainty.

She was nervous.

So nervous.

"How can you be so sure?"

Chuckling warmly, Erin slowly leaned forward and started rolling up her pant leg, all the way up to her knee, until a very similar scar on her own knee is revealed. "Because I've been through it too," she admitted quietly, watching as realization dawned on Alexia's face.

Words eluded the athlete for a moment as she processed the newfound information.

"You never told me you suffered a knee injury," the midfielder murmured, a mix of surprise and curiosity in her voice.

"Well, you never asked," the blonde replied with a shrug, giving Alexia a moment to absorb this new information before continuing. "My ACL injury ended my career. Therapy didn't go as planned, and I never returned to the pitch."

Alexia's chuckle was uncertain as she leaned back in her own seat, her nerves palpable as she inhaled and exhaled a couple of deep breaths. "Now that doesn't help with the nerves," she admitted, her voice wavering slightly.

Reaching out, the therapist carefully placed a hand on Alexia's knee, feeling the athlete tense slightly beneath the touch, before the captain turned her head to look at her.

"Alexia, I'm determined that won't be our story. I've refined knee therapies since my own experience and successfully treated many athletes. We'll get you through this. Together."

Still processing the blonde's words, Alexia opened her mouth to respond, just when the doctor appeared, calling her name from the doorway.

Entering the examination room, the doctor greeted them warmly, shaking Alexia's hand first before turning to Erin with a smile on his face.