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IN WHICH england loses against spain in the final
THE STADIUM lights were blazing, the air heavy with tension and disappointment. england had just lost the Euros final to Spain, a hard fought game that left every player on the pitch drained. for jude bellingham, the loss was like a punch in the face, an overwhelming wave of guilt and frustration crashing over him.
as the final whistle blew, jude stood on the pitch, hands on his head, staring blankly at the ground. he could feel the weight of the loss settling on his shoulders. he kept replaying moments from the match, mistakes he thought he'd made, passes he felt he could have completed differently, shots he wished had gone just an inch further to the left or right. each thought sharpened the pain, making it feel unbearable.
in his anger, he kicked the water box by the sideline, sending plastic bottles scattering. his jaw clenched, and his eyes stung with unshed tears. he had worked so hard, they all had, and now it felt like he'd let everyone down, his teammates, the fans, and even his country. all the sacrifices, all the effort, felt hollow in that moment of defeat.
elena, his girlfiend, had watched the whole game from the stands, her heart pounding with every play, every close call. she saw how hard jude fought and knew exactly what this meant to him. so as soon as she could, she made her way down to the pitch, weaving through the scattered officials and press. her gaze found jude, alone, shoulders slumped in defeat. he looked like he was carrying the world, and her heart broke for him.
"jude" she said softly, her voice steady yet full of warmth. he didn't look up right away. she took a step closer, hesitating as she saw the anger and sadness in his eyes. it hurt her to see him this way, but she knew how fiercely he loved the game and how much he put on himself to succeed.
"you played so well. i'm so proud of you" his girlfriend said, reaching out gently. jude's eyes flickered to hers, but he couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze fully. he felt like he didn't deserve the praise, like he didn't deserve her comfort. he looked away, shaking his head, his voice a low murmur.
"no, elena. i let everyone down. i messed it all up. i should have done better" he said, his voice raw with emotion. his body was tense, distant, as if he was building a wall to keep her at arm's length.
but elena was undeterred. she reached for his hand, squeezing it gently but firmly. "jude, no one is blaming you. no one. you gave everything out there. i know you. i know how hard you fought. i love you and so does everyone else. don't forget that" her voice was steady, soft, yet unwavering.
jude let out a shaky breath, his defenses slowly crumbling under her gaze. he couldn't bear the idea of disappointing her, of letting down the people who mattered most to him. "it wasn't enough. i know it myself" he whispered, finally looking at her.
elena placed her other hand on his cheek, guiding him to face her completely. "you are enough, jude" she said softly. "you're always enough. no matter what. you can't carry this all alone. i'm here for you and so is your family and the people who love you"
the words were like a balm to his battered heart. she was here, right in front of him, not judging or blaming him, just offering her unconditional support. in that moment, he couldn't keep up the distance he'd tried to put between them. jude pulled her into a hug he really needed, wrapping his arms around her tightly, as if she was the only thing grounding him in that painful reality. he buried his face in her shoulder, taking in her warmth and the quiet strength she gave him.
for a few seconds, it was just the two of them on the pitch, all the noise and cameras fading into the background. he held onto her, and she held onto him, her hands rubbing gentle circles on his back. jude didn't realize how much he needed this until that moment, the reminder that he wasn't alone in this painful situation.
around them, the cameras began to capture the scene, the moment between jude and elena that was of more than just a football match, more than a loss. some of jude's teammates approached, clapping him on the back, giving him handshakes, small gestures of support that reminded him they were all in this together.
declan, one of his closest friends on the team, wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "we'll get them next time, mate," he said, a hint of determination in his voice. "you played like a beast out there." he said before he gave elena a side hugY
jude managed a small nod, the weight in his chest starting to ease. elena's arms around him, her soft whispers reminding him of his worth, that helped him start to find peace with the loss.
the cameras caught every moment, but jude didn't care. for now, he let himself lean on her, let himself be vulnerable.
sizer jude's shower, he emerged from the locker room looking more refreshed but still carrying the weight of the game in his eyes. elena was waiting for him outside, a warm smile on her face that melted some of the lingering frustration and sadness he still felt. he took her hand without a word, grateful just to have her there, walking together through the door where paparazzi shouted and fans asking for pictures.
as they reached the car, jude opened the door for his girlfriend. before she slipped in, he leaned in, his gaze meeting hers with a look that was both soft and intense. she reached out, touching his cheek softly.
without another word, jude in, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. it was a gentle, lingering kiss, filled with a quiet sense of comfort and love that said all the things words couldn't. in that moment, he allowed himself to feel her warmth, her presence wrapping around him like a balm, easing the ache in his heart.
they pulled back slightly, and elena smiled up at him, her eyes filled with understanding and reassurance. jude managed a small smile, feeling some of the tension leave his shoulders. "thank you for everything" he murmured softly.
"always" she replied, giving his hand a squeeze before he closed her door and walked around to his side.
