My Book of Fics

Too Little Too Late - Mason Mount

Dinner and Drinks Night - a monthly tradition with your work colleagues, which you've been included at since you began working at Portsmouth FC when you got hired right after Uni. It takes place at a restaurant chosen by the person who's turn it is, the choice rotating per month. On this particular night you end up sitting where you can see a couple at the table next to yours, sharing the occasional kiss while their fingers are twined and resting on their table, the affectionate gestures making you long for something similar. While you keep your happy act up for the appetizers, it seems to go away between courses.

A nudge against your shoulder makes you turn your head, one of the ticketing managers who is sitting next to you looks at you with a silent question. "I'm fine don't worry" you reply quietly, she furrows her brows and rotates to face you fully, "can I ask you something?" she asks, you bite your lip nervously but nod, "d'you reckon you would have married Mason if he stayed?" the question makes your breath hitch before you let out a sigh, "it doesn't matter, it's not like he came back for me", she takes your hand and squeezes it, you start to wonder why you told her about your previous relationship with the Chelsea star as the two of you ignore the conversation happening around you. "I should tell you that he's coming to a match next week" you snap your head up in surprise, "what? why?" she shrugs, "something that the boss wants, to help get people excited" you curse under your breath, "do I have to be there?" she snorts, "you're a coach babe, it's kinda your job" you huff and grab your drink off the table, "i'm gonna need more of these" she pats your shoulder and you try not to overthink what might go down when you see Mason again after three years.

••••

You don't realize how much Mason coming back is bothering you until the night before the match. Sleep doesn't want to come so you're leaning against the headboard while Jamie, the guy you're dating is asleep peacefully next to you. A sigh you believe is quiet leaves your lips and you tilt your head back while closing your eyes. When a hand comes to yours you open your eyes to see the man that was asleep is now looking up at you in concern, "what's got you like this darling?" He asks while rubbing his thumb against the back of your hand, "it doesn't matter" you reply automatically. He proceeds to sit up before bringing you into his embrace, "I know that you haven't been sleeping and that you're picking at your nails again" you raise your eyebrows, surprised that he noticed, "give me some credit Y/N" you sigh again in response and slouch into him not sure if telling him about your thoughts of Mason's return is a good idea.

"Is it because of tomorrow's match?" you curl your fingers into fists to rest them on his chest, "yes" he drops his head onto yours, "is it because Mason will be back" you close your eyes, "how'd you hear about that?" he chuckles while lifting your head so that he can see your now open eyes, "everyone is talking about their golden boy coming home" you cringe and he proceeds to press soft kisses along your neck and shoulder making you giggle. "I know there's history between you two, should I be worried?" you shake your head and place your hands on either side of his face, "not at all, he's the past but you're my future" he grins and you straighten up to press a gentle kiss to his lips. When he curls an arm around you to quickly pull you into a laying position you laugh and break the kiss, "there's my favourite sound" you smile and he nuzzles his face into the crook of your neck. "Let's get to sleep, don't worry about tomorrow everything will be fine" you weave your fingers into his wavy hair and he hugs you closer, his warmth relaxing you instantly as your eyes finally start to feel heavy, "love you" you mumble and he kisses your head, "love you darling" you smile and let sleep overtake your once rushing thoughts.

••••

The match start comes too quick for your liking the next day, knowing that the acknowledgement of Mason will be before the players take to the field. You ignore the way your stomach flips with nerves and tighten your ponytail telling yourself that you have a job to do and that's all there is to it. Then you spot him, waiting in the player tunnel talking to one of the team employees. Mason's eyes flick to yours so you look away quickly, turning to talk to one of the other coaches. You feel his gaze on you as you try to focus on the play your colleague is explaining while the footballers warm up in front of you.

Suddenly the in stadium announcer comes on, introducing Portsmouth's very own golden boy, you tense up as he walks out onto the pitch while waving to the fans, who are cheering loudly. You can't help but take a look at Mason, his boyish grin the exact same but on a more grown up face, as he turns to wave to the fans behind the bench his eyes find yours again. The look he gives makes you shake your head before looking down at your feet and wonder what if he did stay but the thought disappears when you remember the man in your life right now, the one that supports you and makes you forget about all of your bad days. The whistle is blown to start the match, making you realize that you've been in your own world for longer than you thought, so you look up and focus on the team running across the pitch.

Later as you're leaving the stadium after a hard fought win Mason intercepts your path. "Y/N!" you look up from your phone and stop walking at the sight of the Chelsea star approaching. "Mason" you breathe out and feel your heart skip, he doesn't say anything he just pulls you into a hug, taking you by surprise so your hands hover in the air unsure of what to do. When he realizes that you aren't hugging him back he lets go while frowning, "what's wrong?", you shake your head and furrow your brows, "you know what's wrong" he sighs in response and you two fall into a silence. "I'm sorry Y/N, I should've called, I should've explained myself" you feel tears welling up in your eyes, "I gave you everything and you left me here" he hangs his head while his shoulders slump, "I was stupid, can you ever forgive me?" You look up at him and wipe the tears from your eyes. "I loved you Mason, god I will never stop loving you, but I have grown to accept that I am not going to be the one for you" he opens his mouth to argue but you bring a hand to cover it, "it's too late and we both know it's for the best" he looks into your eyes and you nod, he sighs so you lower your hand, easily slipping your fingers between his, "I forgive you, now forgive yourself and move on, she's out there somewhere you just need to find her" he smiles and rubs his thumb along your hand.

"Y/N baby!" You look over your shoulder to see Jamie smiling while leaning against the exit gates of the stadium, "alright!" You reply and turn back to Mason. "Does he treat you right?" you smile up at the footballer, "he does, now you gotta be that guy for a lucky girl" he smiles in response so you press a gentle kiss to his cheek, "thank you for everything you did for me, please don't dwell on the past Mase" you murmur before stepping away to go to Jamie. He gives you a less confident smile as you back away from him, the tight feeling that you get in your chest whenever you think about the footballer finally releasing, you make a goofy face, which makes him laugh leaving you confident that he will bounce back. With one final wave you spin around to focus on the man that makes your heart flutter, his hand finding yours automatically as the two of you go to the car park, "everything alright with Mason?" he asks, you smile, "yeah all good" you reply and he kisses your head, "i'm glad" you nod and lean into his side, finally feeling a sense of closure for that part of your life, ready to keep moving forward.