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im crying this is so him

down bad joe & wifey texts for posterity <3

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i adore them sm

wait so cus joe was there after tee and ja’marrs signing.. would our songbird have joined him as well? i can kinda see her being there just telling the camera ppl ahead of time to make sure she isnt in frame or smth

i could be wrong tho

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you know she had to be there ;)

over the past few months, her bond with tee and ja’marr had grown just as her relationship with joe had. they weren’t just his best friends anymore—they wereherstoo. like brothers, really. the kind that raided the fridge without asking, made themselves at home on the couch, and somehow always roped her into their ridiculous antics.

they were over at the houseall the time, which made sense—ja’marr only lived down the road, and he and tee were basically a package deal. outside of football, the three of them were always together, and now? she was part of that, too.

so, of course, she was there for their signings. there was nowayshe’d miss a moment like that. she even told joe, with full seriousness, that if the deals didn't get done, she'd personally hold a strike outside the front office.

"they're about to turn me into the voice of the entire fanbase without even realizing it,".

but, as always, she kept things low-key, telling the camera crews ahead of time to make sure she wasn’t in frame, slipping in and out without drawing attention to herself.

because this wasn’t about her—it was aboutthem.about celebrating two people sheadoredand had come to consider family.

the second tee and ja’marr stepped into the locker room, joe was already on the move.

without hesitation, he leapt onto tee, arms wrapping around him in a tight hug, nearly knocking the both of them off balance. "congrats, bro," joe smiled, voice thick with emotion. they held it for a second—long enough for the moment to settle, for tee to pat joe’s back firmly before pulling away with a grin. tee was like a brother to joe, someone he confided in about everything from love advice (early on in your relationship) to what he should order from jeff ruby's for the team dinner after practice. he was his go-to guy, his most emotionally intelligent friend, and someone he could never imagine playing without.

then, joe turned to ja’marr.

this one was different—deeper. their bond ran back to LSU, back to the grind, back to the moments when they swore they’d be here one day. and now? they were. and they'd get to stay together through it all.

they started off together as just kids, slowly working their way to the top. to the natty. they reached new heights together in college, and now? in the league? they were constantly breaking records and simultaneously etching their names next to the all-time great QB and WR duos. this was a special connection, an unspoken understanding joe could never replicate with anyone else.

joe pulled him in for a tight hug, his grin wide as he shook his head "big money now," joe teased, laughing as he squeezed ja’marr’s shoulder. "congrats, man,".

the cameras were all over it, catching every second, but you just leaned back against the wall, watching it all unfold. watching joe, watching them, soaking in the raw happiness of it all.

you knew how bad they all wanted this, you heard all the unfiltered conversations behind the scenes. so seeing it come to fruition? yeah.

you were ecstatic as hell.

but then ja’marr spotted you.

"ayeee!" he called out, grinning as he gestured you over. "wassup, my girl?!".

you laughed, pushing off the wall as you made your way over, arms outstretched. "congrats, ja’marr," you laughed, pulling him in for a hug.

"thank you, thank you, mrs. quarterback," he chuckled, squeezing you back before letting go so you could turn to tee. you lightly punched his shoulder because of his little comment as you shifted your focus to tee.

"and you," you said, wrapping tee up next. "big-time deals, huh? you excited to put that fishtank in the wall now?".

tee chuckled, shaking his head. "you already know," he said, giving you a tight squeeze before pulling back.

you grinned, nudging joe playfully. "so does this mean i’m surrounded by stable multi-millionaires now?".

"oh yeah, we ballin' now. you too, miss big money superstar," ja'marr smirked with a wink.

tee snorted. “nah, we're all ballin' but joe's still cheap as hell," he joked, pointing at joe, who just rolled his eyes.

“not cheap,” joe corrected, smirking as he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you into his side. "just smart,".

"whatever you say, lover boy," ja’marr teased, shaking his head.

"oh, so was it smart to drop 3 mill on a batmobile you can't even drive legally?" you questioned him while winking at the boys, letting them know you were on their side.

ja’marr and tee howled.

"ohhhh shit," tee cackled, slapping ja'marr's shoulder. "nah, she got you, joe,".

joe just sighed, shaking his head with a smirk. "first of all," he started, tightening his grip around your waist, "i can drive it,".

"yeah?" you challenged, tilting your head. "drive it to the police station? because that's exactly where you'll end up if they see your ass cruising down the banks in that obnoxiously large car,".

ja’marr was losing it. "man, not even we be callin' him out like this," he wheezed. "she fearless,".

joe looked down at you, his little half-smile betraying the fact that he loved every second of this. "you know what?" he mused, voice dropping just enough for only you to hear. "you won't hate it so much if you and i took a trip to the backseat,".

your lips curled. "maybe," you admitted, running a teasing finger along the seam of his shirt. "you gotta put on the batman costume for the full effect though,".

joe sighed dramatically, pressing a quick kiss to your temple before pulling back. "you’re so lucky i love you more than anything else," he murmured, just loud enough for ja’marr and tee to catch.

because that's the only part they needed to catch.

ja’marr grinned. "awww, look at him," he teased. "whipped and reckless with his money,".

you just smirked, leaning into joe’s chest. "eh," you shrugged playfully. "reckless or not, he’s my lover boy,".

and just like that, the jokes kept rolling, the locker room buzzing with laughter, teasing, and nothing but pure celebration.

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Do you ever think songbird gives her opinion on football? Like she has full-on conversations and talks joes ears off when they're watching games and Joe is just like😍🤤 he thinks it's the hottest thing ever. Like I can imagine songbird going around the kitchen while making dinner and talking about the current situation with the Bengals and Joe is standing there DROOLING over her UGH

last one for today <3 you’re lucky it was my day off ;) this was so fun to answer because…hell YES. he’s so obsessed with her and when she talks ball? oh my gawd.

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he’s absolutely feral for it.

joe knew from the jump that she was a football fan—hell, that was one of the first things that drew him to her. she wasn’t just some casual sunday watcher; she lived for this. grew up on it. could recall games from a decade ago like they just happened. even had baby photos in little onesies from her favorite team growing up.

but what really got him? the way she talks about it.

they’re in the kitchen, cooking dinner together—well, she’s cooking, and joe’s just hanging around, pretending to help while really just waiting for her to hand him some kind of easy task. and she’s talking, bouncing around the space, barefoot in one of his sweatshirts, sleeves shoved up as she preps ingredients.

“i’m telling you, joe, if they don’t start utilizing the tight ends more, the offense is gonna stay too predictable. they need to mix it up—get some quick, high-percentage throws going, especially with how much pressure you’re getting. and if they don’t fix that run game soon? we’re gonna be dealing with the same struggles we had last year. it’s a cycle, and it has to break otherwise i’m gonna rip zac a new one,”.

joe is standing there, arms crossed, leaning against the counter, staring at her like she just invented oxygen.

because she’s not just repeating what she’s heard on some sports show—she knows this game. she’s analyzing it, breaking it down in real-time.

and holy fuck it’s sexy.

“babe,” he murmurs, not even realizing he said it out loud.

she glances up, mid-sentence, an eyebrow raised. “what?”.

he shakes his head, blinking a few times like he’s trying to snap himself out of it. “nothin’. just—,” he exhales, rubbing a hand over his jaw, smirking a little. “you’re so hot when you talk ball,”.

she snorts, tossing a chopped bell pepper at him. “you’re an idiot,”.

he catches it, pops it in his mouth, and just smiles so cutely, because yeah, maybe he is. maybe he’s whipped. maybe he’d let her talk about nothing but football for hours if it meant getting to watch her like this—focused, passionate, all lit up with energy.

he steps closer, wrapping his arms around her from behind, pressing a slow kiss to the side of her neck. “nah,” he murmurs, voice low. “just obsessed,”.

—

she talks his ears off at any given chance. monday nights, thursday nights, and as usual…sundays. she just can’t help herself and needs to ramble about her thoughts while watching, a habit she’s had for years. and who better to ramble to then mr. hunky football man himself?

joe had seen plenty of passionate football fans in his life, but nothing compared to her.

they’re on the couch, the sunday night game on, her feet tucked under his thigh as she leans forward, eyes locked on the screen like her life depends on it.

and she’s going off.

like off.

“oh, come on! why would you call that on third and short? the box is stacked, it was so obvious they were gonna crash the line. they should’ve play-actioned that shit—easy first down,”.

joe doesn’t even care about the game anymore. he’s watching her. watching the way her brows knit together, the way her hands move as she talks, the way her voice rises and falls with pure, unfiltered passion.

and then she hits him with, “babe, did you see how they disguised that coverage? pre-snap it looked like man, but then they bailed into a deep zone and completely baited the quarterback—textbook disguise, i swear, if we don’t start running more of that, i’m gonna lose my mind,”.

and he’s just sitting there, staring at her like she just told him the meaning of life, like his whole world has been rocked.

“god, you’re hot,” he breathes, not even thinking about it.

she barely looks at him, too absorbed by what was happening on the screen. “i know,”.

and fuck, that does something to him.

she’s still talking, still dissecting the game, pointing out mismatches and schemes and coaching decisions—meanwhile, joe is just sitting there, absolutely feral, running a hand down his face like he’s trying to contain himself.

she’s a walking, talking dream to him. because it’s not just that she likes football—it’s that she understands it. deep, real, down-to-the-details understands it.

and she cares. she feels it.

he swears he could marry her right now.

instead, he just shakes his head, grinning, squeezing her thigh as he leans in close, voice all gravely in her ear.

“keep talkin’, baby,” he murmurs. “prettiest analyst i’ve ever heard,”.

and when she rolls her eyes but still keeps going?

yeah. he’s gone.

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JOE BURROW Quarterback Season 2 Trailer (2025)

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his laugh oml

QUARTERBACK: S2

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yes

what was the team like when they found out Joe was dating songbird?

in celebration of our two favs getting extended and family staying together <3

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oh, they were shocked. not because they doubted joe’s ability to pull—let’s be real, of course he could, and everyone knew that—but because he was private. painfully private. joe wasn’t the type to be out and about with just anyone, let alone dating someone like her. seriously dating her. not after everything that happened with his last relationship.

so when they found out who she was? yeah, it was like their brains short-circuited.

“nah, no way,” ja’marr had said, staring at the photo in utter disbelief—the one joe had sent ja’marr of him and her on their little backyard date last night. “our joe? this joe?” he jabbed a finger toward the quarterback, who sat unbothered, scrolling through his phone.

tee let out a low whistle. “man, i gotta give it to you,” he said, shaking his head. “when you do something, you really do it,”.

joe just shrugged, all nonchalant, like it wasn’t the biggest flex of the decade. “yeah, i guess,”.

oh, that smug little..god damnit joe.

cue immediate chaos.

some of them were just in disbelief. others were immediately on google, scrolling through pictures, looking her up like they hadn’t just heard her on the radio that morning. and then there were the ones who instantly started grilling him.

“how’d you even meet her?”

“who made the first move?”

“you sure she likes you?” (that one earned a glare.)

“bro, do you know how many people have been obsessed with her since, like, forever?”

and then there were the guys who suddenly became self-proclaimed fans, acting like they had been day ones just because their QB was now dating her. andrei had her music playing in the locker room the next day. mike tried to casually bring up one of her old albums in a conversation. one of his other teammates asked him if he could get him and his girlfriend concert tickets for her next tour, to which joe just gave them a blank stare before walking away.

but the teasing? that was relentless. anytime she was mentioned, joe got looks. anytime one of her songs played, someone turned the volume up. if they caught joe smiling at his phone for a little longer than normal, they teased the fuck out of him.

like the time ja’marr caught him watching a video she sent him during film.

“yo, joe, you good over there?” ja’marr called out, smirking like he’d caught joe red-handed.

joe didn’t even look up. “yeah, why?”.

“’cause you cheesin’ at your phone like it just told you you won the lottery,” tee chimed in.

ja’marr leaned over, trying to catch a glimpse. “bet it’s a video from Y/N in LA. let me see,”.

joe locked his phone immediately. “mind your business,”.

“uh-huh,” ja’marr laughed, turning to the rest of the guys. “man’s whipped,”.

or when one of her songs played in the locker room and everybody turned to look at him.

sam hovered over the speaker, scrolling through the playlist with an innocent look. “huh. how’d this get on here?”.

“crazy coincidence, right joe?” trey chuckled, turning the volume up.

joe just shook his head as her voice rang through the room, completely unfazed. “you guys are so childish,”.

“nah, we just love supporting our QB’s girl,” ja’marr grinned. “in fact, we should start requesting this at the stadium. make it his walkout song,”.

and then there was the time they were out at dinner and joe, for once, wasn’t on his phone—until it vibrated, and he checked it immediately.

“aw, man,” tee dragged, shaking his head. “joe’s got that smirk again,”.

ja’marr leaned in. “she text you?”.

joe ignored them, typing out his response to you without hesitation.

“what you tell her? ‘i miss you soooo much, baby’?” ja’marr teased in a dramatic voice.

“‘can’t sleep without you, my love,’” tee added with a mock pout.

joe didn’t even flinch. “y’all got jokes, but i do sleep better when she’s with me,”.

“jesus christ.” ja’marr groaned. “he owns being down bad. we lost him, man,”.

but as much as they teased, it was all love. because they had never seen joe like this before—and they wouldn’t trade it for anything. it was how she softened the hard edges, brought out a side of him they didn’t always get to see. and that was enough for them.

still, that didn’t mean they were ever gonna let him live it down.

—

her first time meeting ja’marr & tee:

joe had been keeping her under wraps from the guys for a while—not because he was hiding her, but because he knew exactly how this was going to go. ja’marr and tee weren’t just his best friends; they were menaces. the second they met her, it was over for him. the teasing would be relentless, and he’d never hear the end of it.

but he also knew he couldn’t avoid it forever—especially with how they constantly pressed him for details, side-eyeing him anytime he got that little smile on his face while looking at his phone.

so, he finally took the bullet and set up a dinner. nothing crazy, just a nice, lowkey spot with a private booth—somewhere comfortable, somewhere she wouldn’t feel like she was on display.

she was calm, cool, collected. joe? not so much.

“they’re gonna love you,” he assured her in the car, his palm resting on her thigh, thumb absentmindedly tracing circles against the soft fabric of her dress.

she smiled, squeezing his hand. “yeah? you seem real confident about that,”.

he let out a breath, shaking his head. “well i am, but they’re going to give me so much shit in front of her. i’m not confident that i’m making it out alive,” he thought to himself.

and the moment they walked into the restaurant, it started.

ja’marr and tee were already waiting at the table, leaning back in their seats, mid-conversation. but the second they spotted joe, they didn’t even look at him. instead, their attention snapped straight to her.

ja’marr was on his feet first, grinning. “so this is the infamous girlfriend,” he said, immediately pulling her into a hug like they were old friends.

tee followed, just as eager, shaking his head as he pulled her in next. “we were starting to think he made you up,”.

she laughed, completely at ease like she had known these two for her entire life. “i promise, he didn’t,”.

joe sighed, shaking his head as they all sat down and ordered drinks. and just as he feared, from the moment the conversation started, it was like she had always been part of the group. which meant telling all the embarrassing stories about joe without any restraint or hesitations.

his worst nightmare.

they were cracking jokes, roasting him mercilessly, and she was holding her own like a pro.

“you do know you’re dating the most boring dude ever, right?” ja’marr teased, smirking at her over his drink.

she hummed, pretending to consider it. “hmm. i don’t know. he keeps me pretty entertained,”.

tee snorted. “that’s just ‘cause you haven’t seen how routine he is yet,”.

“oh, i know all about the 8:30 bedtime and the meal preps,” she grinned, nudging joe with her knee under the table.

ja’marr burst out laughing, nearly choking on his drink. “nahhh…not the bedtime. man, you don’t even stay up for her?”.

joe groaned, rubbing a hand down his face, but it didn’t hide the telltale blush creeping up his neck. “stop being annoying for like two seconds, damn,” he muttered, shaking his head.

“oh, we’re annoying?” ja’marr raised a brow. “this you?” he held up his phone, scrolling through what had to be old texts of joe constantly asking ja’marr to play iMessage chess with him, then grinned sheepishly like he had remembered something else to tease joe with. “bro, tell me why when we were at LSU, this man literally said he wasn’t dating anyone ‘cause football was his only priority,”.

tee wheezed, “ain’t no way. ain’t no way,”.

ja’marr leaned in, voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. “and now look at him. sittin’ here, all cuddled up next to his girl, lookin’ like a whole simp,”.

“a happy simp,” tee corrected, raising his glass in joe’s direction.

she just smiled, glancing at joe, taking in the way his face was so red. she reached for his hand under the table, squeezing gently, and he glanced at her with soft eyes, squeezing back. “he’s still focused on football,” she said, tone teasing. “he just has better, more special priorities now,”.

ja’marr and tee howled, and joe—defeated—just leaned back, shaking his head, but there was no missing the small, bashful smile tugging at his lips.

the moment that really sealed it? when she excused herself to the restroom.

joe had been relaxed the whole night, at least as much as he could be with his two best friends taking every opportunity to roast him. but as soon as she got up and disappeared down the hall, he felt the shift immediately. ja’marr and tee moved like they were in sync, both leaning in across the table, elbows propped up as they fixed their eyes on him like interrogators closing in on a suspect. “okay,” ja’marr started, nodding. “we like her,”.

“nah,” tee interjected, shaking his head. “we love her.”

joe huffed out a laugh, shaking his head as he took a sip of his drink. “yeah?”.

“hell yeah,” ja’marr said, leaning back in his seat. “she’s cool as fuck. holds her own, dishes it back—,” he gestured toward joe, smirking, “—and she got your ass blushin’ like a lil’ schoolboy,”.

“real talk, though,” tee added, a little more serious now, “she’s good for you. i can tell,”.

ja’marr nodded, nudging joe’s arm. “yeah. like, we joke about you bein’ boring, but i ain’t never seen you like this, bro. you just look…happy,”.

joe exhaled, rolling his bottom lip between his teeth, but the small smile tugging at his lips was impossible to hide.

“i am happy,” he admitted, fingers tracing the condensation on his glass. his voice dropped, softer now. “really happy,”. he wasn’t usually one to talk about his feelings like this—especially so candidly with these two, who’d take any opportunity to turn it into a joke—but right now, he didn’t care. because the truth was impossible to deny.

tee grinned, nudging ja’marr. “man, you hear that? our boy’s whippeddddd,”.

“oh, big time,” ja’marr agreed, grinning. “gon’ have to start callin’ him ‘lover boy joe’,”.

joe groaned, dropping his head back. “and here you guys go again,”.

“nah, bro, we’re just proud of you,” ja’marr said, smirking. “for finally growing some balls and settling down,”

joe rolled his eyes, flipping him off, but tee just laughed. “for real, though,” tee said. “she’s the one, huh? we can see it in your eyes. you ain’t ever look at a girl the way you be looking at her…,”.

joe glanced toward the hallway where she’d disappeared, that soft, faraway look creeping back into his expression.

he didn’t hesitate.

“yeah,” he murmured. “she is,”.

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oh to get a hug like that from him

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OMGG

Our favorite trio together!!!😍🥹

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ITS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING

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im in love w them

REWIND, JOE BURROW.

pairing⠀⁎⠀joe burrow x doctor!reader. word count⠀⁎⠀10.8k.

summary⠀⁎⠀a collection of firsts & special moments.

author's note⠀⁎⠀thee timeline fic! featuring a little backstory about wifey. another installment in my 'joe can't shut up when he's in love' campaign. incorporated things discussed in the wifey tag <3 warnings⠀⁎⠀18+ mdni, established relationship, some smut & angst but mostly fluff.

read more⠀⁎⠀joe burrow masterlist / series masterlist.

BACKSTORY, about her.

Honor Roll student, president of every club she set foot in, certified over-achiever. From a young age, she knew exactly what she was put on this earth to do: succeed. She had always been perfectly self-motivated, a tireless perfectionist whose determination landed her a full ride to MIT.

Living in Boston taught her a lot about life.

Double-majoring in Biology & Psychology while designating yourself as a Pre-Med student is not for the weak.

Gummies make her tummy ache.

It's never a good idea to mix liquor with beer.

She needs her pilates fix even if it might bankrupt her.

Those lessons paled compared to the one she learned from the 6-foot-tall Economics major who lived across the hall from her. Junior year made for a lot of ups and downs as she began her studying for the MCAT. Mr. Economics ruined her perception of love and forced her to swear off men. Indefinitely.

For the next few years, that decision proved to work out well for her. Perfectly on track, she attended medical school at UPenn. Though she was unfortunately separated from her best friend and college roommate, Leah, she made it a point to stay on track. No time for serious conversations - much less relationships - with men.

By some miracle, she matched into Case Western's Dermatology program, where Leah also matched for Anesthesiology. To celebrate, she and Leah immediately found an apartment in Cleveland and decided to throw a hybrid graduation/housewarming party. Kyla, deciding she had enough of her best friend's swearing off of men, extended an invitation to her brother's childhood friend: Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback, Joe Burrow.

Coming off of a season-ending injury his rookie year, Leah sent Joe a charming text urging him to stop by under the guise of good vibes, a promised slice of cake, and a girl she thought he should meet.

"What do you think? Denim skirt with the black tube top or the red mini-dress?" Leah asked, holding up two options as she stood in front of the full-length mirror in their shared bathroom. She sat on the edge of the tub, swiping through her phone, distractedly offering an opinion. "Red mini-dress," she murmured, her thoughts already drifting to the party preparations.

The apartment was a modest two-bedroom in an up-and-coming Cleveland neighborhood, a place they'd both be calling home for the next few years as they embarked on their medical residencies. The walls were a soft shade of cream, with hints of pink and blue in the accent pillows and curtains. The living room was a cozy blend of second-hand furniture and IKEA staples provided by Leah's parents, now transformed with strings of fairy lights and a makeshift bar set up on a folding table.

She was already dressed, her own leopard mini-skirt paired with a black corset top that accentuated her curves. She'd spent hours getting ready, her hair in loose curls that fell down her back, her makeup a perfect blend of smoky and natural. The scent of her favorite vanilla perfume lingered in the air as she lifted her gaze from her phone to look at Leah. Her best friend looked stunning in both outfits, but the red mini-dress was definitely the winner. It hugged her figure in all the right places and brought out the life in her brown eyes.

The doorbell rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. "Oh, shit!" Leah squealed. "Help me decide on shoes!" Leah grabbed a pair of strappy black heels and a set of red ones, holding them up to the dress. She nodded towards the black ones, her hands reaching to help Leah zip her dress the rest of the way up. "Aren't those Kayla's?" she asked with a knowing smile.

Leah rolled her eyes. "In the breakup box for a reason. But they're the only ones that don't kill my feet." She stepped into the shoes and twirled around. "Alright, let's do this," she said, leading the way to the front door as they headed to greet their first guests.

The party grew in numbers and volume as the night went on, the laughter and chatter filling the air. She felt the tension of the past few months of exams and residency applications slowly unraveling as she mingled with her friends from Penn, Leah's from Ohio State, and those they both met at MIT. The music played a mix of their favorite tracks, and the smell of pizza and various flavors of wings wafted from the kitchen. Leah's friends from high school had brought a few board games, which had devolved into drunken versions of Cards Against Humanity and Jenga.

Joe Burrow had arrived nearly 30 minutes prior, his towering frame and perfectly coiffed golden brown hair preventing him from fully blending in with the rest of the crowd. The guests had buzzed around him, eager to talk about his recovery, his future in the NFL, and the upcoming reunion with one of his wide receivers from his national title-winning LSU team. She had caught glimpses of him from across the room, it was hard not to as he stood head and shoulders above the vast majority of the partygoers.

She was vaguely aware of Leah's connection to the Bengals starting quarterback. Her younger brother had played with him in high school, Leah and Joe hadn't been particularly close since then. Yet, here he was, looking like a god in a room full of mere mortals—the others in the room certainly treated him like one.

"Babe!" Leah's voice cut through the chatter as she approached, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "I want you to meet someone." Leah grabbed her hand and practically dragged her across the room. "Joe, this is my roommate and best friend," Leah announced, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she made the introduction. "Babe, this is Joe. He's really good friends with Alex. We grew up together," she added with a dramatic flair.

Joe extended his hand with a polite smile. "Nice to meet you." His deep voice sent a shiver down her spine. He had a firm handshake, undoubtedly honed over years of convincing rich old men to take a chance on him. She could feel her face heating up, a meekness that she hoped the dim lighting would hide. She took his hand, giving it a firm shake back. "It's nice to meet you too," she replied, her voice surprisingly steady despite the sudden jitters in her stomach.

Leah practically vibrated with excitement as she played matchmaker, conveniently leaving them to navigate the awkwardness of their first encounter. Her eyes locked onto Joe's, noticing the playful twinkle in his baby blues as he watched Leah depart just as suddenly as she'd arrived. He took a sip of his soda, his bicep flexing against the fabric of his t-shirt, and she found herself momentarily speechless.

"Can I get you a drink? An actual drink?" She offered, trying to shake off the nerves with as brilliant a smile as she could muster.

Joe's eyes lit up at the prospect of a break from the lukewarm soda. "Sure, what do you have?" he asked, long legs trailing behind her as she led him to the makeshift bar. She grabbed a chilled can of vodka soda, popped it open, and handed it to him. He took it with a nod of thanks.

Two High Noons, a shot of tequila, half a spilled drink, and two hours later, she found herself in a corner of her crowded living room, almost chest-to-chest with Joe. The music had gotten louder, the lights dimmer, and the party had evolved into a dance floor with a pulsing bass line. Up close, he was magnetic. Intense blue eyes, an impossibly broad frame, and a smile that could melt the panties off a glacier. In the span of two hours, they had managed to exchange their entire life's stories—his football triumphs, her medical school horrors, and their near identical gym playlists.

"Come on, you can't be serious," Joe said with a laugh, holding his ice water contained in a red Solo cup against his chest.

She leaned against the wall, shaking her head with feigned distaste. "There isn't a single universe where Eminem has the best verse on 'Forever'. It's all Wayne," she insisted, watching his expression over the top of her own cup.

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "Did we listen to the same song? Because Eminem's verse on that track is untouchable."

She rolled her eyes, her smile growing wider. "I'm not saying Eminem's verse isn't good, but Wayne's verse just hits different," she said, taking a sip of her drink, feeling the cool liquid wash down her throat.

"Eminem's verse was so good, Kanye rewrote his verse after hearing Em's. That's gotta say something," Joe countered, his eyes sparkling with the same passion she had for her argument. She laughed, subconsciously taking a step closer to him, enjoying the debate more than she'd enjoyed any non-academic conversation with a man in a long time. She took a deep breath, the scent of Joe's cologne—something clean and masculine—mingling with the faint lingering aroma of pizza and the heavy scent of alcohol.

Her hand brushed against his bicep as she leaned in to make her next point, feeling the heat of his body even through the fabric of her own clingy top. "But Wayne's was so well written, had the better flow, his personality shines through. You can't just ignore that," she argued, her eyes meeting his.

Joe took a step closer, his voice dropping an octave. "Okay, okay, I'll give you that. It's a close call, but for me, Eminem takes the cake," he conceded, his smirk growing. The room spun slightly around her as she took another sip of her drink, her eyes lingering on his full lips.

"Why aren't you drinking with me?" She asked him, half whining. She swayed to the music slightly, the alcohol loosening her inhibitions, making her more flirtatious than she normally allowed herself to be. His eyes searched hers, the playfulness in her gaze clear.

Joe took a step back, holding his cup of ice water up as a defense. "I gotta drive back to Columbus tonight," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Can't be drunk driving. You know how it is."

"Hmmm," she hummed with a nod. "NFL superstar… right. Image comes first," she teased, her eyes twinkling. "But what if you didn't have to drive?" she asked. She leaned in closer, her breath warm and sweet, hinting at the stolen sips of some vodka lemonade mix she'd gone back to throughout the night.

Joe looked down at her, his expression unreadable. "If I didn't drive…" he began, the challenge in his eyes unmistakable. "Where would I crash?"

She felt the heat rising in her face but held his gaze, her voice dropping to a murmur. "Well, I have a perfectly good couch. Or, if you play your cards right, get lucky, you could crash with me." She bit her bottom lip, her eyes fluttering shut as she leaned into him. "I'm really warm," she continued. "And cuddly."

Joe's laugh was low and deep, sending a thrill down her spine. "Is that right?" His gaze swept over her, lingering on her cleavage before meeting her eyes again. "I don't think I should." He shifted his position, the fabric of his shirt brushing against her bare arms. The coolness of the wall settled against her back as he stepped closer, a muscled arm reaching around her to place his drink on the windowsill beside her. "But maybe I could use a good cuddle," he teased. Instead of retreating to his side, his hand found her waist, his thumb brushing gently against the exposed skin of her midriff.

She felt a shiver of excitement. "Maybe," she echoed, her voice barely audible over the music. She leaned into his touch, her eyes searching his for any sign of hesitation.

The room was spinning, but she wasn't sure if it was from the drinks or Joe's pull. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool, but her heart was racing. His lips twitched with a hint of a smile. "Why would you want me to stay in the first place?" He leaned in, his breath warm against her cheek.

"Just because," she replied, her voice playful but laced with a hint of desire. She couldn't help the sigh that left her lips at the feeling of his skin on hers, her eyes dropping to his mouth before returning to his eyes.

"That's not a good reason," he hummed lowly, his hand sliding around her waist, pulling her closer. The room was a blur of colors and sounds, and she could feel the bass from the music pounding in her chest. His touch was surprisingly gentle despite the strength of his arms. "Which is a shame, because I'd love to stay."

Her breath hitched as Joe leaned in closer, his voice a warm caress against her ear. "I should go," he said, his hand dropping from her waist, his grip loosening. She felt a sudden coolness where his touch had been, and she realized she'd been holding her breath, waiting for his next move.

"Wait," she said, a hint of desperation in her voice as she reached out to stop him. Her hand found his bicep, feeling the firmness of his muscles under the softness of his skin. "Gimme your phone."

Joe raised an eyebrow, his smirk unwavering. "My phone? Why?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.

"You know why," she replied, a gentle laugh bubbling up from her chest. She held out her hand, palm up, expecting him to just hand it over.

Joe looked at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "No, I don't think I do. You wanna tell me?" His voice was teasing, but there was an underlying seriousness that made her heart race even faster.

"So I can get a better look at you," she murmured, her eyes tracing the strong line of his jaw. She knew she was being brazen, but the alcohol had loosened her inhibitions and the way he looked at her made her feel invincible. "When I'm sober."

Joe chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. He pulled out his phone and handed it to her with a playful eye roll. "Fine, but only if I get yours too," he said, holding out his hand expectantly.

She grinned, handing over her own phone. "Fair trade," she murmured, watching as he took her device in his hands, making her phone look miniscule in his grasp. His thumbs danced over the screen with dexterity, and she couldn't help but wonder how those same fingers might feel on her skin.

"Okay," he said, handing it back. "Now I have your number. What's the plan?"

She mirrored his actions, their devices safely storing one another's numbers. She felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension as she took in the sight of the new contact in her phone. "No plan," she started, her eyes meeting his once more. "Just… maybe we could go out sometime?" The words slipping out before she could overthink them.

Joe looked at her, his blue eyes piercing through the haze of the party. He took a moment before nodding, his expression unreadable. "Maybe we could," he agreed, his voice low and heavy.

They stood in simmering tension, their eyes locked, for just a moment longer. Then, Joe took a step back, pocketing his phone. "I should get going," he said, his voice a touch rougher than it had been earlier. "But I'll call you?"

She nodded. "You better," she replied, trying to sound cool. "Drive safe. I'm expecting a text when you get to Columbus," her voice shook slightly as she felt herself drawn into a hug, his arms wrapping around her in a gentle embrace. The warmth of his body was intoxicating, and she felt a jolt of electricity run through her as he leaned in and whispered into her ear, "See you soon."

I should've done it.

The text from Joe had lingered in her thoughts all week, a silent drumroll of anticipation in her mind. His admission that he should've done it, should've kissed her, had set her heart racing every time she read it. And now, here she was, in his kitchen, surrounded by the sweet aroma of pumpkin spice and the quiet hum of his oven preheating in the background. The room felt electrified as they baked together, a dance of open stares and stolen smiles, each waiting for the right moment to make their move.

"When it says fold in the cream cheese…" Joe began, his voice trailing off as his eyes darted from his iPad to her side profile. Her hands were busy, scooping the pumpkin mixture into white paper liners. His spatula hovered in the air, a dollop of cream cheese frosting threatening to drop onto the counter as a result of his hesitation.

"I thought you said you've done this before," she teased, briefly looking over to find his eyebrows scrunched together, his tongue darting over those pink lips she'd been dying to feel against hers.

Joe rolled his eyes, his cheeks flushing slightly. "I have. It's just… this recipe is worded weird." His biceps flexed as he worked the spatula through the sugary mixture. With the cupcakes safely tucked into the oven, she stepped closer, peering at the screen over his shoulder, their bodies almost touching.

"It looks simple enough," she said, her voice suddenly dropping to a whisper, her eyes darting from the recipe to Joe's.

"You're laughing at me," Joe accused, though the corners of his mouth twitched upwards in a smirk. The prettiest splash of pink appeared on his cheeks.

She shook her head, pursing her lips together to hold back her laugh. "I'm not," she lied, attempting to avoid his eyes. "I swear I'm not."

"Well, if you're so confident, you do it." Joe stepped aside, offering her the spatula and the bowl of frosting. She took the challenge, shaking her head as laughter finally spilled from her lips. She dipped the spatula into the bowl, motioning for Joe to sift the powdered sugar as she folded the creamy goodness in on itself. The cool metal of the mixing bowl felt good against her fingertips, a welcoming reprieve from the heat that seemed to pulse through her every time she caught Joe's gaze.

He leaned against the kitchen counter, watching her intently. She felt his eyes on her, and she couldn't help but feel self-conscious under his scrutiny. "Okay, hold the bag open. I'm gonna scoop the frosting in," she instructed, trying to keep her head clear of the looming kiss she knew was on the horizon. It was almost nausea inducing, the anticipation of finally feeling him close to her, tasting the sweetness of his lips for the first time.

The plastic crinkled in her hands as Joe took the spatula from her, scooping a generous amount of frosting into the bag. She held her breath, feeling the warmth of his body so close, the scent of him—a blend of clean laundry and the faint hint of his cologne—surrounding her. She watched his strong hands manipulate the bag, pushing the frosting into the piping tip with a gentle squeeze.

"I gotta wash my hands," she muttered under her breath, turning towards the opposite counter to hide her anxiousness. She hadn't been this nervous in years, not since her first kiss ever back in high school. The kitchen tap's cool water brought her back to reality, and she took a deep, steadying breath. When she turned back, Joe's back was to her, his tall frame silhouetted against the kitchen window, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the scene.

Confusion melted into amusement as she watched him turn to face her, a spoon dipped into the bowl. He scraped at the leftover frosting, the silver utensil shining in the soft light. "Joe," she said with a laugh, "What are you doing?"

He shrugged, the corner of his mouth quirking up in that signature smirk that she had grown to adore. "Taste test." The spoon dipped into his mouth, and her heart skipped a beat as she watched his eyes close, savoring the flavor. "It's good," he murmured, opening his eyes to find hers locked on him. He dipped the spoon into the frosting again, offering it out to her. "You want to make sure we're not serving subpar dessert, right?"

Her stomach flipped, but she stepped closer, accepting the spoon with a nod. The creaminess of the frosting coated her tongue, the duality of the tang and sweet a delicious symphony in her mouth. She swallowed and nodded. "It's good. But I think I need another taste."

Joe's grin grew wider, his blue eyes sparkling in the light of the setting sun. "I figured you might," he said, scooping up more frosting. This time, when he offered it to her, she leaned in, closing the gap between them. The tip of her nose brushed against his, and she felt his breath warm against her lips. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she waited for him to bring the spoon to her mouth.

But instead, he held it just out of reach. "What are you doing?" she murmured, a hint of laughter in her voice.

He didn't answer, simply hovering the spoon there. She could feel the tension building, a palpable force that made her lean in even further, her chest brushing against his. His eyes searched hers, looking for a sign, a silent question that she was ready to answer. And she was, more than she had ever been. Impatience bubbled up within her. She moved for the bowl, removing it from his grasp before she reached up, placing her hand on the back of his neck, pulling him down to meet her.

Their kiss was tentative at first, a gentle brush of their lips that sent a jolt of electricity through her. She felt his hand, now rid of the spoon, come up to cup her face, his thumb stroking the soft skin there as their mouths opened slightly. The sweetness of the frosting mingled with the taste of him, a heavenly combination that she hadn't anticipated.

His other hand found her waist, pulling her closer, making her feel as if she were melting into him. Her hand slid from the nape of his neck into his hair, the soft golden strands mingling between her fingers. The kiss grew deeper, more urgent, as if the weeks of unspoken tension were demanding their due. She could feel his heart pounding against her chest, a beat that matched her own. The room around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in a warm, sugary bubble of newfound intimacy.

As they parted, breathless, Joe whispered against her lips, "I've been wanting to do that since the moment we met." Her heart swelled with joy, her pulse racing in her ears. She finally opened her eyes to meet his gaze. "Me too," she admitted, her voice barely audible.

Her knees felt weak, grateful for his arms still holding her close. She searched Joe's eyes, finding the same wonder reflected in the blue pools that had captured her from the start. They remained like that, frozen in the sweet moment, until the timer on the oven beeped, jolting them back to reality.

"Looks like our cupcakes are ready," Joe murmured, his voice low. He made no attempt to separate from her. The bite of his bottom lip and the flicker of his eyes to her lips saying everything he couldn't put into words.

She felt a shiver run down her spine as she nodded, her hand still tangled in his hair. "We should check on them," she said, her voice unsteady.

Joe leaned in and kissed her again, this time with more confidence, his hand sliding to the small of her back, pressing her even closer. When they finally pulled away, she could see the hunger in his gaze, the desire that mirrored her own. "Yeah," he murmured, his voice thick with lust. "Cupcakes."

Joe was due to arrive any minute, and she couldn't help but feel a little nervous as she chewed at her bottom lip. Leah looked over from the open bathroom door, her grin widening as she saw her fidgeting. "You're so down bad for him," she teased, swiping a brush through her straight hair. "It's cute."

"I'm not down bad," she shot back, trying to keep her voice light as she straightened up from her laptop. "Just… excited for a chill night, you know?"

Leah stepped out of the bathroom. "Uh-huh, sure. Chill like Netflix and Chill?" She winked at her best friend, who rolled her eyes playfully. Just then, the doorbell rang, the sound echoing through the apartment. "And cue Mr. Ohio," Leah announced sarcastically.

Her heart skipped a beat as she walked over to the door. She took a deep breath, composing herself before swinging it open to reveal Joe, his tall frame filling the doorway. "Hi," she breathed out, trying not to sound too eager.

Joe looked her over with a smile, his eyes crinkling familiarly at the sight of her. He stepped in, his backpack sliding off his shoulder to thump onto the floor. Her eyes trailed over his tight, athletic body, and she felt a rush of heat to her face. He leaned in for a kiss, his lips pressing against hers gently before pulling away. "Where's Leah?"

Leah sauntered out of their bathroom, a wide smile on her face. "I'm about to leave for my family dinner. I'm honored you would ask, Joe," she said with a wink.

"I wasn't asking to be nice," Joe said, his sarcasm thick as he stepped aside for her to lock the door. "Usually I can hear you before I see you."

Leah chuckled before walking over to the couch, picking up her purse. "With ears like those, I'm sure you do, Burrow."

She curled into his side, breathing in his scent as she watched the two of them go back and forth. He was warm, the kind of warmth that seeped into her bones and made her feel safe. The kind she missed in his absence.

"Why don't you tell her to be nice to me?" Joe playfully complained, his hand soothing over her lower back as he pulled her closer.

Both she and Leah feigned identical offense. Even-toned gasps circling him from the two friends. "I like her just the way she is, Joseph," she said with a teasing squint of her eyes. "I'm already nice enough to you. She's here for balance, to keep you humble."

Leah giggled, reaching for her keys. "You got that right," she said, turning to Joe. "But I'll be out of your hair for the weekend. You two can do all the 'balancing' you want." With a knowing wink, she leaned over to press a chaste kiss to her cheek, a challenging glint in her eyes as she whispered, "Don't break him. He's expensive."

She laughed out loud, hugging her best friend tightly before she left. The moment the door clicked shut behind Leah, the air in the room shifted. The playful banter evaporated into a heavy silence filled with unspoken desires. She turned to Joe, her heart racing, and found him watching her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

"I was gonna order some food," she said, breaking the silence as she leaned up to kiss Joe again. He tasted faintly of mint, his stubble delightfully rough against her cheek.

"Sounds good," Joe murmured against her mouth, his hands slipping under her shirt to feel the warmth of her skin against his palms. "I can put my bags away while you order."

She nodded, pulling away to lead him to her bedroom. "What do you feel like eating?" she asked, her legs crossing as she sat on the bed, focusing on the Uber Eats app. The room was bathed in soft light from the floor lamp, the scent of her favorite candle, vanilla and coconut, filling the space.

Joe set his bag down and began unpacking, his eyes lingering on the way her thighs looked bare and exposed against the plush comforter adorning her bed. "Whatever you want," he said distractedly, his words short with desire.

She took the opportunity to watch him as he pulled his hoodie over his head, revealing the tight muscles of his stomach. The white t-shirt he wore underneath was snug, showing off the curves of his biceps. She couldn't help but let her gaze linger on his broad chest, the fabric stretching over the muscle there. She couldn't tell how long she had been staring for when he turned to her with a knowing smile.

"You good?" Joe asked, his eyes meeting hers, a smirk playing on his lips.

She nodded. "Yeah," she managed to say, her voice a little weaker. "Just… deciding."

His eyes focused on hers as he stepped closer to the bed. "Deciding?" He echoed her, his voice low and gravelly with need. "On food or…?"

She felt the heat of his body as he leaned over her, his breath tickling the sensitive skin of her neck. "Or?" she murmured, her hand reaching out to trace the line of his jaw.

He didn't answer. Instead, his mouth found hers in a kiss that was anything but chaste. His hand found its familiar place, his tongue dancing with hers, tasting like the mint of his gum. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she let out a sigh, feeling Joe's hands roaming her body, laying her back against the bed. The heat of his touch was like a brand, searing into her skin, leaving her desperate for more.

The solid wall of his chest pressed against hers as Joe's hand slid up the length of her thigh, delicately squeezing the soft skin under his palm. She gasped into his mouth, her hand reaching up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss grew more urgent, his tongue delving deeper into her mouth, exploring and claiming every inch. His other hand found the hem of her shirt, slowly pushing it upward until it was discarded on the floor.

His head dipped to kiss her neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin there. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she sighed, his touch sending delight down her spine. She felt the brush of his fingertips as he brushed over her bra, and the cool air hit her newly exposed skin. His thumbs traced the edge of the lace before his palms cupped her. She arched her back, pushing herself into his touch, a soft whine escaping her lips.

Joe's eyes were dark with lust as he broke the kiss, looking down at her. Her breath hitched, her thighs parting to accommodate his hips as he settled between her legs. He kissed her neck, his teeth grazing her collarbone before moving to her chest, his mouth finding one of her nipples. He teased it with his tongue, swirling around the sensitive nub before sucking hard, eliciting a moan from her. She ground down on his thigh, her core pulsing with need.

He chuckled darkly against her skin. "I can feel how bad you want it," he murmured, his hand sliding down her stomach to pull at her shorts. She nodded, unable to form coherent words as his fingers danced over the fabric. Her hands shook as they pulled at the hem of his white shirt, desperate to feel his bare skin.

She sat up, moving to straddle him, and pulled his shirt over his head. The sight of him, all muscle and summer-tanned skin, took her breath away. She ran her hands over the expanse of his chest, her nails scraping gently against his skin, watching as his pupils dilated and his breath hitched. She leaned down, kissing a line from his collarbone, up the column of his throat, to his lips again. The tip of his cock nudged her through his shorts, and she could feel him twitch beneath her.

They kissed with an urgency that had been building for weeks, their breaths mingling as they explored each other's mouths. "What kind of condoms do you prefer?" She asked between kisses. "Durex, Trojan, Skyn?" Her voice faltered as his hands traveled down to cup her ass, his fingers digging into her flesh. "I have a few sizes, just in case." Her back arched into him, a silent admission of his effect on her.

He rolled his hips against hers, his hands sliding down to her thighs, pushing her shorts down her legs. "Magnum?" she murmured against his lips, unable to hide the laugh in her voice.

Joe smirked. "Is that what you think?"

She shrugged, her voice thick with lust. "I like to be prepared."

Joe chuckled, the sound vibrating against her skin. "You're something else, you know that?" He leaned back on his elbows, his abdomen contracting with the movement.

She reached over the side of the bed, her hand rummaging in the drawer of the nightstand. She pulled out a single condom, the gold wrapper glinting in the soft light. "Take your shorts off," she whispered as she sank down the bed. Her eyes held his gaze, her hands smoothing over his skin as he complied. The bulge in his boxers grew, and she licked her lips in anticipation. He groaned out as she kissed down his stomach, her mouth hovering just above the waistband of his boxers.

With a bite of her bottom lip, she tugged the condom from its wrapper. She took him in hand, stroking him gently before rolling the condom down his shaft. His cock was thick and hard, the latex stretching over his length. He watched her, his eyes dark with passion, as she straddled him again.

"God, c'mere," he growled, his voice thick with need. She complied, moving over him, her breasts brushing against his chest, the friction making them both gasp. He reached up to cup her face, his thumbs caressing her cheekbones as he kissed her hard, his tongue sliding against hers, tasting her. She could feel his length, the head of his cock nudging at her, begging for more.

Joe shifted their position with ease, his hands firm on her hips as he flipped her onto her back. He kissed her with a fierce hunger, his tongue plunging deep, as if he was trying to devour her whole. His fingers found her center, stroking it gently, and she gasped, her legs spreading wider to give him better access. The anticipation was driving her crazy, her body thrumming with need.

With a wicked grin, Joe reached for the lube she had left on the nightstand, flicking the cap open with a practiced ease. He slicked his fingers, watching her reaction as he slid one inside her. She moaned, her eyes fluttering closed as he moved it in and out, stretching her. She felt the blunt tip of his cock press against her, and she took a deep, shaky breath, ready for the moment she had been fantasizing about for so long.

"I need you," she murmured, her voice a desperate whisper against his lips. He leaned back, pulling at the waistband of her panties, sliding them down her legs. He took his time, the intensity of his gaze making her squirm with excitement. With one final tug, they were gone, leaving her bottom half fully exposed to him.

Joe took a moment to appreciate the sight of her, his eyes raking over her body with a hunger that made her feel powerful. He lined himself up with her opening, his cock nudging against her folds. She reached down, her hand guiding him in, feeling the tip of his cock push against her wetness.

He groaned, his eyes closing tight as he sank into her, inch by delicious inch. The pressure was incredible, stretching her in a way that made her toes curl. "Oh, fuck," she whispered, her head falling back against the pillow.

She felt filled to the brim with Joe, his cock pushing into her, filling her up, the sensation overwhelming. She tightened her grip on the bedspread, her eyes locked on his as he watched her face contort with pleasure. He took his time, savoring the moment, his movements slow and deliberate. Her eyes fluttered closed, her hips rising to meet his, urging him deeper.

When he was fully sheathed in her, Joe paused, his muscles tense with restraint. "You okay?" he asked, his voice strained.

She nodded, her eyes still closed, her breathing ragged. "More than okay," she replied, her voice a low purr. "Just… don't stop."

Joe leaned in to kiss her again, his hips moving in a steady rhythm that made her moan. Each stroke was long and deep, filling her completely before pulling almost all the way out, leaving her gasping for more. The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room, punctuated by their muffled groans and sighs.

"Talk to me, baby, tell me how it feels," Joe murmured into her ear, his breath hot against her neck as he began to pick up the pace. His hand roamed over her thigh, pulling it up to wrap around his waist as he pushed into her harder.

"So good," she managed to gasp out, her eyes fluttering open to meet his. The intensity in his gaze sent waves of pleasure through her. "Joe, oh, Joe…"

He took her words as an encouragement, his pace increasing, his strokes growing more forceful. Her hands clutched at his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin as she matched his rhythm, her hips rising to meet him, urging him deeper.

Their kisses grew sloppier, more desperate, as their bodies moved in tandem. The slick sound of Joe's skin smacking against hers grew louder, mixing with the quiet whimpers escaping from her throat. She could feel her orgasm building, the tension coiling tighter and tighter in her belly.

"Need your hands, Joey," she breathed out, her voice a mix of desperation and pleasure. She was so close, so fucking close, and Joe's cock was hitting all the right spots, but she needed more. She needed his touch on her clit, the sweet friction that would send her soaring over the edge.

Joe's eyes widened, his own need reflecting back at her, and he nodded. He reached down, his hand sliding over her stomach to the juncture of her thighs. His middle and ring fingers found her clit, the touch sending an electric current through her body. She arched up, her mouth opening in a silent cry as he began to rub in gentle circles.

"Mmhmm, like that," she moaned, her eyes fluttering closed as Joe's skilled fingers worked her clit. The pleasure was building, each stroke pushing her closer to the precipice. Her body was tightening around him, her muscles clenching as she neared the peak. "Fuck, Joe, I'm so close."

Joe's breath was hot and heavy against her neck as he whispered, "Come for me, baby." His thrusts grew more urgent, his strokes inside her deep and sure. The pressure on her clit increased, the circles tighter, and she could feel the orgasm begin to crash over her.

"Oh god," she moaned, her hips bucking up to meet him, her muscles clenching around his cock. The waves of pleasure crashed into her, her body convulsing as she came hard. Joe's grip on her thigh tightened as she shuddered beneath him, pushing him over the edge.

He buried his head in the crook of her neck, his breaths hot and uneven as he pumped into her, her orgasm milking him until he couldn't hold back anymore. With a final groan, Joe's body went rigid, his hips stuttering as he filled the condom with his release.

She felt the aftershocks of pleasure ripple through her body as Joe collapsed onto her, his weight a comforting warmth. They laid there for a moment, panting, their hearts racing in sync. "So good," she murmured against his ear, her hands stroking his back, feeling the dampness of his skin.

He kissed the side of her neck, his breathing gradually evening out. "You're fuckin' amazing," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

I LOVE YOU, january 2022.

Joe dreaded bye weeks. They were supposed to be a time to relax and recover from the grind of the NFL season, but they usually just left him feeling restless and out of place. He thrived on routine, and without practice or games to structure his days, he usually found himself aimlessly bored; itching to get back to the field.

This season’s bye week was different. For once, Joe had something to look forward to other than endless hours of film study and tedious brand meetings. He’d be spending it with her.

The drive from Cincinnati to Cleveland had been surprisingly therapeutic, the rolling hills and the changing colors of fall providing a picturesque backdrop to Joe's thoughts. He couldn't wait to see her, to bask in the warmth of her presence that always seemed to wash away the stress of his football-centered life. When he finally pulled into the apartment complex, he was beyond restless. A week of almost uninterrupted time together was a rare treat, and he had every intention of making the most of it.

It took all of one day for the two of them to slip into a good rhythm. The mornings were filled with the scent of brewing coffee and the hum of her getting ready for work at the hospital. Joe would linger in bed, watching her through half-closed eyes, admiring the way she moved with purpose and grace. He would attempt to convince her to stay home, to no avail, and eventually drag himself out of bed to drive her and Leah to the hospital for their shifts.

The rest of the daylight was his, to conquer the tasks he'd brought from Cincinnati, get a workout or two in at a local private gym, or explore the city on his own.

By the time the sun set, he was driving back to the hospital, eager to pick her up and hear about her day. Dinner plans involved the PDF meal prep instructions she insisted that he send over from his personal chef. Cooking with her was oddly relaxing, despite his usual preference for takeout or having someone else handle the kitchen. She took the lead, allowing him to chop and prep under her direction. The occasional touch of her hand on his, guiding him, or the way she would laugh at his insistence to follow a recipe-to-T filled him with a longing to feel this way more often.

At night, she would attempt to get some studying in while Joe answered his emails, warm, full, and happy. The need for sleep would overtake him before her, and he'd end up sprawled across the bed. His head resting snuggly against her sternum, her free hand softly scratching at his scalp. The sound of his deep, contented breaths soon lulling her to sleep as well.

This morning played out as it typically did. Joe was up early, making himself useful, brewing coffee and assembling her lunch box, while she slipped into her scrubs, packing her bag for the day, and applying touches of makeup here and there. The apartment was bathed in the soft glow of dawn, the air filled with the scent of freshly brewed beans and the distant sound of the city coming alive.

"You know what we need?" She said, zipping up her bag on the couch. "A real coffee table."

Leah hummed out her agreement from the kitchen, where she was busy packing her lunch. "Definitely," she chimed in. Their "coffee table" was a stack of medical school textbooks balancing a metal tray courtesy of the UH Cleveland Medical Center cafeteria. It was functional but not exactly a real piece of furniture.

"I could get you one from Ikea," Joe said, his eyes lighting up at the prospect of a mission. "I've got the day to myself. Might as well do something useful."

Her eyes widened. "Babe, no. I can't ask you to do that. You're here to relax."

"Are you really refusing free labor?" Leah called out from the kitchen, a laugh in her voice. "When are we gonna have a chance to get one? If we’re not at the hospital, we’re studying or volunteering. Joe’s not doing much except for a couple of workouts and emails today anyway, right, Joe?"

Joe nodded faithfully, an overgrown curl bouncing with the movement. "Yeah, I've got nothing but time. You guys pick a table out and I’ll go get it."

She looked at him, the corners of her mouth twitching into a smile she couldn’t quite hold back. "You do know that the nearest Ikea is in Columbus, right?"

Joe shrugged, handing her the packed lunch box with a kiss to her forehead. "It’s only two hours away, babe." Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, he added, "Let me do this for you. I really don’t mind."

Relenting with a sigh, she opened her laptop and navigated to the Ikea website. She clicked through the pages of sleek designs and minimalist furniture as Leah hovered over her shoulder. They settled on a simple table that they both thought would complement their living room.

"Alright," Joe said, clapping his hands together. "I'll drop you guys off and head down to Columbus. Send me the name of the table."

She rattled off the name and specifications of the coffee table they had chosen, and Joe typed them into his phone.

The day passed in a blur of activity and quiet moments. She and Leah accompanied their attendings on rounds and completed their first-year gruntwork. Meanwhile, Joe embarked on his solo trip to Columbus, reporting on his success to her through a series of photos and texts. By the time he arrived back in Cleveland, the sun was setting, painting the sky with oranges and pinks.

Her shift was almost over when she received a text from Joe.

Just got off the highway. Be there soon.

She couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement at the thought of the surprise waiting for her. She and Leah had spent the day trying not to think about the coffee table, focusing on their patients and notes, but the anticipation had been bubbling beneath the surface all day.

When Joe finally pulled into the apartment complex, the car's headlights bouncing off the pavement, she and Leah exited first. They watched him unload the flat-packed furniture with surprising ease, his muscles flexing under his shirt as he maneuvered the heavy box. Leah nudged her best friend, whispering, "You’re drooling.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn't deny the warmth spreading through her chest. She loved Joe's willingness to go the extra mile, especially when it came to making her little apartment feel more like a home.

They brought the box into the living room and spread the contents onto the floor. Almost immediately, his eyes sharpened in focused intensity as he studied the instructions. She sat down on the floor with him, sipping a cup of tea, watching his concentration.

"Okay, so the first thing we need to do is assemble the legs," Joe said, holding up a bundle of wooden pieces.

She leaned over, her eyes scanning the instructions. "Are you sure? It looks like we should start with the tabletop."

“Babe," Joe said, pointing to a diagram. "It says legs first."

"But that doesn’t make sense," she protested, her finger hovering over a different step. "The legs won’t even stand without the base."

Joe raised an eyebrow, a hint of challenge in his gaze. "Baby, trust me. I've put together Ikea furniture before."

"Your janky ass is gonna mess up my future coffee table if you keep going off-book," she teased, swiping the instructions from his hand.

Joe grinned, not at all deterred. "You love it when I improvise."

Their playful banter grew more intense as they worked, each insisting they knew better. The instructions lay forgotten between them, as they tried to piece the table together through sheer force of will.

"Burrow, please don’t fuck this up," she said, trying to keep a straight face as Joe held a wooden peg between his teeth, his hands occupied by trying to align the legs.

"I know what I’m doing," he shot back, his voice muffled by the mouthful of furniture.

She ignored him, squinting at the instructions she had rescued. "It says, 'insert peg A into slot B, then secure with screw C.'"

"I've got pegs and slots," Joe said, holding up two wooden pieces. "But where's screw C?"

She looked down at the instructions again. "It's right here." She reached for a tiny screw in a sea of plastic bags, her hand lifting to remove the wooden peg from between his teeth with a chuckle. "Here."

Joe took the screw with a grin, forgetting about the headache of the furniture for a moment. The words, "God, I love your bossy ass," slipped from his lips before he could catch them.

Her eyes snapped up to his, surprise and delight swirling in her gaze. Without a moment’s worth of hesitation, she replied, "I love your stubborn ass."

The room grew quiet, the tension palpable. They stared at each other, the weight of their words hanging in the air. The warmth of the moment washed over Joe, a feeling he hadn’t anticipated feeling so deeply. He felt his heart swell with affection, his chest tightening as the reality of what they’d just confessed hit him.

She cupped the side of his face, her thumb brushing over his bottom lip, leaving a gentle caress. "You really do, huh?" He asked, pupils dilating slightly as his eyes searched hers.

"Yeah," she said, voice soft. "I really do."

The air grew thick with unspoken words and unexplored feelings. Joe set the screw down and took her hand, pulling her closer until she was straddling his lap, the coffee table pieces forgotten around them. Her arms settled over his shoulders, fingers finding the softness of his hair. He caressed her waist, pulling her into him. The kiss was tender, a gentle acknowledgment of the love that had been simmering between them for months.

"Say it again," he whispered against her lips, his voice soft with wonder.

She pulled back slightly, her eyes sparkling with affection. "I love you, Joe Burrow."

Joe's eyes searched hers, the intensity of his gaze making her heart flutter. "And I love you."

"You guys just managed to squeak out a win tonight. I know Joe has emphasized having, quote: 'no room for excuses' all season. But there isn't much time to dwell on the mistakes when you're in the middle of a playoffs run. So, how will you make sure that he stays focused on the next game, instead of dwelling on the imperfections of this one?" The reporter's voice was sharp, cutting through the buzz of the press room as Zac Taylor took a sip of his water.

Zac leaned into the podium, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Well, you know, Joe's a perfectionist. That's what makes him so great at what he does. But I'm not too worried about his focus, he knows better than anyone what's at stake. His girlfriend will be in town the next few days. I'm sure she'll keep him grounded."

The room went silent for a beat, and then the air was ablaze with the clicking of keyboards and murmurs of surprise. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched the livestream on her phone, her hand tightening around it. She was sitting in the back of her Uber, her eyes darting up to the driver who chuckled at the head coach's words. "Grounded? Busy's more like it," the middle-aged man commented. When she asked him if it was alright to listen to the post-game press conferences, he had been more than enthusiastic. Now, she wished she had just waited until she was in the comfort of Joe's home.

Her phone buzzed with notifications, and she knew that the dam had broken. She had seen it before with other athletes and their significant others, the sudden rush of interest that could either elevate or destroy reputations. It was the price of his fame, but she hadn't been prepared for it to be her reality. Not like this. The Uber pulled up to the house, and she took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before walking through the door.

Joe's brother, Dan, was the first to reach out to her from his family. "Well, looks like the cat's out of the bag," his text read, followed by a series of laughing emojis and a screen recording of Zac's slip-up. She couldn't help but chuckle despite her nerves. She replied with a simple "Yeah, guess so."

As she stepped out of the car, she saw Joe's text light up her screen. "Zac sends his apologies. You okay?" He was always considerate, even in the midst of his own chaos. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "Yeah, tell him thanks a lot." Her thumb hovered over the screen for a beat before he read her mind, "We'll talk when I get home. Don't worry about it."

Joe arrived just as his parents came through the front door. Jimmy and Robin were similarly in town for the game, but their presence was less newsworthy than hers. The four of them greeted each other with the kind of relief that comes after a nail-biter of a match. Inside, the living room was a warm cocoon of familiarity, a stark contrast to the impersonal press room where the Bengals' PR team was forced to shut down any attempts at confirming Joe's relationship status, per his request.

"Cat's outta the bag, kid," Jimmy laughed deeply, a comforting side hug enveloping her. "You're a champ, though. You two'll handle it."

"I'm sure Joe already has a million and one solutions for handling this," Robin said with a knowing smile, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "But if you need anything, anything at all, just let us know."

She managed a smile, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach. "Thanks, I'll be okay," she replied, her voice sounding more assured than she felt.

After his parents left for their room, Joe turned to her with a concerned expression. "I'm sorry, I know we both wanted to keep this private for as long as we could." His voice was gentle, the blue eyes she had come to love looking into hers for reassurance. Her arms wrapped around his waist, hands gently rubbing his back as she leaned her head against his chest.

"It's okay," she murmured, taking a deep breath in of his scent. "It had to come out eventually."

Joe sighed, stroking over her hair. "I just don't want it to mess with your career. Or your peace of mind." He gathered his thoughts for a moment before speaking up again. "I signed up for this life, not you. It's not fair to throw you into this mess."

She pulled away slightly, looking up at him. "I know what I'm signing up for, Joe. We've talked about this." She paused. "As long as you're okay with it, and we can keep some parts of us just for us, I think I can handle it."

Joe nodded, his gaze searching hers. "You're sure?"

She took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm sure."

The moment showed itself weeks later in Kansas City. She was a nervous wreck, the Arrowhead stands were a sea of red and black, the Chiefs' colors, but there was a noticeable splatter of Bengals' orange and black jerseys. Amongst them, she stood out in her Burrow jersey, her hair in loose waves that fell over her shoulders, her makeup intentionally flawless.

Her heart hammered in her chest as the national anthem played, a mix of excitement and dread swirling in her gut. This was it. The hard launch. She'd been preparing for this moment since Joe had asked her to be with him at the game. He'd been adamant that she be part of the victory, should they win.

When the confetti came floating down from the sky, signaling the Bengals' victory, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. The game had been a nail-biter, and she had been on the edge of her seat for the entire four quarters. The families of the players were being ushered down to the field, and she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.

She spotted Joe, surrounded by his teammates, a look of pure elation etched on his face. He saw her and broke away from the celebration, his stride long and purposeful as he approached her. She couldn't help but feel like all eyes were on them, even as the cameras were still swarming the players and coaches.

She stepped aside as he greeted his family first, the love and pride on their faces palpable even amidst the deafening roar of the stadium. Then his eyes focused on her. He wrapped her in a tight embrace, whispering words of gratitude and love into her ear. The warmth of his body and the words spilling from his lips brought a smile to her face. This was their moment, the one she had agreed to share with him, despite the impending storm of media attention.

The cameras clicked and whirred, a cacophony of flashes piercing the air. She felt a tremor of fear as Joe leaned down to kiss her, his lips pressing gently against hers. It was a declaration, a public affirmation of their relationship, and she knew it would be the image plastered across social media in a few short minutes.

"Leah has another year of residency, right?" Joe asked through a mouthful of popcorn as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

She looked up from her laptop, where she was typing away at her Google Calendar. "Yeah, why?" she replied, curiosity lacing her voice.

"Has she started looking for a new roommate yet?" Joe's question was casual, but the way he chewed his popcorn betrayed a hint of nervousness.

She paused, a frown furrowing her brows. "Why would Leah be looking for a new roommate?" She knew him well enough to recognize when he was trying to ease into a conversation he didn't quite know how to start.

Joe swallowed hard. "Well, I just figured, you know, with your residency ending soon, you'd be moving in with me."

She stared at him, the silence in the room thickening like the humidity before a storm. "Moving in with you?" she echoed, her voice a mix of surprise and confusion. "Joe, we've never talked about that."

Joe looked taken aback, his hand pausing mid-air with a piece of popcorn. "You mean, you didn't… I just assumed, with us being in a serious relationship and all…" His voice trailed off as he searched for the right words.

She felt a twinge of annoyance. "Joe, assuming is not the same as asking," she said firmly, closing her laptop. She stood up, crossing her arms over her chest. "You know I have connections in Cleveland. It's where I planned on starting my career after my residency."

Joe's eyes widened, his grip on the popcorn bowl tightening. "You never mentioned that," he said, his voice low and defensive.

"Because you never asked," she laughed incredulously, shaking her head. "You can't just assume I'll drop everything and move in with you. I have a life and a career, too."

Joe's face fell, the weight of her words sinking in. "I didn't mean it like that, babe," he said, setting the bowl down and approaching her. "I just thought, with us being together…"

She raised a hand to stop him. "You thought, you assumed. That's not how this works, Joe," she said, her voice steady. "We need to communicate, especially about big decisions like this." She took a deep breath, trying to keep the frustration from bubbling over.

Joe's shoulders rose with tension. "Well, I'm asking now," he said, his voice tight. "Move in with me."

She sighed, her eyes searching his. "Joey, It's not that simple," she replied, her voice softer. "I've worked hard for this. I have plans, honey. I don't want to just uproot everything because you expect me to follow you around."

"Follow me around? Babe, I don't expect that," Joe said, his voice rising slightly. "I just thought we could be together more, especially since you're going to be done with your crazy hours at the hospital. You could focus on studying for your Boards without worrying about rent and all that."

Her eyes narrowed. "I can handle paying rent, Joe," she said, her voice even. "I don't need you to take care of me. That's not what I want out of this."

Joe took a step back, his expression a mix of surprise and hurt. "I never said you couldn't handle it," he retorted. "I just thought it would be easier for you."

She felt the tension in the room thicken, the air charged with unspoken words. "Easier for me, or easier for you?" she asked, her voice measured.

Joe's eyes searched hers, trying to gauge her emotions. "What does that mean? You think I want you to be dependent on me?"

Her voice remained calm. "I don't know. Do you?"

"No? Why would I want you to be dependent on me?" Joe said, throwing his hands up in the air. "I just want us to be together, babe. We've been together for almost three years. I thought we were on the same page."

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their words. "Joe," she sighed, touching his arm. "I love you, but my career is important to me. I can't just leave it all behind because it's more convenient for you."

Joe's gaze dropped to the floor, his shoulders slumping. "I know," he mumbled. "It's just that… I don't know, I guess I've been thinking about it for a while. When I'm on the road, all I want is for you to be there, waiting for me in our home. It's selfish, I know. But it's hard being apart like this."

Her heart softened at the vulnerability in his voice. She stepped closer to him, placing her hand on his cheek. "Joey," she said gently. "Why didn't you just open with that?"

Joe looked up, his eyes searching hers. "I didn't know how to," he admitted. "It's just, you're all I think about. I just want to come home to you every night."

She felt a pang of guilt. "Joe," she said softly, "I feel the same way, but that doesn't mean we should rush into something this big."

"Then, what do you need from me?" Joe asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

She took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "I need you to understand that this is my career we're talking about. I've spent years working up to this moment," she said, her thumb gently brushing against his chin. "I don't want to lose the part of me that's worked so hard to get here."

Joe nodded slowly. "Okay."

She studied him, looking for any signs of anger or frustration, but all she saw was the raw, honest love that had brought them this far. She took a deep breath, feeling the tension in the room begin to ease. "I don't need you to fix everything," she whispered. "Don't try to pay off my loans or buy me a new car. I want us to build together, on equal terms."

Joe nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Okay," he said again, his voice stronger this time. "I get it. I just… I don't want to lose you."

Her heart swelled with affection. "You won't, baby," she assured him, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "Do you want to ask me again?" she asked, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Joe took a deep breath, his eyes searching hers. "Will you move in with me?" he asked, his voice sincere.

She felt a warmth spread through her chest. She knew Joe was trying, really trying, to understand her perspective. She took a moment before responding. "I would love to."

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🧘🏻‍♀️

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their so adorable 🥺🥺

diamond in my eye || joe burrow x reader

description: everybody’s watching her, but she’s only looking at him. in which our lovebirds attend a lakers game in the offseason, and our songbird is asked to sing the national anthem

a/n: blurb as requested! inspired by that adorable photo of him video the mopsters from last week. oh my baby boy...never change

series: you are in love

word count: 2.2k

taglist: (ask to be added): @joeyfranchise @joeyburrrow @joeyb1989 @softburrow @yelenasbraid @burrowbarbie @lovelyburrow @starkeyswomen @grittysbiggestfan @lilfreakjez @fourburrow @definitelynotdomanique

warnings: language, suggestive references

───────⋆⋅☆⋅⋆───────

the energy in the arena was electric, a current of excitement buzzed through the crowd as they waited for the game to begin. cameras flashed with no end in sight, the jumbotron cycled through shots of celebrities in the crowd, and the unmistakable bass of the stadium speakers hummed through the floor. and funny enough, they were playing out of the woods.

one of her songs.

and joe couldn’t help but hide that cheeky grin of his. knowing that they were playing something of hers, something she worked so hard on, made him the proudest man in that sold-out arena. it wasn’t uncommon for her music to be played like this, but every time he heard it—whether it was in the gym, the grocery store, the radio, here—he was acting like it was the first time. like she was some hidden underground artist getting a shot at the big stage, even though she literally had an autographed basketball in one of the display cases in one of the luxury suites from when she sold out this very arena for her previous tour.

this time, the lovebirds found themselves in LA for a casual off-season getaway, a much-needed breath of fresh air. they had grown restless, tired of staring at the same walls, the same stretches of greenery surrounding their home. the usual drive to columbus had lost its charm, the same college-town nights out feeling repetitive, the same five hiking trails too familiar, the go-to spots for food and drinks no longer holding the same excitement. LA was something new, something different—a change of scenery that felt like a reset, and they were soaking up every second of it together.

they hadn’t had many trips to the city of angels together, so this felt exciting and fresh. something about being here, under the glow of the skyline, the sound of the city wrapping around them, made it feel like a getaway in the truest sense. away from routine, away from the cold, away from the stuffy ohio air. just them, indulging in late brunches, strolling through melrose, sneaking kisses between shopping bags, and slipping into the rhythm of the city as if it was second nature.

joe was beyond excited for the lakers game they were attending tonight—not just because he got to watch one of his favorite sports outside of football, but because he got to do it with his girl by his side. this was the perfect kind of night for him—courtside seats, a cold drink in hand, and her tucked into his side, looking as effortlessly stunning as ever.

a pink alo hat sat low on his head, an attempt at keeping things low-key, paired with a casual hoodie that did its best to help him blend in. but there was no hiding when you were joe burrow. the cameras always found him, flashing his face across the jumbotron, earning a wave of cheers from the crowd. so naturally, he gave a tight-lipped smile and a small wave before turning his attention back to her.

because tonight isn’t about him.

it’s about her.

his songbird, his love, his extremely talented girlfriend, standing center court, mic in hand, poised to sing the national anthem in front of thousands.

he’s seen her perform a hundred times before—just the two of them, in the quiet intimacy of their world. late at night in bed, humming softly against his skin. in the studio, lost in the music, unaware of anything but the melody. in the car, singing along without a care, her voice effortlessly weaving through every note. and when she’s on stage in front of thousands, it’s like she was born for it. she thrives under the limelight, feeding off the electric energy of the crowd screaming her name, basking in the glow of the stage lights like they were made just for her.

but tonight? tonight was different.

she wasn’t in a sold-out arena or stadium with thousands of her fans singing her lyrics back to her. this was a new kind of pressure, a different kind of crowd, and he saw it in the way she rolled her shoulders back, in the way she took a controlled breath before the first note.

and then, she sings.

her voice soars through the arena, effortless and pure, wrapping around each note with the kind of grace that makes time slow down. the crowd becomes silent, entranced by the angelic sound of her voice. phones rise to capture the moment. even the players on the court stand taller, hands over their hearts, their expressions softened by her beauty.

everybody’s watching her.

but she’s only looking at him.

joe feels it the second her eyes find his. a tether, invisible but unbreakable, pulling her back to him even when she’s standing under the pressure of thousands of eyes. he’s never been jealous of her success—he’s in awe of it. but in this moment, with her singing like this, looking at him like this, he feels like the luckiest man in the world.

from his seat, phone out, a huge smile on his face, he records every second, wanting to bottle this moment up forever. she’s breathtaking—like a living, breathing greek goddess, bathed in the golden glow of the arena lights, standing tall in all her glory. he feels it deep in his chest, the way his heart swells with pride until it almost aches. he always knew she was special. but seeing her like this, watching her do what she was born to do? it’s overwhelming in the best way. moments like these were why she did it, why she continued to do it no matter what happened.

it almost makes her laugh, the way he’s watching her like a lovestruck fool, but she bites it back, keeping her composure. still, the sparkle in her eyes gives her away. joe catches it, sees the way her lips twitch like she’s fighting a grin, and he knows.

he looks so damn cute, and she’s never loved him more.

by the time she reaches the final note, the crowd erupts, a thunderous cheer rolling through the arena. she smiles, that radiant, heart-stopping smile, as she dips into a quick curtsy before stepping off the court.

joe’s already waiting for her by their courtside seats, standing before she even reaches him. the second she’s close enough, he’s pulling her in, pressing a kiss to her temple, murmuring, “damn, baby. made me wanna stand up and pledge my heart to you instead,”.

she laughs, shaking her head. “shut up, burrow,” and then presses a kiss to his lips, contradicting her playful annoyance. “did you really record the whole thing?” she asked, peeking at his phone.

“obviously. gotta keep it forever. might even make it my ringtone,”.

she rolled her eyes while laughing, but the warmth in her chest grew with each look at him. “they shoulda played ‘god bless america’ right after, ‘cause god definitely blessed me,” he winked, his eyes trailing over her gorgeous figure. how the jean’s she wore highlighted her perfect ass, how his inital was resting right above her cleveage which was on display because of the lacy corset top she had on. how she was practically glowing in front of him. a true living, breathing, angel right here in the city of angels. and he had the pleasure of going home with her.

could it get any better than this for him? probably not. and he was 100% aware of it.

she groans, but he sees the way she bites back a smile. she nudges his side, slipping into her seat beside him. “you’re ridiculous,”.

“and you,” he says, voice softer now, his hand settling on her thigh as the game gets underway, “are everything,”.

as the game started, they fully leaned into the date night experience. she’s curled up into his side, legs tucked up slightly, one of his arms draped over her shoulders. joe murmurs commentary in her ear, explaining plays and breaking down strategies because he played basketball in high school, even though she already knows most of it. it’s just an excuse to keep talking to her, to keep her tucked in close. they even shared a big tray of nachos, his hand occasionally bringing one to her lips without thinking. she got her revenge by stealing a sip of his soda, the straw lingering between her lips as she gave him a cheeky grin.

“that was my last sip,” he pouted.

“should’ve thought about that before dating a thief,” she grinned.

“mm. you’re lucky you’re cute. the only thing you stole was my heart,” he sighed, leaning close to kiss her cheek while he stole the last bite of the nachos from her.

she had never felt this at ease in a situation like this, and it was all because of joe. stepping back into the public eye after nearly a year away was daunting—there were still moments where the noise felt too loud, where the attention felt suffocating rather than welcoming. but with him, it was different. he made sure she never had to carry the weight of it alone.

he was her anchor, the steady presence beside her, always reminding her—silently, effortlessly—that she was safe. that he was here. and if, for even a second, she felt uneasy, he’d move mountains to fix it. he was the man who’d walk through fire to get to her, who’d shield her from every prying eye if he could. hell, he’d steal someone’s car and get them out of there if she so much as looked at him with a flicker of discomfort.

she wasn’t just easing back into all of this—she was finding her way back with him by her side. and with joe, she knew she’d be just fine.

and the way this night—although tainted by the flashiness of it all—felt like a normal, casual basketball date with her boyfriend?

that made her heart skip a beat. she yearned for this. for casual love. the kind of love she saw in the movies...on the big screens.

and finally. finally it was hers.

as the game went on, they exchanged soft smiles and quiet comments—her making fun of a particularly bad free throw, him pretending to be offended when she called one of the players hot.

but only to make joe feel a teeny bit jealous…because well. it was hot and she needed him to be a little…riled up for later.

then, during the break, the jumbotron continued panning over to celebrities in the audience, and eventually, it landed on them. “oh, great,” she muttered as the camera zoomed in, their faces suddenly lighting up the massive screen overhead.

the crowd cheers as the camera zoomed in on the way she’s nestled into him, his arm wrapped securely around her, fingers tracing absentminded circles on her arm. she glances up at him, and he dips his head, murmuring, “think they’re jealous?”.

“of us?” she teases, then looks around at all the fans in the crowd around her, watching as they held their phones up and screamed her and joe’s names. “definitely,”.

his smile widened, dimples peeking out, and he pressed a slow, heated kiss to her jaw, lingering just enough to make the crowd go even wilder. but then he leaned back, eyes flicking toward the court, smirking like he hadn’t just set the internet on fire with that risque moment. “back to the game, sweetheart.”

she rolled her eyes, knowing full well he was enjoying every second of this.

as the game continues, he steals glances at her between plays, admiring how effortlessly she fits into his world, and how much she’s become the center of it. she’s the diamond in his eye, the brightest thing in the room, and it has nothing to do with the cameras or the lights.

she’s just her—his girl, his heart, his forever.

a little later, there was another break, another jumbotron moment.

this time, the camera lingered a little longer on them, the bright screen making their faces impossible to miss. the crowd roared, the cheers turning into chants, urging something more. joe chuckled, shaking his head before tilting her chin up with two fingers, eyes dark with something deeper than amusement. “guess we gotta give ‘em what they want, huh?” his voice was raspy, teasing, just for her.

before she could respond, he leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips, his hand splayed warm against her thigh. she sighed into it, fingers instinctively curling into the fabric of his sleeve, and for a second, the rest of the world faded away.

the stadium, however, erupted. cheers, whistles, and laughter filled the space around them, but all she could hear was the rush of her own heartbeat. when she finally pulled back, her cheeks were warm, and she shook her head at him, lips still tingling from his touch.

“you’re such a show-off,” she murmured, trying for annoyance, but the way her voice came out soft and breathless? she wasn’t fooling anyone.

joe grinned, the crinkles around his eyes deep, tapping his fingers against her thigh with a cocky ease. “nah, baby. just showing ‘em what winning really looks like,”.

because in a sea of thousands, in a stadium full of eyes, she was the only one that mattered.

the diamond in his eye.

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THE HAIR

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im in love

people magazines new hollywood dads! , joe burrow

dad!joe x fem!reader

summary: in which, joe is featured in people magazines “new hollywood dads” section of the upcoming issue. take a look at how you two are handling bringing her home, the newborn stage, and the initial announcement!

warnings: mentions of pregnancy, babies, joe being a girl dad

word count: 2.5k-ish

authors note: this is lightly inspired by the “hollywood dads” or even “hollywood moms” section in US Weekly’s magazine. i am not sure which issue i seen it in or if its a regular coverage topic, i just wanted to do my own twist on it which explains why i chose people magazine because it has a better ring to it haha.

let me know if you want the readers version for “hollywood moms” or even more about you two with baby girl!

divider below and pictures above are not mine! all credits go to the rightful owners!

~

your guys’ baby girl sat in her swing next to you as it made figure-eight motions to keep her asleep. she was the perfect bundle of joy and she sat at just two weeks old. she was fragile like the porcelain that sat in the cabinets, tiny like the football her father threw for a living, and just as cute as the angel everyone called her. she was the definition of perfect in your eyes.

“people magazine wants to feature the baby and i this month. are we ready for that?” joe asks you over a cup of coffee as you two sat at the kitchen table, eating breakfast and admiring your baby while doing so.

she eats good, she sleeps like her father (for long durations), and her little smile she does in her sleep is worth melting over.

these tiny, personal details weighed against the idea of releasing her to the public eye.

this magazine would be in an archive for someone to look at over one hundred years from now. she very well could be a part of history. this magazine could sit in a random doctor’s office for years, maybe even taken home by a patient. her debut in a magazine was coming a lot sooner than you and joe both had anticipated.

“i think… as long as we keep her face out of the public eye for a while, you should be okay.” you suggest.

“it’s for their ‘new hollywood dads’ section so that’s their explanation for contacting us so early.” joe adds and you nod your head.

“maybe we should post something about her on instagram so we aren’t hard-launching her through a magazine.” you reason.

“we shouldn’t have to launch her at all. i wonder if we would have been able to pull off having her without saying anything.” joe shrugs.

“i don’t want her to grow up and think we wanted her to be a secret though.”

“yeah, it’s her privacy and safety. that’s all.”

“you know, i adore that you are respecting that and take it as a priority. you are already such a great father, so it doesn’t surprise me.” you say as joe stands up and walks around the table.

he stops right in front of her swing and squats down to be at her level; even though she’s sleeping.

“her cheeks are growing.” joe points out.

he runs his finger over her chubby cheek, letting the soft baby skin fulfill his touch.

“the more i feed her, the faster she is going to get all chunky.” you say and it makes joe laugh.

“at her rate, she’s going to have croissants for legs in no time.”

eventually, joe submitted one photo to the publisher. it was a simple one. baby girl was dressed in a plain white onesie and joe had her on his knee as he burped her.

he was also going to post the photo on instagram. even though joe was reluctant, he decided to share the moment.

~

view all 323 comments…

lahjay_10 making it big time man. much love 💪❤️

↳ joeyb_9 thanks man ❤️

teehiggins someone’s been busy…

↳ joeyb_9 and someone has too much time on their hands…

y/n.burrow baby daddy is baby daddy-ing 😩

↳ joeyb_9 relax…

fanpage.one WHAT

fanpage.two SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP

user.five didn’t even know he was married, let alone a father. congrats burrow!

gkittle sending our love to you! congrats dude!

↳ joeyb_9 thanks man, stay healthy this season!

justinherbert congratulations man!

user.four now go win a ring to complete the collection!

~

it’s been a dream for joe to be able to see not only your progress throughout this journey, but his mental progress as well.

you had your baby girl during the off season which you thanked any lord above for. the last thing you wanted as soon as you seen those two pink lines was for joe to be gone, leading to this possibility of him missing the whole labor and delivery process. but he was with you for the last couple weeks of pregnancy and the moment you realized you were in labor.

no emergency calls to anyone while he was out playing on the field, indicating that he needed to put the ball in the backup quarterbacks hands as he flew home as fast as he could. it would have been a race to see who got there first; joe or the baby.

none of that needed to happen though. he was there to line newborn sized diapers into the babies changing table that stood proudly in her nursery. he sat in the living room with you as you watched movies and folded baby clothes, each of you holding up various outfits and saying “i can’t wait for her to wear this!” throughout these last couple weeks, a major revelation was unfolding in joe’s head.

this wasn’t something small you two were preparing for. yeah, baby girl was small weight and height wise. but in the grand scheme of things, she was about to become his whole world; and that took some preparation.

as soon as he heard her first cry, his tears started flowing. as he sat there, holding her skin-to-skin while you took your first nap after many hours of labor, he felt a love he had never felt before. it made his chest tighten and he was unable to explain just how happy he was.

when he helped you load her into her car seat, a little bundle all scrunched up in a big mechanism compared to her size, he realized just how fragile she was. yeah, he was petrified the first time he changed her diaper, but there was something different. this car seat was going to instill her safety while they were in the car; everything needed to be placed and clicked-in correctly.

as you were discharged from the hospital, you were dressed in a black button-down pajama set, joe was wearing his blue seinfeld pants with a white hoodie, and baby girl was wearing a pink, knitted onesie with her name sewn on the front of it. she also wore some white, knitted socks to match.

you were ready to go home as you were sick of the hospital setting. you were excited to be bringing her home, you knew being home was where everyone was meant to be.

jim and robin were there to greet you. it was a bit later in the day and robin knew you were going to be hungry after the events of the last couple days. with that being said, she had dinner ready and set out. she had gotten a text from her son saying that they were getting ready to be discharged from the hospital and would be on their way home soon. as soon as robin got the text, she put all the food in the oven or on the stove to heat up.

she had also placed a small basket of necessities for a new mom on the couch where she knew you would be during parts of your resting period.

joe was quick to shut the car off and circle around the car to help you out. you sat in the back with the new baby. as you grabbed one of his hands, his other hand went to your back to help stabilize you.

“you want to grab her?” you ask.

“yeah, i’ll get her.”

joe had the most practice with the car seat and you were drained, you didn’t feel like fighting with it at that exact moment.

the door was already unlocked when you approached it. as soon as you opened it, the most delicious smell filled the air. joe was right behind you, car seat with baby girl sleeping in it in hand.

“hi, you two!” robin says kind of quietly.

you met robin with a hug.

“i’m so proud of you! you did it!” she says and kisses your forehead. you were the daughter she never had and she was like your second mom; even before you and joe got married. while your parents were states away, she was there to temporarily fill that missing place in your heart and she loved doing so.

joe then steps in and turns the car seat so his parents could take their first looks at the baby.

“oh my gosh, she looks just like you.” robin says as she looks up to her son.

“her features will change and that was a whole topic we discussed in the hospital.” joe says as he looks over at you.

“i was a little sad because she really looks like i had no part in making her but, i’ve come to terms with the fact that her and her father are just perfect so how could i be mad?” you say and robin laughs.

“let’s get you to the couch and we will plate you up some dinner.” jim says as he helps guide you to the living room.

joe walks with you to the living room, setting the car seat on the ottoman that sat in front of you. he reaches in and carefully clicks the button to release the straps that were holding your daughter in. really slowly and extremely careful, he took her out of the car seat and handed her to you.

“feeding time, right?” he asks and you look at your watch.

“right on time.” you smile up at your husband.

“let me run out and get your bags and pillows, i’ll be back.” joe says and jogs back to the car.

“so, how are you feeling?” robin asks as she sits a couple spots down on the couch.

“a bit tired, sore of course. otherwise, i think really good.” you say and she smiles.

“was he a good help for you while you were in labor? i know he isn’t exactly the best in fast and serious situations like that. on the field, yes. otherwise, maybe not.” robin jokes about her son.

“he was great. he was there if i needed water or a hand to squeeze. i couldn’t have asked for a better person to go through this with.” you say and robin smiles.

“what was her weight? she’s so tiny.” jim asks.

“seven pounds, nine ounces and she’s eighteen inches long.” you say as joe comes back into the house.

“she’s a tiny thing, isn’t she?” joe says.

“she’s not even a ten pound weight!” jim says.

once baby girl had eaten, you tested out her swing for the first time while you two ate. you knew that you had a couple minutes between feedings and diaper changes to eat so you took advantage of it.

but the second joe noticed that she was squirming, sticking her tongue out, and slowly blinking her eyes, she was awake and awaiting a change. he wanted her in something warmer now so he let you eat while he took her up to her nursery for the first time to change her.

“here you are baby girl, this is your room.” he whispers to her as he tries his best to show her around. her eyes are trying to take in everything as they slowly open and close. she was making a squeaky, grunting noise as joe talked to her. whether she was making a mess of her diaper or she was just making noises, joe knew she was still the cutest little thing he’d ever seen.

joe lies her down on the changing table and makes sure she is okay on it. he leans down to grab a diaper and a pack of wipes, cracking open a brand new pack.

while taking off her onesie, he is careful of her slowly shriveling umbilical cord.

“you’re going to be cold for a second but i’ll warm you back up as soon as i can, i promise.” joe says as he is focusing on being as careful as possible.

his suspicions on her noises earlier were correct. that’s what happens when you feed a baby though.

eventually, joe cleans her up perfectly and gets her dressed in a pink, long-sleeved onesie that had tiny purple flowers covering it. he grabbed a tiny pair of purple pants to match and he slides them on her. stepping over to a different section on the changing table, he grabs a swaddle and swaddles her.

he admired the work he has officially done all on his own for the first time and smiles.

“all done my little girl.” joe says and picks her up and holds her close to him.

he turns the light off and closes the door behind him. making his way down stairs, his mom was there to check on him.

“everything go okay?” she asks.

“couldn’t have been better.” joe says with a smile.

“she hasn’t cried once since being home.” robin says as she watches her son as he slowly descends the stairs.

“i think we’ve only heard her cry like four times these last couple days.” you say and robin looks in your direction.

“were you an easy baby? this one here cried any chance he got, even if he was just bored.” jim says.

“i’m not too sure. i never heard much of me being trouble but hey, you never know.” you say and he laughs.

“can i hold her?” robin finally asks as joe was now on flat ground and not paranoid of flying down the stairs with a newborn in his arms.

“of course. all i ask is for anyone who holds her, is to wash their hands before they touch her.” you say and robin immediately agrees.

“got it.” robin says and goes to the kitchen to wash her hands.

she was there for a good second, thoroughly washing her hands. behind her stood jim who was also ready to wash his hands.

this was how the next couple days went. lots of handwashing, lots of cuddling, plenty of naps, and tons of help from joe’s parents.

“we did the same when the other grand-babies were born, it’s only right to continue the tradition.” jim says as they were packing up their things to let the new parents enjoy themselves.

reality really hit when baby girl was experiencing her first bout of gas. you and joe came to conclusion that her burping sessions needed to be longer and if that wasn’t helping, then they needed to speak to her pediatrician. they had an appointment coming up soon anyways.

but when joe had pulled a tip from one of the many books he read, they started feeding her at a different angle and thoroughly burping her, then massaging her stomach. the gas worries soon slipped away and she was relaxed any time either one of you did the routine with her.

~

view all 265 comments…

bengals what size does she want her jersey in?

↳ joeyb_9 0-3 months is her go to. she might want it baggy though so maybe 3-6

↳ bengals new baby jerseys on the way 🫡

y/n.burrow baby fingers! 🥲

user.nine is that lyrics from “little bird” 😭

↳user.twelve OMG I THINK IT IS

lahjay_10 i think she should be our team captain the way she screams at certain plays

↳ joeyb_9 you’re right, i’m booking an appointment with the front office right now

~

GIRL TALK!

>>> With this being his first born, Joe Burrow, Quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, was even more excited to welcome in the new family member once him and his wife found out they were having a little girl.

Burrow’s wife, Y/N Burrow, was the first one to announce the news through an Instagram post of the two holding up a miniature version of her husbands jersey. She captioned the post, ‘The Cincinnati Bengals select… Baby Girl Burrow, due in 2026, Newborn University.”

We sat down with Burrow himself to ask him some adorable questions about their new addition!

Q: What is your favorite memory from the last few weeks?

A: “Probably bringing her home. It made the whole journey feel real. The feeling of having her home is very special and the joy between all three of us is immense.”

Q: How has the team adapted to you bringing on a new member?

A: “They all love her and I am so thankful that she has the chance to experience such a unique type of love from them. She is definitely a key to our motivation and a special type of thanks to those who find her screaming cute- she’s definitely a talkative baby.”

Q: Would you want her playing sports like you did growing up? If so, which sport would best suit her?

A: “Maybe. Only if she wants to. I think the social aspect would be good for her as it is for anyone else. I see her playing some basketball. if she picks up my height and her mom’s precision, we might just have a star on our hands. even if she doesn’t play any sports, she’s still a star in our eyes.”

Q: Lastly, if you were in need of a babysitter so you and your wife could go baby-free for the night, who would you call first?

A: “Probably Ja’Marr. He has that instinct and experience. If he’s busy or even going out with us, then probably Mike or Trey. If we need to, I’d call Tee and they can “Three Men and a Baby” it for the night.”

i feel like joe would be way more self kept when it comes to big things like having a baby so this is way out of the norm lol. i still thought the idea was cute and if you want a part two for the readers version, just let me know :)

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his entire world🥺🥺🥺

Can we get Joe where he doesn’t Ike anyone touching reader pregnant belly.

this is such a cute idea i hope i did it justice<3

Joe had always been protective. It was just in his nature—something woven into him so deep it was as effortless as breathing. It wasn’t the loud, overbearing kind, though. It was quiet. Steady. The way his hand would always find the small of your back in crowded places, how he’d subtly position himself between you and the street when you walked together. The way he’d give you his jacket before you could even admit you were cold.

But when you told him you were pregnant, something shifted.

At first, it was subtle. A hand lingering on your lower back longer than usual, his eyes scanning the room a little more often when you were out together. But as the weeks went by and your belly started to round out, the protectiveness turned into something else—something sharper.

Joe didn’t just watch out for you. He hovered.

He started driving everywhere, even when you insisted you were fine to take yourself. His texts increased—You good? Need anything? Call me if you do—even if you were just running a quick errand. And when the baby bump became impossible to hide, so did Joe’s growing protective streak.

At first, it was just the small things. The way he’d instinctively step closer when someone got too near. The way his eyes would narrow whenever a stranger so much as glanced in your direction for a second too long.

And then, the belly-touching started.

It was like some unspoken rule of pregnancy—strangers, acquaintances, even friends suddenly felt entitled to reach out and place their hands on you, like your growing stomach was some kind of community property.

Joe was having absolutely none of it.

The first time it happened, you were at the grocery store, scanning the shelves when a sweet-looking older woman caught sight of you and beamed.

“Oh, how far along are you?” she asked, already reaching out before you could answer.

Before her hand even got close, Joe was there.

He didn’t shove or snap—he didn’t have to. His body language alone was enough. He stepped in smoothly, his palm pressing against your stomach possessively, his shoulders squared in a way that made it clear—this was not an open invitation.

“Yeah, we’re good,” he said, voice polite but firm.

The woman blinked, clearly caught off guard, before awkwardly dropping her hand. You had to bite back a smile at how fast Joe had swooped in, like some kind of personal security guard.

And that was only the beginning.

It happened again at dinner with friends, when Ja’Marr reached out with a teasing grin. Joe intercepted so fast, Ja’Marr barely had time to register what happened before he was laughing, holding his hands up in surrender.

“Damn, bro, chill—I wasn’t tryna steal your kid.”

Joe didn’t laugh.

His arm tightened around your waist, fingers flexing slightly like he was grounding himself. You reached down and laced your fingers with his, rubbing your thumb over the back of his hand.

“You know you’re being dramatic, right?” you murmured later that night, curled up next to him in bed.

Joe just huffed, his lips against your shoulder.

“People don’t need to be touching you.”

You turned in his arms, tilting your head to look at him. His jaw was set, but his eyes—the soft, stormy blue you loved—held something deeper.

Something protective. Something almost primal.

And it hit you then.

This wasn’t just about people touching you. This was about him—about his family, his child, his entire world growing inside you.

And if there was one thing Joe Burrow would never do, it was let the world take what was his.

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would love to know how yail reader is on her period bc im in pain fr bc ik for a fact joe comforts and spoils her so much

───────⋆⋅☆⋅⋆───────

oh my god, he would do anything and everything to make her feel even the slightest bit better. joe never played when it came to her periods, knowing how much extra stress her body would be under mentally and physically during this time of the month. he never took it lightly, and certainly never just did the bare-minimum as her boyfriend. never just giving her meds and saying "you’ll be okay," while going back to doing whatever it was that he was doing.

no, joe made sure shewasokay.

it wasn’t just about making her comfortable; it was about making sure shefeltcared for. and that’s what joe did best.

he was relentless about it, too, never letting her lift a single finger when she was curled up in pain. if she so much as winced, joe was already moving--grabbing her heating pad, rubbing slow circles into her lower belly, bringing her whatever cravings she had that day (even if it meant driving across the city for one very specific kind of cupcake).

her period days always started the same way--she was curled up on the couch, buried under a mountain of blankets, a deep frown fixed on her face as she scrolled mindlessly on her phone. and joe? joe knew exactly what that meant.

"bad?" he asked softly, already toeing off his shoes as he stepped inside, setting a bag on the coffee table.

she just whimpered in response, peeking up at him from under the covers with glassy eyes. and that was all it took.

he sighed, dramatic and playful, before plopping down beside her. "good thing i came prepared,".

of course he did. he knew exactly what she needed before she even knew what she needed herself, and that was the beauty of their relationship. unspoken understanding.

he started unpacking his emergency supply haul--her favorite lindor chocolates, doritos chips (obvi the purple bag ones), a tub of ice cream, a fresh pair of fuzzy socks because he knew her feet always got cold, and her favorite blanket because he knew she liked the weight of it, and, because he knew she’d want it later, a fresh container of pickles.

"you’re my hero," she whispered, eyes wide as she reached for the chocolate first.

"i know," he said with a soft grin as he tucked her more securely against his chest.

but joe didn’t stop there. he had the heating pad warmed up and ready before she even realized she needed it, pressing it gently against her lower stomach as he rubbed slow circles over the ache.

"is it really that bad this month?" he murmured, his hand steady and warm as it moved across her belly.

she just nodded, pouting slightly as she shifted in his arms. "feels like my uterus is ripping itself apart," she grumbled. "i hate being a woman,".

joe chuckled, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear before pressing a kiss to her temple. "i would take the pain for you if i could, baby,".

a slow smirk rose on her face, "...you know, there's a way you could," she said with a wink.

joe's brows lifted in amusement, his lips quirking as he let out a chuckle. "oh yeah?" he mused, fingers still lazily trailing along her spine. "and what exactly do you have in mind?".

she grinned despite the dull ache in her belly, shifting just enough to meet his gaze. "well…," she started, dragging her fingertips down his chest, playing with the hem of his hoodie. "they say, you know...certain activities can help with cramps,".

he shook his head with a smirk as his grip on her waist tightened slightly. "you're ridiculous," he muttered, but his voice had that telltale rasp to it, like he was considering it.

"i mean, just trying to find solutions here," she teased, batting her lashes as she stretched out in his lap, all warm and cushy and his.

joe groaned, dropping his head back against the couch. "you're so lucky i love you,".

"mm," she hummed, snuggling closer, letting his warmth soothe her. "i know."

she sighed, nuzzling further into his chest, and joe tightened his grip, a protective warmth radiating from him as he rocked her just the slightest bit. his grin was instant, the crinkles around his eyes deep as he kissed her forehead. "my precious, moody little goblin,".

and even though she swatted at him for that one, she still let him hold her for the rest of the evening, her pain slowly fading as he played with her hair, rubbed at her belly, and whispered sweet nothings against her temple. at one point, she drifted off to sleep in his lap, and joe, being the sap that he was, just stayed there, one hand still rubbing slow circles over her stomach, the other tracing soft patterns against her back.

he didn’t care if his legs fell asleep. he didn’t care if they sat like that for hours.

all he cared about was making sure she was comfortable, safe, and loved.

--

he was so good at meeting her needs, going above and beyond to make sure she was doing okay. although sometimes, she'd test him unknowingly. miss songbird was craaaanky and moody as fuck during some parts of the day and joe might catch a stray or two when that happened.

like when he handed her the wrong kind of lindor chocolate--cue the dramatic sigh and the glare that could melt steel. or when he asked if she wanted to take a nap and she snapped, "do I look like I wanna take a nap, joseph?" only to curl up on his chest five minutes later as he played with her hair.

but joe never took it personally. he’d just smirk, let her huff and puff, and then pull her into him when she finally gave in. "you done being mean to me yet?" he’d tease, his voice soft, his fingers drawing circles on her back.

and even if she mumbled a half-heartedmaybe,he was already kissing her temple, whispering, "yeah, you are. c’mere, grumpy,".

--

but what really got her, what made her sniffle and blink up at him all doe-eyed, was when she found herself crying for no reason, her emotions heightened and overwhelming, and joe didn’t hesitate. he didn’t tease, didn’t tell her to calm down--he just wrapped her up in his arms, pulled her into his lap, and let her cry into his chest as his fingers ran through her hair.

"shh, baby, i got you," he whispered, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple. "always got you,".

she melted against him, sighing as his touch soothed every ache, every overwhelming thought.

she didn’t know what she did to deserve someone like him, but god, was she grateful. sometimes, she’d just watch him--watch the way he cared for her so effortlessly, so instinctively, like loving her was second nature. this was exactly what she had always dreamt of--someone who didn’t just love her in words, but in actions. someone who took care of her without hesitation, without being asked, simply because he wanted to. because making her feel safe, cherished, loved was just as important to him as breathing.

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