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Y/N lazed on the coach, grumbling quietly as they tapped their pen on their notebook. The notebook practically fell apart in their hands, the old thing a childhood gift given to them from their father. They were currently writing and recording their third studio album ‘Lover’, their first love album. Y/N had always wanted to write a love album, however they had never been lucky in love department until five years ago. They had met the love of their life, Ben Chilwell, a rising football star in a London nightclub and almost instantly fell in love.
They smiled, eyes floating from the blank page to the ring on their wedding finger. After three years of dating, Ben had popped the question as they vacationed in Northern Italy, their favourite holiday destination. It had been a picture perfect engagement. Standing on the rented villas balcony as they watched the sun rise above hills and lakes nearby, Y/N turned around to see Ben on one knee, grinning as he spoke the long awaited words: “Will you marry me?”
The happiness of the day flooded back to them, accompanied by lyric inspiration. Of course the album had been heavily inspired by their relationship with Chilly, but this song was going to be the crown jewel of the album - the whole song about their love.
“The moon is high, like your friends were the night that we first met.”
Maria and Y/N walked into a West London night club, ready to celebrate Y/N’s 21st birthday. They had been bar hopping all evening before they found this place and Maria dragged them inside. “Wanna dance?” Maria asked over the loud music. The whole place shook from the force of the music blaring through the multiple speakers as strobe lights roamed the rooms, practically blinding everyone.
“No!” Y/N yelled over the music, shaking their head. “I’ll get some drinks. Stay close, please.” Within seconds of trying to reach the bar, Maria darted off to the dance floor, disappearing within the crowd of sweaty bodies. “Asshole!”
Drink in hand, Y/N was sat in a corner of the nightclub, trying to ignore a large group of boys a few seats away. “Can I sit here?” They nodded, granting the stranger permission to sit. “Are you from Tennessee? Because you're hot.” He winked as Y/N let out a loud laugh, too amused to be worried by the man. His pupils were blown wide - just like when someone was high on drugs.
“Chicago, actually.”
He nodded, leaning on his hand as a couple others stumbled to the table - all high as well. Y/N raised a brow as they sat round the circle table. Each boy introduced themselves individually. The first guy was Mason, the next was James, then Declan and finally Harry. Each man seemed unlikely friends but they were clearly close. Y/N let them chat, laughing as she was included in the intoxicated and drug induced mumbo jumbo conversation. Soon, someone bee lined to the table, “Finally!” He yelled. The boys cheered as they greeted the man called ‘Chilly’. Y/N watched as he order the men outside, handing them all a bottle of water each as they passed before turning to the remaining person. “I am so sorry.” His accent was beautiful. Not London but close. The raspiness reminded them of being a child in the middle of a Chicago winter, curled up in a blanket in front of the fire. “I’m Ben Chilwell.” He held out his hand. “Or Chilly.”
“Y/N Y/L/N.”
“Went home and tried to stalk you on the internet.”
That night, Y/N couldn’t sleep a wink, a mixture of making sure Maria didn’t choke on her own vomit and the intoxicating green eyes of Ben Chilwell. Their fingers itched as they twirled their phone around their fingers, wondering if they should check out this Ben Chilwell guy. Soon they lost the mental battle and opened instagram, searching up his name, groaning as he didn’t come up. They tried a few other apps but nothing. Soon they gave up, shut the phone, and fell into a light sleep.
“Now I’ve read all the books beside your bed.”
Y/N smirked, biting the pen lid. They'd let the listeners figure that out.
“The wine is cold, like the shoulder that I gave you in the street.”
The headlines were everywhere. BEN CHILWELL SPOTTED WITH TOP MODEL KEIRA HASTINGS. Tears welled in their eyes as they read another article. Ben and Y/N had been dating for five months at this point and this was the major headline of today's pop culture drama. In the picture, Hastings had Ben pushed against the wall, kissing him fiercely as a few of his team mates watched from afar. Downing the ice cold wine, Y/N rushed around the man's apartment to grab their things to leave. They had just grabbed their toothbrush from the bathroom, Ben entered the home. “Y/N.” He yelled, searching for them. They didn’t stop as Ben tried to get their attention. “Let me explain.” He begged, eyes filled with unshed tears, standing in front of his lover as they stopped.
“Let me leave, Ben.” Y/N warned, eyes trained behind the soccer player. They couldn’t even look at him as anger, pain and sadness swarmed their body. He shook his head, trying to find the right words. “Benjamin.” They snapped, eyes locking onto him, blazing with rage. He sighed, letting them leave.
Two months had passed before Y/N saw any soccer players again. The singer had been walking down the street when they heard their name being called from across the road. Their eyes flickered to the opposite sidewalk, expecting fans, but was instead greeted with half the English soccer teams - including Ben Chilwell. The boys looked over at them before pointing at their ex-boyfriend, wolf whistling good naturedly. Y/N clenched their jaw and looked away, continuing their walk.
“Cat and mouse for a month, or two or three.”
Ben had barely left them alone since the night that article came out. He had texted and called, sent flowers and cards, tried to talk to them, but Y/N ignored all his attempts. They had spent most of the time in Chicago to stay away from him.
“Now I wake up in the night and watch you breathe.”
Turns out what happened between Chilly and Hastings was taken out of context.
Ben's closest friend, James Maddison, had cornered the popstar when they caught the same flight. “Listen to me, Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N.” He snapped. “Benjamin has been tearing himself apart trying to get you to talk to him, so I'm going to make you listen to me.” James had squished himself onto the airplane seat. “That photo of Chilly and Keira was taken completely out of context. Some Leicester boys and models and shit were partying. Keira was drunk, and Ben - like usual - was the designated driver so he barely had anything. I was talking with Ben when she came over, barely coherent and tried to sweet talk him but Ben wasn’t interested, so he tried to get her some water. As he turned, she kissed him - that's when the photo was taken - he shoved her off and walked away once he realised what was happening, muttering your name, Y/N. Your name.” The popstar was quiet as James walked off.
Once they were back in England, Y/N found their way to Chilly’s house. “Hey.” They said as he opened the door. “James told me.” They said softly, smiling awkwardly as they shuffled foot to foot. “I want to apologise. I should have listened to you about Keira, you deserved to give me an explanation and I ignored you. I hope-” He cut them off with a kiss. Eventually they ended up in bed. Y/N was laying on their side, head tangled in Ben’s dark brown hair as he slept peacefully; chest rising and falling with calm breaths.
“Kiss me once ‘cause you know I had a long night.”
Ben groaned as he walked into the house before flopping onto the couch, head resting on Y/N chest. They ran their fingers through his hair. “Kiss me? I’ve had a long night.” Leicester had been thrashed 6-0 against Man United that evening and Ben had been subbed off injured. Because of work, Y/N had to watch the game on TV rather than at the stadium like usual.
“My pleasure, baby boy.”
“Kiss me twice ‘cause it’s gonna be alright.”
His injury had been worse than expected, a fractured ankle rather than a sprain. “Kill me.” He groaned, laying in the hospital bed, waiting for his operation.
Y/N placed a light kiss on his lips, mumbling softly. “Only a couple weeks out, then back in business.” She placed another kiss on his lips. “I’ll kiss you twice because it’s going to be alright.”
“Three times ‘cause I've waited my whole life.”
“I’ve never been to a movie premiere before.” No one aside from close friends and family knew about their relationship. Ben and Y/N were in the car, holding each other's hand as the car pulled onto the red carpet.
The popstar chuckled softly. “It’s fine, baby.” They muttered to Ben, running their thumb over his knuckles. “It’s not as bad as it seems. Trust me.” They placed a kiss on his knuckles.
Y/N had been invited to the Ford v Ferrari movie premiere in London and invited Ben along with them. They couldn’t be together on the carpet, not wanting to arouse suspicion, but in the car they were more than happy. They placed a kiss on his neck, just above the suit collar. Ben chuckled, nudging his nose into their cheek. The car pulled up to the carpet and the worker came to open the door. Y/N placed a kiss on his lips, cupping his cheeks. “Good luck.” They whispered, slipping out the car.
“I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings.”
The door creaked open as Oscars tail wagged from where he was curled up beside Y/N on the bed. They were bundled up in the bed, sickness rife in her body. Ben came in, smiling warmly as he clutched a tea tray, filled with treats. They had just moved in together, now in London. Ben had signed with the London club Chelsea and they’d moved into a mansion in Cobham.
Ben came over and perched on the bed, showing them the tray of goodies. “Holy.” There were pancakes coated in Nutella and strawberries, a glass of orange juice, a bowl of fruit and a coffee - plus other treats - littering the tray. “I love you.” They leaned away from the footballer as he tried to kiss her.
“Oh come here you sexy infection on legs.” They laughed as he kissed them. At that moment, Y/N realised they would marry Ben with paper rings. “You know,” They mumbled against his lips. “I hate accidents except when we went from friends to this.”
“Darling you’re the one I want.”