You felt honoured to get one of the fought for internships with the England National Team. When you got the first acceptance from the HR department you celebrated marvellously with your family. Their many words of support filling you with happiness as you prepared for what was to come.
••••
A couple of weeks in, you and the other interns are setting up for Men's National Team arrivals which is happening the next morning. "D'you reckon we'll get to chat with 'em?" one of your new mates ask while putting up a directional sign in the main lobby of the complex, "that wouldn't be very professional of us" you reply from where you're sitting while organizing ID passes. "It would be rude not to say anything if they start a conversation though" another intern replies making you laugh, "she gets me Y/N" you shrug, only looking up at your grinning colleagues for a second before going back to your assigned task.
The next day comes quicker than anticipated, your supervisor rushing around when you arrive at St. George's Park. She shoots you a quick smile before directing you to where the content team is preparing for player photoshoots. You're greeted with waves and smiles before you get put to work, the music playing through a nearby portable speaker making the job a little more fun. A couple of minutes later you hear some laughter before three footballers enter the room shoving each other, you don't look up from what you're doing but smile at the sound of their antics. "Y/N?" you look up to see not only the content creation girl but the footballers looking your way. The attention makes you blush, "what's up?" you ask then clear your throat, "come help with the lights?" you nod and stand from your spot to help.
As you adjust one of the lights something sharp catches your arm. You hiss and can't help but look down, the cut starts bleeding a surprising amount and you feel your head starting to spin at the severity. "Are you okay?" A voice asks making you look up quickly, but the movement makes the spinning worse as black spots decorate your vision preventing you from getting a good look at the person before everything goes black. You don't see or hear the panic of everyone in the room as you're lifted into some arms to get you to the team medic. The kind man carrying you in a state of worry as he keeps checking for signs of consciousness. Only feeling better when he gets you some medical attention from the team doctor.
••••
You stir awake a half hour later, confused as to where you are. A tightness in your arm makes you look at it, realization coming to your mind at the bandages wrapped around the spot where you were cut. "It's not as bad as you think" a voice says making you jump while lifting your head, you're shocked to see Mason Mount on a nearby chair looking disheveled with his hair all over the place. "I know I got cut but how'd I get here? I don't remember" he sits up straighter then smiles, leaving your heart fluttering, "you fainted so I carried you here, really gave everyone a scare Y/N" you blush, embarrassed about what happened and him having to come to the rescue.
"That's awfully mortifying, I'm sorry for making such a scene" the footballer furrows his brows, "no need to be sorry, I think any one of us would've been queasy from seeing a lot of blood" you smile shyly at Mason, "well thank you for saving me back there, you should probably go back to the team now though" he shrugs then scoots his chair towards where you've sat up. "I'm in no rush, plus I need to be absolutely sure that you're alright" you bite your lip and look down to where your hands lay on your lap, "i'll survive Mason" he snorts which makes you look up again. "Stand up then" you tilt your head as if to question his suggestion then shrug before sliding off the massage table. When you get upright your legs nearly give out but luckily Mason's quick reflexes come into action to catch you as a gasp leaves your lips and your hands cling onto his arms. "I didn't realize" you mumble feeling a little stupid, "you lost a decent amount of blood Y/N, don't rush anything" he replies quietly making you look up at his warm brown eyes, which reassure you.
"Oh thank god! You're awake!" the loud exclamation makes you jump while looking towards the doorway to see your supervisor. You notice the way her eyes flick between you and Mason with a smile coming to her face making you blush. "See you later Y/N" Mason says then lets you go, your body instantly missing his warmth as he leaves the medical room, smiling at you one last time before disappearing from sight. Your knees grow week for a completely different reason so you place a hand on the nearby massage table to steady your balance, "please tell me i'm invited to your guys' wedding" the woman who has become a sister of sorts says, "you're crazy" she laughs in response so you start to step away from the table to leave the room. "I'd call him your knight in shining footy boots" you roll your eyes but your heart flutters at the thought of Mason's bright smile and brown eyes. "You should be telling me to stay away from the talent" she brings an arm around your shoulders as the two of you walk out of the room, "where's the fun in that, especially since he was here every time I came to check in on you" a small smile comes to your face at the new information. "Give Mase a chance, he's really sweet and he makes you smile" she adds when you don't say anything, you sigh but don't get a chance to reply because she scurries away to handle something, leaving you alone with your thoughts until your colleagues find you to ask how you are after the scary incident.
••••
The next couple of weeks consist of many shared looks between you and Mason. Whether it's a wink, a smile or any kind of subtle acknowledgement. Time moves too quickly and before you know it everyone is preparing for player departures. The thought tugs at your heartstrings, meaning that the whole night before everyone leaves -most noticeably Mason- you can't get to sleep until the early hours of the morning. You show up at St George's Park a couple hours later with a thermos full of coffee in hand and a slight frown on your face. "Why so glum Y/N?" a colleague asks when noticing your less than happy mood, "i'm gonna miss their antics" you reply while smiling sadly, "yeah it'll be quiet around here" she adds before pulling you into her side to walk into the venue together.
"So are you finally gonna get Mount's number?" the question makes you choke on the coffee you decided to sip, "what are you on about?" she lifts an eyebrow, "if you think none of us noticed the way you look at each other you must be denser than we thought". You blush then shrug, feeling her gaze on you, "its been so painful watching you guys dance around each other and not act on the obvious chemistry" you sigh in response and look up at her, "he's a Prem league footballer and I'm an intern, there isn't a world where that works". When she lets out a loud snort you lift your eyebrows in confusion, "if you think that excuse is enough to keep Mason Mount away, you may as well be his girlfriend already" you shake your head then try to hide your red face by drinking from the thermos in your hand. "Y/N!" the shout makes you turn your head while lowering your coffee, smiling when you see your supervisor waving you over, "go see lover boy" your colleague teases, you ignore her and focus on jogging over to your boss. "I need you to collect all the ID passes from players and managers before they leave" she explains when you're by her side, your mind goes to Mason but you try not to show your reaction, "alright" you say and she nods before squeezing your arm with a knowing look in her eyes.
You manage to get through most of the team without making a fool of yourself, sharing smiles and laughs with the players that have become like family over the international break. As you organize the passes alphabetically you don't notice someone approaching. "Hey Y/N" you jump and drop a couple of passes while looking up in surprise. Mason smiles sheepishly, "sorry 'bout that" you shrug, "it's all right" he starts to bend down to grab them at the same time as you resulting in your heads butting together. You hiss and he groans before chuckling, his gaze locking with yours, "we have to be careful around each other" you say then drop to your knees to collect the ID passes, "being careful is boring though" he replies so you smile and look up to be met with his hand open towards you. The gesture makes you freeze while your heart flutters, "I won't bite" he teases making you blush and slide your free hand into his, "thanks Mase" you mumble as he helps you to your feet "they don't call me your knight in shining boots for nothing" you groan hating the cheesy nickname your boss gave him, "how'd you find out about that?" he grins "these walls talk and so do the staff" you shake your head in disbelief at your colleagues and their chatter.
"Don't worry Y/N, I don't mind being your saviour" he murmurs before lifting your arm to kiss the back of your hand, his gaze never leaving yours during the sweet gesture, "shit" you breathe out knowing that there's no denying how Mason makes you feel after only a couple of weeks. He lifts an eyebrow at your quiet swear then lowers your hand, keeping his fingers laced with yours, "alright?" you nod then hold up a finger while slipping your hand out of his. With quick movements you put down the passes on a nearby table then grab a slip of scrap paper and a pen to scribble down your phone number. Once you've finished that you turn back to Mason, "text me later, need to make sure you get home safely so that I don't have to save you" he laughs when you push the little paper into his hand, a smile appearing on your face at the joyful sound, "I think I can do that" you bite your lip while nodding, his eyes latching onto the action immediately making your cheeks turn red. Mason gently pulls you closer before lowering his head, "I'm so glad I met you Y/N" he says into your ear making goosebumps appear on your skin, "ditto Mase" you murmur shyly. He smiles then kisses your head, it happens so quickly that you're sure you imagined it, "see you later Y/N" you nod and watch him turn around before walking out of the building. "My ship has sailed" you spin around to see your colleague grinning as she pulls you into a tight hug, you squirm around until she lets you go, "he might not even text me" she snorts, "don't be daft babe" you open your mouth to object but your phone vibrating interrupts the action.
You need to text me when you get home so that I can sleep peacefully tonight Y/N
A giggle leaves your mouth at the message from Mason, "as if you're not meant to be with him" you blush and quickly put your phone away to focus on finishing your task. Your good mood lasting the rest of the day and evening as St George's Park empties out. When you finally leave and get into your car you sigh tiredly, starting it up to leave the car park. Thinking about Mason while driving home, the stupid smile on your face never dimming. Later when you step into your flat you pull out your phone,
I'm home now Mase, good night
Good night darling
You smile while kicking off your runners, pulling the elastic from your hair as you walk into your room, a sigh of relief leaving your lips. As you change then slide into bed you can't help but feel like you're on cloud 9. The hope circling your mind a nice change after feeling like you would never find your person. You're thankful that you got to be there for the ride with the national team, met Mason and made so many friends, giving you memories that'll last forever.