something

- wish i could do nothing with you

a/n: i completely forgot i had this in my drafts! here’s a cute fluffy fic before the angst 🤞

—————————————————————————

wish you were here

3 times something reminded azzi of paige + 1 time something reminded paige of azzi

1) harmonicas

she just had to make it to friday.

that had been azzi’s life motto since uconn’s second semester curriculum decided it wanted to double down on the poor girl. in between practice breaks, she did flashcard reviews on quizlet. in her free time, she revised notes and annotated paragraphs upon paragraphs. even in the time that was supposed to be spent with her friends, a very stressed out azzi could probably be found in the corner of a booth at ted’s, finishing up an assignment.

none of the girls—not even kk—could get azzi to take a breather. it wasn’t because they weren’t distractions, they were actually exactly that. unfortunately, they just weren’t paige.

the blonde had a certain knack for getting azzi to relax. even if that meant getting azzi to stop working by eating her out until her brain was mush. their bond was built on years of knowing each other, and it was practically untouchable, it’s invincibility was catalyzed by closeness. clearly it wasn’t because paige was charming, even if the older girl insisted it was—azzi’s genes had mutated years ago and built up a resistance to the blonde’s antics.

it was more the fact that azzi was in love with paige, and she would anything the other girl wanted even if it was stupid or dangerous or extremely corny.

azzi was down if paige was.

with that in mind, when “piano man” started playing nearby azzi in a crowded bar, her ears perked up. sure, it was a familiar tune, but as much as the brunette appreciated billy joel, the melody itself didn’t catch azzi off guard. it was the fact—the stupid fact—that the song was being played on a harmonica.

azzi, who had been thinking about her next exam while sipping on a dirty shirley, heard the hum of the instrument and suddenly her features were filled with the devastating memory of paige. the brunette's head turned towards a group of frat guys, very drunk frat guys, messing around with a harmonica just a booth away from azzi and her teammates. and oh god, the guy playing piano man was a blond, just the cherry on top as azzi’s mind paralleled to paige’s blonde waves.

for a reason unbeknownst to azzi, her eyes brimmed with fat tears, the massive kind that just spilled out no matter how many times they were blinked back.

yanna was the first to notice.

“yo az, you good?” her concerned voice got the heads of a few other girl’s to turn towards the misty eyed brunette.

“no—yeah, i’m good.” azzi stuttered, using the back her hand to dab away the escaped tears. “just need another drink.” she moved to scoot herself away from the cramped table.

“another one? i think you actually meant your uber girl.” kk said teasingly from across the table, reaching over to unlock azzi’s phone and open the uber app. “now, sit your butt down and wait for—“ kk glanced down at the older girl’s phone, “—steven to come pick you up. he’ll be here in ten.” azzi sighed and rested her pounding head against yanna’s shoulder, letting her overwhelming thoughts blend into the buzz of bad bar music.

———

when azzi finally got home, albeit the memory of actually getting there was a little foggy, she couldn’t stop thinking about that guy from ted’s. well, less the guy and more her paige.

azzi remembered the night perfectly. it was the day before her final exam, economics had been kicking her ass all month, and at exactly 11:43pm paige busted into her room.

“baby, look what i just learned!” the older girl beamed. she carefully closed the door she’d almost just broken with her foot and ran to her girlfriends bed, plopping herself criss-cross, patiently waiting for azzi to acknowledge her presence.

“hellooooo. anyone home in there?” azzi was sitting at her desk, glasses thrown off to the side, and her face buried into her palms in pure defeat as she stared at another failed practice test. when the younger girl didn’t respond—let alone flinch at paige’s loud entrance—the blonde pushed herself off the pink comforters and padded across the smooth mahogany floors to reach azzi.

she rested a careful hand on the girl’s forearm, softly pushing her hands away from her exhausted face.

“you need to take a break, az.” paige peeked down at the motionless azzi, and chewed her lip. “c’mon, i have something to show you. promise after you can go back to being miserable.” azzi let herself be dragged onto her bed and pulled into paige’s lap. the older girl chuckled lightly as azzi allowed her body to be cradled, her face burying itself into paige’s warm shoulder like it was the most comfortable pillow ever. it probably was for the sleepless girl.

paige cleared her throat and brought a shiny, silver harmonica up to her lips. she began the song a little rocky, and a little too breathy, still azzi was mesmerized. by the end of paige’s rendition of piano man, azzi was crying. silent streams of adoration flowed down the brunettes cheeks while the blonde rushed to comfort her girlfriend.

“oh god, i guess it was that bad. i’m sorry honey, i thought you’d like it.” azzi just shook her head at the blondes ramblings. “no, no it’s nothing like that.” azzi’s voice cracked as she laughed at herself looking a mess in the older girl’s lap.

paige would never fail to be amazed by her woman everyday.

“i loved it, i love you. and im fucking done with econ. bed?” azzi looked up, dark circles and all.

paige was beyond confused but she didn’t care; she had her girl, and that’s really all she needed. azzi’s melodic laugh traveled across the small space as paige picked her up and carried her across the room just to turn off the lights. the younger girl laughed even harder when the blonde threw her down on the bed, just to full-body flop onto her.

that night, the pair fell asleep with full hearts, tangled limbs and a twisted comforter; paige’s harmonica was definitely lost somewhere in the mix.

azzi missed that, she missed paige.

2) elderberries

azzi hated being sick. more than that, she hated being sick and alone. kelis was out with the rest of the team while azzi stayed back, choosing to sip on some generic herbal tea and cozy up with her latest read instead. she told everyone she didn’t mind being alone, in fact she preferred it to being bothered by their annoying asses. however, the unfortunate truth ate away at the girl, seemingly more than the common cold she had: azzi was lonely. the brunette wanted company but not enough to burden her friends by making them sacrifice their free time to sit in silence with her. so she sighed and let out a raspy cough, her throat tingled.

right on time, her phone chimed as a reminder alerted her to take some medicine. the girl groaned and pushed herself out of her warm, soft, incredibly comfortable bed to get some cough syrup. she told herself it was for the greater good, that the sooner she got better, the sooner everything else would.

azzi padded across the cool ground of her living room to the kitchen, and opened a small wooden cabinet where she stored her vitamins and medication.

“what the fuck.” the brunette peered into the shelf, all that was left were elderberry gummies that she had bought as a last minute fix when paige came over and had gotten sick a few months prior.

now azzi was sad and still very ill.

with a soft sigh, the girl gingerly grabbed the purple container and popped two gummies into her mouth. she chewed them into a grainy mush as she made her retreat back to her warm nest, reminiscence boiling her heart.

———

“achoo!”

“bless you, my baby.”

“thank you, az.” paige said with a rasp as she pushed her glasses up her very red, very irritated nose. the blonde reached over azzi’s lap for another tissue while azzi read her book; the brunette’s focus moved from the words on the page to the words her paige wouldn’t admit. the blonde was sick, and she wouldn’t admit it, no matter how much kleenex she used or how many times she excused herself to subtly—or what she thought was subtly—have a coughing fit in the bathroom. azzi was keen to it all, and maybe she was seeing how far this would go before her girlfriend gave up the stoic act.

“paige,” azzi slowly set her book on her lap, peering over at a defeated blonde.

“hmmm?”

“are you sick?”

“…no”

“babe—”

“it’s just allergies, ma, ‘m fine.”

“it’s literally november. im going to the store to buy you something.”

paige lost all her fight, instead she groaned into azzi’s pillow case, mumbling about how she didn’t need to be babied and that she was “totally fine.” the brunette ignored her. she slid on her softest coat and warmest snow boots, shutting off the bedroom light and closing the door as she made her departure.

by the time she came back, nyquil, cough syrup, elderberry gummies—the employee at CVS told her they worked well—and some tru fru, paige was completely knocked out.

azzi laughed and snapped a few photos of the blonde before gently shaking her awake to take the medication. paige took the nightquil and cough syrup easy, she took the tru fru even easier.

“elderberry gummies? im not an elderberry im a youngberry!” paige whined as azzi shoved two gummies in her mouth.

“eat. it.” paige worked her jaw overtime to chew those shitty tasting vitamins up, collapsing into her girlfriend the second she finished.

———

azzi now understood why paige hated those gummies; they tasted like ass. but she swallowed them nonetheless, the lingering memory of paige overtaking the discomfort of the vitamin’s taste.

3) baby names

azzi’s cousin was pregnant, like very fucking pregnant. maggie and her husband had invited the fudds over for dinner to break the news. katie acted surprised, tim clapped jackson—maggie’s husband—on the shoulder, jon and jose congratulated the couple, while azzi looked unamused. maggie was painfully swollen with life, her stomach protruded from underneath what was supposed to be a chunky sweater, and the way she had been carrying around various objects to cover her stomach before breaking the news only added to azzi’s incredulousness.

still, the brunette was happy for her cousin, and after dinner, maggie called azzi over to the kitchen, alone. the younger girl knew she wasn’t in trouble, yet anxiety filled her features as she headed towards the warm lit space.

“sooo az,” the girl began, “i need your insight on something.” azzi’s nervousness failed to cease at the woman’s words.

“um, yeah, sure. what’s up?” the brunette swallowed. maggie turned off the faucet that had been running as she washed their dinner plates. she grabbed her phone off the kitchen counter and pressed a few buttons before showing azzi a slightly disorganized note on her notes app. it was labeled “baby names.”

“i love my aunt but i just know she’d suggest something too…outdated?” maggie giggled, “and im sure the boys and tim wouldn’t be much help either. here, jackson and i have the names pretty much narrowed down, but i wanted to see what you thought.” azzi smiled softly as she took the woman’s phone into her hands.

under boys there were: alexander, lawrence, and jude.

under girls there were: juliane, sandy, and paloma

azzi’s breath hitched.

———

“paloma,” the younger girl murmured, “i really like that one.”

“yeah?” the blonde smiled at her from across the gingham picnic blanket, sunlight casting a glow over her features, emphasizing the blue hue of her irises.

azzi grabbed a green grape, she chewed pensively, staring down at the charcuterie board by her feet.

“yeah. paloma fudd-bueckers.” she grinned at paige, the older girl rolled her eyes playfully.

“pretty sure it would be bueckers-fudd.”

azzi hummed in response, leaning over to take another grape. paige caught the wrist of the younger girl, tenderly guiding azzi’s grape filled fingers to her mouth. her pale hands were a gentle touch against azzi’s smooth, bronze knuckles. the younger girl couldn’t help but lean into the touch.

a satisfied smirk settled itself across paige’s already smug face, azzi wasn’t amused. she never was when it came to paige.

the afternoon would carry on like that, stolen grapes and stolen glances. and as the bright spring sun dipped into the horizon, painting the sky a rapidly fading orange, azzi nuzzled deeper into paige’s side. her head lolled to the side, landing softly on the older girl’s shoulder. the blonde glanced down at the blanket, contentment bubbling in her stomach as she sucked in a breath and rested her eyes on azzi’s dark curls.

“hmmm..” azzi stirred, tilting her head up to meet paige’s gaze. a soft breeze danced in the girls’ hair, nearly tangling their brown and blonde locks together, as if the universe were pushing them closer together. more than they already were.

azzi giggled as she lifted off of paige to push her hair back, pulling it to one side. the sound was sweet like the morning dew, it ran down paige’s exterior like a stream of water, coating the girl’s body in its melodic song.

“i’m tired.” azzi mumbled, now choosing to settle between paige’s spread legs. the blonde happily took her in, her nimble fingers playing with the brunette's soft curls as she got comfortable.

“so sleep, baby,” paige whispered, her voice drifting in the breeze, entering azzi’s ears like a familiar lullaby. the younger girl let out a groan.

“i don’t want to miss the sunset though.” her whines only made the older girl grin, “there’ll be a million more sunsets for you to watch, az.” she supplied, pausing her movements to think of a solution for her girlfriend.

“i’ll describe it to you.” azzi closed her eyes upon hearing paige’s words, she settled even further on the plane of the blonde’s toned stomach.

“the clouds are kind of…swirl-y?” the younger girl cracked an eye open to peer at the older girl, a loose chuckle escaping her throat. paige swatted at azzi’s arm in response, still her lips curled up as a warmth flushed her cheeks a light pink.

“hey I don’t have to describe shit to you then.”

“nono— ‘m sorry.” azzi yawned, “keep talking, p...” her voice drifted off as she brought her hands to rest under her chin, her eyelids fluttering closed.

so Paige did. she wasn’t looking at the sky anymore to describe the sunset to the sleeping figure sprawled atop her.

she was looking down at azzi.

———

“azzi?”

“mhm..”

“you okay?”

“yeah, i just thought of something.” azzi sucked in a breath, “if it’s a boy, i really like jude. and if it’s a girl—” the brunette paused. “paloma is a beautiful name.”

+1) american girl

paige was in new york for a coach photoshoot. the blonde wasn’t too fond of the loudness in the city, nor did she particularly appreciate how everyone acted as if they had somewhere to be and they had to be there at that very same moment. new york was nothing if not fast paced.

so the moment that paige had a break, she booked it. the girl needed a distraction, so she pulled up her to-do list that her and azzi had created while on the phone, right before paige’s flight.

things to do in nyc:

- empire state bldg (duhh)

- the biggest barnes & noble

- ferry —> statue of liberty

- central park zoo

- broadway show

- find a bday gift for mira

god when did paige become such a tourist. the blonde read down the list and became more and more dishearted at how much energy each item would spend. that was until the last part, it was her neice’s—mira’s—birthday soon, and unctie paige had yet to get her a present.

mission acquired.

mira was seven years old, when paige was seven years old she loved to, well, she loved to play basketball. that wouldn’t work for the little girl, so paige set her sites on something that all little girls loved: dolls.

the blonde entered the “american girl doll store” into her google maps, and began her journey.

———

“holy shit.” a few moms glared at paige as she entered the building, likely because of her reaction but the store was fucking huge. (and incredibly overstimulating) bright colors painted the walls, there were about a million boxes of dolls sitting in each corner each one wrapped in a pristine red box, and the play sets? they were so detailed it was mind boggling to the young woman.

paige meandered about the store for a few minutes, inspecting the girl of the year, the doll hair salon, the doll hospital, the different eras, the the books, why did every doll have a traumatic ass backstory? it was beyond the blonde, she just wanted to pick a girl and get out of there.

that was until her gaze landed upon a certain curly haired doll. it was a “truly me” doll or whatever the fuck that meant. it had soft brown curls, umber eyes, and smooth, tanned skin. the doll was in an all navy basketball uniform, ball in hand with a bunny tooth grin peeking through her lips.

it reminded paige of azzi, her azzi, who was back at home being bothered by a freshman.

“that’s our truly-me #35, she’s actually quite the fan favorite!” a worker chirped from next to paige, the blonde flinched at the sudden noise, offering an awkward grin at the employee as she recollected herself. but oh the irony, looks like her beautiful girlfriend, check, truly-me number thirty five? double check, fan favorite? sounds like her people's princess.

“uh—yeah, she’s a very nice looking doll?” paige said, cringing at how weird she made the words sound.

“well, i could get her wrapped up for you, if you’d like, that is.” the worker offered, a robotic smile plastered on her face.

“you know what, sure. i would like that.” paige snapped a quick photo of the doll and sent it to azzi, her heart pulsing as she waited for her girlfriend to respond.

paigeyy: baby look what i found [.JPEG] reminds me of you

az 💗: Aww you thought of me, what a softy.

paigeyy: alr bruh nevermind

az 💗: I’m joking babe, that’s really sweet. I miss you, come visit?

paigeyy: soon

paige had them deliver the box straight to mira’s door, she attached a little note that announced it was a gift from her favorite aunt, and wished her a very happy birthday.

paige left the store, $150 poorer that is, she had a new plan. one that involved losing even more money, since she booked a flight straight to connecticut for when her obligations in new york were fulfilled.

two days later

the sound of a soft knock echoed in azzi and kelis’ apartment. the older girl had been laying sprawled across their couch, reading a romance novel about some bakery meet cute. kelis was scrolling on her phone, invading azzi’s personal space as usual and stealing the popcorn the brunette had specifically brought out for herself.

the sound made kelis shoot up from her spot, racing to the door to see who it was. azzi groaned at her freshman’s enthusiasm.

“kelis! check the peep hole before you open the damn door, ‘m not having a repeat of last time with those random ass men.” azzi yelled after the girl before continuing her rant, “besides why did they think they could enter MY apartment like that. who the f—”

“surprise, baby.” paige stood at the foot of the couch, arms open waiting for azzi to acknowledge her arrival.

“—fuck.” the younger girl finished before shooting up to jump into paige’s arms. her heart thundered against paige’s as she buried her face in her girlfriend's neck. paige let out a huff before smiling and grabbing her girl’s thighs to pull her up.

“yup. im out.” kelis took the bowl of popcorn on the couch as she left for her room, pointedly slamming the door shut behind her.

“paige, you’re here,” azzi pulled back from the blonde’s neck to stare into her blue eyes. the older girl let out a chuckle, “no shit.” azzi hit her tenderly.

the two just smiled softly at each other for a few beats before paige gently connected their lips, she walked them back until she hit the edge of the couch. slowly, the blonde lowered them until azzi was perched comfortably on paige’s lap, bunny tooth smile and all.

“you know, i bought my niece that american girl doll.”

“the one that looked like me?”

“yeah.”

“you’re such a fucking weirdo.”

“you love it though.”

a/n: inspired by the “oddly specific times i wish i had a boyfriend” thing on tiktok except paige and azzi are gay and also dating each other already…

3rd POV

1. 10:42 pm

azzi flipped over her pillow for what seemed to be the fifth time in the past ten minutes. it was night two in her own apartment in dallas and azzi was missing the chaos of kelis randomly barging into her room, or kk asking to make yet another tiktok with her. by flip number seven, azzi decided she had enough.

so, she did what any sane person would do with her girlfriend living three doors down from her. she shoved her feet into her pink fluffy slippers and marched down the hall.

she and paige had decided before azzi came to dallas that it would be best if they didn't share an apartment right away. it's not that they wanted time away from each other, in fact, they wanted the opposite, but it's just what was right for them. they are both still young and figuring out their basketball careers and so they felt the most mature decision for them, for now, was to live separately. not to mention, there was no way any of azzi's clothes would fit into paige's closet with the monstrosity of pr the blonde received.

azzi turned the key, a spare paige had given her, to the familiar door before pushing it open softly. the apartment was completely dark, evident that paige had gone to bed. azzi padded down the hall and into paige’s bedroom. paige was sleeping peacefully, her hair tousled and the black tank top she was wearing was riding up, showing off a small sliver of her stomach. azzi quietly made her way to the opposite side of the bed. she peeled back the duvet and climbed into bed, letting out a sigh as her head made contact with the pillow. naturally, she snuggled into paige’s warmth. paige, feeling azzi’s presence, opened one eye before throwing an arm over azzi’s waist and pulled her closer.

azzi fell asleep instantly.

2. when i’m alone on friday night and everyone is out

friday nights with an off day scheduled the following day usually meant the dallas wings would be getting drunk at a club.

azzi liked going out. she liked getting ready. she liked feeling pretty. she liked when paige would tighten her hand around azzi’s waist when yet another girl stumbled towards paige in hopes of getting lucky that night.

however, on this particular night, azzi did not want to go out. she had a headache brewing since practice, her period started unexpectedly the day before, and sprawling out on the couch sounded way more enjoyable than standing in heels all night.

the team had a plan to go to arikes to pregame before going on and paige had planned to grab azzi from her place so they could go together.

paige knocked on azzi’s door, wearing light wash baggy jeans and a dark gray long sleeve which she paired with a pair of clean air forces, and was definitely surprised when azzi answered the door wearing sweats and a tank, evidence that she wasn’t ready at all.

“you wearin’ that to the club?” paige asked with her eyebrows raised.

azzi laughed, “actually,” she started, “i forgot to tell you. i don’t think i’m up for going out tonight.”

“oh,” paige nodded, “why not?”

“i just don’t feel that great.”

“what’s wrong?” paige asked, now concerned.

“i’ve had a headache all day and my cramps are killing me. i think i’m just gonna stay in and watch a show or something,” azzi replied.

“cool,” paige said as she pushed the door open wider, “what are we watching?”

“what do you mean? aren’t you still going out?” azzi asked.

paige looked at azzi as if she had personally offended her, “without you? no thanks.”

azzi smiled softly at that and shut the door. just as she started walking back towards the couch, paige suddenly stood.

“gimme a sec,” she said as she walked into azzi’s bedroom.

she emerged thirty seconds later now wearing azzi’s sweatpants and one of her, or actually probably her own, hoodies.

“much better,” paige said proudly.

azzi giggled as she grabbed the remote to pull up netflix. she flicked through some options before ultimately deciding on a classic rom com.

“bro, how do you even watch these things?” paige asked as she pulled azzi closer.

azzi laid her head on paige’s chest and shrugged, “they’re entertaining.”

“nah, let me pick next movie. i’ll definitely pick something more interesting than this.”

“whatever you say, baby.” azzi replied.

paige ended up watching the whole thing and even cried with azzi at the ending scene.

3. when it’s my birthday

azzi woke up to the feeling of a familiar set of lips being pressed into different parts of her face. she let out a sleepy grumble when paige wouldn’t stop peppering kisses all over her face.

“wake up, birthday girl.” paige smiled.

azzi cracked open one eye then shut it immediately, “it’s my birthday, i can sleep as late as i want.”

“well that’s fine, but that just means i’m gonna eat your breakfast for you.”

“breakfast?” azzi perked up, awake now.

paige smiled big as azzi was now scrambling to get out of bed. sure enough, a plate of pancakes with strawberries and a tall glass of orange juice was waiting for her.

azzi also took in the decorations that lined her apartment and the small pile of gifts that was also sitting on the island.

“paige,” azzi breathed out, “you did all this?”

“of course i did,” paige said like it was obvious, “gotta spoil the princess on her special day.”

azzi surged forward and wrapped paige in a tight hug, “thank you.”

“you’re welcome, baby.” paige responded by squeezing her back even tighter, if that was even possible.

when azzi let go, she immediately rushed over to the tower of pancakes she was eager to try. she barely sat down before digging in.

“paige,” azzi said, mouth full, eyes closed, “these are actually so good.”

paige made a face despite the compliment, “fuck you mean ‘actually’? i’m a good cook.”

azzi actually laughed, “sure you are, babe.”

“i make some mean scrambled eggs, and i even put cottage cheese in them for you.”

azzi smiled, “yeah that’s about all you’re good for.”

paige rolled her eyes, “whatever, just finish your food.”

azzi’s smile only grew.

the rest of the day was spent doing whatever azzi wanted, per her request,. they shopped, got a couples massage, grabbed a quick lunch, and azzi even dragged paige into a nail salon to get a mani pedi.

the one thing paige had control over was the dinner reservation that night. she had picked an upscale steakhouse that her bank would definitely be calling her for the next day.

the two got ready together as the sun started setting. azzi was wearing a champagne colored satin dress with white kitten heels. her hair was pulled into an updo and she put on way more makeup than she usually would. paige was wearing a baby blue button up with white dress pants and white loafers. she straightened her hair and put on some simple jewelry.

paige was spritzing some cologne on as azzi walked out of the bathroom.

“damn,” paige said with a smirk as she walked towards azzi.

azzi smiled shyly and looped her arms around paige’s neck when she was close enough. paige’s hands came to rest on azzi’s waist.

“you look really good,” azzi’s thumbs brushed the nape paige’s neck.

“look at you,” paige responded as she looked azzi up and down, “you look fucking beautiful, baby.”

a faint blush bloomed on azzi’s cheeks and paige couldn’t help herself but press a kiss to azzi’s dimple as it popped out.

paige grabbed one of azzi’s hands that was around her neck and led her out the door. if they stood there any longer paige was sure they wouldn’t even make it to dinner.

paige drove, obviously. she had her hand laced with azzi’s the whole time. she played some soft r&b and azzi titled her head back against the seat, staring out the window the whole way. paige couldn’t help but look over every so often because of how beautiful and peaceful she looked.

when they arrived, paige parked and got out even before azzi had finished unbuckling her seatbelt just so she could open azzi’s door for her.

“how charming of you,” azzi said as she got out of the car.

“only the best for my princess.”

she grabbed azzi’s hand once more and led her into the restaurant. they were seated on the balcony with a beautiful view in the background.

when azzi opened her menu, she couldn’t help but notice the outrageous prices listed next to each dish.

“paige,” azzi started, “each thing is like eight hundred dollars.”

“don’t worry ‘bout it,” paige reassured her.

they both ordered a glass of red wine. when they were brought to the table, paige lifted hers up for azzi to follow so they could cheers.

“to the birthday girl,” paige smiled.

“to me,” azzi smiled back as they clinked their glasses together.

paige laughed softly and took a sip.

for dinner, paige ordered a filet mignon while azzi opted for salmon, even though they took turns trading bites with each other.

once they were stuffed, wine glasses empty, the waiter came out with the dessert menu to which paige politely declined. she had already bought a cake for azzi that was waiting in the fridge.

the waiter returned with the check instead which paige grabbed easily, not that azzi was even trying.

once dinner was all paid for, the two walked hand in hand back to paige’s car. paige opened the door for azzi once again before getting in on the drivers side. her hand slipped back into azzi’s grasp and they talked about everything and nothing on the drive home.

when they finally reached paige’s apartment, the first thing they did was trade their dressy clothes for sweats. too lazy to get fully unready, they made their way back to the kitchen so azzi could open her gifts.

azzi tried not to cry at the thought paige had put into all of her gifts but was quickly shut down when paige reminded her that she shouldn’t cry on her birthday.

“okay, i think my belly is ready for some cake,” azzi said as she rubbed her stomach.

paige laughed at her and made her way towards the fridge. she pulled a small chocolate cake out of the fridge. then, she dug around a cabinet and found a box of pink candles. she placed the cake in front of azzi and carefully added a few candles. she lit them before turning off the lights and taking a seat next to azzi.

“happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to my azzi, happy birthday to you,” paige sung quietly. azzi smiled softly.

“make a wish, baby.”

azzi closed her eyes and thought of a wish. when she opened them and blew out the candle, she immediately looked over at paige.

“oh it came true!” she smiled.

paige laughed softly before leaning over to kiss her, “i love you,” she said into the kiss.

azzi felt like the happiest girl in the world.

4. when i’m sick

“okay i got you dayquil, sudafed, tylenol, tea, water, and some chicken noodle soup,” paige said as she balanced the tray in her hands and walked over towards azzi’s bed.

unfortunately, azzi had somehow contracted the flu and had been basically bedridden for the past week. paige, however, had been the most amazing girlfriend in the world and took care of azzi, getting her whatever she needed.

“wow,” azzi croaked, “i think that’s everything,” she joked.

paige placed the tray next to azzi on the bed and pressed a kiss to azzi’s still warm forehead.

azzi reached towards the tray, grabbed every single type of medicine and swallowed them all at the same time, grimacing as she did so.

she laid her head back against her pillow and closed her eyes.

“uh i think you’re forgetting something,” paige said.

azzi opened her eyes again, “enlighten me.”

“eat some of the soup, baby.”

“not hungry.” azzi replied, which seemed to be the same reply she has given to every time paige tried getting her to eat.

“c’mon az,” paige urged, now sitting next to azzi, “you gotta eat something.”

paige brushed a few stray curls away from azzi’s forehead which caused azzi to close her eyes again at the touch.

“i’ll eat something when i’m hungry.”

“you’re not hungry ‘cause you’re sick, angel.”

“exactly.”

paige huffed. azzi’s eyes were still closed so paige took matters into her own hands. she grabbed the bowl of soup, spooned some out, and lifted it towards azzi mouth. she prodded at azzi’s lips with the spoon hoping azzi would magically open them.

“paige!” azzi exclaimed when she felt the warm metal against her lips.

“damn i thought that would work,” paige joked, azzi rolled her eyes.

“ok, here’s a deal,” paige started once more, “you eat only three bites of soup, then we take a hot shower, then we cuddle and you can take a nap. how does that sound?”

that did sound like a pretty good plan, but azzi didn’t want to give in so easily so she pretended to think about it for a minute.

“bro, c’mon,” paige said when azzi didn’t respond.

azzi smiled, “i’m kidding. fine, i’ll eat the stupid soup.”

accepting this small win, paige grabbed the bowl of soup from the tray. she got a spoonful of mostly broth, knowing that was best for azzi’s throat and held it up to her lips.

“you’re gonna feed me?”

“yes, now open up.”

azzi opened her mouth and paige fed her the spoonful. azzi winced as the soup went down her throat.

“too hot?” paige asked.

azzi shook her head, “no, my throat just hurts when i swallow.”

paige frowned at that, but still fed her another spoonful. they made it to four whole spoonfuls before azzi realized paige only promised three and made paige put the bowl down.

paige then disappeared into the bathroom and the next thing that could be heard was the sound of the shower turning on. she came back and peeled azzi’s blanket off of her so she could help her out of bed. even though she was dressed in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, azzi still shivered at the loss of warmth.

paige walked azzi to the bathroom and helped her undress. yes, azzi was fully capable of doing it herself, but she would never say no to paige doing something for her. once they were both undressed, they stepped under the steaming spray and azzi immediately felt relief.

“this is just what i needed,” azzi said as she ripped her head back into the stream of water.

“i know it is, baby.”

paige washed azzi’s hair for her, washed her body gently, and even offered to help her shave. azzi quickly shut that down, however.

they stayed in the shower longer than they should’ve, holding each other and both were grateful for the relief azzi was feeling.

azzi pouted when paige reached behind her to turn the shower off, but paige quickly kissed it away. she got out first, wrapping herself in a towel before standing outside the shower, another towel in hand, for azzi to step into. she dried both herself and azzi off and followed azzi to her closet where they both put on yet another set of sweatpants and a sweatshirt.

paige led azzi back to bed and guided her to sit on the edge. she climbed behind azzi, with curl products in hand, so she could brush and do azzi’s curly hair routine for her.

“always so good to me,” azzi whispered as paige carefully brushed through her hair.

“you’re worth it,” paige replied easily.

paige pressed a kiss to the top of azzi’s head when she finished. she quickly got up to put the products away before slipping under azzi’s covers. azzi snuggled into her immediately and found her head found its favorite spot on paige’s chest.

paige gently started rubbing up and down azzi’s back, “i’m sorry you feel like this, az.”

“you make me feel better,” azzi mumbled, already starting to get sleepy.

“i’m glad i can do that for you,” paige replied softly, noticing the shift in azzi’s breathing already “sweet dreams, princess.”

Like it's bad when a "tattoo is undulating" (as opposed to... "drawn in a wave like pattern on the skin"?), or when hair is "wet wheat from a late Summer field" (as opposed to "sort of brownish light yellow that dries lighter, but is not actual wheat stalks growing on someone's head but kind of reminiscent of the color and texture"?), or when when ice cream tastes like midnight at the fair" (as opposed to "ice cream flavour bringing back memories of undefined ice cream flavours that are individually popular but always tied to a memory of late evening at the fair ground and probably smelling vaguely like popcorn and sugar"?).

pairing: Gabby Williams x Marine Johannes

word count: 1.4k

warnings: none, sweet and light, kisses and alludes to thinking of more

what happens during All Star Weekend when languages become difficult?

aka marine hates english and loves Gabby

this was the most frustrating this ever to format, thank you so so much to my Parisian Batman @dennzaa who did all the translation for me!!!!

chapter 3

masterlist

tags: fluff, falling-in-love, uxdesigner!paige, juniorbrandmanager!azzi, paige-makes-shitty-asmr-videos, azzi-just-moved-to-dallas-and-listens-to-said-shitty-asmr-videos

wc: 2.2k

a/n: paige's pov chapter

ao3 link

oh my God. I'm gonna die. I'm gonna diiiiiie.

"I remember Becky Hammon brought it to me and she was like, ‘Oh my God, look at this."

BECKY WAS THE ONE WHO FOUND THE FANFIC.

oh my God. I'm gonna die. I'm gonna diiiiiie.