pazzi devotee

She barely has time to react before Nora rushes toward her, and Azzi lets out a triumphant laugh as she catches her girlfriend in a tight hug.

“We fucking did it!”

Still grinning, she lifts Nora off the ground and spins her, the familiar floral scent of her shampoo wrapping around Azzi. The cool gold medal hangs heavily around her neck, pressed snugly between where their hearts meet.

The game had been brutal. Tied 2-2 after regulation, the grueling battle of endurance and came down to overtime with Spirit winning on a stunning diving header. Azzi still can’t quite believe it, the adrenaline still surging through her body.

“You did, baby!” Nora beams, wrapping her arms tighter around Azzi despite the fact that she’s drenched in sweat.

She’s wearing tight black jeans and Azzi’s number thirty-five Spirit jersey, her pride for Azzi evident in every inch of her expression. Despite the setbacks and personal struggles, Azzi had captained her team to a championship. 

“I’m so proud of you,” Nora whispers in Azzi’s ear, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips.

Azzi melts into the touch for a moment, but soon, the rush of adrenaline pulls her back. She grins against Nora’s lips before pulling away and scanning the crowd again, searching.

Then she sees them.

Paige’s sharp blue eyes meet hers again from across the mass of celebrating bodies. For a brief second, it’s just the two of them, a silent acknowledgment shared in a knowing look. No one else in this crowd understands what this win means quite like Paige does, but before Azzi can take a step toward her, she’s suddenly tackled from the side.

“Azzi!”

The breath is knocked from her lungs as strong arms engulf her, lifting her feet clean off the ground.

“Jose!” Azzi shrieks, twisting in her brother’s arms to face him.

He’s decked out in her jersey, their last name emblazoned across his back. He’s a few inches taller and a solid fifty pounds heavier and Azzi pulls back slightly, still in shock. 

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Jose smirks. “You really thought I’d miss my sister winning a championship?”

He feigns offense as he glances around, taking in the electric energy of the Spirit fans. Azzi can see the emotion flicker in his eyes as he registers just how many people in the stands are wearing her jersey. It’s a moment that makes her chest tighten. Jose has always been her rock and biggest supporter and she can see the admiration etched in his features. She wishes her other brother Jon was there too, but she’ll take what she can get. 

Azzi shakes her head in disbelief, smiling as she leans into his chest for a moment. It’s been months since they’ve seen each other, both too caught up in their own lives. The fact that he flew out from California, where he lives, just to be here means more than she can say.

“I guess not,” she murmurs, pulling back.

A throat clears behind her, and she turns.

“Oh! Jose, this is my girlfriend.”

Azzi pulls Nora to her side, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.

“So, you’re the famous Doctor Nora I’ve heard all about.” Jose grins, opening his arms widely to pull her in for a hug. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

Nora smiles warmly. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

Azzi watches them embrace, relieved that there’s an instant ease between them.

Jose pulls back from the hug, then his gaze shifts. “And this must be the equally famous Paige.”

He says it casually, unaware of the ripple effect his words have on the group.

Azzi stiffens slightly, but Paige steps forward, clad in her own Fudd jersey. She looks slightly breathless, probably from pushing through the thick crowd.

Azzi grabs Paige’s wrist, tugging her forward gently. “Paige, this is my brother, Jose.” 

They shake hands, exchanging pleasantries, but Azzi doesn’t miss the way they both hold each other’s gaze a beat too long. There’s something unspoken there, but Azzi can’t quite put her finger on it.

Before she can dwell on it, Jose’s attention shifts to the small bundle in Paige’s arms. His eyes soften instantly.

“Well, hello there, little guy,” he murmurs, bending down slightly to get a better look. Then he freezes, eyes narrowing in on the tiny jersey Noah is wearing. He lets out an exaggerated groan and shoots Azzi a playful glare.

“Really? You already have him in a Fudd jersey?” He gestures toward Nora and Paige, both wearing their own Spirit jerseys. “I mean, these two have minds of their own, but this little guy? No chance.”

Azzi smirks, shrugging. “Hey, gotta start ‘em young.”

Jose shakes his head, muttering something about her always getting her way. It’s a running joke in their family, how Azzi is the princess who has been wrapping people around her finger since birth. He was never quite as lucky.

“So,” he sighs, “where’s the party at tonight?”

Azzi pulls out her phone, checking the last text from her teammate. “Just a bit down the street.” She types out a quick text, sending the address to the group. “I’ll shower real quick and meet you all there, okay?”

There’s a collective nod before the group starts making their way toward the parking lot, falling into easy conversation. Azzi lingers for a second, watching as Paige readjusts Noah in her arms and says something to Jose that makes him laugh. She feels a pang of guilt that they haven’t had a chance to talk yet, but she knows there’ll be time to catch up at the bar later.

The season is over, and tonight is for celebrating.

Not wanting to make them wait too long, and eager to start the festivities herself, Azzi jogs toward the locker room, stripping off her sweat-drenched jersey as she goes. She’s still riding the high, still buzzing with energy.

As she steps into the locker room to the music blasting and spraying champagne, she lets her head fall back, exhaling deeply. 

They fucking did it.

***** *** *****

A bit later, after a champagne-soaked locker room celebration with her teammates, Azzi strolls into the packed bar. Gold medal still clanging against her chest, she’s unable to wipe the grin off her face as she scans the crowd of red and blue.

Her smile widens when she spots her favorite people tucked into a corner booth, laughing and joking like they’ve known each other forever. Paige and Nora have always gotten along, but seeing how seamlessly Jose has slipped into the group makes Azzi’s heart swell. He’s doubled over in laughter, a beer clutched in his hand, and for a moment, she just takes it the sight of them all so genuinely happy, and fully present.

“Hey, you guys!”

The high-pitched shrill of her voice is a dead giveaway that the champagne from earlier is very much flooding through her system.

“Hey, champ!”

Jose meets her energy level as he pulls her into a tight hug. That’s one of the things Azzi loves about him. Jose embraces everything fully. If he’s happy, you’ll know it. If he’s excited, he won’t hold back. And right now, as he grips her in a bone-crushing hug, she feels the excitement radiating from him.

He pulls back slightly, eyeing her up and down before raising an eyebrow. “Where’s your drink?”

Azzi glances around, trying to see what everyone else is drinking, but after a moment of indecision, she shrugs. “I’ll just go up there and figure it out.”

She makes her way to the bar, leaning her elbows against the polished wood as she waits for the bartender’s attention. A moment later, she feels someone bump her shoulder. She turns, a grin spreading across her face when she sees a familiar blonde sidling up beside her.

Paige smirks, nodding at the medal around Azzi’s neck. “Gold looks good on you.”

Azzi laughs, feeling an odd flicker of shyness under the blonde’s gaze. “Thanks. And thank you for coming.”

Paige scoffs. “Are you kidding? We wouldn’t miss it for the world. Noah’s bummed he couldn’t join the after-party, but it was way past his bedtime. He’s with his grandma, resting up for the big day tomorrow.”

Azzi smiles and forces herself to turn her attention forward, so she doesn’t stare at the dimple in Paige’s cheek for too long.

“Maybe when he’s older,” she teases, insinuating there will be plenty more championship celebrations in her future.

Paige chuckles. “So, what can I get you to drink?”

The confidence in Paige’s voice catches Azzi off guard. It’s been a while since she’s seen this side of her, and she can’t help but smile as she watches the blonde effortlessly flag down the bartender.

Azzi finally decides. “I’ll take a Truly… and two shots of tequila.”

Paige arches an eyebrow, like she’s noting the way Azzi’s words are already starting to stick together. “Someone’s getting rowdy tonight.”

“One is for you, bro.” Azzi slides a shot glass toward her, raising her own in challenge.

Despite having her son’s first birthday party the next day, Paige has never been one to back down. She clinks her glass against Azzi’s before throwing the shot back.

“Whew,” she exhales, her eyes screwing shut as the tequila burns down her throat.

Azzi watches the way Paige’s face scrunches up, staring longer than she should. She catches herself, quickly dipping her eyes as she grabs her beer off the counter.

“Come on, let’s get back to the table.”

Paige nods, ordering another round of shots for the table before they weave their way through the crowd. 

An hour later, Azzi is nestled into Nora’s side in the booth, her body thrumming from the alcohol coursing through her system. The bar feels at least ten degrees hotter, her thoughts hazy, her words sticking to her tongue in a way that makes everyone chuckle when she speaks. She feels loose, her inhibitions slipping further with every drink.

She also feels herself staring too long at the blonde across from her.

Paige and Jose are deep in conversation about their favorite places to travel, and Azzi’s eyes trace the blonde’s forearm, following the movement of her fingers as she absentmindedly runs them back and forth. Azzi listens as Paige’s voice wavers slightly, catching on certain words before she laughs, recalling a fond memory of a trip to Milan with her wife.

Azzi stares, watching the way Paige’s lips quirk upward, the way her dimples carve into the apples of her cheeks. Her gaze drifts, skimming over the tight fit of the jersey—Azzi’s jersey—before moving up to her face again, noting the sharp angles of her jaw, the curve of her cheekbones.

She’s always known Paige is attractive. That much is undeniable. She’s just never really allowed herself to look. Not like this. But the alcohol in her veins has sent a crack through the dam, and for the first time, she can’t stop her eyes from wandering.

“Right, Azzi?”

A nudge jolts her from her thoughts.

“Huh?” She blinks, shaking her head slightly to break from the trance. “Oh… yeah.”

She has no idea what she just agreed to.

As she turns to Nora, she instantly knows something is off. There’s something in the set of her girlfriend’s jaw, and her hazel eyes dim slightly.

“Were you even listening?”

Azzi hesitates. “No… sorry.”

Nora exhales, dropping her gaze to the table. “I think I’m going to head out.”

Azzi’s brow furrows. “Nora, the party is just getting started.”

She doesn’t understand what’s happening. She’s too caught up in the celebratory haze, too oblivious to the shift that has been happening for weeks now.

Nora bites her lip, eyes becoming glassy. “I think this party has been over for a while,” she says softly.

Azzi’s buzz dulls slightly at the weight of Nora’s words. Even through the alcohol-induced fog, she senses something bigger happening here. She glances at Jose and Paige, who are pretending to discuss something relevant, but she knows they’re watching out of the corner of their eye.

“Can we not do this here?” Azzi mumbles under her breath.

Nora nods, reaching for Azzi’s hand. There’s no anger in the gesture.

“Come on,” she says, pulling her toward the back patio.

Luckily, a heatwave rippled through the city, keeping the patio empty. Everyone has retreated to the air-conditioned bar, leaving the two of them alone. Out here, it’s dark and private, the only sounds coming from the occasional honk or hum of passing cars on the slow-moving street behind them.

For a moment, they just stand there, shuffling awkwardly, both avoiding eye contact. Azzi is the first to break the silence.

“Nora, what’s going on?”

Nora exhales slowly, shaking her head like she can’t believe Azzi is really asking. Like she can’t believe how blind she is.

“Azzi, you know I love you, but… I just can’t do this anymore.”

Azzi’s stomach drops.

“Do what?”

Brown eyes widen, locking onto Nora’s in disbelief. Her chest tightens as the words sink in, and suddenly, she’s back there. Munich. A freezing winter night. The sting of goodbye, the same words falling from different lips, shattering her just the same.

She barely registers Nora stepping closer until she feels her hands wrap around hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. Azzi fights the urge to pull away.

“Nora, where is this coming from? I love you,” Azzi pleads, mind racing at the implications of the words spilling from her girlfriend’s lips.

“Azzi,” Nora says softly, her voice calm but steady, “I know you love me. But I think it’s time we both stopped pretending that you’ll ever love me like you do her.”

Azzi flinches like she’s been slapped.

“Jesus Christ, Nora, it’s been almost three years. I don’t love Lucina anymore!”

Her hands rip away from Nora’s as frustration bubbles up inside her. She runs a shaky hand over her face, trying to understand where the hell this is coming from.

“Is this about that picture again? We already went over this.” Seeing the way Nora is looking at her, like she’s already made up her mind, Azzi feels something sharp twist inside her. “I told you—I didn’t even know it was in there! It means nothing to me.”

But Nora just stares at her, and something about that look makes Azzi’s breath catch in her throat.

“Azzi,” she says, tone clipped. “I’m not talking about Lucina.”

Azzi freezes.

Nora’s voice is steady, but her eyes are tired, her posture slumped like she’s been carrying the weight of this for far too long. She’s been waiting for Azzi to catch up, to acknowledge the thing they both know but haven’t dared to say out loud.

The realization that this isn’t about Lucina twists the knife deep inside of Azzi even more, because if it’s not about her past, then that means it’s about…

No. 

No. 

Azzi shakes her head, ready to fight it, ready to argue, but Nora just stands there, eyes filled with something Azzi can’t place. Pity, maybe. Sadness. Or maybe just the quiet resignation of someone letting their future slip away.

Azzi’s pulse pounds in her ears as the truth slams into her so hard she has to grip the rough wooden railing of the porch just to stay upright. It’s suffocating, an invisible force wrapping around her ribs, squeezing until she can barely breathe.

She sees it now, playing in flashes like a montage she can’t look away from. The missed lunch dates. The nights spent on the couch babysitting. The phone calls cut short. The plans canceled at the last minute. It’s all been for Paige. But wouldn’t she do that for any friend? Paige is her best friend, and she would do that for anyone she loved. Right? That’s how Azzi is—selfless. She’d give anyone in need the shirt off her back. 

Her lips part, ready to protest, ready to insist she doesn’t know what Nora’s talking about, but then her mind races ahead.

She remembers the way her heart stutters when she gets a text. How her eyes light up when she enters a room. The laughs that bubble out of her effortlessly when they’re lounging in the living room. The way a smile crawls across her lips when she hears her name.

Paige.

The name sits heavy on Azzi’s tongue, but she can’t bring herself to say it.

Paige. Paige. Paige.

Azzi sways slightly, gripping the railing harder, her knuckles turning white. Her stomach feels like she’s just been hit with a sucker punch to the gut. The urge to shove the thought away, to smother it before it can fully form is instinctual. No. No, that’s not it. That can’t be it.  

She should argue. She should say something, anything to prove Nora wrong, but the words don’t come. Because deep down, in the spaces she refuses to examine too closely, she knows the truth. 

She doesn’t just love Paige. 

She’s in love with Paige.