summary: when you apply to be a photographer for the spurs you can’t help but question why your photos for stephon aren’t working out.
pairing: stephon castle x photographer!reader
warnings: not proofread, fluff, no smut, my first fanfiction
The cold air blows against your skin as you step into the facility. Just days earlier you had applied to be the team’s photographer not expecting it to go anywhere. Now you’re walking into the Spurs facility meeting with their manager for Media Day Photos.
Walking through the hallways you basically have no idea where you’re supposed to be. You’re pretending to be busy on your phone when you hear the sound of laughter echoing to your left. You snap your head towards the noise and get greeted with Carter Bryant, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Victor Wembanyama. To say you are in shock was an understatement. You stand there frozen for what felt like forever before Carter glances your way.
“Oh you must be the photographer!”
“Yeahhh.. nice to meet you guys!”
You force out still surprised by the sight of them.
“What’s up, I’m Dylan.”
He says raising his hand to meet yours.
You shake his hand and turn your eyes to Stephon the one next to him. You expect him to greet you next but you’re met with nothing but him staring straight at you. You nod and laugh awkwardly then lift your head to meet eyes with Wemby.
He says looking down at you.
“Yeah, I know who you are.”
You say trying to make conversation and lighten the mood
Dylan and Carter laugh while Stephon continues to look at you. Dylan whispers something into Stephon’s ear and he suddenly straightens his posture. Stephon blinks and finally greets you.
“Hey, my name’s Stephon.”
His words coming out in a mumble, and his eyes avoiding meeting yours for the first time since you’ve arrived. His hand rests awkwardly behind his neck as he looks everywhere but you.
You smile, shifting your weight awkwardly as the conversation comes to an end.
Carter, glancing between everyone looks for a way to continue the conversation.
“So, are you looking for our manager?
He says, his smile never leaving his face
“Yeah, I’m supposed to meet your manager before we take the photos for Media Day.”
“Oh, I can lead you to-“
Carter starts before Dylan cuts him off with a loud cough.
“Nah, coach just texted me he said he needs all of us but Steph to the court now.”
Carter looks at his fellow teammate with a confused look on his face.
“Oh let me check if he texted me-“
Carter gets cut off for the second time with Dylan just resting his hand on Carters back and guiding him away from the interaction.
Wemby nods before heading off to follow Dylan and Carter. Leaving just you and Stephon standing in the hallway.
“Uh, I can take you to our manager..”
Stephon finally forces out after what felt like five minutes of silence.
He meets your eyes as you nod your head.
“Thank you! Lead the way Castle”
You say with a slightly playful tone in your voice.
You guys walk through the hallways in what can be described as a comfortable silence. When you reach the office Stephon turns to face you and nods his head.
You swear you saw his ears turning pink but you convince yourself it’s your mind playing tricks on you.
About 30 minutes later you finally leave the managers office and head down to the studio. You start to set up your gear when players start tumbling in voices fading in from all around you. After a few minutes of everybody talking they finally get into a single file line for you to start taking photos.
“Okay, Wemby you’re up first.”
He nods and looks down towards your camera.
Media day seems to fly by, players fading into one another. The end of your shift is nearing with just five more people to go
Stephon steps up and nods.
“Go ahead and maybe try flexing?”
A faint tint of blush appears on his cheeks, yet he still follows through with everything you request.
Although his heart feels like it could burst, he keeps a calm expression on his face.
A confused expression grows on your face as you go through the photos you had taken of him so far.
“Uhh, maybe we could try props.. Can I get a basketball?”
You suggest, tilting your head.
A staff member rolls a ball over and Stephon picks it up still standing stiff.
“Huh.. drop the ball.”
Stephon listens, becoming more nervous by the second.
“Just.. stand there. Try loosening your shoulders?”
Stephon tries to relax his body but he can’t knowing your eyes are on him.
You say prompting everyone in the room to go silent. You can’t comprehend what’s not working with Stephon’s photos. Your mind completely blank until you see Carter in the corner of your eye smiling ear to ear. You lock eyes with Stephon, a grin growing on your face.
“Smile for me Castle.”
Stephon’s mind goes blank as the words repeat in his head over and over again. He feels like his entire body has gone red. For you? So be it. His smile goes all the way to his eyes.
“Oh but when I ask you to smile it’s a problem”
Dylan says, chuckling standing behind your camera.
“Good job, Stephon. Next!”
You say turning your head to Dylan who suddenly stopped laughing. Stephon jogs over to Wemby on the other side of the room as they dap each other up.
Dylan says laughing, while getting his photo taken.
“Yo focus on your photos, chill on me.”
Stephon says, still letting out a little laugh as he exchanges glances with you.
Maybe this new job isn’t so bad.
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