#bucketsp

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ted's was buzzing, music shaking the floor, bodies pressed in too tight, voices raised just to be heard. paige never really liked this kind of scene, but when azzi asked her to come, she didn’t even think twice.

they stayed close, like always. paige kept a hand on azzi’s back whenever the crowd got too pushy, and azzi leaned into her side whenever she laughed. it was familiar, easy, best friends sticking together.

until somene in the crowd yelled truth or dare.

suddenly they were in the circle, their friends chanting, dares getting bolder, the bottle spinning too fast. when it landed on azzi, the grins turned wicked.

looking at paige, smiling ear to ear, kk said, "i dare you to kiss your best friend!"

the room erupted, everyone whistling. azzi gave paige a look, playful but nervous, and whispered, “sorry, p,” before leaning in.

the kiss was quick, just lips on lips, and then it was over. everyone around them howled as azzi laughed it off, cheeks flushed, while paige forced herself to smirk like it was nothing.

but her heart was hammering.

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later, paige caught herself watching azzi too much. her smile, the way she tugged at her braids, how her tongue skimmed her bottom lip when she was focused on something. every glance felt heavier.

so when azzi grabbed her wrist and said, “come with me,” leading her down the hall to the bathroom, paige followed without question.

the door shut and the party muffled behind them. azzi leaned against the sink, arms crossed, laughing under her breath. “they’re wild out there.”

paige nodded, but her chest was tight.

their eyes met in the mirror. azzi tilted her head, smiling faintly. “you’re still thinking about it.”

paige blinked. “what?”

“the kiss.”

silence.

paige didn’t answer.

she closed the gap instead.

the kiss was slow, deep, nothing like the first. paige’s hands slid to azzi’s waist, tugging her in, while azzi cupped paige’s jaw, tilting her head to taste more. azzi sighed softly against her mouth, and paige felt it all the way down her spine.

when the door rattled, they broke apart fast, breathing hard. someone outside banged and shouted, “hurry up!”

azzi’s cheeks were flushed, lips red, eyes dark. she grabbed paige’s hand. “let’s get out of here.”

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the ride back was quiet but heavy. azzi’s knee brushed paige’s, neither of them moving away. both staring straight ahead, lost in the same thought.

back at paige’s place, they collapsed onto the couch, a movie playing just for background noise.

paige finally scoffed, “this is awkward, isn't it?"

azzi smiled, eyes flicking to paige’s mouth. “yeah.."

"and i keep thinking about it.”

that was all it took.

paige leaned in, kissed her again, slow but hungry. azzi climbed onto her lap without hesitation, straddling her, fingers curling into paige’s hoodie. their kisses grew messier, deeper, azzi’s nails scraping lightly at paige’s neck, paige’s hands gripping tight at her hips.

azzi pulled back for just a second, breathless. “paige…”

“we don’t have to stop,” paige murmured, forehead pressed to hers, voice low and certain.

azzi’s answer was another kiss, harder this time, like she didn’t want to wait another second.

paige’s hands slid lower, fingers pressing into azzi’s thighs until she was gripping her fully, and before either of them thought twice, paige stood up, lifting azzi with her.

azzi gasped into the kiss, arms wrapping around paige’s shoulders, holding on tight. paige stepped towards her room, lips never leaving hers, then laid her down on her bed. the heat between them only deepened, mouths moving like neither could get enough.

she pulled back just enough to look into azzi's dark eyes, now glazed with desire. "is this okay?" paige asked, her voice soft and uncertain. "we don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with."

azzi smiled, "baby, it's more than okay," she said, arching her back slightly. "i want this. i want you."

relief flooded through paige, and she crashed her lips back onto azzi's, kissing her deeply as her hands roamed her body. she caressed the curves she knew so well, committing every dip and swell to memory. her fingers slipped under azzi's shirt, travelling up to cup her breasts.

azzi gasped into the kiss, her nipples hardening under paige's touch. she fumbled with the buttons of paige's shirt, desperate to feel skin on skin. "let me," she murmured, undoing the buttons one by one. paige shrugged out of her shirt and tossed it aside.

now clad in just her bra and panties, azzi looked up at paige with hooded eyes. "you're beautiful," she whispered, reaching up to trace the curves of paige's breasts through her lacy bra. paige shivered at the contact, her own arousal growing by the second.

"let me see you," paige murmured, already lifting up azzi's shirt, marking her from the stomach up to her neck.

azzi moaned, her fingers tangling in paige's hair. "oh god, that feels so good," she gasped, her hips bucking slightly off the bed.

paige now placed her attention on azzi's breasts, switching from one nipple to the other until azzi was writhing beneath her.

desperate, paige looked up as she hooked her fingers in the waistband of azzi's panties, asking her girlfriend for consent, and as soon as azzi nodded, she tugged them down her legs. azzi lifted her hips to help, kicking the scrap of lace away. now fully naked, she lay before paige like a feast for the taking.

paige sat back on her heels, drinking in the sight of azzi splayed out on the bed. her skin was flushed, her chest heaving with each ragged breath. between her thighs, her heat glistened with arousal.

"can i taste you?"

"paige, please do,"

and she was already leaning down to run her tongue along azzi's slit. azzi gasped at the contact, her hips jerking slightly. paige repeated the motion, lapping at azzi's folds.

"please," azzi whimpered, her fingers tangling in paige's hair. "more."

paige complied, going in deeper with her tongue. she swirled it around azzi's clit, flicking the sensitive bud with the tip. azzi moaned, her thighs already trembling beneath paige's hands.

"that's it," paige said against azzi's heat, the vibrations of her voice sending shivers through azzi's body. "come for me."

with a final cry of paige's name, azzi came undone. her back arched off the bed, her pussy clenching around paige's tongue as she rode out her orgasm. paige swallowed every drop of azzi's release.

"fuck, i love you"

and before paige could answer, azzi was already flipping them around, with paige now underneath her.

azzi was still breathless, sprawled out on paige’s chest, hair sticking to her damp skin. paige thought maybe she was done, that the adrenaline of the night had finally run out of them both, until azzi shifted, slow and deliberate, sliding up until she was straddling paige again.

her thighs pressed against paige’s ribs, her palms braced on either side of paige’s shoulders. the movement dragged heat across paige’s skin, and her breath caught.

“azzi…” it came out half a warning, half a plea.

but azzi only smiled, lazy and mischievous, before rolling her hips once against paige’s stomach. the pressure was soft, teasing, but enough to make paige’s eyes flutter shut.

paige’s hands came up on instinct, gripping azzi’s hips tight, holding her in place. she could feel every shift, every drag of heat against her abs as azzi moved again, slower this time, drawing it out.

the kiss that followed was messy, deep, azzi biting gently at paige’s lip before laughing into her mouth. the sound sent sparks through paige’s chest.

“god, az,” paige muttered against her, “you’re gonna kill me.”

“maybe,” azzi teased, hips rolling harder now, her breath hitching as she did it again. paige couldn’t stop her hands from roaming up azzi’s sides, down her thighs, gripping, guiding, desperate to keep her close.

their kisses turned frantic, all teeth and gasps, neither of them able to slow down. every move from azzi pulled a sound from paige, every squeeze of paige’s hands made azzi press harder, faster.

azzi eyes rolled back far as paige's abs hardened, "mm, god,"

they both moaned out as azzi kissed paige hard, her tongue tasting her mouth. groans left paige's lips as azzi sucked hard onto her bottom lip and kissed her with passion.

"god" paige moaned into her ear as she slapped azzi's ass to grind faster. her eyes rolled back as she felt her high nearing. azzi's stomach clenched down hard as paige grinded her down harder and before she knew it she was already letting go.

"p-paige.." azzi yelled as paige's hands held her as she came down from her high, breathing out hard and fast.

"you're so pretty baby..", paige said, laying azzi down on her bed, kissing her from her thighs up.

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later, they lay tangled in paige’s sheets, skin warm, breaths slowing down. neither spoke for a while, too wrapped up in what just happened, too stunned by how natural it felt.

finally azzi whispered, almost shy, “so… we’re not just friends anymore, huh?”

paige turned her head, smiled at her, and kissed her.

"nope, you're mine now."

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they don’t remember how they got from the porch to azzi’s room.

they just sort of drifted.

the movie playing on azzi’s laptop is just background noise now. she’s lying against paige’s side, head tilted, shoulder under paige’s arm. their pinkies had been touching for the past hour. neither of them pulled away.

paige finally shifts, slow and quiet.

“can i kiss you?” she asks.

and azzi, her eyes wide, her breath caught—just nods. once.

then it all breaks open.

it starts careful, hesitant, but it doesn’t stay that way.

paige’s hand finds azzi’s waist, pulls her closer like she’s afraid she’ll disappear. azzi kisses her like she’s been waiting to breathe, like there’s been something inside her begging for this to happen for months.

they shift and tangle and laugh breathlessly between kisses, like they can’t believe they’re really doing this. at some point, paige says azzi’s name against her jaw, and azzi exhales a soft “god, finally.”

their legs get tangled in the sheets. azzi’s fingers twist in paige’s hoodie. paige’s hands roam, gentle but greedy, like she’s trying to map azzi’s entire body with just her palms.

they don’t say anything for a while—just the sound of skin brushing skin, soft gasps, the occasional smothered ow when someone bumps a knee.

and then, without thinking, paige mouths at azzi’s neck.

again, and again,

and then slower. deeper.

azzi breathes out a shaky “p—paige.” but she doesn’t stop her.

her hand finds the back of paige’s head instead.

they fall asleep tangled up in the sheets, still warm, still buzzing. paige has her arm slung around azzi’s waist. azzi’s face is pressed into paige’s collarbone.

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paige wakes up to the smell of waffles and the weight of azzi’s arm across her stomach.

“good morning,” azzi mumbles, voice still full of sleep.

paige turns, blinking at her. “hey.”

they stare at each other for a second. lazy smiles. messy hair. sunlight slicing across the bed.

paige brushes a strand from azzi’s face. “you sleep okay?”

“mhm,” azzi hums. “you?”

“felt like i was wrapped in a heated blanket named azzi fudd, so yeah.”

azzi chuckles and stretches, hoodie rising slightly, but neither of them glances up.

“we should probably go down,” she says, half-hearted.

“five more minutes?” paige murmurs, already leaning closer.

azzi pretends to think about it, then presses a kiss to her cheek. “four.”

neither of them notices the mark blooming on paige’s jaw.

or the one just under azzi’s ear.

katie fudd breezes into the kitchen, still in a soft blue robe, barefoot, and absolutely carrying the quiet authority of someone who could crush you with just a look.

she smiles at paige. “morning.”

paige swallows a mouthful of waffle. “morning! waffles are amazing. thank you. so good. you’re so good at breakfast.”

katie raises an eyebrow. “thanks…?”

she squints. “you okay? you’re kind of... glowing.”

“me?” paige laughs, too high. “no. i mean yes. just—waffles. love waffles.”

katie takes a step closer to get her coffee mug from the cupboard.

paige flinches like the mug might be a weapon.

and that’s when katie sees it.

the faint, deep plum bruise peeking out from under paige’s jawline, just behind the soft curve of her neck.

her eyes narrow, slow.

she tilts her head.

paige freezes mid-chew.

“…what’s that?” katie says calmly, pointing with her mug.

“what’s what?”

“on your neck.”

paige touches the wrong side. “huh?”

katie reaches up gently, and tugs the collar of paige’s hoodie down an inch.

and there it is. center stage.

a hickey. bold. clear. not at all subtle.

katie stares at it for a long second. not saying a word. not even blinking.

then,

“…shit.”

paige coughs. “i—”

“who gave you that.”

the words are even, but something dark simmers under them.

“i—uh—”

she doesn’t finish the sentence, because just then, azzi walks in.

freshly showered. hoodie zipped halfway. suspiciously quiet.

“morning,” azzi mumbles.

katie turns.

looks her up and down.

pauses.

squints.

and then, slowly, she walks forward. like a detective.

paige is still frozen mid-syrup drip.

“azzi,” katie says. “what’s on your neck.”

azzi blinks. “what—oh.”

katie reaches out, lifts a strand of azzi’s curls gently.

another hickey. front and center.

“…oh my god,” katie mutters.

she steps back, eyes darting between the two of them.

and then, after a long silence, she sighs.

“well,” she says again, under her breath. “okay.”

paige opens her mouth to apologize, and azzi looks like she’s about to pass out.

but katie just holds up a hand. “don’t. don’t say anything.” she walks to the fridge, pulls out oat milk, and unscrews the cap like this is any other thursday.

“you’re both old enough,” she says, pouring slowly. “you’ve known each other for years. you love each other. i knew this was coming.”

“you.. knew?” azzi asks.

“baby, i’m not blind. you’ve been looking at her like she hung the moon since you were sixteen. i’m just surprised it took this long.”

paige turns redder than the hickey on her neck.

katie takes a sip of her coffee. “now. if you’re going to be doing whatever you did last night—”

they both swallow, “—you’re going to be respectful about it. not under my roof. and not before a game. and next time? ice packs. because you two? you're really bad at hiding things.", she says while smirking

azzi groans. “can i leave my own house.”

katie just sips her drink.

"not until you clean your plate, baby."

paige glances at azzi, and this time neither of them tries to fight the smile tugging at their lips. relief spreads through both of them, the kind that makes their shoulders drop and their eyes soften.

now, they don't have to hide.

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there was something about walking into the gampel pavilion like this.

the familiar smell of polished wood, the distant echo of basketballs bouncing during practice, and the low murmur of the crowd starting to settle in. it hit paige in waves of comfort and a strange sort of peace. even when she had games with the dallas wings now, uconn still felt like home.

the court gleamed the same way it always had, soft gold under the lights. the banners still hung like silent witnesses to everything they’d built there. but tonight, it wasn’t her name the crowd had come to cheer.

it was azzi’s.

she slipped quietly into her seat courtside, the same row she used to make eye contact with geno from. only now, she wasn’t here as a player.

she was here as someone’s girl.

the game had just tipped off. azzi was already in rhythm, her classic soft release, full extension, laser focus. she was all business, and it made paige ache in the way only pride could. that was the thing about azzi. every version of her, paige loved them all.

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someone a few rows up started pointing. not at the court, but at paige – her blonde hair, wrapped in her iconic low bun.

she pretended not to notice the portion of the crowd yelling her name, she just leaned back in her seat, let her jacket hang a little looser.

the second quarter ticked on. azzi hit a three in transition, her form like clockwork. paige clapped once, just once, grinning widely.

halfway through the quarter, the trojans called a timeout, as they were down by 8 points. the ref's whistle blew, and the players started jogging back toward the benches.

that's what when the cameramen found her. the jumbotron flickered, and there she was.

paige.

the paige bueckers.

big and clear, with little smirk playing at the corner of her lips.

she didn’t do anything flashy. just stood up, waving to the cameras and to everyone in gampel finally noticing her. slow and calm, she pulled the zipper of her wings track jacket down the center.

revealing bold, unmistakable letters printed across her chest in a navy, huskies-like blue, “PROUD GIRLFRIEND TO AZZI FUDD.”

there was a half-second of silence, then the place erupted into screams, with people pulling out their phones to take a video of the jumbotron, and the announcers talking about it on live broadcast.

azzi was turned toward the bench, towel reaching for her face, but the noise didn’t make sense, it was just a timeout.

she followed her teammates’ confused glances to the jumbotron first –

she saw the girl she loved, in the place she loved.

paige.

courtside.

smirking like she owned the building.

wearing that shirt.

azzi’s eyebrows lifted. just slightly, the corner of her mouth betrayed her.

then just like that, the whole team turned their heads to where the camera had zoomed in.

there she was.

seat 1A, right by the scorer’s table. stood up, hands pointing to her shirt, jacket open in full like a declaration. paige waved.

azzi didn’t wave back, but she fully clocked it.

she just shook her head, grinning like an idiot while wiping the sweat off the back of her neck.

azzi took a breath and looked away, but it was too late, kk and ice were already teasing. sarah nudged her shoulder, morgan fanned her dramatically with a towel.

“did you two plan that?" ashlynn whispered.

azzi wiped at her face, cheeks warm. “no, and she’s ridiculous for it.”

“but you love it.”

she didn’t answer, but the answer was all over her face.

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the timeout ended. they went back onto the court.

but something was different.

azzi moved looser. smoother. like something had lifted. every cut was sharper, every shot softer, every defensive slide just a little more locked in. she played like her heart had caught fire.

paige could see it from the sideline.

and she knew.

every three azzi hit after that, she shot a glance toward her. not obvious, not lingering, but enough. and paige would just lift her brows, tilt her head, and clap nonchalantly like she knew all her shots would be cash.

the crowd ate it up.

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the buzzer sounded, the final score was 78 - 64.

azzi high-fived her teammates, walking to the bench with her arms wrapped around sarah and kk's shoulders, but her eyes were already searching.

and there she was.

paige, standing again. same seat. same smile. hands stuffed in her pockets, like she hadn’t just hijacked an entire arena’s attention.

azzi jogged over and didn’t even pretend to be cool about it.

“you’re actually insane,” she said, half-laughing as she leaned over the barrier.

paige leaned in, close enough that only azzi could hear. “proud,” she corrected, dragging her finger across the words on her shirt.

azzi’s eyes dropped to read it again, and she grinned widely. “you know that’s probably everywhere by now, right?”

“good. they should know.”

azzi paused. “i missed you.”

“i know,” paige said, grin softening. “i missed you more.”

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from the day they met, it was always something a little more with them.

like the way azzi would ask, “can i sit here?” on every away-game bus ride, even though paige always saved her the window seat.

or the quiet, “can i have a sip?” as she reached for paige’s water bottle mid-practice. and paige never said no, she never even blinked.

they were best friends. that’s what they told everyone.

but best friends didn’t flirt like that, didn’t look at each other like this, didn’t act like it had always been them, a team of two, orbiting each other, no one else getting close enough to matter.

they didn’t need to say it out loud.

they had each other. and that was enough.

until it wasn’t.

it started with azzi spending more time with this girl from the track team. bree. funny, loud, magnetic in a way that drew people in. she was the kind of person who never hesitated, especially with azzi when she asked her out right at the door of the champions center, handed her a smoothie and said, “you free friday?”

paige saw it from across the court, of course. yet all she did was watch azzi smile back and say yes.

and something in her chest cracked open, soft and sharp at the same time.

not because she was jealous, not exactly. she was happy for her, but because suddenly she wasn’t the first one azzi told about her day, and suddenly the pre-practice routines were off, the stolen glances in the locker room or the shared inside jokes as the team was being told off by geno.

and paige didn’t know what to do with that.

so she did nothing.

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practice the next day was tense. azzi kept looking at paige like she wanted to say something. paige kept pretending not to see it.

and then, during a full-court drill, paige fumbled a pass and muttered under her breath.

azzi jogged over, concern on her face. “you okay?”

“i’m fine,” paige said, too quickly. “you don’t have to check on me.”

“what does that mean?”

“nothing"

“paige.."

“just go, az.”

the silence that followed was deafening.

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they didn’t talk for two days.

paige stayed late in the gym, long after everyone else had left. it was easier to be around ghosts than to look azzi in the eye and feel that ache in her chest grow stronger.

until friday night, when azzi walked in just as paige was lining up a free throw. she didn’t say anything, just caught the ball on the rebound and passed it back.

paige stared at her.

azzi crossed her arms. “you’ve been avoiding me"

paige swallowed. “i’ve been busy, march madness is coming up”

“you’ve been hiding"

a beat.

“maybe.”

“why?”

paige was silent. she caught the ball again, dribbled once. twice. then let it fall.

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it starts at ted’s.

because it always does. late-night runs after big games, when the adrenaline’s still in their veins and no one wants to go back to their dorm just yet. it’s loud inside, a little sticky, the lights a shade too bright, but it feels like home. like uconn tradition.

paige sits in the corner booth with azzi pressed in beside her. her thigh is warm against paige’s. her hair’s tied back, but a few loose strands fall forward, and paige has to grip her root beer float like it’s keeping her alive.

they’re not talking. not really. just sitting in that kind of silence that’s not awkward, but heavy. azzi’s bouncing her knee. paige keeps glancing at her. she looks nervous. too quiet, too still in the wrong ways.

"paige,"

and even before paige could even look directly at her azzi's already leaning in.

slow.

intentional.

her hand brushes against paige’s jaw like a whisper.

and then she kisses her.

it’s soft. hesitant. it tastes like cherry coke and something sweeter. like hope.

and paige, she’s waited forever for this, dreamed of it, begged for it in silence.

but she pulls back.

just an inch. just enough.

"azzi, stop. you're drunk"

“i'm not, paige.”

paige tenses. "you are, what happened to bree?"

azzi looks down, then back at her. her eyes are clearer than they should be, considering how many fries she just devoured. “i have to tell you something.”

paige stiffens. her hands go cold, but she feels a little hope inside her.

“i never told you,” azzi’s voice doesn’t waver. “we broke up.”

paige’s heart stutters. “when?”

“a week ago.”

“why didn’t you say anything?”

azzi lets out a breath. “because i didn’t want to lie to you about why. or pretend like it didn’t matter when it did.”

paige stays quiet, letting her talk.

“she cheated on me,” azzi says flatly. “with some guy from the LSU football team. i found out the day after that scrimmage. i didn’t tell anyone.”

paige stares. “what?”

azzi shrugs, like it’s nothing. like it’s old news even though it’s clearly not. “i think part of me already knew. not about the guy. just… that she wasn’t the person i wanted to tell good things to. not anymore.”

and then she looks at paige.

really looks at her.

“you were.”

paige swallows. hard. her throat feels too tight. the air’s too heavy.

“you always were,” azzi adds.

paige’s eyes flutter shut. “then why’d you pick her?”

“because you scared the shit out of me,” azzi says. “and because i thought i had more time.”

it’s not perfect. it’s not a line. it’s just true.

“you’re sure?” she asks. “this isn’t about bree?”

azzi shakes her head immediately. “this has never been about bree. not even once.”

“she cheated on you.”

“and you stayed,” azzi says. “even when i made it impossible.”

paige covers her eyes. her voice cracks when she speaks.

“you don’t get to kiss me if you’re not sure.”

“i’m sure,” azzi says.

and this time when she kisses her, it’s different.

hungrier, deeper, like nothing else mattered.

and paige kisses back like she’s drowning. like she finally found the surface.

they don’t even notice kk standing there with her milkshake in hand, eyes wide as saucers.

not until kk blurts, “HOLY SHIT.”

paige freezes. azzi jumps a little, lips still inches from paige’s.

then the rest of the team explodes.

“FINALLY,” aaliyah yells from a booth behind them.

“i knew it,” nika says, pointing her fry at aubrey like she won a bet.

“i had money on them making out before the tournament,” ice mutters.

“you owe me twenty,” aubrey says smugly.

kk just stares. “yo. that was kinda hot.”

paige groans, hiding her face in azzi’s shoulder. azzi’s laughing now, full and free, her arm curling around paige’s waist like it’s always belonged there.

“i guess this means it’s official?” aaliyah calls out.

azzi grins, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“yeah. it’s official.”

and paige, with her heart finally whole in her chest, just nods.

“took you long enough,” nika says.

but paige doesn’t care.

because azzi’s still holding her hand under the table.

paige sat curled up on the couch in a hoodie too thin for the storm, staring at her phone’s screen until it dimmed. no service. no wi-fi. no light but the soft blue from outside. somewhere behind her, she heard azzi open a cabinet and sigh,

-------------------------------------------------------------

snow piled against the windows like the world was trying to bury them quiet, the heater had gone off five minutes ago, and now the apartment was starting to feel the cold creeping in.

"do you have a blanket?"

paige slowly looks back at her, holding up the edge of the small lilac blanket she was already wrapped up in, "yeah, this one.."

azzi shuts the cabinet, looking at the blanket, "well, could i borrow it?"

she blinked, eyebrows raised, lips parted like she was about to go on a rant. “are you serious? this is the only blanket i have here."

"give it to me, you have a jacket on, i only have pj shorts-" paige cuts her off, face still scrunched up "no way, this is my apartment and my blanket, your fault you're wearing shorts while we're being snowed in"

azzi crossed her arms. “i'll figure something out.”

she turned like she was gonna grab a hoodie from her bag, but paige rolled her eyes and shifted over, lifting the edge of the blanket without a word.

“just sit down,” paige said. “don’t be dramatic.”, azzi hesitated. "i'm not cold.”

“sure,” paige said, patting the space beside her. “come on, i don’t bite.”

azzi gave her a look. “you’re awfully eager to cuddle.”

paige smirked. “i’m just being generous.”

with a sigh that sounded way more annoyed than she actually was, azzi sat down stiffly, arms still crossed, barely touching paige’s side. the blanket didn’t even cover both of them evenly.

“you could at least share,” azzi muttered.

“i am sharing. you’re just bad at accepting kindness.”

the room fell quiet, nothing but the wind outside and the occasional creak from the heater trying to come back to life. a few minutes passed, and azzi finally let her shoulder relax, leaning just enough to brush against paige’s.

paige glanced down at her, trying not to smile too obviously.

“told you,” she murmured, voice low and smug. “not so bad, is it?”

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december 12, 2019

paige is stretched out on her bedroom floor, scrolling through old usa camp photos, fingers hovering over azzi’s face in half of them. they’d just come back from those tournaments — still high on the idea of being unstoppable together — and she can’t shake it.

paige (6:18 pm):

still thinking about how we ran that backcourt last month.

you’d look even better in blue next year.

azzi (6:21 pm):

lol you’re relentless

you know it’s a huge decision

paige (6:22 pm):

i know

just say yes

come to uconn with me

we’d change the game

azzi leaves her on read for a minute. paige swore she saw her rolling her eyes through the phone.

azzi (6:26 pm):

i’m thinking about it. okay?

that’s the best i can do right now

paige grins, heart light, typing too fast.

paige (6:27 pm):

i’ll take it.

but i’m not gonna stop asking.

-------------------------------------------------------------

april 19, 2020

paige shows up on azzi’s doorstep with a duffel bag and the most chaotic grin, like she’s been waiting for weeks to pull this off.

“surprise,” she says, shifting on her feet, trying to look casual even though her heart’s hammering in her chest.

azzi blinks. “you are supposed to be social distancing, p.”

“i am,” paige insists, stepping closer, “with you.”

azzi tries to glare. and fails.

her lips twitch instead, and then she’s reaching for paige’s bag like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“you’re staying?”

“yeah,” paige says, voice softer, suddenly more serious. “if it’s okay.”

azzi bites back a smile. “you’re lucky my mom likes you.”

they settle into a weird, warm rhythm. long mornings of zoom workouts, afternoons helping azzi’s brothers with their shots in the driveway, nights curled up side by side on the couch, too close to be just friends, yet too far to be anything more.

paige sleeps in the guest room, but half the time she ends up curled up beside azzi, claiming the wifi is better there.

azzi doesn’t call her out on it, because she likes having paige close. the quiet reassurance of hearing her breathe at night, steady and familiar.

-------------------------------------------------------------

one night, the news is buzzing about canceled tournaments, canceled everything. azzi’s scrolling through twitter, quiet, jaw tight. paige nudges her shoulder.

“hey,” she says, “we’ll be back. you know that, right?”

azzi nods, but doesn’t answer.

and then, so soft she almost doesn’t hear it,

“thanks for coming,” azzi says.

paige grins, leans in, bumps their foreheads together.

“always,” she murmurs. “where else would i go?”

they don’t say i love you. not out loud. they'll never say it out loud. but it’s there in every look, every late night talk on azzi's bed, every routine they build together in the middle of a world turned upside down.

but azzi still hasn’t committed to uconn. paige tries not to push. tries to pretend the waiting doesn’t hurt.

but every time azzi smiles at her, or lets their fingers touch on the couch, paige feels a quiet spark of hope, that maybe, eventually, azzi will follow her.

-------------------------------------------------------------

june 16, 2020

the air is sticky-warm, crickets chirping, the faint hum of traffic in the distance. paige is sat on the wooden steps, talking a mile a minute, hands flying.

“like seriously, az, think about it. you on the wing, me running point, that backdoor cut you do? unstoppable. nobody in the country could guard us. we’d break every record.”

azzi laughs, leaning against the railing, hugging her knees to her chest. she loves when paige gets like this, excited, dreaming out loud, wide-eyed with possibility.

“and the crowds,” paige keeps going, practically bouncing, “they’d go nuts. i mean, it’s uconn. they’d put our faces everywhere, az. we’d be legends.”

azzi bites her lip, heart twisting. because she wants to say yes. god, does she want to. every part of her wants that vision, them together, unstoppable, making history.

but she also feels the weight of it, heavy on her chest. the expectations. the pressure. the idea of being paige’s teammate, not her own player.

she stares at paige, taking in the messy blonde hair, the hopeful grin, the way she’s still rambling about championships and banners.

it makes something inside her ache.

“paige,” she says gently, cutting in.

paige stops, blinking, smile faltering a little. “what?”

azzi looks down at the floorboards, fingers digging into her sleeves.

“i’m… still thinking about it.”

paige deflates, just a bit, shoulders dropping.

“you’re still thinking?”

azzi nods, voice small. “i’m halfway there.”

paige laughs softly, trying to keep it light, but it sounds more like heartbreak.

“okay,” she says, forcing a grin. “halfway is better than nothing.”

azzi watches her go quiet, eyes turning out toward the dark street, and she feels the guilt settle in. because she knows paige deserves someone all in, someone who doesn’t hesitate.

but she can’t lie, she’s not there yet.

maybe she never will be.

but for tonight, she lets paige talk about buzzer-beaters and nets cut down, and she pretends she can believe it too.

-------------------------------------------------------------

august 5, 2020

paige is lying there in the dark, her heart going a million miles an hour, because in the morning she’s leaving for uconn. everything should feel electric, thrilling, but it doesn’t. there's something about the energy in the room that feels off.

azzi is across from her on the bed, back against the wall, arms pulled around her knees like she’s trying to fold herself in half.

paige can’t stand the silence anymore.

“so,” she blurts, forcing a smile, “you’ll visit, right? i mean, you’ll come up, see the gym, meet coach geno, cd, everyone—”

azzi doesn’t look up.

“paige.”

her voice is so soft it makes paige’s stomach twist.

“what?”

“i need to tell you something.”

paige laughs, light and shaky, trying to make it a joke. “you’re not pregnant, right?”

azzi’s face doesn’t change.

paige’s breath catches.

“what?” she repeats, sharper now.

azzi bites her lip, staring at the floor. “i’m going to louisville.”

the words crash over paige like a wave. her ears start ringing. she actually sways forward, like she might be sick.

“what?” she says again, voice breaking. “you’re what?”

azzi’s eyes shine with tears but she doesn’t look away. “i’m not going to uconn. i committed to louisville.”

paige scrambles to sit up, clutching the edge of the mattress. “no. no, you didn’t. you told me you were still thinking. you promised me you’d think—”

“i did,” azzi cuts in, crying now, shoulders shaking. “i did think. i thought about it every day, paige. but i can’t go with you.”

“why?”

the word is a razor in her throat.

azzi wipes at her face with the back of her hand, gasping for air.

“because i’m terrified,” she spits out, voice cracking. “i’m terrified of being just your shadow. i’m scared of being the second name, the second face, the one they only care about because she’s standing next to paige bueckers.”

paige flinches like she’s been slapped.

“how could you even say that?” she snaps, tears boiling over. “you are you, azzi. you are a superstar. you’re the best player i know. you think i’d let them treat you like that?”

“it’s not about what you’d let them do!” azzi fires back, voice ragged. “it’s about what they will do! about how i’ll feel every day watching you shine, wondering if there’s even space left for me!”

“we had a plan,” paige whispers, so quiet she’s shaking. “we promised, az. you and me. together.”

azzi’s chest crumples, a sob tearing out of her throat. “i know, i know, p. but i can’t. i can’t do it. i need to know who i am without you.”

paige feels like something is being ripped straight out of her ribs.

“so you’re just leaving,” she spits, voice raw. "what about us, az?“

azzi’s lips tremble. “i’m sorry.”

paige can’t breathe. “you’re sorry,” she repeats, numb. “you’re sorry.”

the silence swallows them both.

the room feels like it’s shrinking around her. the walls, the floor, the ceiling, everything pressing down until paige can barely breathe.

she watches azzi’s face in the blue light coming through the window, studies every inch like she’s trying to burn it into her mind. the curve of her jaw, the tiny crease between her brows, the way she’s always so peaceful when she sleeps.

it makes paige want to scream.

how can azzi sleep like that, knowing what tomorrow means? knowing she’s already said goodbye, even if neither of them used that word?

paige rolls onto her back, heart pounding so hard it rattles her ribs. she wants azzi to say something. anything. she wants her to whisper that she’ll change her mind, that she’ll follow her to uconn after all, that she’s sorry and she’ll stay.

but azzi doesn’t move. doesn’t say a word.

just breathes, steady and calm, while paige drowns three inches away.

she feels so far gone she doesn’t even care about holding her pride anymore. she’d beg, if she thought it would help. she’d drop to her knees, throw away every last bit of herself, if it meant azzi would be with her.

she should have told her the truth earlier, back before the shouting started, before they tore each other open. she should have admitted how scared she was to go alone, how she’d built every dream on the idea of them, never just her.

but she didn’t. she was too proud. too convinced they’d sort it out.

now it’s too late, and her throat is too tight to speak.

her chest aches like something’s clawing its way out.

it’s so unfair. how many times had she patched azzi back together? how many times had she given her everything, even when she was falling apart herself?

it feels like she loved azzi until there was nothing left, until she was dry, until she was more wound than girl.

and still, still—she would let her crawl back tomorrow if she asked.

because she loved her,

she knew azzi loved her.

yet they never admitted it to eachother, they couldn't.

her eyes blur with tears again. she blinks them away, tries to quiet the sob lodged in her throat.

it doesn’t work.

she shifts a little, close enough that their arms almost touch, and she stares at her, almost holding her.

if she touches her now, she knows she’ll break in half.

so she lies there, clammy and restless, the sweat sticking to her skin, her hands trembling against the blanket, waiting for a sign that will never come.

she wants to believe that maybe, someday, she’ll let azzi go.

that maybe she’ll look back and feel proud she didn’t try to hold on so tight.

but tonight?

tonight she can’t.

she lets the darkness close around them, and memorizes how her body feels beside hers, warm and familiar. the thought that it’s the last night they’ll ever share a bed—it’s a knife twisting right through her.

she presses her face into the pillow, biting it so she doesn’t make a sound, silently praying that azzi might wake up and change her mind.