#wcbb fic

Azzi has always been what others would call an adrenaline junkie. 

This term wasn’t necessarily inaccurate, but Azzi didn’t love it. It made her sound reckless or impulsive. The term sounded like she was throwing herself into dangerous situations for a cheap thrill, but it wasn’t that at all. Really, it was the anticipation. The second before something would happen, when her pulse surged against her ribs and every nerve woke at once, pulsing under her skin. The way her lungs tightened with a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding, her awareness seeming to sharpen into focus at once knowing that something could go wrong, even if nothing ever did.

Standing on the edge of control was intoxicating.

If that made the term adrenaline junkie fit, Azzi was undoubtedly an adrenaline junkie.

The edge of control was a place that Azzi limited herself to. She wasn’t interested in getting hurt. She wanted to believe she was safe while toeing that line with the possibilities that lingered in her mind. The possibilities were a mere stutter in her thought process, and yet it was all so addicting. She never bothered to explain this feeling; most people wouldn’t understand.

Then she met Paige Bueckers.

Inviting Paige into her life was like willingly letting a permanent adrenaline surge surround Azzi. Everything about the older woman carried the edge of safety that settled somewhere beneath Azzi’s ribs. The feeling refused to leave and yet was never loud or attention seeking, merely there. The hint of danger was never announced, but Azzi always noticed it. Somehow, this made the appeal infinitely more compelling. Paige was exciting in every sense of the word. 

Ironically, it all started with an evening of mindless scrolling on social media. She had been looking for new places to take her own bike out for some newer scenery. Somewhere between hills and mountain views across the DMV area, the algorithm had approached her with a motorcycle rider hidden behind a tinted visor. 

The thirst trap was nothing at first, at least nothing Azzi hadn’t seen before. It really was nothing, until suddenly it was a lot more than that. The woman never spoke–she hadn’t needed to. Her videos all followed a similar rhythm. The camera caught the relaxed posture of a woman who was far more attractive than necessary given the limited visibility. Gloved hands visible on the edge of each frame as the woman sat poised on the seat, wearing a similar style of ribbed tank tops in each video. The tank top style always clung to broad shoulders, leaving defined arms visible with veins tracing down the arms back into the gloved hands. The familiar hum of the bike filled the audio as the wind blew past in the background of whatever sultry song she had selected.

The videos never strayed too far from this format, yet Azzi watched them all. Every single video.  She was obsessed. It was simple but attractive in a way that it had no right to be. While Azzi knew that the mystery was a large part of the appeal, she couldn’t help but feel bad for the people who never knew the Paige that existed behind the tinted visor. The reality of her was far better than the videos could even tease at.

Paige was all sharp angles, stoicism, and an apparent coldness that lingered in blue eyes that always seemed to target Azzi’s core. It hadn’t taken long for Azzi to realize that Paige wasn’t as cold as she appeared. She was thoughtful. Every word carefully considered and mentally weighed before breaking through the jaw flex that was holding them back.

Azzi did feel bad that people would never see this side of Paige, but at the same time she couldn’t help but thank whatever higher power existed that Paige never showed herself on TikTok in this way. The comments of thirsting lesbians were already insufferable with the mention of the veiny hands and muscles that always seemed to show just right. If Paige gave away any more, she couldn’t even imagine how much worse they would be.

After meeting, the two quickly found themselves in each others’ orbits. They were always by each other’s side and most often would be seen with Paige riding the bike, Azzi loosely holding on. It was visible to anyone who saw them that they were obsessed with each other. Entirely drunk on the other in a way that was dangerous and wholly encompassing. Their relationship was never casual.

Tonight had just been another night of the two tightly wound up in each other and the orbit they had so carefully curated. 

Azzi sat on the back of the older woman’s bike. Her lace edge biker shorts sat on either side of Paige as her own black tank top exposed much of her chest, which had been pressed into Paige’s back. An old leather jacket of Paige’s rested loosely on her shoulders, barely hanging on. Paige’s attire was her usual, the slightly baggy darker joggers worn from use with her own black ribbed tank top that was tightly settled on her.

The two had always been willing to try stupid shit that could be described as very little other than dangerous, but when Paige got off the freeway and found some old country roads, Azzi couldn’t help the knowing smirk that grew. 

The familiar hum of adrenaline began buzzing under her skin.

Her hands had begun by resting loosely on Paige’s waist. It hadn’t taken very long for her to let her fingers dip just a bit lower, settling on the inch of space that was all skin between the tank top and pants. Paige slowed the pace of the bike just slightly as the roads cleared out, giving way to fields and gravel paths. Her slowed pace allows her to reach one hand back to settle on the exposed skin of Azzi’s thigh. The roughness of the worn leather glove immediately warms the exposed skin that had been at the mercy of the cool night time air. 

Azzi sighs low and quiet, hoping the wind is enough to drown out the sound so that the bluetooth microphone hadn’t picked up the sound carrying into Paige’s headset in the helmet.

At the small movement on her thigh, Azzi reads the gesture for what it is and begins tracing her fingers under the tank top. Her hands were cold against Paige’s stomach, which was pulling taught at the difference in temperature. Azzi almost swears she can hear the blonde’s breath hitch. The wind had never sounded as pretty as Paige had.

The younger woman runs her hands along the overly heated skin, brushing up along the toned muscle until she reaches the band of the sports bra that the older woman had always worn. Paige’s hand squeezes lightly at Azzi’s thigh, a silent move of consent in a language that only the two could understand. 

Azzi grins underneath the helmet before putting her fingers underneath the band and pulling it slightly until Paige’s boobs were free under the tank top. With a free hand, Azzi slowly traces one nail around her nipple, hardening at the sensation. Another breathy sound comes through the headset, and she sounds too good for Azzi to ignore.

“Fuck, you’re so pretty baby, you know that?” Azzi leans forward, settling her helmet on the side of Paige’s shoulder, knowing Paige would feel the closeness.

Her hand stops the movement and only a little whine can be heard before Azzi is grabbing at the swell of her breasts harshly.

“These tits ‘re mine, huh? All for me? No one else gets to see you like this,” Azzi’s grip is harsh and unforgiving. 

She flexes her hand and returns to her previous task, never letting Paige settle for too long. Her eyes watch as Paige grips tightly at the handle bar, her hand flexing against it. 

Azzi smirks at the action, but quickly tuts loud enough for the audio to carry into Paige’s headset. She pulls her hand back, letting the whine burn its way up the blonde's throat until it forces its way through.

“C’mon, sweetheart, you know how to use your words,” she punctuates the statement with her fingers on Paige’s already sore nipples, using her free hand to drag her nails down the definition of her stomach.

“No one else, just you, Az.” Paige’s head tilts back and she is entirely too aware of the open streets, thankful that no one is around to see how pathetic she is. Thankful that only Azzi and the moon were to witness her falling apart having her tits played with.

Azzi’s hand loosens lightly on the nipple but drags on the skin around it, letting it pebble over as air gets through the openings in her shirt. All the while her wandering hand pushes downwards, reaching the band of the joggers that settled low on her hips. 

One hand settled on her waist with nails digging into the jutted hipbones. Azzi loved to feel every part of Paige, but there was something about the hip bones that made her so weak.

“You’re so pretty,” Azzi’s voice is gravelly and entirely too wrecked into the headset, the sharp intake of Paige’s breath  enough of a sign for her to move her hand downward into the pants of the older woman. 

She settles on the outside of the boxers she had helped Paige pick out earlier in the day. Her finger settles where her clit should be, a noticeable wet patch amplifying the ache in Azzi’s own core.

“Azzi, baby, can we please pull over? Need you,” she whines out, leaning further back into Azzi, who was glad they were on a desolate country road. 

Paige hardly had her eyes on the road and was quickly molding into Azzi’s front. The muscles lining her back press into Azzi’s chest and once again she is dipping a finger down to trail along Paige’s slit, the pool of warmth seeping through her underwear and onto Azzi’s hand. Fuck, she was so wet.

Azzi loved feeling the girl trembling under her touch, slightly wound too tight but far too committed to Azzi’s safety to allow anything to get to her too badly. Paige’s hand vibrating from its place on her thigh. Skin warm under the touch and every bump seemed to encourage her core to tighten just a bit more, Azzi felt it all. The feeling of Paige underneath her, so pliable and wholly in her control was intoxicating.

“No, baby, not yet,” Azzi’s voice was thick with the power and smirk etched onto her mouth. Her tone slow and slightly cold at the brattiness Paige had begun to let out.

Azzi’s hand pressed firmly into Paige’s core and her fingers pushed into the fabric, making slow circles where her clit was. It was as if a wire was buzzing underneath Azzi’s skin with the power she felt. Her blood rushed through her and everything felt so thick and hot. Her previously cool skin was far too warm as she pressed into Paige’s back. The gravel road offered enough vibration that she felt every point of contact. 

Her eyes were glazed over, but she couldn’t help noticing how Paige was still in control of the motorcycle despite what Azzi was doing to her. A part of what worked for Azzi was this bike. The idea that people would see Paige on this very bike. The same bike that Paige rode in every video would hold memories of her at Azzi’s mercy. Her own moan broke through at the thought accompanied by the pulsing heat under Paige’s boxers which were becoming too tight and too sticky with need.

Once again raising her hand lightly, she let her fingers dip into the boxers before making direct contact with where Paige wanted her most. The contact was sudden and sharp and Azzi barely had time to process a hand gripping at her thigh as Paige wavered slightly on the bike before returning to her previous rhythm.

“Such a pretty pussy, huh? Get so wet for me,” Azzi pauses with a heady sigh into the microphone as her fingers slide through Paige’s folds, collecting slick before returning to the maddening circles on her clit. “Can hardly even contain yourself either. You just about took us out, feels too good.”

Azzi’s voice was slow and sultry, her words each matched with hands grabbing at her tits or pressing into her core. This was always their game. Azzi needed to have Paige on the verge of crying before she would be satisfied. The biggest adrenaline rush came from the loss of control and edge of danger.

“Azzi, baby, you’re killing me,” Paige’s hips instinctively roll forward again as the bike wobbles lightly, Azzi trailing down towards Paige’s entrance before running her fingers back up to the clit. It was not enough for Paige and she knew as much.

Azzi leans forward as her fingers pick up the pace, rolling the nipple in between her fingers, tightly pressing into the skin as more slick pours out of Paige. The drag of her fingers was far smoother than it had been moments ago.

Leaning into Paige’s shoulder more with their helmets pressed into the sides of each other, Azzi pulls her hands, in turn pulling Paige further into her space. She lets one finger trail down to Paige’s entrance before slipping in, only letting Paige sigh quickly before slowing all her movement. Hands still both in and on Paige.

“‘S it not enough? You’re starting to sound greedy, baby,” Azzi presses her teeth to the inside of her lips, sighing as if she wasn’t causing Paige to reach ruin. As if her hand wasn’t stilled inside the girl who was single-handedly responsible for keeping them alive.

“No, please,” Paige’s voice came out even whinier, her hand that was settled on the handle bar shifted slightly causing them to jolt forward in a sudden increase of speed. Azzi didn’t worry, in fact she did nothing but moan into Paige’s back, rolling her own hips into the girl’s back. Paige’s hand that still sat on Azzi’s thigh grabbed at the skin again, trying to run her hand back as far as she could to encourage Azzi, but instead reached her own motion limitations.

“You’re gonna hurt us,” Azzi’s voice was wrecked as she pulled out her finger before shoving the single finger in with fervor as a punctuating act. Paige clenches around the finger that begins to immediately retreat, attempting to hold her still inside.

Her body trembles with need and her voice comes out wet, words laced with tears that were aching to escape. “Not gonna hurt you. Would never. Just need more.”

Azzi’s smile came back at the promise, which she knew all too well to be true. She pulls out, preening at the bratty whine that escapes Paige before pulling her hand back to slap lightly at Paige’s puffy core. She was so wet and warm, and suddenly Azzi needed to have a taste.

She looked forward again, bringing her eyes back into focus as the road that was entirely deserted and barely lit by the moon and few stars that poked through the nightly clouds.

“There’s a pull off spot ahead, go ahead and pull over baby.” The sultry tone left no room for argument and Paige couldn’t help but abide as she reached the slightly rocky path that extended from the road.

The stop was shaking and she was barely parked before Azzi was sliding off the side after quickly removing her hands from Paige. She stepped back and took a look at the girl who was lightly illuminated by the headlight of the bike. The rise and fall of her chest was unsteady and labored.

Azzi only gave herself a moment to calm herself before unbuckling the helmet and lifting it over her head. She sees Paige’s eyes tracking her as she shakes out her hair before bringing the fingers that had just been inside Paige towards her mouth. She closes her eyes lightly as the taste of Paige fills her and spreads to every buzzing wire under her skin. She can’t help the moan that rips through the hushed night around them.

Paige reaches out to grab the helmets, placing them haphazardly on the handles that now sit unoccupied. Her gloves shoved into her own helmet. With a hesitant step, she reaches forward, settling her hands on Azzi’s hips before losing all patience and pulling the younger girl forward to press their chests into each other just as their mouths crash together.

The two were both drunk on their arousal and could hardly count the joining of their mouths as a true kiss rather than something else entirely primal. Azzi’s hands quickly reach out for Paige’s head, pulling her in closely as her hands tangle in the tightly pulled pony tail, attempting to join them together with no space left to offer.

Their mouths tangle and tongues search to reach every corner of each other’s mouths as the two gasp into each other, hardly able to breathe. They don’t pull apart until Paige gasps back, the sudden need for air leaving her chest heaving as she looks at Azzi who is now flushed with spit slick lips. Her pupils were blown out in a way that was visible despite the darkness. The sight only lasts a moment before her eyes are fluttering closed again, leaning her forehead to meet Paige’s.

“Want to taste you, pretty.” Azzi’s breathing was still uneven, Paige’s head still cradled in between her hands. “Fuck, I need to taste you.”

Paige’s eyes were firmly locked on the panting girl in front of her as she nodded into Azzi’s touch, not even bothering with the fact that Azzi couldn’t see her.

Instead, she slowly reaches her hands out to slide into the shoulders of Azzi’s jacket. Azzi gets the message and pulls back as she shrugs the jacket off. The fabric wasn’t large enough for both of them, but Paige would be damned if Azzi was kneeling or laying on the ground in any capacity.

She leans back onto her bike, a little weight to ensure that the kickstand was fully out as she leans back onto the bike. Her hands quickly settle the jacket onto the ground and Azzi smirks as the blonde reaches to pull down the loose pants around her hips.

Azzi steps forward, settling her hands on the hips of the blonde, stilling her actions. Their eyes meet and Azzi’s grin grows as Paige’s lips part, the huff of air reaching the brunette’s mouth before the blonde could even acknowledge her or the confusion etched into her features fully. 

Azzi sucks her bottom lip into her mouth as she attempts to school her grin. The sight causes Paige to shiver. It was times like these that remind her of how good she really had it with Azzi standing in front of her. Fuck, she was lucky.

Azzi reaches down between them, her hand reaching into Paige’s pants and boxers, never once breaking eye contact. She lets her fingers slide through the slick and watches carefully for any reaction Paige has. Paige’s cheeks are full of color and her eyes wet with unshed tears.

Azzi pulls back and lets her clean hand grab roughly at Paige’s jaw, holding her still. Her eyes dip to the lips that now struggle to close. She leans in, mouths only a breath apart.

“Such a greedy girl,” Azzi whispers, before her fingers, still slick with Paige, come to settle on her jaw. The slick startles Paige, causing her to flush as she realizes what is pressed into her skin, the evidence of her arousal thick and heady. 

Nose to nose, Azzi pulls the slick hand back slightly before smacking at the skin still covered in Paige. Paige’s eyes pinch shut and her groan comes from so deep in her chest, Azzi swears she could feel it on her own. The sound was more a sob than anything else.

She smiles at the reaction before pulling back to see the flushed girl with tears woven into her eyelashes now covering her eyes. The grin only grows as a single tear works down Paige’s cheek. She drops to her knees, pulling the pants with her. Paige immediately hisses at the cool air that feels so much sharper against her over-heating body and slick core.

“Fuck, Az,” Paige moans out. “You’re so pretty, want you so bad.” Paige’s voice comes out weak and soft, her hand reaching down to brush a curl out of Azzi’s face, gathering her hair in her hands as Azzi looks up from her spot kneeling in front of Paige.

Her smile is confident and sly, showing Paige that she was right where she wanted her. Her hands wrap around the thighs as she nudges Paige’s leg, showing that she needs more space. Paige quickly takes the hint and steps out a bit further–at least as much as she could with her pants pooled around her ankles.

“Yeah? Tell me how you want me, pretty girl.” Azzi leans her head to the side, resting on Paige’s leg but still looking up at her. Her lips brush the edge of her thigh and reach up towards where Paige needs her most.

Paige blinks down, attempting to hide the frustrated tears, not fully understanding that it just further spurs Azzi on. Azzi wants Paige a mess, completely unable to think of anything but her. She is right where she wants to be.

“Want your mouth.” Her voice comes out whiny and Azzi can’t help the pitiful laugh that slips out. Paige clenches her jaw, attempting to hold the sounds in, and comes across as stronger than she is.

Azzi grins at her and presses a kiss along her thigh. Her mouth trails downwards, licking and biting at the skin as she gets closer to Paige’s knee. She wasn’t going to give Paige what she wanted. Not until she was begging for it.

“Az, come on.” Her tone was more petulant than anything else, while her fingers tightened in Azzi’s hair, attempting to nudge her upwards. Azzi’s grin grew as she pulled back slightly.

“Uh-uh, I’m giving you my mouth, you will get what you ask for, but don’t be a brat or you won’t get what you want.” She leans in and bites at the flesh on the inside of Paige’s thigh.

The milky skin is seemingly endless, and she can’t help but suck at it. She wanted to leave a mark. Paige was hers and Azzi was nothing if not territorial.

“Please, princess.” This time Paige’s whiny voice came out quieter, almost softer. “Want your mouth on my pussy. Need it so bad, need you.”

Azzi grins into the skin and is tilting her head up until her mouth is just near her clit. She waits until Paige notices the pause in her motions. When Paige makes eye contact, Azzi just smiles up, blowing cool air directly onto her clit before moving in, dragging her tongue through the folds.

She groans out at the taste she has become so accustomed to. Paige never failed to be so warm and wet with a taste that was enough to make Azzi hungrier for someone in a way she had never experienced. Her eyes close as she feels the growing ache between her own legs. Azzi swipes her tongue through before settling at her clit, wrapping her lips around the swollen bud.

“You taste so good, beautiful. Never had a pussy this good,” Azzi sighs as she pulls back, using her hand to push at Paige’s stomach so she is angled slightly better, exposing herself more to Azzi.

“Az,” she protests weakly, attempting to hide from the crude words, yet too overwhelmed to say much else.

Azzi reattaches her mouth back to Paige’s clit, sucking hungrily as the blonde rocks her hips into Azzi’s face, holding the girl in place. Azzi removes one hand from Paige’s thigh and reaches between the girl’s legs, swiping through and getting her fingers wet. Without warning she pushes two fingers into Paige while she flicks her tongue repeatedly. 

She pulls back, looking at Paige, who is holding herself up with one arm on the bike as her eyes are pinched shut. Her one hand is still tangled in Azzi’s hair and she can’t help but whimper, her eyes shooting open as she feelsthe younger girl pull back.

“‘M serious, would fuck you all day if I could, never want to leave this pussy.” Azzi’s eyes trail down to the glistening mess that Paige had created.

She picks up the pace of her fingers, curving them to apply just the right amount of pressure that makes the older woman squirm.

“Never want you to” The whine takes Azzi by surprise and she can’t help but groan into her clit.

Her tongue alternates between flicking over the sensitive skin and sucking at it. Paige’s words do nothing but further spur her on, causing the actions to pick up.

“Fuck, baby, you’re so good to me. So perfect,” the blonde’s voice comes out cracked and Azzi can hear the wetness of her voice from biting back the tears. “So close, Az.”

Paige’s hand tightens in her hair and Azzi swears she feels Paige everywhere, from the sharp pain in her scalp to the wet warmth dripping down her arm. Her walls are clenching Azzi in and she swears she could live here if Paige would let her. The scrape of her nails in her scalp just serve to further push Azzi into Paige.

“Fuck-” her words are broken up with a gasp, and Azzi swears she has never been so wet in her life. “Gonna come- fuck, gonna come.” Her words are quick and squished between rushed breaths as if Paige can’t get enough air between each word. Her hips are rocking wildly against Azzi’s face. Azzi’s wrist was beginning to cramp from the frantic movements, but she can feel how close Paige is.

With one more sharp thrust, Paige reaches forward, gripping hard with both hands at Azzi’s face as her hips sputter with her orgasm.

“Fuck, Az, I’m coming, fuck.” Azzi’s mouth doesn’t let up as her fingers continue with shallow thrusts, pushing Paige through her orgasm that comes in crashing waves.

Azzi doesn’t separate until the blonde is twitching underneath her mouth. The blonde uses her last bit of her energy to lightly shove at her forehead, her chest heaving as she attempts to gather air into her lungs. Azzi doesn’t completely detach, but instead kisses lazily down Paige’s thigh.

“So good for me.” Azzi’s words are gentle, looking upwards as she slowly pulls her fingers out from Paige. Paige grimaces at the sensation with her eyes still shut, reaching out for her arm, slowing down Azzi’s movements.

Azzi watches her while she rubs her free hand soothingly along the smooth skin of Paige's calf. Paige always struggled with immediately being sensation free after an orgasm–something Azzi learned the hard way.

“My perfect, perfect girl,” Azzi coos quietly as Paige’s chest begins slowing into a regular pace.

When the blonde finally opens her eyes, she immediately meets Azzi’s and is reaching out her arms for the younger woman with a pout on her face. Azzi just laughs from her place between the girl’s legs. She stands up slowly, stretching her legs from their stiff positioning. She hastily wipes her fingers on her shorts, trying to get rid of the evidence of Paige still present on her hand. The blonde was far too sensitive for that right now.

Paige, still slightly out of breath from her orgasm, wraps herself around Azzi. Azzi tucks the younger girl into her arms, using her hands to rub small patterns into her back. The gentle patterns cause Paige to sag into her arms.

“Want to get you right.” Paige’s voice is sleepy into Azzi’s shoulder, the breath reaching her jaw as Azzi sighs before turning it into a chuckle.

“Well I want us to get home alive.” Azzi pulls back, pressing a kiss on the cheek of her sleepy girlfriend.

Paige pouts. “What about when we get home?” she counters, opening one eye, peeking at Azzi before raising an eyebrow. 

The younger girl just laughs, brushing a hair out of her face that had escaped from her ponytail.

“If you can get us home, we’ll talk.” Azzi laughs as Paige leans her head down to rest her head on Azzi’s chest.

Her huffs of breath serve to cool Azzi off despite the chilled air around them. Her hands remain in motion until Paige can finally lift her head enough to meet her eyes.

“With the strap?” The blonde grins at her own question and Azzi just shoves her shoulder, laughing while rolling her eyes.

but just because she wants to keep you all to herself for a while

she knows that as soon as people find out about it, everyone will be talking about it and making assumptions and she just wants to keep you to herself

at least for a couple months

she doesn't care about the public's opinions but she wants to make sure that y'all are LOCKED IN before she makes it public on social media

but it's clear to paige that y'all are very much locked in after the first couple weeks

she's not new to relationships and she's had her fair share but she can tell that it's different now

so the whole "not sure if i wanna hard/soft launch her cus what if we're not a long term" sentiment turns into "i wanna keep this special thing to myself ONLY for at least a couple months"

and of course the entire team knows paige is down bad for you, they've never ever seen her this WHIPPED

because paige seems like she'd be nonchalant and SHE IS... for people she doesn't give a fuck about

so when she likes someone, she LIKES someone

she is extra what can i say

they tease her about it and in any other situation, she would be annoyed but she loooooooves it because it's like "yeah i'm in the best most awesome relationship with the cutest sweetest and kindest girl in the PLANET"

you and paige would've definitely known of each other since freshman year but like... she's kinda intimidating so you sorta tried to steer clear of her

you were really close with some of the girls on the team, specifically azzi so you saw paige kind of a lot

but sophomore year, azzi kind of pushed you guys to be close and since she knows you guys so well, IT WORKED!

you guys clicked so quick and that doesn't happen a lot with paige, it takes a lot to earn her friendship

but you practically ripped down all her walls within like an hour of talking to her

definitely the first one to catch feelings

at least... to her ;)

very much friends to lovers trope with lots of sexual tension cus who doesn't love that?

i feel like after 3 months of being really close friends, you guys would spend like a shit ton of time together

you guys were ALWAYS together

she even tried to convince you to come to practice with her but you said no cus... what the heck

everyone knows... EVERYONE knows that paige likes you

and it kind of becomes like cemented (for paige at least) after she realized you were her literal COMFORT PERSON

like after every terrible, long practice or after losing games all she wants to do is be AROUND YOU so she could forget about everything

especially when she gets injured, she's such a wreck and the only person who made her feel better was you

it wasn't even what you said or what you did, it was simply just you

and after going through such a bad time with you, she realized that she liked you and she can't keep pretending

and she asked you (yaya!) and you said yes cus you liked her back (yaya!) and everything is just YAYA

so it's safe to say she knows she's found her soulmate within a month of knowing you

but she doesn't wanna seem like she's love-bombing you or whatever so she pretended to be nonchalant

which of course FAILS because she's down bad

so she tells you she loves you within like a month of dating

i KNOW it seems bad but you guys both felt it because of the whole injury and spending every moment together

when you know, you know vibes

she told you she loved you after you were there for her through some of the worst times of her life and you said it back of course and it's all cutesy

paige's love language is TOTALLY quality time and touch

even before you were dating, she just liked having her hands on you whether it was like holding your hand while walking through a crowd, or braiding your hair, or putting her head on top of yours or something as simple as just HUGGING you

but she kept it cordial of course cus y'all weren't dating

yeah that was all thrown out the window as soon you became her girlfriend

hands on you at ALL times, it becomes so subconscious neither of you even know you're doing it anymore

so remember that whole secret relationship thing?

well... everyone kind of figures it out online after like 3 months of dating

it was because of paige, poor girl couldn't keep her hands and lips off of you after a particularly hard game and somehow 🤨🤨someone gets a picture and it was all over twitter and tiktok the next day

literally "paige bueckers girlfriend" trending after an hour of getting posted

but neither of you cared too much about it because A. it was totally worth it cus the kiss was 😫😫😫 and B. she finally doesn't have to turn off her girlfriend mode when she's with you at games

cus she has the prettiest and best gf in the world and she wants everyone to know that

the only reason she was slightly annoyed was because she couldn't hard launch you on instagram :( poor girl had potential captions in her notes :( cus she's our little drama queen:(

but that doesn't stop her cus she ends up doing it! (shameless plug right there hehehe)

now that she can freely touch you and just be herself finally, she literally doesn't GAFFF

of course nothing like over the top because sure she loves PDA to a certain extent and she's an athlete so she needs to keep it civil

RELATIONSHIP STUFF

we've already covered how paige is a physical touch and quality time girly

and paige loves spending literally all her free time with you because you just recharge her

but it isn't in like an overwhelming way

paige understand that sometimes you need quiet time (or vice versa) but the thing is she doesn't even need you to talk just being around you is enough

so idk if it's necessarily QUALITY time but just being around you and spending every free second she has with you tells you that she is in love with you

paige is the most protective person IN THE WORLD, not just with you like in general

it doesn't even have to be someone she knows, if she sees someone giving someone else a hard time SHE WILL STEP IN!

and with her friends, y'all have seen her... she does not back down and will literally murder anyone who comes for the people she cares about

so if that's with people she doesn't know, and her friends, you guys can imagine how crazy she gets over you

if somebody says something even slightly consendecing or mean, slap. someone looks at you the wrong way? slap. somebody breaths wrong around you, slap.

obviously she won't lay a hand on them first but likeeee would she back down, nope

she is actually your guardian angel

like at parties, her hand is always on you and she never ever leaves your side

you need to get a drink, she's coming to

if you need to pee? she'll wait in the bathroom for you

yeah don't expect her to leave your side

because even when she IS by your side, there is always a weirdo in your guys' ear trying to get with one (or both!) of you

but yeah she's not afraid to defend you when it comes to literally anything

and this doesn't only apply to strangers, if there is someone that you know (your friend, her friend, etc) she WILL stand by you and defend you

like she doesn't shy away from confrontation, she will say something but only if you want her to

and GOD HELP THEM if you shed a single tear, cus the next morning you bet she's saying something

like i said, paige is a confrontational person and that means she's the biggest communicator

if she has a problem, she will tell you so that you guys can fix it

but sometimes she can come off a little argumentative and like she's just attacking you

she uses a lot of "you" statements so it seems like she's pushing the blame all on to you

so that can be the root of a lot of your guys' arguments when paige is only trying to solve the issues

but of course paige doesn't back down so she will be arguing with you even if she doesn't even know why, she just hates being wrong

but she doesn't let you leave or go to sleep unless the problem is fixed (or at least on the road to being fixed)

she'll give you space, she'll go another room to take a breather but she will not let you leave until it is fixed

usually after the breather you guys can come to an agreement and then paige usually hugs all the anger outta you

cus who could resist her?

if the argument lasts a couple days (it usually doesn't unless it's something serious) paige will talk it out with her mom or her friends

and you'll usually do the same

and paige will force you to sit down and talk about it until it is FIXED because she hates not being able to talk to you

and when you guys do eventually talk about it, especially if it's a serious topic, it will end with tears with both parties

but you guys always make up and everything will be better

okay okay no more angst ... for now hehehe

i feel like paige's nervous tic would be braiding the ends of her hair so i feel like that would transfer to YOU somehow

she just likes braiding your hair!!!!!! or just running her hands through your hair, it would help her relax

and if you're like me, it will help you relax as well

if you're black/have braids, she would only touch your hair if you let her!

paigey takes pictures OF EVERYTHING so obviously that includes you

her camera roll consists of ONLY you atp, like... 20% pics of literally anything else, and the rest would just be pictures of you or something to do with you

and oh my gosh don't get me started on the damn .5's of you, some of them are HORRENDOUSSSS and paige uses them as reaction pictures sometimes

and you found out from azzi that she does indeed use them in the girls groupchat

but she argues that you just look adorable which you respectfully disagree

oh and don't get me started on her tiktok drafts, she has at least 1,000 (rip her storage)

and when y'all started dating she just makes cute relationship tiktoks but she never posts them

EXPECT the "you're spinning me around, my feet are off the ground one" cus she wants to prove to the world that she has muscles

and the tiktok girlies will cry but WHO CARES!

oh and if you're on the basketball team, they will started to fan-girl over you as well

HELLA TIKTOK EDITS

and paige will favorite, repost and comment on them

like the most down-bad, insane comments you can think of

"GET THE STRAP GET THE STRAP!" is one of many ✨✨

if you aren't on the team, trust the tiktok girlies will find a way and they will make edits of you

and paige will do the same

obviously you do the same for her, your favorites are just paige edits atp (mine too)

ESPECIALLY THE GET IT SEXY ONE OMLL

and everyone will make ship edits and cutesy things like

"omg the way paige looks at her" and like a slideshow of paige being like all 😍😍😍

after paige gets more comfortable with like the media knowing about you two, she posts you every five seconds

usually like stories and stuff and especially if you’re also a basketball player, she reposts ALL your stuff

she is a proud gf !!!

she also has a highlight FOR SURE, she loves

also she def has like 10 diff wallpapers of you and her, some are really cute and some are really… 🫣

also paige strikes me as the type to like be texting you ALL DAY

and girl doesn’t care if you reply, she will send you 8 consecutive messages of different things

“omg look at the group chat 😂 *insert screeshot*” “baby they ran out of fucking caramel at dunkin, how does that happen ?” “i ended up going to a local cafe why did this shit cost me 9$” “baby you’re coming to my game on saturday right?” “HAHA look at this meme 😂” “why haven’t you responded to my tiktok’s in 2 days?”

yes she 100% uses the laughing with tears emoji argue with the WALL

or skull emoji

she also sends you 20 minute snapchat vlogs and they’re so chaotic, especially when she’s at practice or something

kk will steal her phone and say hi then you’ll hear them play fighting for like 80% of the vlog

also she does grwm’s on snapchat too when she’s at away games and her morning voice is SOOOO SEXY CUTE

↳ make sure to check out my navigation or masterlist if you enjoyed! any interaction is greatly appreciated !

azzi was convinced her life was on a downward spiral. 

she had emailed her professor at the beginning of the term with all the dates she would miss due to her basketball schedule. she even got ahead of an exam and scheduled a time for her professor to open it for her. it was so great and she was being prepared…if she had remembered the open times and showed up. but she didn’t.

she received a grade update notification today that she had got a zero on a hundred point assessment. she would be lucky if she got anything above an 80% now.

in the midst of all her anguish surrounding this, she had been walking—laptop in hand and tears on face—to practice. unfortunately, campus facilities had not got the memo that rain in the midst of december is likely to lead to freezing patches that should really be salted.

all of this to say she was now out at least two weeks with a messed up shoulder, sore ass, and bruised ego.

after a shitty day with a lot of pouting and ignoring paige, paige’s hand rubbed up and down her thigh with a gentleness that was entirely too much for her. her eyes never left azzi’s. the intensity of her look hit azzi far too low for her to acknowledge.

“tell me about it, princess,” paige’s brows furrowed and her head tilted. azzi honest to god nearly whimpered.

getting wet to a girl listening to her problems and showing genuine care? god, she was fucked.

azzi was fully aware paige wasn’t just a girl. she was so much more than that. she was her girl. but still, azzi felt pathetic.

“huh?” was the best she could reply with. her throat was too dry and she was trying to avoid doing something stupid. something stupid like grabbing paige’s hand and pulling it underneath the fabric of her pajama shorts.

paige smiled softly, so unassuming. azzi felt like an asshole. a horny asshole, but the point stands. well, it did for a moment anyway. until paige’s movements stopped the weight of her hand fell in one spot. she gently squeezed. azzi was sure she was aiming for reassuring and not the human embodiment of azzi’s wet dreams.

azzi’s lips fell open and a small breath of air escaped without her permission. her cheeks immediately flushed with her eyes falling down towards her hands which were tightly holding onto a pillow in her lap. the original indication of distress that paige had noted when she came over with flowers. this was stupid. all of it. there was the stupid pillow. the stupid veiny hands. stupid pretty blondes who try to be nice to azzi. stupid horny lesbian brains. stupid.

“paige,” azzi starts softly and simply, “i really can’t have you touching me right now.”

paige nods and pulls her hand back immediately. because of course she does, “of course. did something happen?”

azzi flushes and groans while throwing her head back, “why are you being so nice? i fucked up and was pouting and now you are sitting here petting me like some lesbian sex god. i need serious help.”

“what?” paige sputters out a laugh.

“i had a bad day and made it everyone’s problem, you didn’t deserve that. instead of getting mad at me, you have your hands on me and now instead of only feeling guilty, i feel stupidly attracted to you.” azzi’s words were rushed and far too distressed.

“why would i get mad at you?” paige laughs, “you’re allowed to be frustrated. i don’t like that you held it in so long, but i get it. also, you’re allowed to be attracted to me. i’m your girlfriend, that’s like the whole point.”

paige looked so sincere, maybe a little smug but azzi was going to ignore that one. azzi needed to pull out the tiny bit of leverage she might have. so, she pouted. like full out with bottom lip jutted out, creased brow, anguish in her features, and slouched shoulders.

paige just giggled before reaching one hand out to rest on the side of azzi’s face, rubbing small circles with her thumb on azzi’s cheek. her other stupidly veiny hand was back on azzi’s thigh. paige was evil.

“c’mon, baby. you know i can’t be mad at you, ‘s like not in my dna. prewired to not be mad at pretty doe eyed girls.” her smirk buzzed under azzi’s skin and entirely lower than she was willing to admit.

“you’re corny,” azzi’s response was weak but it was the best she could offer.

“ion know, i think you like it” paige’s words were entirely too drawn out, her shoulders shrugged.

“whatever.” azzi pushes herself off the couch and away from paige with heated cheeks.

“aw c’mon,” azzi hadn’t made it too far before paige’s hands were on her hips and pulling her back into paige’s chest. paige’s arms wrapped around azzi’s middle and her chin settled on azzi’s shoulder.

they were in the middle of azzi’s living room, but she was pretty sure it would take a damn miracle to separate them. there is nowhere beyond her girlfriend’s embrace that she would rather be.

azzi settled her arms on top of paige’s on her waist. she sagged back into her girlfriend’s arms and let out a deep breath. there was something about the weight of paige up against her back that managed to both completely calm her and unreasonably work her up.

azzi had to get them out of the living room. she was barely above pda in shared spaces on a good day.

“how about we go to your room, hm?” paige mumbles as she presses a kiss onto the side of azzi’s neck. paige always knew exactly what azzi wanted.

“please,” azzi whispers and paige smiles into the skin her mouth was still pressed into.

paige separates them slightly to avoid any walking hazards. she puts one hand low on azzi’s back and guides them towards azzi’s room.

azzi’s door is barely opened before they are separated and azzi is turning paige around, backing her into the door.

“god, you’re so pretty it’s stupid,” azzi’s hands were on either side of paige’s face while paige’s hands settled on her hips slightly pushed under her sweatshirt. 

azzi’s eyes only scan paige’s face briefly before she is pressing her mouth harshly against paige’s. azzi’s eyes instantly fall shut and she melts into the harshness of needy mouths working against each other.

she feels paige smirk into the kiss but chooses to ignore it in favor of nipping at her bottom lip. paige presses her thumbs harshly into azzi’s hips in response leaving azzi gasping before she gives her body permission to react.

at the sudden disconnect of their mouths, paige is pressing her mouth down her jaw and fuck if she didn’t know azzi’s body inside and out.

azzi wraps her arms loosely around the neck of her girl while tilting her throat slightly to offer up more skin for paige. and god, she does.

paige’s hands are still steady on azzi’s hips as her mouth trails along her jawline. azzi feels paige’s leg slot between her own and paige’s weight on her hips becomes firmer as she is pulling azzi’s weight onto her leg.

“c’mon pretty,” paige’s voice whispers against azzi’s skin. azzi can’t help but rocking down a little bit at paige’s voice. her hips tilt and she is putting pressure where she needs it most. azzi closes her eyes and lets her body move naturally against paige’s leg for just a moment longer before pulling back.

“let me get you right, please,” azzi whispers, her hands still loosely resting around paige’s shoulders.

“this is getting me right, promise,” paige’s voice was just as thick and heavy. her pupils blown wide, further confirming her words. but, azzi also recognizes she was being unfair earlier to paige. she wasn’t listening to paige and was being very bratty. she knew that paige’s affection wasn’t transactional, but god if azzi didn't want to taste and feel every part of paige.

“please,” azzi’s voice was borderline whiny as she leans back into paige’s space, “please let me. want to feel and taste you so bad.”

paige looks at azzi. her eyes shifting between azzi’s and falling down to her mouth where it stays for a moment. azzi is sure she felt that stare underneath her skin with a type of heat that was unmatched. she really loves this girl.

“yeah, okay,” paige nods and azzi is leaning back in and meeting paige’s mouth eagerly. her tongue almost immediately met paige’s.

their mouths move in harsh and quick movements that are mainly clashes of teeth and exchanging of breaths. azzi only lasts a few more moments before she is pulling back again and lifting at the edge of paige’s hoodie. paige nods and her hands quickly lift off of azzi to help in getting the hoodie off.

when the hoodie is discarded, azzi quickly puts her hands–which seem far too cold–against paige’s heated stomach. paige’s stomach tightens at the feel underneath azzi’s hands and fuck if she doesn’t let that power get to her head immediately.

she looks down at the toned pale skin underneath her hands. she knows paige is working so hard in the gym and on the court and her body was certainly proof of that. she lifts one hand and replaces it with her nail dragging up towards paige’s ribs slowly. she sees the goosebumps rise in her wake.

though her eyes are still tilted down, she hears the sharp intake of breath paige immediately tries to hide. azzi looks up and meets her eyes again, but shifts her finger to move down. trailing her nail along the edge of the sweats resting low on paige’s hips.

she watches paige’s eyes knowing they said everything her mouth couldn’t. azzi brought that out of her.

but unfortunately, if paige kept looking at her like that, azzi wasn’t sure she wouldn’t combust. so instead she put her mouth to use trailing open-mouth kisses down paige’s bare chest. eventually wrapping her mouth around one of paige’s nipples, sucking it in immediately.

“shit,” paige groans out, putting her hand on the back of azzi’s head, holding her to her chest. azzi’s fingernail dips under the sweatpants band sitting on paige’s hips.

azzi brings the hand not dipping into paige’s pants up to the other side of paige’s chest to ensure equal attention is shown. azzi squeezes at the skin as she bites at what was currently in her mouth. paige, always so responsive to the sting, arches into azzi’s touch and azzi takes that moment to slip her hand further down paige’s pants remaining outside the underwear.

her nail now trailing up and down the wet patch outside paige’s underwear. the pressure of her fingernail was too light to do anything more than frustrate paige.

“c’mon, baby. need to sit down or lay down, please," paige's whiny tone immediately went to azzi’s head causing her to pick up her motions for only a moment longer before pulling away looking at the flushed skin and bruises that her mouth was leaving.

azzi steps back again, mouth completely dry at the sight of the girl before her. she really had no idea how she got so lucky. she was the one who got to see paige like this. not only that, she was the one who made paige like this. 

she nods as she remembers paige’s words, “yeah, let’s do that.” paige walks towards the bed grabbing azzi’s hand pulling her along.

paige is barely at the bed when azzi grabs at the band of her sweats and turns her around before pulling the sweats lightly signaling she wants them off, “please let me see you.” azzi’s voice was quiet but so needy in a way she hardly recognized, “please.”

paige slides her hand under the band and pushes them down, taking her underwear with it. she only gives azzi a moment to gape at her before sliding her hands under azzi’s sweatshirt, reaching to lift it up leaving azzi in her bra.

azzi doesn’t give her more than a moment of seeing her before dropping to her knees and sitting her hands on paige’s hips. she pushes paige lightly back so she is sitting on the edge of the bed.

azzi wraps one hand near paige’s knee. she kisses at the skin near where the knee bent. her mouth stays in that spot pressing firmly against the muscle her girlfriend has worked so hard for. god she felt herself get even wetter at the thought of all the work her girl has been putting in to look and perform her best. she knows how much it means to paige. she moans at the thought, letting herself get lost in the feeling just for a moment before peaking her eyes up to meet paige’s.

“you’re so beautiful,” paige groans, brushing a stray piece of hair out of azzi’s line of vision.

azzi stays quiet but begins moving the kisses up paige’s leg. she was sure she was leaving a wet trail of red marks along paige’s leg, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop. her eyes never once moved away from paige’s.

she uses the hand that was still near paige’s knee to lift paige’s leg over her good shoulder. this action brought azzi’s face closer towards paige’s upper thigh. closer to where she wanted to taste and feel. she bites lightly at the skin of paige’s inner thigh, selfishly, to hear paige hiss at the brief sting before brushing at azzi’s face gently again.

azzi leans her head to the side, breaking her mouth’s contact with paige’s thigh. she rests her head on her other. her eyes never once leaving paige’s.

“‘m so lucky,” azzi starts, her fingernail trailing into the skin where her leg meets her hip, trailing closer to where paige truly needs her, “no one else gets to see you like this, so pretty, so perfect.” azzi’s thumb finally meets paige’s clit, pressing down lightly. paige’s eyes close tightly and her free hand grips at the sheets behind her.

azzi smiles up at the girl, kissing the crease of her thigh, closer to where her mouth now rested. her thumb slowly moving in a circle. the wetness of paige spreading at the touch.

azzi feels paige’s thigh tense underneath her head. she hums at the feeling pressing her thumb into paige with more pressure, though the same maddeningly slow pace.

azzi leans in and presses a kiss just to the side of where her thumb was pressing slow circles onto paige’s clit. her eyes never leave paige’s face which was contorted in pleasure. 

azzi slows her thumb down, moving away her hand slowly before leaning to press a gentle kiss to where her thumb had just been. immediately, a taste so distinctly paige fills azzi’s senses. god, she loved this girl. she groaned and paige flinches lightly at the vibration pressed to her core.

azzi looks up at paige as she goes down to paige’s core and lets her tongue drag through there before moving back up towards her clit in a painfully slow pace.

paige’s fingers run slightly through azzi’s curls but tightly hold azzi’s face where she is at. azzi takes the message and begins pressing her tongue in firmer motions against paige’s clit bringing one hand back to where her mouth is. 

she lets her fingers take over for her tongue while her tongue trails down through paige’s folds. she presses in deeper trying to taste all of paige. her tongue dipping in slightly before going back up to her clit. she wanted to stay here forever. she wanted to taste paige forever. 

she brought her hand down. setting one finger at paige’s entrance and returning her kisses and slight sucking to her clit. she slightly dips the finger in, and paige clenches her thighs around azzi’s head. 

azzi lifts her gaze to meet paige, who is flushed and breathing out gasps of pleasure. paige nods and azzi slowly pushes her finger in. azzi pauses at times letting paige adjust, before pulling back out and pushing in. she continues to lap up at paige’s clit. she was very quickly losing any control of her movements. she just wanted to consume anything paige was willing to give her. unfortunately, in this moment, that was anything azzi wanted. so azzi took. as long as paige would let her, azzi would take.

by the time azzi had one finger fully settled inside paige, she was only pulling out slightly and curling it back in. she pulled her mouth off of paige with a trail connecting the two.

“yeah?” azzi tilts her head as she curls her finger just right. paige gasps, clenching her thighs again and tightening her grip in azzi’s hair.

“fuck, yes, yeah, az,” paige nods, rocking her hips slightly into azzi’s hand and closer towards her face. azzi smirks before returning to paige’s clit.

her pace is no longer slow. she now was focused on her girl. getting all she could from paige and being greedy. taking what paige would give her.

azzi only used one finger for a moment before sucking at the clit and using paige’s gasp to push a second in alongside the other. azzi doesn’t allow her a moment to breathe as her tongue is instantly alternating between sucking at the clit and licking down through her folds.

azzi’s fingers curled up inside paige setting a pace that driving paige insane. paige, in an attempt to get some control, pulled azzi closer using the leg that was propped on her shoulder. her hand tightening in azzi’s hair, though careful to not pull at the curls. she presses azzi closer and feels her nose nudge at her core. she grinds down into the feeling.

azzi was damn near drowning in her girl.

“fuck, right there,” paige says after an especially harsh thrust of azzi’s fingers. azzi smirks and returns to that spot repeatedly as she feels paige clench around her fingers.

paige has never been one to last long, but azzi knew when the talking picked up paige was close.

“god, you’re so good, so perfect, ‘m so lucky,” paige pressed harder into azzi’s face, further limiting the oxygen she was getting.

azzi’s tongue picked up the pace, she groaned again at the taste of paige that was continuing to fill her senses. she had nowhere she would rather be. she harshly sucks at the clit in time with a harsh thrust of her fingers as paige grinds down.

azzi feels it the moment paige clenches up and lets out a long, drawn out groan. azzi stills as paige takes complete control riding out against azzi’s face. azzi laps up at paige drawing out every sound she could as paige rides it out.

azzi continues to lap up at her until paige is letting out oversensitive huffs of breath, weakly pushing azzi back.

“god,” she breathes out, winded and entirely too red, “you’re stupid good at that.”

azzi smirks before pressing a kiss at paige’s oversensitive core, causing a slight hiss out of paige who pushes back at azzi leaning back to lay down.

“i need a few minutes before i let you do that again,” paige groans, throwing an arm over her eyes.

azzi grins and giggles with a gentle pat to paige’s leg, “is that a promise?” her voice was far too smug.

paige lifts herself onto her elbows and pouts down at the girl still on her knees in front of her, “bruh.” azzi laughs leaning her head onto paige’s knee, “you must be obsessed with me or something.”

“or something,” azzi hums as she pushes herself off the ground. she stands up and leans down to press a kiss onto paige’s mouth who groans and pushes her away.

“nuh-uh. you are not about to leave a mess of my face,” azzi smirks at her, “plus, i really am like so sensitive i could die or something,” paige shrugs, falling back down.

“hey, it’s your mess,” azzi puts her hands up in defense before stepping back to grab her hoodie.

“what are you doing?” paige pouts seeing her putting the hoodie back on.

“going to get a towel, and maybe wash my face so my girlfriend will kiss me,” azzi is smirking as she steps towards the bathroom door.

“but, i didn’t even get you right,” paige pouts and azzi coos at her.

“p, i promise, that was more than enough for me. i don’t need to come for sex to be great. and i know you will get me many more times,” she steps back towards her girlfriend who was now covered in goosebumps at the chill of the room, “plus, i was a total bitch, and you didn’t deserve that. i know sex isn’t transactional, but it means a lot that you trust me enough to convey all the things i can’t always say.”

azzi leans down and kisses paige’s cheek. paige lets her go with a soft smile and a nod, knowing azzi was stubborn and not going to budge on this.

azzi returned a few minutes later with a warm wash cloth and towel. she gently cleans paige up making sure to be extra careful, knowing how sensitive paige gets.

“thank you,” azzi says softly as she sets the wash cloth in her laundry basket before returning to lay beside her girlfriend.

“what for?” paige’s voice was sleepy but her attention was fully on azzi. her attention was always on azzi.

“for loving me,” azzi shrugs, leaning into her girlfriend’s side. she loved feeling paige’s skin, even in the non-intimate moments. especially in the non-intimate moments. paige huffs lightly leaning down to face azzi.

“always. and i mean that so sincerely, i love you always,” paige kisses the top of azzi’s head before closing her eyes.

“i love you,” azzi whispers, her words speaking more than she ever could.

feedback would be appreciated!! tysm <3

Working with Paige was convenient, Azzi realized quickly. The daily work was often finished before she even made it to the business office after seeing the boys off to school. More often than not, Paige had already highlighted a task from Azzi's handwritten list making it clear where Azzi would find her.

At first Azzi checked in because she needed reassurance. She liked seeing the work with her own eyes. But over the weeks she found herself lingering longer than necessary, asking questions, offering suggestions, and waiting for Paige's responses with an interest that had less to do with management and more to do with Paige herself.

Every time that Azzi would walk around the property, she would see Paige in a new spot. The fencing was a current large project and Azzi would often see Paige hunched over wire fencing. As it has gotten warmer out, she has been wearing a Gilded Grove tank top that showed off her arms. Her color was darkening and she was always standing out in the sun with muscles taught in motion and sweat beading. Azzi may or may not have done a few extra walks around in order to catch a glimpse of Paige’s arms which were always on display. It served her mind well to see the product of Paige's hard work. Or at least that was the excuse Azzi gave herself whenever she found another reason to walk past whatever project Paige was working on.

Outside of her work and the visuals of the work, Azzi appreciated her presence. Paige was incredibly polite. If Azzi wasn’t aware that she had been a born and raised southerner, five minutes of conversation would’ve given her away. Every phrase punctuated with a ma’am, her voice soft and yet her humor often took Azzi by surprise. On the first day they had met, Paige had barely uttered a few words outside of pleasantries and now she was joking with Azzi and befriending other ranch employees. Azzi took note that everyone had naturally gravitated towards Paige. Everyone from the farriers–Aubrey and Ayanna–to the more reserved mechanic–Kayleigh. Paige was charismatic and made everyone feel heard and appreciated. 

The routine was simple. Every morning Azzi would walk the property before waking the boys up. As she walked, she mentally organized her list of tasks for Paige before returning to the business office. In the office she would finalize the list and have it posted in the shed for when Paige arrived. Paige would often arrive early when the boys were getting ready to leave for school. Azzi would watch her park her old pick up truck and walk to the shed as the boys often passed by when heading towards the bus and greeted the woman who always smiled brightly.

Azzi always loved routines and felt it heavily when her schedule shifted too far. Azzi depended on routine more than she cared to admit. It kept the ranch running, kept the boys fed, and kept her anxiety manageable.

Which was exactly why sleeping through her alarm felt like a disaster.

It had been an off morning. Azzi slept in late after spending much of the previous evening sorting through past due ledgers that hit her email inbox at nearly 10 pm. She had already been up later than anticipated and the email just delayed her sleep even further. It wasn’t until nearly two in the morning by the time she could finally fall asleep.

Frantic shaking of her arm jolted her awake. She immediately sits up trying to force her eyes open, squinting at the light peaking through her window. Her mouth was dry, body stiff, and mind completely disoriented.

“Azzi, we’re late,” Sam rushed out, looking worried.

Azzi’s eyes immediately shifted to look at the old alarm clock on her side table. They likely just missed the bus.

“Shit,” she groans before rubbing at her eyes, “is your brother up?” she asks while throwing the comforter off her body and immediately hugging herself as she tries to avoid the cold of the room.

“Yeah, he woke me up and then started getting ready.”

Azzi nods at his words. She is barely processing them in her sleepy stupor. She sees the edges of morning peaking in through her window. Damn, she must’ve been unreasonably tired to sleep through the bright ass sun pestering her.

“Go get ready, I’ll drive you guys.” She juts her chin out in the direction of the door, silently dismissing him so she could get ready.

The morning was rushed. Enough to leave her bitter and barely dressed enough for social expectations. Her mother would be highly upset if she were to see her. Alas, she had two high school boys waiting for her to get it together enough to drive them into town.

The three of them cramp in the truck, Ethan stuck in the middle seat. Azzi could feel the truck bouncing with his leg as he anxiously looked from his watch to the field. She feels bad for the boy and softens at his visible nerves, letting the truck rumble to life as she shifts the gears and pulls down the gravel road.

“‘M sorry,” Azzi’s voice was muffled by the engine which rattled the whole vehicle against the gravel road.

Sam shrugs at the words as he leans his head onto the window, “happens.”

Azzi could read his tone. Used to happen might’ve been the better phrasing. She had known Eli had his fair share of hangovers that left him missing alarms, appointments, and too much for the boys. She also knew that there was zero reason for her to do this and it wasn’t fair towards the boys. They deserved more than adults who slacked off or messed with their ability to function. They were just kids.

Her posture stiffens and the words cause her to clench the steering wheel as her jaw ticks in frustration. Not at Sam, never at him. At her brother and herself, but never Sam.

“I will make sure it won’t again,” Azzi grits out. And she would. If she could control it, she would make sure she was on time and there for everything they needed.

Ethan shifts slightly. His body leaned closer to Azzi but his head turned away towards his brother. His sigh was more visible than audible, a mere huff of disbelief. Not a conscious reaction but present nonetheless. Azzi swore it would be ingrained in her memory. She didn’t want to let these boys down.

The rest of the drive to the school was void of conversation and instead filled with the rumble of the truck as she hurried down the country roads towards the town. Only when the school came into sight did human noise fill the truck again. The boys in hushed conversation as they shift around reaching out to double check their book bags.

The old red truck slowed to a stop in front of the school, the doors long shut and the halls visibly empty through the window panels that lined the doors. Guilt was thickly lining her stomach as the boys hurried out of the truck barely calling out their goodbyes over their shoulder.

Her head falls to the steering wheel with her curls falling around and into her face as the boys make it through the front doors at the secretary’s station. The pressure of the steering wheel on her head does nothing but irritates her more. The heat of tears forming behind her eyes threatens her already frustrated mind. The groan leaves her throat as the heels of her hand reach up and press into her eyes.

Needless to say, this morning had started off a bit rough. By the time she got back to the ranch and sat behind her desk, there seemed to be an endless flow of emails even thicker than she had left it with last night. It would take her hours to get through all of them and she doubted she would even have a chance to get out of this damn room until closer to dinner time.

She clicks on the first email, irritation bubbles up again.

Hello Azzi.

We are running slightly behind due to a manufacturing order. Your feed delivery will not arrive until closer to 7 pm. In a show of appreciation for your committed loyalty, we have included five extra containers of your preferred feed as well as a sample of our multi-nutrient supplement mixture for horses.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Great. In addition to a shitty morning, she would be staying out of the house even later than anticipated for some manual labor. All of the ranch employees would be gone by this point and she would be stuck unloading the delivery truck and sorting through the supply.

A gentle knock at the door connected to the shed shakes Azzi from the thought of another late night. She turns as the door slowly creaks open.

“Good morning, ma’am. I’m so sorry to bug you, I finished everything on the list and fixed a few things that looked urgent. Before I go bothering everyone else for work, did you have anything specific in mind?” Her voice was softened and her eyes scanned cautiously.

Azzi was sure her face was flushed with the irritation of the day having not fully melted off. Her cheeks heat even more at the thought of someone seeing her so flustered. She blinks slowly while breathing out through her nose attempting to settle herself and be a bit more composed before responding. Her eyes flick to her desk as she reaches out to the papers in front of her, giving her hands something to do.

“Sorry, rough morning,” her voice was steady and the words simple if not a little clipped, “I haven’t had the chance to get a list around.”

Azzi looks up and notices the younger woman nodding, her hands tucked into her pockets. It was now that Azzi noticed the flushed skin from her early morning work and the patterns of dirt that piled thickly on her jeans, likely from her time in the horse stalls. One thing Azzi also noticed was that Paige seemed eager to help in any way she could. The girl was practically twitching to reach out and sort the stacks of papers on Azzi’s desk. Her eyes were scanning over the documents as if she could make any sense of the work laid out in front of Azzi.

Azzi nods her head towards the chair across from her at her desk, “wanna sit? I can work on the list and you can update me on things you’ve done.”

The offer was simple while still allowing the control to remain in Azzi’s possession. Paige bites and walks towards the seat in front of Azzi. She looks up at Azzi, as if asking permission to sit, before noticing the older woman was still watching her every move. She settles into the cushion on the old wooden chair, leaning back without the stiffness she'd carried during their first meeting on the ranch. Azzi grins at the position lightly but doesn’t mention it before looking at the paper in front of her. The silence stretches just a moment before Azzi prompts the younger girl.

“Tell me what you’ve done today,” her voice didn’t ask, rather than telling Paige what she needed to do.

“Oh, right, sorry about that ma’am. I, uh, did the daily tasks. Y’know, cleaning the stalls, turning out the horses, filling the feeders, and clearing out the watering bin.” Her words pause and Azzi looks back up. She nods at Paige to continue and the blonde girl notices before continuing, “after that, I went and fixed the wiring out by the trail that you had suggested last time and then I came here.”

Azzi looks at the girl. She seems eager for feedback. It’s almost as if she needed the confirmation that she had done what she was supposed to. Azzi recognized herself in Paige for just a moment. The need for acknowledgement and appreciation. The recognition that she had done what was expected.

“Good,” Paige settles slightly, yet her posture doesn’t change as Azzi’s eyes remain locked on hers, “well, I suppose at this point the next project I can give you is the old tractors out front. You know the ones, right?” 

Azzi tilts her head and Paige nods.

“The larger one has been making this weird noise and leaving random patches that the horses aren’t taking too kindly to. I need you to fix that. I’ve tried lord knows how many times and I am sure my brother has too, if you can’t get it, we can look into some newer options.”

The slight wince was immediate. Azzi hid a smile. She was starting to learn exactly which buttons motivated Paige.

“No, ma’am. That shouldn’t be necessary. I am sure I’ve got it,” her voice was quick, though not cocky.

“I’m sure you do,” Azzi hums looking back down to the paper in front of her, just missing the redness creeping up on Paige’s neck.

“Right, uhm,” Paige clears her throat, “what time should I break for the delivery?”

Azzi groans at the reminder that she would have to work late and get that sorted before tomorrow. Paige pauses at the groan and Azzi notices the tiny twitching before waving her off slightly.

“They sent an email that they won’t be here until this evening, I’ve got it.” She hands the new list over to Paige who stands.

“How late?” Paige’s voice was nonchalant as she looked over the list in her hands, scanning for any tiny tasks that she should complete before the tractors.

“I think they said seven,” Azzi shrugs, leaning back in her chair, crossing her arms across her stomach while resting her elbows on the handles.

“I could stay over and help,” Paige offers, her voice slightly shy but her eyes never lift from the paper.

Azzi paused at the words. Paige was an amazing helper and great company to have around, but she also understood it would be asking a lot of her to have her give her evening up.

“No need, I should be able to sort through it all. Plus, I can’t ask you to leave and then come back.”

Paige pauses and lifts her head up to meet Azzi’s eyes. This gives Azzi pause.

“I really don’t mind, ma’am. I can stay here after I finish. ‘M sure I can make myself useful.”

Azzi stills her chair and looks at Paige. She scans her face for any signs that she is being condescending, questioning Azzi’s ability to do it on her own. She didn’t find any. Instead, she saw someone eager to be helpful and truly believe that they were contributing to the ranch. Paige seemed as though she genuinely wanted to help, like it would make her happy to help.

“You know you’d essentially be working for free, right? I can’t pay you any extra,” Azzi offers a final out, though she knew she was close to allowing the younger woman to help. She had enjoyed her time working with Paige and would appreciate getting the delivery done faster.

“Yes, ma’am. I promise it is not about the money,” Paige replies once more.

“I won’t say no to help, but if you stay you’re letting us feed you,” a smile fills her face at the woman who relaxes and beams back.

“Thank you, ma’am. That would be great,” Paige’s voice was slightly brighter at that and Azzi softened, smiling just a bit brighter.

“Dinner will be served at six, we all eat together,” Azzi informs Paige before turning back to her computer.

“I’ll be there, thank you, again,” Paige brightens.

“Thank you, Paige,” the softness in her voice only slightly surprises her. She knows she has a tendency to be a bit softer with younger people.

“Of course,” she says one more time before making her way through the door back to the shed.

The door creaks shut behind her and Azzi lifts her head once more to look at where Paige had just disappeared.

The younger woman was too kind for her own good. Paige never seemed to assume the worst of people. If anything, she expected kindness first and disappointment second. Azzi wasn't sure if that was youth, optimism, or something uniquely Paige, but it stood in sharp contrast to her own instincts.

Years of navigating small-town expectations had taught Azzi to look past politeness and search for what people really meant. Paige, on the other hand, seemed to take people at their word.

It made Azzi worry, her protective instincts flaring. Not because Paige was naive. The younger woman was clearly capable and more than able to hold her own. But kindness had a way of attracting people eager to take advantage of it.

Maybe that was why Azzi found herself keeping an eye on her.

Paige already stood out enough in their corner of Texas. The tank tops, the rough hands, the easy references to old girlfriends and experiences that are abnormal to most of their small town. None of it bothered Azzi, but she knew firsthand that acceptance in a small town could be conditional.

She remembered leaving for college and discovering entire communities of people who didn't spend every day trying to make themselves smaller. Even now, years later, there were still people back home who preached acceptance on Sunday and judgment the rest of the week.

Paige didn't seem interested in shrinking herself for anyone. Azzi admired that.

The rest of the day went much like this. Azzi would respond to several emails before her mind would wander to the young woman who was likely being highly productive around the ranch. She only let her mind wander a time or two before she found herself leaving the business office to make her rounds. She was at her best when she had eyes on the work being done. It was easier to correct in the moment than to go back later and make adjustments if they were necessary.

By the time that the sun began to shift from blinding brightness to warmer hues, Azzi was finally feeling better about the emails and the state of the ranch. She had worked the emails down to a dozen that needed a response. She was able to get a majority of them done when her walking trip had resulted in a quick reassurance that Paige could in fact fix the tractor without help.

She shut the laptop and stretched her arms high above her head, leaning back in the seat. It was ridiculous the amount of muscles and joints she became aware of after a day of sitting hunched over a laptop. Her stiff body protested as she pushed herself away from the desk and out of the chair. Her eyes were quick to scan the office for any pressing issues that needed to be addressed before she locked up for the night.

Noting none, she made her way through the doors and out into the fresh air. The weather was starting to shift into the sticky warmth that came with the Texas humidity at this time of the year. Bugs instantly attracted to this type of weather and buzzed around the ranch with a promise of irritation.

Azzi allows herself a moment to lean her neck back and breathe in the air. Her eyes close on instinct but eventually open when the sun doesn’t seem to question her need for sight much longer. Her feet were planted in the gravel outside the doors that had just been locked and she did a quick scan around her.

She sees several employees of the ranch carrying equipment to their intended locations and preparing to end their days. When she looks to her left, she sees the doors to the horse stalls open. Beside the doors, Paige was standing with one of the boarding horses. She was likely turning him out.

Azzi pauses her movements and sees Paige smiling with a moving mouth. She had to have been talking to the horse as she reached back to rub soothingly at his side and along the spine. It was a simple touch that the young horse relaxed into, but Azzi knew that Paige was being deliberate. She was using the connection she had with the horse to feel along the back for any patching or bumps. They had been monitoring this horse and he had become skittish any time someone had come to check on him.

Azzi watches the horse and Paige just a few moments longer, the corners of her mouth twitching up just slightly. Paige begins to turn and Azzi quickly turns away, shoving her hands in her pockets. She begins heading towards the house knowing the boys had been home for a bit and were likely completing their homework before going to do their evening chores.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” a voice breathed out from behind her, slightly winded as she approached the doors. Azzi pauses and turns to see Paige who must have been returning the young horse to his stall before heading in this direction.

“Hmm,” Azzi hums as she squints, now facing the sun which illuminated Paige’s outline in front of her.

“So sorry to bother you, I know dinner won’t be done for another hour or so and well I have finished my work,” Paige pauses hesitantly, Azzi nods for her to continue, “well I had planned on going into town after work to do some online courses I have. I brought my computer and everything, and well I guess I was wondering if I would possibly be able to use your internet for that. I promise, I will stay on the porch and won’t even make a peep. I will be real quiet.”

Paige’s words were rushed and Azzi noticed the southern drawl most thickly on her last words as she seemed to be building up anxiety. The request surprised her. Paige was usually the one offering help, not asking for it. It was the first time Paige felt really young to her.

“It’s not a problem. The boys have trouble connecting to their internet too far from the router though, why don’t you come in. You can work at the table while I’m working on dinner,” Azzi shrugs the words out casually, though they don’t feel too casual at all.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary. I don’t want to intrude, that’s y’all’s space, I can work out here,” Paige’s cheeks take on a rosy hue that was noticeable even in her shadowed state.

“You aren’t intruding, just come on in,” Azzi laughs before turning on her heel and heading towards the door, not giving Paige room to argue.

She hears a sigh behind her as Paige turns to her old truck to grab a laptop bag before returning to the porch that Azzi was waiting at with a grin on her face and hands on her hips, “two rules. One, shoes are taken off on the porch.” She pauses, shifting her attention to the mat by the door, “Two, devices go away when dinner is done. If you are in the middle of an assignment, you will have to finish it at another point. Understood?”

A smile breaks through Paige’s face at the rules, she nods while adjusting the strap to the laptop bag over her shoulder, “yes, ma’am.”

Azzi just smiles once more before turning to kick her own work boots off on the mat before reaching down to the key ring in her pocket, unlocking the old door. Paige follows quietly behind her. Azzi guides the younger girl quietly to the table that was in the kitchen rather than the dining table that she knew the boys would be working at. She figured she wouldn’t throw Paige to the wolves right away. She would save that for dinner… when she could watch.

“Boys, we have company. Miss Paige is in here doing some work, so if you finish your homework, make sure to be mindful of our guest,” Azzi calls out and Paige flushes at the acknowledgement, though the corner of her mouth quirks up.

There is not a response, but she does hear the soft shuffle of footsteps until Ethan makes his presence known in the kitchen. He smiles politely over to Paige, nodding his head before walking over to Azzi.

“Auntie Az,” he says to get her attention as she is washing her hands, making quick work of the task before beginning to pull the ingredients she would need for dinner. Azzi hums to acknowledge him, “who is Miss Paige?”

He looks over his shoulder at the younger woman who was intensely pretending to focus on her computer and ignore the conversation that was clearly centered around who she was. Azzi giggles slightly at the look on Paige’s face which was very clearly trying to not tilt up and pay attention.

“You remember how Enzo was getting us some help for the ranch?” Azzi offers as she begins putting the ingredients together, Ethan nods, “well this is who we ended up getting.”

Ethan nods as he looks back over his shoulder once more, “but, uh, she looks really young. And she is a lady, and no disrespect, but I don’t think we have ever had a lady as ranch helper.”

Azzi pauses before turning her full attention to him and away from Paige who was clearly embarrassed by the conversation, but began pressing on the keys of her laptop.

“We got Miss Paige because she has a lot of experience and we needed the help. You and your brother aren’t exactly keeping this place afloat,” she jokes and Ethan rolls his eyes as she leans to the side while cocking her head, “and what’s being a lady got to do with anything? I’m a lady.”

Ethan laughs at this, “yeah but she is like a real lady, you’re…you.” Paige snorts at this and Azzi glances around her nephew to glare at the younger girl who hasn’t shifted her attention away from her laptop, but now has a hand in front of her mouth.

“You need to not be around the teenage boys if this is how you are going to be talking to me afterwards,” she shakes her head and Ethan lets out a laugh, at once sounding so young.

“Sorry, Auntie Az. It’s just different, no disrespect,” he begins to stand up and walk away, holding his hands up in surrender.

Azzi smiles down at the vegetables she had been cutting up and shakes her head. When he finally is out of the room, Azzi looks up once more to see Paige smiling at her. It was polite in a way that felt more comfortable than the two had any right to be with each other. Azzi smiled back before she could even help it.

“What are you grinning at over there?” Azzi groans playfully, taking the chopped vegetables and putting them into the pot on the stove. The hiss of oil hits them almost immediately and the smell begins to fill the space.

“Nothing, you’re just,” and she pauses, as if searching for the right word, “you’re different with them.”

Azzi could hear the smile in Paige’s voice, but she pauses and turns her head slightly to give the younger woman more attention as she stirs the vegetables.

“What do you mean?”

“I dunno. It’s like the way you talk about them is really soft and yet protective and then you take the time to explain things to them that teach a lesson without seeming harsh and too parental.” Paige shrugs and Azzi considers her words before smiling back at the stove.

“I haven't noticed that before, thank you. I think I needed to hear that,” by the end her words were softer and spoken as if they shouldn’t be heard.

Paige shrugs, fingers still making quick work of the keyboard.

“Just an observation I had, you’re the one doing all the hard work, ma’am,” Paige’s response was simple.

There was something sincerely wrong with Paige. Like fully and whole-heartedly wrong with her. She finally got the single hotel room, a rarity that she was normally not afforded, and had alone time. She has been feeling pent up and thought she could use the time to, you know, take the edge off.

Unfortunately for Paige, ever since she had been such an idiot to fall into bed with her best friend, she has been unable to get herself off. It was truly the worst situation to be in.

Sure, her and Azzi had slowly fallen into the habit of reaching out to each other if they needed to get off or let off some steam, but to not be able to get herself off? Requiring her best friend who she wasn’t supposed to see in that way? That was a new low even for Paige.

Now Paige was aware that she could probably send a text to Azzi and invite her over. She was pretty sure Azzi was just back in her room reading and would be more than willing. But she was at least somewhat above looking like a teenage boy who couldn’t keep it in his pants.

Paige had been the initiator in their past couple of meet ups, which were becoming more frequent. She wanted Azzi to want this as much as she did. So she had decided to wait for Azzi to be the first to reach out. Unfortunately for Paige, it has been almost two weeks and Azzi has not initiated anything.

Paige let out a groan and rubbed the heels of her hands against her eyes. She turned her head over to the side looking at the shitty hotel clock blinking mockingly back at her. It was only eight and she was sure her teammates would be around and she could go bug someone. She couldn’t be alone with her hands that could only do so much before they started adding to her frustration.

She grabbed her phone and slipped on her shoes quickly. She was going to go insane in this room. What the hell was wrong with her?

She headed out the door and down the hallway. She hadn’t been paying too much attention to where everyone was staying after finding out she would get her own room. She knew they had this hall but figured the knock and check approach was going to have to be her best bet.

She reaches the first door to the left of hers and knocks while straightening up her posture which was no doubt slouched over and grouchy by nature.

“Paige! What’s up?” Aubrey opens the door and behind her Paige sees Jana and Ice sitting on the chairs in the corner scrolling on their phones.

“Bro, I am so damn bored,” not totally a lie but Paige figured airing out her sexual frustrations seemed off the table at the moment.

“Oh, well we were getting ready to head over to KK’s room. She mentioned something about pizza and games. Want to come?” Aubrey offers.

“Yeah, sounds good,” Paige shrugs and Aubrey turns around to call Jana and Ice over.

“You’re not with Azzi?” Aubrey grins as she turns back in the direction of Paige. Paige flushes and lets out a groan.

They hadn’t told anyone they were…doing whatever it is that they are doing, but Paige was sure most of the team had figured it out or thought they had it figured out. She knew how her and Azzi were.

“No, she was reading or something,” Paige explains and Aubrey hums leading the way down the hall pushing them slightly ahead of Jana and Ice.

“Well,” Aubrey’s voice drops, “I am pretty sure Carol is going to be at KK’s which means Azzi should be alone. Ya know, if you want to go hangout,” Aubrey’s smirk grows and Paige looks over her shoulder to see Jana and Ice walking slowly a good distance behind. She was hopeful that they hadn’t heard Aubrey.

“Nah, I want to spend time with my teammates and plus she is probably reading or something,” Paige shrugs and puts her hands in her pockets.

“Paige, I am sure she would much rather see you. I am pretty sure she specifically told Carol to go in hopes of her being alone finding its way back to you,” Paige pauses at that.

“Azzi would just tell me if she wanted to hangout,” Paige slows down and Aubrey slows to match her pace.

“I think you know better than anyone else that Azzi is not going to put herself in a spot that leaves her vulnerable for rejection. Her room is seven-twelve, just get out of here and go see her,” Paige stops entirely at that and turns to face Aubrey for a second.

She just nods dumbly, “uhm, yeah. I guess I can go see what she is up to.” Aubrey smirks and pats Paige on the shoulder before continuing in the direction of KK’s room. 

Ice and Jana eventually reach where Paige’s feet are still planted firmly on the ground. They just smirk and pass her. That made Paige’s neck heat and her skin crawl at the idea that everyone just knew what was going on. Hell, she didn’t even know what was going on.

With a flushed neck she looked back at her teammates who were still walking in the opposite direction of the hall. 

She turned and headed in the direction of that room while looking over her shoulder as if she was doing something sneaky. She wasn’t. She was visiting a teammate. Her brain recognized that but her heart threatened to beat out of her chest and the sweaty palms didn’t catch up.

Paige reached the door and paused while allowing herself a moment to wipe her hands on her sweatpants. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for just a moment before lifting her shaking hand to the door. She had knocked so gently that she would be surprised if Azzi would have even heard.

She waited for a few moments before raising her hand to knock again. Instead of meeting the door, the door opened revealing Azzi standing flushed and smiling at Paige. Azzi stood in some oversized boxer shorts that Paige is pretty sure she let her borrow the last time she stayed over. On top she had an oversized sweatshirt that was some UCONN merch drop with everyone’s face, but Paige stood at the center.

Paige was wholly fucked if her stomach would drop at the site of Azzi in team merch. She had a long season ahead of her.

“Hi,” Azzi’s smile was bright, easily reaching her eyes as her voice was soft.

“Hi,” Paige’s voice was just as soft if not a little breathless.

“Do you want to come in?” Azzi asks and Paige swears she tilts her head down and peaks up at Paige through her lashes. Fuck her, that isn’t fair.

“As long as I am not disturbing you,” Paige smirks and offers the familiar teasing tone. Azzi just laughs and grabs Paige’s wrist pulling her through the door.

Paige follows dumbly behind Azzi who shuts the door around Paige and leads back into the hotel room. If Paige’s eyes shift lower, that was entirely no one’s business. “So, why are you avoiding the team hangouts?” Paige asks as her mind wanders. Azzi sighs and sits back on the bed that still had blankets crumpled from where she must’ve been sitting when Paige knocked.

“Ugh,” Azzi rolls her eyes, “did Carol put you up to this? I swear I just need a break from the noise.” She dramatically leans back onto her pillows.

Paige laughs and puts her hands up in defense, “I haven’t even talked to Carol. That question was all me.”

Azzi pouts and leans up on one elbow which causes her sweatshirt to shift slightly, revealing her collarbone and sports bra to Paige. Paige faltered at that.

“Can’t a girl just want some peace and quiet?” her head tilted and Paige honest-to-God couldn’t breathe. She was going insane.

“Oh-, yeah no for sure. I was just,” Paige cleared her throat, “wondering.” Her voice probably cracked. Azzi smiled.

Paige moved to sitting on the side of the bed next to Azzi. It was better to be sitting beside her than staring straight at her. That much Paige could hope.

“What’re you reading?” Paige gestures with her chin towards the book that was face down on the night stand beside Azzi.

Azzi hums, turning her head to look at the book before sitting up and grabbing the book. “Some cheesy raunchy romance book,” Azzi smirks, “you’d be surprised by how freaky this author can make a cowboy sound.”

“Jesus,” Paige huffs out with a laugh, “I don’t even want to know.”

“Are you sure?” Azzi teases, “there might be a few pointers you could try out.”

Paige gasps in faux offense at Azzi’s teasing words. “My technique is just fine, mind you,” Paige’s hand was on her chest as if she was offended though her tone was still joking.

Azzi smirked knowing she had Paige right where she wanted her. If Paige was any wiser she would’ve sniffed out the trap and not let her stupid pride get ahead of her. Azzi shrugged and looked nonchalantly back at her book.

“Could never hurt,” her voice was soft but her words were sharp and teasing in a way Paige wished she was immune to.

“Excuse me,” now Paige knew she didn’t have to prove herself. She knew she did just fine—no better than that—at making Azzi come, but her pride wouldn’t let her keep her stupid mouth shut. She also tended to have a looser tongue with Azzi around.

“What?” Azzi turned to Paige with a calm face, “everyone has room to get better.”

“Right,” Paige scoffs, leaning back against the pillows, “coming from you, that is crazy.”

“And what does that mean?” Azzi crosses her arms and narrows her eyes at Paige.

“Come on, ma,” Paige chuckles, lightly turning her head towards Azzi, “we both know I have gotten you right every single time. I also remember you rubbing my arm last time,” Paige takes her own finger and drags the nail gently down Azzi’s bicep, “so perfect, P.” Her voice is soft and higher trying to mimic the tone Azzi reserves for Paige.

Azzi flushes and pulls her arm away with a small jolt, Paige smirks knowing she is winning this one.

“Pillow talk after head must’ve made you delusional,” Azzi shrugs, keeping her arms across her chest.

“Right,” Paige laughs though her stomach clenches at the thought of the head she received. Damn, she really needed to get off. “So tell me what Mr. Cowboy did that made him so special.” Paige turned so her body was fully facing Azzi.

The ball was back in Azzi’s court and she was smiling up with a hum directed at Paige, lightly looking up through her lashes. “Well, first he was all into feeling her up and telling her how she was pretty, but also a slut.” Her crude words jumping straight to the point settled hot under Paige’s skin. “The back and forth of being so good but being a slut for him was hot. He really knows how to talk. He also happens to be really into her whole body. Like leaving no part untouched.”

Paige breathed out a shaky breath, being this turned on at the girl in front of her talking about a fictional man worshiping his girl was a new low. Even for Paige. “You’re insane, Az” is all Paige offers in response to Azzi’s words.

Azzi smirks and leans closer to Paige running her finger along Paige’s arm and pressing closely. “You know,” she starts with her voice low, “he sounds like a true eater. Like he gets off from just being in it,” Paige is sure she was visibly breathless.

“God, you drive me insane” Paige whispers and Azzi tilts her head slightly.

“I do?” her voice is still soft though it is clear she knows the weight they hold. Her finger does let up trailing up and down Paige’s arm.

“Yeah,” Paige’s breath is ragged, “you do.”

Paige barely has time to process Azzi’s smirk growing before she is grabbing the back of Azzi’s neck and pulling her in.

Kissing Azzi might be one of the top experiences in Paige’s life. Azzi was warm and soft and her mouth fit perfectly against Paige’s.

Paige tilted her head slightly, with a small bite at Azzi’s lip. Azzi gasped gently and Paige took the moment to press into the girl’s mouth. Azzi’s hand tightened into a steady grip on Paige’s arm while the other wrapped around Paige’s neck, letting her fingers tangle in the hairs at Paige’s nape.

Azzi manages to pull them impossibly closer and breathes shakily into the kiss. In the breathy pause, Paige catches Azzi’s lip between her own and pulls back gently separating their mouths.

Holding onto her neck, Paige takes the brief separation to look at Azzi. Azzi’s eyes were full of heady desire and were starting to hood over. Paige only lasted a moment longer before pressing back in and meeting their mouths in a way that was quickly losing its finesse.

Paige’s tongue was pressing into Azzi’s mouth while Azzi was struggling to keep up. Paige knew what making out could do for Azzi and decided to let her breathe.

Paige let her mouth trail away from Azzi’s lips and along her jaw up towards the shell of her ear. Azzi let out soft breaths in Paige’s ear which only motivated her further. Paige reached the top part of Azzi’s jaw and just below her ear before she began sucking at the skin lightly. She alternated between sucking at the skin and sloppy kisses to soothe the skin.

Azzi’s hands, which had previously relaxed slightly in Paige’s hair, had tightened and pulled at Paige slightly, separating the girl from her neck. “No marks,” her voice was breathy and deeper than normal. Paige felt herself groan against Azzi’s neck at the words.

“No marks,” Paige repeated, trailing the sloppy kisses down Azzi’s neck and onto the available skin of her collarbone that had been peaking out of her sweatshirt.

Azzi removes her hands from Paige’s hair and puts on her chest slightly pushing Paige back. Paige groans before Azzi’s hands reach for the bottom of her sweatshirt. She quickly removes the item and tosses it to the side.

“Fuck,” is all Paige manages to get out at the exposure of more the unblemished skin of her chest and her toned stomach. Her eyes trail as Azzi reaches for the bottom of Paige’s hoodie, “you too.”

Paige is quick to oblige in removing the article that was creating an irritating amount of distance between her and Azzi. There was no finesse in her removal and the item is also thrown to the side joining Azzi’s.

Azzi’s hands lay flat on Paige’s chest meeting warm skin and the edge of her sports bra. “Lay down,” her voice is raspy with heady desire and Paige quickly obeys. Azzi crosses her leg over Paige’s hip letting herself straddle Paige’s waist.

Paige’s hands immediately find Azzi’s thighs and squeeze gently before rubbing her hands slowly up slightly under the edge of her shorts. Azzi smirks before she reaches down to resume kissing Paige. It doesn’t take long for the kiss to turn even hungrier and Paige to grow restless underneath Azzi.

“Come on, let me feel you,” Paige’s lips detach from Azzi’s. Azzi smirks down, lips swollen, red, and entirely too sinful.

“No one’s stopping you,” is all Azzi says.

Paige’s hands and mouth start wandering. Her hands make quick use and find the band of Azzi’s sports bra. Her fingers trace along the edge slightly before dipping underneath the band. 

With her fingers now slipping underneath the band of the  bra, she grabs at the newly exposed skin. She squeezes as she mouths at Azzi’s collarbone. Azzi arches into Paige’s touch before leaning back.

Paige’s hands hold at Azzi’s ribs keeping her close while Azzi takes the sports bra off.

“God, you’re beautiful,” Paige whispers—mostly to herself—at the sight in front of her.

Azzi’s skin flushes and Paige is leaning forward to press open mouth kisses down Azzi’s chest. “Every part of you, ‘s insane,” Paige groans into Azzi’s skin as her hand finds Azzi’s nipple. The touch jolting Azzi as Paige’s mouth meets the other.

“Paige,” Azzi breathes, pressing her chest further into Paige’s touch.

The two were so caught up in each other that neither had heard the clicking of the door unlocking and opening.

“Jesus!” Caroline startles as she hurries to cover her eyes with her hand and face in the opposite direction.

Paige gasps and then immediately rolls over so she is laying on top of Azzi. “Oh my God,” Azzi groans from underneath Paige.

“What the hell is wrong with you two?” Caroline sputters and Paige leans over grabbing their shirts and Azzi’s bra.

“I didn’t know you were going to be back so soon,” Azzi mutters as she is hurrying to cover herself up with her clothing as Paige does the same. The two girls were red all over and felt the mortification deep into their bloodstream.

“Regardless, I thought you were reading,” Caroline groans, “plus Paige literally has a single room… are you two decent?”

Paige looks down, soothing the shirt and standing off the bed trying to put enough distance that she hoped would hide what they were doing–as if Caroline hadn’t seen them.

“Yeah,” Azzi’s voice was meek and dripping wholly in mortification. Caroline turns around and is equally as red and seemingly irritated that she had to deal with this nonsense.

“I was supposed to come get you now that the pizza is here,” Paige says pointedly at Azzi, she then turns her attention and points at Paige, “then we were supposed to come get you.”

“Well we made your job easier,” Paige mutters while shrugging sheepishly. Azzi groans and reaches over to smack at Paige’s arm.

“Shut up.”

“Yeah, sorry,” Paige responds, dipping her head to avoid Caroline’s eyes.

“Carol, look, I’m sorry, but please don’t say anything to anyone,” Azzi pleads and Paige could hear the genuine anxiety lacing her tone. Paige spares a glance up and sees the flushed cheeks of Azzi with her creased forehead and unshed tears on her lash line. It took everything in Paige to not reach out and scoop the girl into her arms. 

Paige knew that most people assumed she wasn’t straight, but no one had ever said that about Azzi. Azzi never had to question her sexuality. She just did what felt good to her and figured the rest would come later. Paige knew if Caroline said something to anyone, it would force Azzi into really considering aspects of herself she clearly wasn’t ready to face. More selfishly, Paige worried Azzi would give up on whatever they had. Paige really didn’t want that.

“Okay, listen, I am mortified and never want to see that shit again in my life, but I am not a monster,” Caroline crosses her arms but softens her features like she could also read Azzi’s anxiety, “but for real, next time go to Paige’s room, and lock the damn doors!”

She turns around and heads toward the door, not giving Azzi a chance to respond. While Paige would normally find the abrupt exit annoying, she couldn’t help but be grateful for the moment to check in with Azzi.

“Hey, you okay?” Paige’s voice is gentle and quiet, a tone reserved for her communication with Azzi.

She looked up and found Azzi looking down at her lap unmoving from her seated position.

“It’s one thing to know that everyone has their own ideas of what may or may not be happening behind closed doors,” Azzi starts as she picks at the skin around her nails, “but it is another entirely to have someone know and actually see.” Azzi cringes at the last word.

“I’m sorry, Az.” Paige starts not knowing what to say, “I really don’t think Carol will say anything to anyone… I know that doesn’t make it any better, but at least you can keep control of what people know.”

Paige sits at the edge of the bed not scooting any closer, she wanted to let Azzi feel her presence but not overwhelm her. Azzi just nods at Paige’s words, but again avoids her eyes.

“You can head to KK’s room, I’ll be there in a second,” Azzi’s voice was quiet but the shakiness was clear to Paige.

“Are you sure? I can walk with y-” Paige starts but Azzi just shakes her head lightly.

“I need a minute to myself, I am good” Azzi says as if convincing herself. She finally lifts her head and meets Paige’s eyes. Her smile is small and doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Paige just smiles tightly in return but nods anyway.

“Okay,” Paige puts her hands in her pocket to stop her from doing something stupid — like reaching out and holding onto Azzi. With one more glance over Azzi, Paige nodded and walked towards the door.

Out in the hallway, Paige found Caroline waiting on her phone. “Where is she? My job really was to get you two, she explains sheepishly.

Paige runs her fingers through her hair hoping it sorted out the mess that she was sure she looked. “Uhm, she wanted to be alone and follow up in a few minutes,” Paige explains, starting down the hallway. Caroline sighs, pocketing her phone and following Paige.

“I’m really sorry,” she mumbles and Paige wishes she didn’t sound so genuinely apologetic. It would make it easier to be upset. Instead she clears her throat.

“It’s—well it’s not fine, but it is what it is, I guess,” Paige shrugs and hopes the words carry the acceptance she wanted to feel.

“Aubrey said you headed over here, I should’ve knocked or something,” she continues as Paige’s silence holds strong, “I know she has a tendency to shut down when she feels cornered. If this leads to that at all, I am so sorry.”

The words carry the weight of Paige’s fears until they reach the door to KK’s room, “can we just, uhm, not bring this up anymore? At least right now.” Paige rarely asks of much, but Caroline simply flushes and nods before pushing the door that was being held open by some random pamphlet open and revealing teammates scattered around.

The noise hits Paige all it once and floods every inch of her. The team was loud and a lot, and normally this fueled the best parts of her, but right now it was far too much. Still, she smiled as KK’s eyes met hers.

“P Boogers!,” KK’s voice was loud as it reached Paige, “where is Azzi?” her voice tried to come across as oblivious, but her smirk gave her away. Aubrey also met her eyes smirking.

“Oh,” Paige was sure her smile faltered slightly, she cleared her throat, “she’ll be here in a second.”

Caroline walked past Paige shaking her head slightly. The other girls looked at her quickly and adjusted their reactions to whatever face she must’ve been making.

“So where is this pizza I was promised,” Paige asks, walking over and wrapping her arm around KK’s shoulders.

“You see Sarah and Ice huddled around like feral rats? Yeah, it is over there,” KK gestures with the pizza in her hand.

“Bro, actually shut up,” Sarah gets out over her shoulder before turning around with a paper plate in hand being offered to Paige. KK just laughs. Anytime she can get under the younger’s skin is a win for her.

Paige quickly settled into the environment. The girls were loud and it was easy to get swept into whatever nonsense they had going on. Greasy food after an especially satisfying win and whatever the hell tonight had been was exactly what Paige needed.

It is nearly ten minutes later when Caroline responds to the soft knock at the door letting Azzi in. She had completely changed. She was now in sweatpants and a simple UCONN hoodie. Paige couldn’t help but pause her involvement in conversations to scan Azzi.

She entered quietly and sat on the other bed in the room with Caroline and Kaitlyn. They were far quieter, but the distance seemed to be what was getting under Paige’s skin the most. Normally Azzi would join in these environments and cuddle up against Paige’s side. That was their routine. Now she was feeling a distance that settled uncomfortably under Paige’s skin.

“You’re staring,” KK’s voice was hushed, reserved just for Paige, but broke through Paige’s thoughts in a jarring manner.

“Just making sure everyone is good,” Paige mumbles, forcing her eyes away from Azzi and to the girl in front of her.

“Right,” KK snorts and Paige just glares.

“But for real, are y’all good?” KK asks in a more serious tone.

“Hm? Yeah, we’re good.” Paige shrugs off KK’s words ignoring how she couldn’t quite tell if they were the truth or not. 

KK just scans Paige’s face seemingly searching for any signs that there was more to it than that. Paige schooled her features before smiling lightly at the girl in front of her. KK’s eyes narrow momentarily before smiling at Paige and nodding. She seemed to accept the answer. Paige knew that would only last so long.

Paige needed to talk to Azzi.

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If someone would’ve told Azzi two months ago that she would be back on the ranch and fixing a trough feeder at 6:30 in the morning, she likely would’ve laughed in their face. She knew leaving Texas was an unlikely expectation for her at her age, but she had left the ranch behind nearly ten years ago. She hadn’t planned on coming back. She planned on settling into a sales office job that was perfectly respectable that she would eventually retire from. That was the plan, but there were definitely dreams of a business of her own. She wanted to help support local women and provide opportunities for her community, but sales would have to do.

It was perfect. Well, at one point it was perfect and even likely.

Nearly a month ago she had received a call from Eli saying he had to go. Saying the alcohol was ruining his life. His boys deserved better. His midnight ramblings came to fruition the next morning when Enzo had shown up at her door with keys, paperwork, and two very red-faced boys who needed her.

Now, she was here. Sore and exhausted as shit, but here.

“Damn it,” Azzi grunts out as she drops the oversized equipment bag into the back of the truck she had maneuvered across the ranch.

Her phone vibrated wildly in her pocket. Azzi liked to consider herself old, wise, and level-headed, though in this moment she was closer to the raging bitch her younger brother painted her as. All she could do was mumble some expletives under her breath as she wipes at the sweat that had gathered on her temples. Her free hand digging into her pockets grabbing the damned device to shut it up.

Enzo. The name mockingly glared up at her.

“Hello,” her tone was clipped as she shoved the phone between her ear and shoulder, her hands immediately pushing forward to adjust the straps on the bag.

“Good morning, Azzi!” His tone was cheery and pissed Azzi off in the way that reminded her of what a younger brother would do.

Enzo wasn’t her brother. He wasn’t even family. Enzo was the business manager that her brother, Eli, had hired before he decided that he didn’t give a shit about anyone but himself and a bottle of whiskey. 

Enzo had all but kept the ranch afloat while he convinced Eli to hand the keys to the ranch over to Azzi and check himself into some rehabilitation center in Montana. It was over-priced but the only one Eli had been willing to attend with promises of the ranch life he would be leaving behind. He had no faith in Azzi to truly keep this place afloat, but trusted Enzo enough to ensure the business handlings wouldn’t fall apart.

Not only did he leave Azzi with the ranch that was in shambles, but he also decided that his sons would become Azzi’s responsibility. Well, he asked and Azzi accepted, but the point still stood. She hadn’t had kids on purpose and now is responsible for keeping two teenage boys, a ranch, and herself alive and well. She needed help.

“What do you want?” Her tone didn’t hint at kindness that she couldn’t offer to Enzo this early in the morning.

“Well, isn’t someone just so cheery this morning?” His voice carried teasingly through the phone, Azzi just rolled her eyes, “I am so happy to share that I just met with three potential ranch hands and have a recommendation to help you out at the Grove.”

Azzi sighs as she reaches back to rub at the sore spot on her shoulder. She should feel relieved, and part of her did. But she also was independent to a fault and stubborn as hell. Asking for help was something she never wanted to do. This is partially from growing up as the only girl in her family who was also the stereotypical closeted lesbian growing in the late nineties. She hated feeling weak.

“Thanks,” she huffs out, pinching her eyes shut trying to work through her own personal shit, Enzo didn’t deserve that, “when d’ya want to meet and go over their paperwork?” Azzi keeps the phone pressed tightly between her shoulder and ear as she slams the bed shut and wraps around to the front of the old truck that Azzi was sure the ranch was built around.

After hopping in the front and slamming the old door shut, Azzi turns the call to the speaker phone and rolls the windows down. She might’ve wanted to leave ranch life behind, but the breeze associated with her family’s ranch was second to none. The air wrapped her up and carried the smell of damp earth and freshly cut hay. Things smelled easy and soothing in a way the world outside the ranch never seemed to carry.

“Well, I can go over my recommendation now to give you time to make your decision and then we can meet this afternoon to finalize anything,” his tone shifted to a more business-driven tone that carried far more professionalism than his jovial words from earlier.

Azzi hums in agreement at the suggestion, inviting him to continue as the engine of the truck rumbles to life around her. Her experienced hands shift the truck into gear as she pulls forward with practiced precision in navigating the area.

“So, after meeting with the three top prospects we discussed earlier, I think Paige would be our best pick,” his voice pauses and Azzi hears the shuffling of papers on the other end as she passes by the newer horse barns and back towards their personal, more dated barn. “Her experience has been at the Grotto and they speak highly of her. She is only leaving to be closer to home. She has years of working in maintenance and repair on ranches, and her livestock handling is highly commended. She’s just solid and brings a high work ethic.”

Azzi considers the words. Her vision for the ranch is probably dissimilar to some of the expectations her brother had held. She wanted to get things organized so that their family could have a more hands off approach. She wanted to hire someone efficient but also someone who would be willing to work through owner transfers if necessary. The ranch didn’t need to be a permanent fixture in their lives.

“Have any experience with irrigation pivot maintenance?” Azzi questions knowing their systems were due for updating and any time she could avoid meeting with their local irrigation specialists was for the better.

Enzo chuckles, clearly understanding the reference and concern, “actually yes, did an internship under Shaun.” Azzi winces at the prick’s name.

“Poor girl,” she mutters in pity as she pulls up to the house that her family had built the ranch around. The only reason they held onto this damn ranch.

Enzo laughed at Azzi’s bluntness in understanding. Shaun was the local irrigation specialist who thought he was the greatest thing in Southwest Texas. He was a prick at the highest degree and made Azzi angry without even trying too hard. They had graduated school together and he was convinced, this many years later, that he was what she needed to finally reconsider her sexuality.

“She comes highly recommended and really just wants to work,” Enzo pauses, Azzi hears shuffling on the other end, “plus, she really does have a heart for animals and the hard work.”

Azzi softens at that. The animals were the part that softened her when it came to ranch life. Her own pets and animals didn’t let her stray too far and encouraged her to return when her brother and Enzo had approached her. He knew this would get her.

“Are there any reasons I would not want her specifically?” Azzi asked and Enzo seemed to expect the question and was able to respond smoothly, “she is the perfect candidate. You will love her!”

His voice was soft and kind, easing her worries so simply. She sighs as she shifts the truck and brings it to a park outside her house. She allows herself a moment of shutting her eyes, letting her choices float easily behind her eyes. She trusts Enzo, and he trusts Paige.

“Go ahead and start the process, we will see how she works out,” Azzi responds. Her words carried a weight of finality that she was not feeling. She has always struggled with accepting help, so this felt a lot heavier than any other hiring she did. This was accepting that she couldn’t carry the weight of the ranch on her shoulders.

Azzi could almost hear the grin in Enzo’s follow up, “you will love her. I will set up a meeting for you two tomorrow and we can iron out the little things tonight.” His words were rushed, and she could instantly hear the typing of his computer filling out the sounds through her speakers.

Not spending too much time on pleasantries, Azzi ends the call and climbs out of the truck. She left her work bag and tools in the bed of the trunk as she hurried inside. The old hickory steps creaked under her weight as she stepped up to the old wrap around porch. Her footsteps hurried and pointed as she opened the door to see most lights still off save for the upstairs hall light. Her nephews should be getting ready for school.

“Ethan? Sam?” Azzi calls up the steps with her hand tiredly wrapping around the railing that she was hardly sure could hold her up, “you guys up?”

She waits in silence for a few moments before the sounds of rushed movements sound again upstairs, both of her nephews responding in clipped exhaustion. She couldn’t entirely blame them. The three of them had gone to a baseball game at their school the night before and had not made it home until they were closer to midnight.

Azzi had let them sleep in until nearly 6:30 when she had to go out and fix the feeder in the horse barn. Both boys had awoken with minimal complaints but heavy teenage angst etched onto their faces.

Azzi appreciated her nephews. Ethan was 16 and Sam was only 14, but both had more life experiences than she would ever wish upon anyone. The boys had lost their mom in early childhood. After their mom had passed, their father had turned to alcohol. Azzi hadn’t learned about this until more recently, but the boys had been primarily running the ranch and practically raising themselves and their father.

If she sat and thought about it too long, the guilt would eat at her. She wished she had known. Wished she could’ve stopped this before it got as far as it did. The boys deserved better. Azzi had never wanted kids of her own, but she was fiercely protective of her nephews who she saw in a similar light to her own. They were her boys and she had no idea what they were struggling through. The boys would never say as much, but she had a feeling that they felt the let down she had given them early in life.

“Auntie Az, can you start the Keruig?” Sam called down the stairs, Azzi smiled at the request before calling back an affirmative response.

Sam saw his older brother carrying a thermos around with coffee and wanted so badly to be like Ethan. Azzi knew he didn’t like coffee, but would endearingly make a mocha each morning.

Azzi moved naturally through the kitchen. She started the Keurig and got out cereal bowls for the boys while they finished up getting ready. She waited for them at the counter, her laptop open as she scrolled through her emails. Their morning routine flows simply at this point with the boys and her maneuvering naturally around each other after the month that their dad had been away. No one knew how long Eli would be gone, but Azzi was determined to allow the boys a feeling of normal.

“Why can’t you just drive us?” Ethan groans as he hurries in pouring himself a rushed bowl of cereal. Azzi smirks, remembering her own hatred of high school buses at the earliest hours.

“Some of us have work to do,” Azzi states simply as she types on her laptop for emphasis, though her eyes don’t leave her bitter nephew, “plus, you can get your license soon.”

Ethan shovels a spoonful of cereal into his mouth as his younger brother rushes past him and towards the Keurig.

“Are you actually going to take me to do the test?” Ethan’s tone was sassy and entirely too teenager-y for Azzi to take seriously, she just laughs.

“Enzo or I will make sure you get to do the test,” she pauses, “but don’t fail because two trips is too many.” Her joke was corny, but Ethan laughed all the same.

Azzi smiled as the boys continued rushing around her. These quiet mornings with her nephews have become a precious part of her routine. It makes her mourn the connections she could’ve built with them earlier in their life. She rushes the thoughts out before they would linger and ruin too much of her day.

“Okay, just a couple of notes, I have a meeting with Enzo later today to go over the new ranch hand, so I might be a bit late getting home. Can y’all make sure to clean the stalls and brush your horses?” Azzi had been a lot more firm in their chores and responsibilities for their personal horses than Eli had been.

“Yes, ma’am,” Sam replied politely as he tightened the lid on his thermos.

“Great, and Ethan,” Azzi turned to face the older of the two, he was rinsing his bowl in the sink, “please make sure you grab your key this time.”

Ethan just groans but pats his pocket dramatically to jingle the keys audibly for Azzi’s peace of mind. Azzi had learned the hard way after just a week of staying in the house that Ethan was a bit more absent minded than his younger brother despite being given more responsibilities. Azzi thinks he was struggling with not having a parent around a bit more than Sam was, but tried to act strong through it all. She made sure to offer him the love and support he needed with unconditionality he hadn’t been afforded previously.

Sam walked around with his steaming cup tucked neatly in his hand, he gave Azzi a short side hug that tended to pull at Azzi’s heart strings in ways she hadn’t expected.

“Love y’all, have a great day,” Azzi whispers into Sam’s hair as she pulls him closer, smiling up at Ethan who flushes at her words. Azzi quickly realized it was not something they said a lot previously.

“Love you, Auntie Az,” Sam whispers, sounding so little.

With one final squeeze, Azzi releases Sam to follow his brother out the door and towards the winding path that the bus would meet them at. She stood at the door watching them. It was something her mother did that she despised growing up, but now found herself falling into the same habit. If she didn’t see the two most important people in her life get on the bus daily, she would worry until she inevitably got the attendance notifications sent to her phone nearly an hour past the time.

When the rickety old yellow bus pulled up and she saw her nephews climb into the supervision of Mrs. Annie, Azzi let herself follow them out. She made her way to the old pick up truck that merely groaned at her first attempt in turning it on. She sighs and tries again. The truck rumbles and stutters on as she shifts into gear and lets the breeze reach through the windows and tussle her hair loosely across her forehead.

It had become something of a routine. She would see her nephews off to school and then follow the bus towards the town, before turning off towards her friend, Christen’s, coffee shop. Christen had been her first gay friend and the first of her friends that she ever came out to. They had been friends through everything including the awful transition from middle school to high school, and the early party phase of college. 

Christen ended up meeting her wife–Tobin–in college and moved back to their small town to get married and open a coffee shop. It was the first in their small town and an undoubtedly booming business. United Coffee was doing really well, and Azzi had so much pride in her best friend and her wife for starting something that really mattered to them. Something that found its place in the town that Azzi struggled to find her place in.

When she pulled up to the old cottage house style coffee shop with the bright sign in the front yard, she couldn’t help but smile. The coffee shop was exactly what Azzi would expect from the two of them. It was bright, cozy, and eccentric in a way that made all people comfortable rather than leading to the judgement of the individuals in their small town. In the spring time, the two often left the windows open. The smell of coffee grounds and various baking experiments wafted through the air, enticing everyone and encouraging them to stop in.

The bell above the door merely creaks as Azzi pushes the door open and smiles at the immediate feeling of air conditioning against her warm skin. The cool air contrasted well with the smell of freshly made baked goods. This type of environment was something Azzi wanted to emulate in the work she would do. She hasn’t really settled into a career that felt like her own, but she wanted to do something that made people feel the way this place made her feel.

“Az! Hey, you’re just in time. I am getting ready to pull a cinnamon apple twist from the oven. Do you want to try it?” Christen’s bright voice carries through the open space. She was hidden from sight, likely behind the patterned walls that lead to a newly renovated industrial kitchen that she was having too much fun with.

“Of course,” Azzi calls out, grinning. She smiles at Tobin who stands behind the counter with a smile on her face. She leans back against the back counter and smiles in the gap in the wall in the direction of her wife.

“Hey, Tobin,” Azzi stops at the counter, she sits at one of the few barstools that Christen had bought for Azzi to work at when she came in, “is there any way I can get a brown sugar chai?”

Tobin nods and quietly gets to work on the drink that is one of two Azzi rotates through. Azzi sits patiently at the counter as she pulls out her laptop and sets it on the counter. She had far too much paperwork to simply sit while the world continued on around her.

Christen comes flitting through the wall gap with a plate of steaming twisted pastries that have been dusted with a fair amount of cinnamon. Her smile brightens even more than her usual bright demeanor at the sight of Azzi.

“The pre-work rush died down early today and I was able to try out a new recipe, which based on the exhaustion on your face, you could probably use,” she sets the plate town in front of Azzi before turning around and bumping her hip on Tobin’s, silently indicating that she wanted to take over making the drink. Azzi reaches for the plate while the couple quietly communicates in front of her. She takes a bite and is immediately hit by the sweet flavors of cinnamon and flaky sugar that melts in her mouth. 

“God, Christen, that is insane,” Azzi mumbles around a mouthful of food, “I swear, when I finally open a business worth a damn, I am hiring you to bake anything for the opening party,” Christen grins at the praise before setting down the chai in front of Azzi.

“Well, like I have always said, when we expand and need a boss lady for our sales department, you are our first pick with a baked signing bonus.”

“That day could be coming any time now,” Tobin’s voice is soft as she smiles again at her wife.

“Well, if you guys could wait until I was relieved from ranch duties, that would be much appreciated,” Azzi jokes.

Christen grimaces at the slight truth and frustration that laced her words and moves to settle on the counter beside Tobin, who just leans into Christen’s space, one hand flat on her thigh. God, Azzi missed her future wife that doesn’t exist yet.

“Y’know we’re more than willing to help with anything you need,” Tobin throws out the offer at the feeling of her wife’s tensing body. She rubs softly at the skin and Azzi looks at her laptop, sighing at the onslaught of emails in response to her rental reminders to the borders.

“It’s all good,” Azzi shrugs, “Enzo actually found a ranch hand that is willing to help me put in the work. I just hope Eli is ready to face the facts when he gets back.”

Christen has seen Azzi struggle to be the sibling to Eli, the manager of the ranch, and the step up aunt that needed to be strong. The weight of everything was something Azzi carried better than most, but it still frustrated those closest to her to see her experience everything alone.

“That’s great and all, but I still feel bad that you’re carrying the weight of everything on your own. When you are done with the ranch, we are setting you up with every gay woman in a hundred-mile radius,” Azzi snorts at her best friend, Christen was curled around her wife and Azzi couldn’t help the bubbling of envy that formed.

Azzi was well past the age that she would’ve hoped to be married and fully settled down. Don’t get her wrong, she had the young experimentation phase in which too many of the lesbian population saw the inside of her home. She even had some more serious relationships, but nothing ever seemed to work out for her. The world always seemed against her in that regard.

Azzi shrugs the thoughts away and returns her attention to the computer, “well we can think about that later. Right now I have to figure out a work plan for a new employee and a way to approach business proposals when Eli gets back.”

Tobin nods along, often the listener when Christen took on the role of doting best friend. Azzi appreciated her calm demeanor. She likes to think that Christen could be saying a lot worse if it weren’t for Tobin. She’ll take that as a win.

Christen opens her mouth, likely to send another promise for help her way when the creaking door swings behind them. Azzi looks over her shoulder and shrugs at the presence of a new group of younger adults who smile at the trio. Christen hops off the counter and heads to the cashier while Tobin steps forward.

“She’s worried about you,” Tobin’s voice was quiet but steady as she grabs the dish towel off her shoulder and rubbed at a spot that Azzi was pretty sure was an age mark on the counter tops.

“I know, and I feel bad that you guys have to. I promise I am okay though,” Azzi reminds and Tobin nods as if this is something she already knows.

“That’s what friends are for,” she says with a shrug before turning towards Christen to grab the paper with the written orders out of her wife’s hands. The two move in tandem with each other, barely needing to acknowledge the other to understand what they needed.