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vamptizm · 6 months ago

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iii. MISSION JEALOUSY — p. bueckers

pairing : paige bueckers x clover amar (oc)

synopsis : in which paige bueckers and clover amar, two uconn wbb stars, have an ongoing mission of making each other jealous and outdoing the other.

warnings : angst? explicitly language. cussing. both of them are toxic assholes. idk what else tbh.

word count : 2.9 k

note : i actually have nothing to say… but idk if i wanna make these chapters longer or keep them around 2-3k. its almost 4am so i got lazy with proof reading but lmk if y’all find major mistakes.

series masterlist

Clover sat on the edge of the weight bench, staring at the floor as the sounds of the gym echoed around her. She wasn't sure what to feel. She didn't expect anything from Paige—not really. There was no unspoken affection, no deep connection. It was just... competition. They were two intensely competitive teammates who thrived on teasing and getting under each other's skin. Tension? Yeah, there was definitely tension. They couldn’t deny that after what had happened in the weight room. But that wasn't the problem.

The problem, the one Clover couldn't quite shake, was the way Paige had left. After everything, after the heat of the moment had passed, Paige had barely spared her a second glance. A towel tossed her way, a quick muttered ‘See you tomorrow’ as she turned on her heel and walked out like Clover didn't matter, like their entire interaction had meant nothing at all.

It frustrated her, gnawed at her from the inside out. Clover hated feeling like she'd been discarded. It wasn't the first time Paige had been careless, but it was the first time she'd done it with Clover. And despite all of Clover's confidence and self-assurance, that? That had hit harder than she'd expected.

The next day at practice, Clover was deliberately off. She'd told herself that she wouldn't care. She wouldn't let it bother her. Paige was just another one of her many hookups—nothing special. That was all she needed to remember. When the scrimmage started, it was clear that her usual banter was nowhere to be found. No cocky smirks, no eyebrow waggles, no jabs aimed directly at Paige, just cold focus.

It didn't take long for Paige to catch on, though. At first, she thought Clover was just in the zone, just another practice where she was extra competitive. But as the game wore on, as they traded baskets against the men's practice squad, Paige couldn't ignore the shift. Clover was still playing fiercely, still trying to outdo her in every way—nothing new there—but she wasn't acknowledging Paige at all. Not once. No passing comments, no mocking grins. Nothing. It was like the blonde wasn't even there.

The thought struck her like a punch to the gut. Was Clover... ignoring her? Did she really care that little?

Paige found herself on edge, frustrated and confused. She hated not being able to read Clover, hated that she was the one left trying to figure it out. Clover, of course, was as unreadable as always.

A timeout was called, and Paige watched as one of the guys from the other team swaggered over to Clover, clearly trying to make his move. Clover didn't even glance up at him, her hand raised to stop him from getting any closer as she took a sip of water. Without any real effort, she mouthed the words: "No," and something else that resembled “I’m gay.”

"Not interested, buddy," Clover muttered, finally meeting his eyes.

But Paige couldn't let it go. She wasn't sure why it bothered her so much, but she couldn't stay on the sidelines. She stood up, walking over with a confident stride and an air of impatience that she couldn't quite suppress.

"Yo," she said, cutting into the guy's attempt at flirting with a tone that brooked no argument. "Move along."

The guy, clearly caught off guard but reluctant to fight, muttered a quick "Whatever" before retreating.

Paige turned back to Clover, her posture exuding irritation. "You good?" she asked, though the edge to her voice made it sound more like a challenge than concern.

Clover didn't even look up. She finished her water bottle with a quick tilt, then wiped her mouth, nonchalantly brushing off the entire interaction. "I'm fine," she said, voice flat, almost dismissive. "Didn’t need your help."

Paige's eyebrows furrowed. What was that supposed to mean?

Before she could retort, Geno's voice rang across the gym, cutting through the tension like a hot knife. "Alright, break's over, get your asses back on the court!"

Paige opened her mouth to say something—anything—but the moment was gone, swallowed by the clamor of the team getting back to their feet. She shot Clover one last, unreadable look before she turned to head back to her spot. But the question lingered in the air, as heavy as the silence between them.

Why was Clover acting like this? And why, deep down, did it bother Paige more than she wanted to admit?

The sound of water shutting off echoed through the locker room as Clover emerged from the showers, her damp hair falling around her shoulders. She was the last to leave, as usual, and as she grabbed her duffel bag, her eyes scanned the locker room, settling on Paige. The blonde was already dressed, her gym bag slung over her shoulder, one hand tugging at the strap of it as she was about to leave.

Clover turned toward the lockers, pretending to be absorbed in gathering her things, but the weight of the air shifted when she realized Paige hadn't moved. The blonde was still standing there, a faint, amused smirk playing at the corner of her lips. She wasn't leaving.

"Still here?" Clover asked, her tone flat but not entirely unamused. She didn't need to look up to know the confrontation was coming. It was in Paige's posture, the way she was leaning against the locker with one arm, her fingers tapping impatiently on the metal.

"Yeah," Paige said, her voice sharp but quiet, like a knife pulled from a sheath. "Figured I'd wait until you were done pretending like I don’t exist."

Clover turned her head slightly, not fully acknowledging her but enough to give her the barest glance. "I'm not pretending anything. You barely exist to me, anyway. No big deal."

Paige's eyebrow arched, the challenge clear. She hated the way her words felt like a quick punch to the gut for even just a second. "Is that so?" She tilted her head. "Because you're acting like something is a big deal, Clover. So tell me—what's the issue? You were all over me one yesterday, and the next? You're acting like we're strangers."

Clover's jaw clenched, but she didn't back down. "Maybe because I didn't expect you to bail so quick. I thought we were adults about these things. Didn't realize I was just a quick fix for you."

Paige scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms. "What? Are you seriously mad that I didn't hang around? It wasn't anything, Clover. You knew that, so what's the problem?"

"The problem," Clover said, voice low but sharp, "Is you didn't even give me the decency of sticking around, even if it meant something."

Paige's lips twisted into a thin smile. "Am I supposed to feel bad? You've been playing this game just as much as I have, Ma."

Clover's hand tightened around the strap of her bag, the anger creeping up. "Right. Because leaving me half-undressed in the weight room was the mature way to handle it. Glad you're so comfortable with it." She threw a pointed look at Paige. "Maybe next time, we don't even bother pretending to be anything more than we are."

Paige didn't flinch. "I didn't realize you were so emotionally invested. You know the drill. What happened, happened. Why do you care so much now? You never have." Her tone was biting, and though she didn't show it, there was a flicker of something in her eyes—frustration, maybe, or guilt—but it was quickly hidden behind her cocky facade.

Clover's expression darkened, a smug smile curling on her lips. "Emotionally invested is crazy, considering you're the one whining over me not paying attention to you. I don't care, but unlike you, I have the decency to at least check on someone after I fuck them. I don't dip the second one of us finishes."

Paige's nostrils flared at the jab, but she didn't bite back immediately. Instead, she took a step forward, eyes narrowed. "You think you're better than me? Is that it?" she asked, voice dangerously quiet. "Because you're not. I know you're just as good at this as I am, Clover. You fuck 'em and you leave 'em. Plus, you're not some delicate flower thats needs coddling."

Clover wasn't sure why that comment stung, but it did. She clenched her fists, stepping closer to Paige, refusing to back down. "I never said I was. I just don't treat people that I've known for so long like disposable fuck toys. That's the shit you do with a quick hookup you'll never have to talk to again. I have to see your ass almost daily, unfortunately."

"So what, did you expect we cuddle afterwards?" The blonde scoffed, face contoured with feigned amusement.

Clover furrowed her brows, an expression that almost resembled disgust on sculpting her features. "Fuck no. I don't wanna do any of that cutesy, couple shit with you, trust me. This doesn't mean that it meant anything to me, I'm simply annoyed that you left me there half naked. That's it."

The silence that followed was thick with tension. They were so close now, the air crackling with frustration and unspoken words. Neither of them was backing down, and the longer they stood there, the more their anger simmered beneath the surface.

Paige, unable to hold back the last cutting remark, sneered. "See, that's the problem. You think I owe you something when I don't."

Clover's lip curled into a bitter smile, her eyes narrowed with disdain. "Right. You don't. I don't expect shit from you, dude. I didn't give you attention for a couple hours. Big. Fucking. Deal. Get over it.

"Right, okay, whatever." Paige scoffed once more, her voice suddenly colder, the fight leaving her as she turned toward the door. "See you around."

She hated how Clover could get under her skin more than anyone else. And even more she hated the nagging feeling in her chest—the one that told her maybe, just maybe, she'd messed up.

Clover stood there for a moment, chest heaving with a mix of annoyance and something else she couldn't quite identify. "Not like I have a choice." She muttered under her breath.

With that, Paige was gone, the door slamming shut behind her. Clover stood there a moment longer, her fingers running through her damp hair, trying to ignore the way her heart was beating wildly in her chest.

The following day off had felt strangely hollow without Clover's usual presence. Paige told herself it was a good thing. A break from her. A reprieve. But she couldn't shake the feeling that the silence Clover left behind was louder than it should've been. She'd replayed their biting words over and over, dissecting every tone and syllable as if it'd make a difference now.

Paige told herself she didn't care. Whatever game they were playing didn't matter. The argument didn't matter. But the quiet gnawed at her in a way she couldn't shake, and Clover's absence at their bi-weekly team dinner was the final straw.

Clover always made a scene about how good the grapevine leaves were, claiming they were as close to her late grandmother's cooking as she'd ever find. Tonight, though, there were no dramatic declarations, no over-the-top banter with the freshmen, no teasing at Paige's expense.

Paige tried to convince herself she didn't notice, but Nika did. She'd called Clover mid-meal, raising her eyebrows when it went straight to voicemail. "Weird," she muttered, but no one pressed further.

Still, Clover's absence lingered like an unspoken question, and Paige couldn't stop herself from turning it over in her mind as the night dragged on.

The apartment was quiet except for the faint creak of the front door as Nika and Paige stepped inside. Jana trudged in behind them, half-asleep and mumbling something about needing to crash. She barely made it to her room before the door shut behind her with a soft thud. Paige exhaled a sharp breath, tossing her car keys onto the coffee table. She told herself she’d go straight to her room and sleep. But then Nika glanced toward Clover’s closed door.

“She’s hasn’t replied to my texts,” Nika muttered, her brows knitting. “I should check on her.”

Paige’s shoulders stiffened, her gaze flickering to the faint light leaking from under Clover’s door. “She’s probably fine,” she said quickly, but her voice sounded forced, even to her own ears.

Nika ignored her and crossed the room. Paige hesitated for a fraction of a second before following, a bitter taste creeping into her mouth. She told herself it was just curiosity—no harm in seeing what Clover was up to. But the tight knot forming in her stomach said otherwise.

Nika knocked once, her fist light against the wood. “Clover? You in there?” She waited a beat, then, without hesitation, turned the knob and pushed the door open.

What they walked in on was a sight Paige couldn’t have prepared for. Clover was sitting on the lap of the waitress from the other night, her bare back to the door, tattoos fully visible under the dim light of her room. The waitress had her arms around Clover’s waist, the two locked in a kiss so heated it made Paige’s skin itch. Clothes were scattered across the bed and floor, the intimacy of the scene impossible to ignore.

The waitress squealed in surprise, clutching the edge of a blanket and pulling it around herself. Clover, however, didn’t flinch. If anything, she looked amused, a slow smirk spreading across her face as she turned toward the doorway.

“Well, this is awkward,” Clover said, her tone light and teasing. “You know, most people knock and wait for an answer.”

“Oh my god, sorry!” Nika squeaked, immediately turning around and covering her face with her hands. “I didn’t mean to—uh, sorry. It’s just I couldn’t reach you and got worried.” She stumbled over her own words, almost colliding with Paige, who was rooted to the spot.

“It’s fine, Niks,” Clover said, her voice smooth as ever. But her eyes weren’t on Nika; they were locked on Paige, who stood frozen in the doorway. A slow, knowing smirk crept across Clover’s face as she tilted her head, watching the blonde’s reaction with an air of triumph. “What about you?” Clover drawled, her voice teasing. “Staying for the show? Or…” Her eyes flicked to the waitress, a wicked gleam in her gaze. “If you wanna join, you might have to ask her first.”

The waitress rolled her eyes, giving Clover a playful shove. Paige, however, wasn’t nearly as amused. Heat flared in her chest, jealousy rising like a tidal wave she couldn’t suppress. She hated the way Clover’s words hit her, hated the way her jaw clenched so tightly it ached, hated the sharp stab of possessiveness that she had no right to feel. Most of all, she hated that Clover knew exactly what she was doing—and was enjoying every second of it. Her mind screamed at her to look away, to turn around, to do anything but stand there like a fool. But she couldn’t. The sight of Clover, all soft curves and cocky confidence, her tramp stamp peeking out from under her panties, the way she was so comfortable, so unaffected—it was infuriating. And it was making her stomach twist with something she refused to name.

“Lock your damn door next time,” Paige finally snapped, her voice low and sharp, but it didn’t carry the coldness she wanted it to. There was heat in her tone, an edge of something raw and unguarded that she couldn’t hide. But the heat in her cheeks, the way her stomach churned—it all screamed jealousy she wasn’t ready to face.

“Noted,” Clover replied easily, her smirk unwavering. “Anything else, Captain? Or are you just gonna stand there all night?”

Paige’s jaw clenched so hard it ached. She grabbed Nika by the arm and practically dragged her out of the room, slamming the door shut behind them.

Back in the living room, Nika muttered an awkward, “Well, that was…unexpected,” before heading to her own room. Paige, meanwhile, stood almost frozen, Her chest felt tight, her mind racing as she replayed the scene over and over.

The image of Clover straddling the waitress, her smooth skin catching the light, the smug look on her face as she stared Paige down—it was burned into her brain. And that smirk, that damn smirk, was the worst part. It was like Clover knew exactly what she was doing, knew exactly how much Paige hated it—and loved the power she held because of it.

Paige stormed to her room, semi-slamming the door behind her as if that would somehow erase the memory. But the heat in her chest wouldn’t go away, and she hated herself for it.

Clover on the other hand, turned back to the waitress with an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that.”

The waitress laughed softly, leaning closer to Clover. “It’s fine,” she murmured, brushing her lips against the curve of Clover’s jaw.

Clover’s smirk returned, her hands settling on the waitress’s shoulders as she leaned back into the kiss. But even as she tried to focus on the girl whose lap she was still sat on top of, the look on Paige’s face lingered in the back of her mind—a look that was equal parts anger and something Clover knew all too well: jealousy.

#⇢ ˗ˏˋ vamptizm writes ࿐ྂ #mission jealousy #paige bueckers #uconn wbb #uconn huskies #uconn women’s basketball #wnba #wbb #paige bueckers x reader

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melosgirl · 3 months ago

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hello!! i love your writing it’s so good, could u do a fic where reader is a famous actor and she decides to go to a basket ball game for the first time and is sat court side, u can go wherever u want from there idkk

courtside - lamelo ball

you walk into the arena, the buzzing energy of the crowd hitting you like a wave. the lights are bright, and the air smells like popcorn and excitement. you, y/n l/n, famous actress, used to this kind of attention, but there’s something about tonight that feels different. you're here to unwind, to enjoy the game and forget about the cameras and red carpets for a while.

finding your seat, you slide into it with a comfortable ease. the game starts, and you lose yourself in the rhythm of the court—the bounce of the ball, the swish of the net, the roar of the fans. you’ve always loved basketball, the way the players move like they’re dancing, like they're all in sync with the game.

midway through the first quarter, something catches your eye. one of the players, lamelo ball, dribbles down the court, his tall frame moving smoothly, effortlessly. there’s an undeniable confidence in his step, a swagger, and as he shoots a flawless three-pointer, the crowd erupts. but, strangely, your gaze doesn’t leave him. for a moment, it feels like he’s looking right back at you.

you try to shake it off, figuring it’s just the lighting, or maybe it’s all in your head. but then, after a few more plays, you notice him glance over again. this time, he doesn’t look away. a small smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, and you can’t help but feel a flutter in your chest.

after a few minutes, the game pauses for a timeout. the arena’s energy dips slightly as the players gather. lamelo’s eyes linger in your direction for just a second longer, and before you know it, he’s jogging towards the sidelines, pulling off his jersey with a casual air. your heart skips. is this really happening?

he approaches the section where you’re sitting, his confident swagger now unmistakable as he flashes you a quick grin. "hey," he says, his voice deep but warm, almost like he’s known you forever.

"hi," you reply, a little caught off guard by how direct he’s being. your heart beats faster now, your mind racing with thoughts you can barely keep up with.

"i saw you earlier. you’re y/n l/n, right?" lamelo asks, looking at you with curiosity in his eyes.

you nod, surprised he recognized you. "yeah, that’s me."

"thought you looked familiar." he shrugs, his smile widening. "what brings you to the game?"

"just needed to get away for a bit," you say, your voice more casual than you feel. "how about you? just another day on the court?"

he laughs, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "yeah, but i gotta admit, i was hoping to make a good impression tonight."

you can’t help but laugh, feeling the spark between you both grow. you’ve always admired confidence, and lamelo has that in spades.

"well, you’re doing pretty well so far," you tease, feeling your nerves start to melt away.

he grins again, stepping a little closer. "good to know. maybe after the game, i could show you around? i know a few places around here that are perfect for unwinding."

you hesitate for just a second, but the thought of spending time with him sounds pretty nice. you nod, your smile matching his.

"yeah," you say, voice soft but steady. "i think that’d be nice."

he winks at you before turning back to the court, ready to jump back into the game. but the connection is there, undeniable, hanging between you both like an invisible thread.

as the game continues, you can’t help but keep an eye on lamelo, watching how he plays with a fire and focus that matches his personality. and in the back of your mind, you already know that tonight might turn into something unforgettable.

#gelo ball #lamelo ball #lamelo ball fic #lamelo ball fluff #lamelo ball imagine #lamelo ball smut #lamelo ball x reader #lavar ball #lonzo ball #nba

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taurasiluvr · 1 year ago

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how you can help palestine

★ req. "neeeeeeddd enemies with benefits pt 2 maybe like when you’re playing against mercury and a player from mercury starts getting into it w the reader, and since the reader is the princess she doesn’t talk back but the player keeps going at her so dt kinda like say something to the player to make them stop and then the reader thanks dt in bed???????"

part one !

⠀ ── ⠀warnings ;; nsfw under the cut, mdni. oral (r. giving), praise, fluffy otherwise.

the game against the Mercury was intense from the start. the rivalry between your team, the Las Vegas Aces, and the Phoenix Mercury was well-documented, and the tension was palpable on the court. diana was her usual fierce self, leading her team with the same determination that had always defined her. but tonight, there was an extra edge to her game, as if she had something to prove.

midway through the second quarter, sophie cunningham started getting into it with you, she was known for her fiery temper and trash talk, and tonight was no exception. every time you got the ball, she was there, in your face, throwing out insults and trying to get under your skin.

"what's the matter, princess? can't handle a little pressure?" sophie taunted as she bodied you up, her eyes gleaming with challenge.

you tried to ignore her, focusing on your game and keeping your composure. you had a reputation to maintain, after all. you were the "princess," the rising star who let her game do the talking. but sophie was not letting up.

"c'mon on, sweetheart, show me what you've got. or are you just gonna let us walk all over you?" she sneered, her voice dripping with mockery.

you clenched your jaw, trying to block her out. but it was hard to ignore the constant barrage of taunts and the physicality of her play. every bump, every shove, was designed to throw you off your game - however, you knew that this was the big girl league and if you showed any sign of weakness you'd surely get clowned on.

during a timeout, you glanced over at diana. she was watching the exchange with a hard, unreadable expression. there was a slimmer of you that hoped she'd step in, call off sophie, but you knew better than to expect that. on the court, you were rivals. the secret connection you shared had no place here on the court.

as the game resumed, sophie was relentless. she knocked the ball out of your hands with a hard swipe, then got in your face again. "not so tough now, are you? just a pretty face with no game."

you felt your temper rising, but you forced yourself to stay calm. responding would only give her what she wanted. you took a deep breath, focusing on the game plan.

however, then sophie had to take it a step further. during a particularly aggressive play, she shoved you hard, sending you sprawling to the floor. the impact knocked the wind out of you, and you heard the crowd's collective gasp.

before you could get up, diana was there. she stepped between you and sophie, her eyes blazing with fury. "back off, sophie," she growled, her voice low and dangerous.

sophie smirked, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "what's the matter, dee? protecting your little princess?"

diana didn't back down, her stance firm and commanding. "play the damn game, sophie. leave the cheap shots out of it, that's not how we play."

the referees stepped in, pulling sophie back and helping you to your feet. you brushed yourself off, trying to ignore the sting of embarrassment and the ache in your body. the crowd was still buzzing, the tension in the arena palpable.

diana turned to you, her eyes softening for just a moment. "you okay?"

you nodded, grateful for her intervention. "yeah, 'm fine."

"good," she said, her voice soft but firm. "now go show her what you've got, princess."

you laughed, giving diana a smile as you felt a surge of determination as you rejoined the game. sophie's taunts and the fall had shaken you, but diana's support had reignited your focus. you played harder, faster, channeling your frustration into every move.

the game became a blur of intense action, the crowd's energy fueling your every play. you and diana exchanged glances across the court, a silent understanding passing between you. the rivalry was still there, but so was the connection, the unspoken bond that had formed through shared moments of intensity.

as the final buzzer sounded, the Aces emerged victorious. you felt a wave of relief and triumph wash over you. the team celebrated, the cheers of the crowd echoing in your ears.

in the post-game chaos, you caught diana's eye across the court. she gave you a small nod, a rare, genuine smile tugging at the corners of her lips. it was a fleeting moment, but it spoke volumes.

⠀ ── ⠀

"thanks for stepping in, by the way." you glanced up at diana, a grateful smile tugging at your lips.

you were in her hotel room, relaxing after the game. diana had just got out the shower, her expression relaxed and her hair damp, loose around her shoulders. she wore a simple tank top and shorts, a stark contrast to her fierce on-court persona.

diana shrugged, sitting down next to you on the bed. "don't mention it," she said, her voice casual but with an undercurrent of sincerity. "couldn't let sophie get away with that. only i can give you a hard time, princess, you know that."

you laughed, shaking your head at her words but as she joined you a few moments later. however, you could see the sincerity in her words as she gazed at you.

you leaned back against the headboard, feeling the tension of the game slowly melt away. "still, it meant a lot. she was really getting under my skin."

diana smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. "well, you handled it well. besides, couldn't let her ruin my fun for later."

you laughed softly, shaking your head. "always thinking ahead, huh?"

"always," she replied, her gaze softening as she looked at you. there was a moment of comfortable silence, the air between you charged with a mixture of unspoken words and mutual understanding.

"did you see the title articles from after, princess?" diana chuckled as she shook her head. "kept calling me soft and shit."

you shrugged. "i mean, you did step in to protect me. kinda goes against your badass image."

diana rolled her eyes, a smirk playing on her lips. "yeah, well, couldn't let sophie get away with that. besides," she added, her tone becoming more serious, "nobody messes with you on my watch."

you felt a warmth spread through you at her words. "thanks, dee. i really appreciate it. but you know, you didn't have to, i could've handled it."

"i know you could've," she replied, her eyes locking onto yours. "but i wanted to. there's a difference."

you smiled, touched by her words. the rivalry and competitive spirit were still there, but moments like this reminded you that there was something more beneath the surface. "well, i guess i'll have to return the favor next time."

diana's smirk widened. "or... you could return the favor now," she teased as her hands began rubbing up and down your thigh.

you felt your breath hitch at the touch, feeling your face flush as you looked up at diana. her eyes were dark with desire, a mischievous glint in them. the air between you crackled with anticipation.

you leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss, slow and deliberate at first, then deepening as the need between you grew. diana responded eagerly, her hands roaming over your body, pulling you closer.

you rolled over, taking the lead, your hands exploring her curves, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath your touch. diana moaned softly, her fingers tangling in your hair as you trailed kisses down her neck, savoring the taste of her.

"you're so beautiful," you whispered against her skin, feeling her shiver in response.

"and you're driving me crazy, princess," she murmured back, her voice filled with longing.

you smiled against her collarbone, the intensity of the moment consuming you. you wanted to give her everything, to show her that despite the rivalry, despite the public personas, there was a deep connection between you.

your hands moved with purpose, stripping away the barriers between you, leaving nothing but skin and desire. diana's breaths came faster, her body arching into your touch, her need matching your own.

you took your time, savoring every moment, every touch, every sound she made. diana's control slipped away, her usual dominance giving way to the raw intensity of the moment - however, you knew she couldn't give all of it away.

her hands gripped your hair as you kissed on her stomach, her eyes watching you intently. you looked up at her through your lashes before sticking out your tongue slowly, licking a stripe through her underwear.

diana's breath hitched, her eyes darkening with a mix of desire and anticipation. she tugged at your hair, a silent command, and you obliged, hooking your fingers into the waistband of her underwear and sliding them down, your movements slow and deliberate.

you took a moment to appreciate the sight of her, laid bare before you, her usual fierce control slipping further with each passing second. she was beautiful, and knowing that you could affect her this way sent a thrill through you.

you leaned in, your lips brushing against her inner thigh, teasing her, drawing out the anticipation. diana's hips lifted slightly, seeking more, her need palpable.

"don't tease," she breathed, her voice husky and commanding.

you smiled against her skin. "who said 'm teasing?"

with that, you finally gave her what she wanted, your tongue flicking out to taste her, eliciting a sharp gasp from her lips. her pussy was wet beyond comprehension, her hand beginning to grip your hair even tighter. you moved with purpose, each stroke of your tongue deliberate, each touch designed to drive her wild like she had done with you on multiple other occasions.

diana's hands tightened in your hair, guiding you, her body responding to every movement, every sensation.

"oh yeah, that's my good girl," she moaned, a low, throaty sound that sent shivers down your spine, spurring you on.

you continued, your tongue and fingers working in perfect harmony, building her up, bringing her closer to the edge. diana's control slipped further, her breaths coming in ragged gasps, her hips moving against you, chasing the release she craved.

"oh fuck, don't stop, don't fucking stop," her head fell back as she moaned and you would never.

when she finally came, it was with a groan of pure pleasure, her body tensing, then shuddering with the force of it. you held her through it, your touch gentle, your kisses soft, until she collapsed back against the bed, spent and satisfied.

you moved up to lie beside her, pulling you into her arms, feeling the steady beat of her heart as it gradually slowed. diana looked down at you, a satisfied smile playing on her lips, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and maybe something deeper.

"that was... incredible," she murmured, her voice soft and content.

you leaned up kissed her cheek, a sense of peace settling over you. "mhm, it was."

as you lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside seemed to fade away. in this moment, there was no rivalry, no competition, just the two of you, connected in a way that went beyond words.

and for now, this was enough.

if you enjoyed, any interaction is greatly appreciated!

with love, rylin 𝜗𝜚

#diana taurasi #wnba basketball #wnba smut #wnba x reader #wnba players #wnba draft #diana taurasi x you #diana taurasi headcanons #diana taurasi x reader #taurasiluvr writing #wlw #lesbian #wbb x reader #wbb smut #women's basketball

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takes1 · 7 months ago

Note

Hi hiii :)) your writing is amazing mwah mwah. Perfection.

Anyways just wanted to request a Kageyama x reader, who just happens to be oikawa’s younger sister who is also very into volleyball. People get shocked that she’s Oikawa sister since their personalities are so different but they look somewhat alike (they’re both tall and pretty hahah). Kageyama was watching the girls teams play at the tournament since theirs finished and he kinda got obsessed with the way she plays and obviously reader looked amazing 🤭🤭 so he approaches her after the game not knowing she’s Oikawa’s sister

kageyama flirting w/ tall!ace!reader

*attempting. attempting to flirt in his own unique way. poor thing. also i love you anon and thank you sm!

warnings. none, sfw

info. kageyama attempting to flirt / tall!reader / ace!reader / oikawa's sister!reader / kageyama being dumb / kageyama crushing on reader / aoba johsai!reader / wingman!hinata / exchange of numbers / potential for a part 2 / 2.6k words

links. my masterlist. more haikyuu. my ao3. requests? part two here.

Kageyama chose to sit and watch a few more teams play their respective tournament bracket while waiting for their bus to pick them up. It would be a long ride home. He would zone out, rest, and get away from the buzzing, orange fly in his ear then.

Right now, in the middle of Aoba Johsai's last set, he kept on the edge of his seat with a firm brow.

"She's like Azumane," Hinata sighed, about a five minutes behind Kageyama's own observations.

It took not only a stellar performance, but a timeout and penalty because you broke three of Date Tech number 8's fingers with your last spike for Hinata to make that connection.

The penalty costed your team their last two points. You were called off the court for the next 4 minutes, he barely caught your dewy face made of stone. Both audiences were in an uproar- one more justified than the other- but Kageyama had to side with you because he needed to watch you play more. He might not get the chance again.

Number 8 should've taped her fingers. Better yet, she shouldn't have tried to keep blocking you.

You not only knew how to get around it, but the way you worked with your setter, and the unmatched control and strength in your swing made blocks impossible.

"I didn't think this kind of thing happened with the girls," Hinata mumbled, craning over Kageyama to get a look at you off-court.

Kageyama shoved him off and rolled his eyes at the assertion. "Obviously, dumbass."

A smattering of Johsai's male team were taking the hit harder than even you, at the edge of the bleachers.

Oikawa led Watari, Yahaba, and Mattsu, and Hanamaki in their 'Crybaby' chants. They were on their way to earning another penalty for your team, deterred only by Iwa, who was about the only person alive that could successfully shut it down.

Now both of the teams were in a tense battle, both genuinely angry at one another for taking needed players off. It was a rigid one-point dual for minutes.

He had a limited view of you as it played out- tough and stiff as just about everyone working for your team took turns talking to you; Coach, advisor, manager, teammates. Assumedly all "It's not your fault," "Keep your head up," "8 will be alright" and the like. You were their Ace, for sure.

4 minutes was enough time to assume their girls' team would meet the same unfortunate fate as the boys today against Karasuno. It was why all the Johsai guys were leaned over the railing, screaming at every play, because they just couldn't take another devastating loss.

He didn't realize how much they needed you until they let you out, unfortunately timed straight into an even-scored serve.

"(F/n)!!" Oikawa shouted, above the roar of the audience once they all realized you were released and put in the back position.

Kageyama watched you look up- that was your name? How did he know your first name?

The rest of the Johsai team joined him when he cried, "Break it!!"

Your big, pretty grin raised Kageyama to his feet. He had to see this.

Your ritual was silent and rode the time out to the very last second. A sigh of breath on the ball, another good luck spin, then up into a jump--

WHAM!!

A loud, clean, cross-court serve to win the game for Johsai. No volley. Just a brutal, final blow to Date Tech's morale. They sank into the floor as your school flew into a frenzy and celebrated a satisfying victory.

That serve was familiar, but Kageyama didn't get to dwell on its origin too much before Hinata yanked him out of his thoughts.

"You should talk to her!"

He was too close, and he could feel his face warming up, so he shoved Hinata's head to the side and started walking away.

"You clearly like her," Hinata muttered.

A quick turn of his head, with a very mean expression, shut him up- but it didn't help the heat crawling up the back of his neck, and it didn't reduce the truth in Hinata's argument. Just his volume.

No amount of brooding or pride would get him any closer to you. Caught between the choice of rejoining his team or making his existence known, he turned sharp on his heels.

And Hinata knew better than to speak and revel in his victory just yet. Kageyama would probably screw this up.

When they were coming quietly up on Aoba Johsai's designated spot, Hinata scanned the crowd of girls for you, and despite the many distractions, found an interesting twist. Oikawa let you down from a monster hug and it was clear his dark-haired counterpart was too in-his-head to notice.

Kageyama bit a shudder back at the sight of so many people crowded up. He had no real reason to approach you, no connection, no excuse other than the truth.

"I think--,"

"Don't talk to me." Kageyama snapped, short on patience. He pushed his hands through his hair and added, "Don't even act like you know me. Just... be somewhere else."

Hinata pushed a giggly smile down. He split off and decided to pick Iwa's brain for some tips.

Kageyama rubbed his hot face in his sobering absence- he'd have to gather his courage alone.

You were leaned over a bench full of various duffle bags, trying your best to quiet your mind with all the celebration behind you, when a presence broke through your focus.

When you looked up, it wasn't a teammate or one of your brother's friends- it was somebody new. Somebody cute, and tall enough.

"Hi?" You glanced around, but found that he was indeed addressing you with an unbroken stare, "Uh- nice to meet you?"

You weren't nearly as mean as the game made you. You were like Azumane, in the way that you seemed quite kindly when you spoke. You were far prettier, too.

"Hey," He muttered, glancing around for a moment in a dismissive fashion, "That was a good game."

Confusion was evident on your face, but you were grateful for the compliment anyway, "Thank you!"

You went back to packing your bag. He was nothing short of lost, fumbling hard with no desire to be upfront and equipped with no other reason to speak with you.

The proximity granted him the clarity to see that you were taller than he thought. Your face was much softer up close, your smile way cuter than the grimace you wore for most of the game. You were too nice for breaking through so many blocks and scoring so many points.

When you realized he was still standing there, you zipped up your bag and faced him again, grasping at straws for something to say. You glanced at his jacket.

"Oh! You play for Karasuno?"

He evaded your gaze shortly after meeting it. He nodded and put his hands in his pockets.

It wasn't necessarily a call-out; you realized his team had triumphed over your brother's earlier today only right after asking him. He must've been able to avoid suspicion in all the commotion.

"What do you play?" You pressed.

"Setter," He answered a little straighter.

He certainly was a good height. He met your gaze, which was more than you could say for most guys. You clocked him as a perfect stranger to start but as you glanced around his handsome features, you began to piece together those two facts-- something was off.

When you opened your mouth to ask for his name, all that came out was a startled reaction to an arm, heavy around your shoulders.

"Well, well, well!"

You rolled your eyes, "Oh my god..."

"If it isn't The King- here to rub our faces in his false win!"

Kageyama squinted, his nose a little scrunched at the nickname, the insinuation, but most of all the contact in front of him. This wasn't going at all to plan. It was like rock bottom was only getting dug deeper around him.

You shook off Oikawa's arm and, despite having no reason to, defended him, "He didn't say anything like that, Toru. Fuck off."

Oikawa huffed like the big baby he was and crossed his arms over his chest instead.

"He doesn't need to. That's just how he thinks."

"Stop projecting," Kageyama spat. He glanced between you now, wary of the fact that you might be dating.

"How do you know each other?"

You asked Toru, specifically.

When you shifted to look at him, there was a thick intensity to the air between them. It wasn't an enjoyable experience, having to brave the rigid atmosphere by yourself. It was like they needed a room.

"They were on the same team at Kitagawa!" A delightful blur of orange cut in.

After such a demanding, arduous game today, this labyrinth of a conversation and all the odd strangers were getting old, fast. You didn't have a whole lot of time to absorb every bit of information. So they went to the same middle school-- great. That did not explain a damn thing. Now this kid looked familiar, too.

Instead of keeping on that train, you took a big breath to introduce yourself to the shorter guy.

"Nobody asked you."

Your face fell. The ball of sunshine faded in a flash. Now everyone was stiff.

"That was mean." You stated, unable to let it slide after a moment of deliberation.

Kageyama looked shocked, like he either didn't realize what he said was cruel, or he didn't expect anyone to call him out on it. You figured it was the latter, given Hinata's sad, no-retaliation reaction.

"Are you Hinata?" You heard yourself guess. There were only so many 5'3 ginger players here- especially none that caused as much of a stir as him.

Hinata nodded fervently and you grinned with a hand outstretched, "Well, it's nice to meet the legend himself."

Delighted as he was, he didn't take your compliment in the slightest. He shook your hand with two smaller ones and you watched his blush spread right to his ears.

"Legend?! You're the legend! We saw your game- that was so awesome!! How do you put that much BOOM in your spike?! I didn't think--"

You laughed chiefly at the 'Boom,' then at his excited rambling.

When he said 'we,' you glanced to his dark-haired friend and pieced together that they must have been there together. He still looked like he was taking your comment personally.

It truly all fell apart at his feet. Oikawa was talking at him, but he couldn't hear a word. He watched past his shoulder as Hinata took his spot, dazzling you with his stupidity and enthusiasm with so much ease, so quickly. How did you know the runt and not the guy who threw his sets?

The thought occurred to him that he had something to learn from Hinata about talking to girls, but it pissed him off so bad that his expression begged a smartass comment.

"Woah- watch out, ugly. Your face might get stuck like that!" He cackled and jabbed a rigid finger at Kageyama's chest.

He choked when you threw a hard punch at him in the back. Hinata stopped rambling at your show of force and backed up a few steps.

"Stop being so childish! God, you're the fucking worst," You ignored his dramatic gasps of pain and looked right over Hinata's head to nod at his friend, "No wonder he doesn't like you."

Regardless of how mean the other guy was, you knew your brother was deserving of everything you said.

"I'm older than you!" He whined, "Ugh- Shit, that hurt! Don't talk to me like that--,"

It was only in this moment that Kageyama understood your dynamic was nothing to be competitive about. Oikawa was your older brother. As much as it was a cosmic 'Fuck you, Tobio,' he was relieved that your eligibility was up to speculation again. Your likeness to him was now obvious, and not a symptom of any familiarity effect.

"Then start acting like it," You rolled your eyes and ignored the yammering that ensued- you looked to that quiet, pretty boy.

He didn't even glance at Toru's impassioned blithering as soon as he felt your eyes on him, "What's your name? You never said."

"Kageyama." He muttered, soft and distant.

There was a faintness to his words, a cloudy preoccupation on his usually sharp expression whenever he addressed you. You understood his intentions now and couldn't help but feel flattered.

Once Toru realized he wasn't going to get any more attention, he deemed neither of the two idiots as a threat to you and joined his team further back into the hall. There was no way you'd entertain dating either of them, anyway.

"So," You spared a glance back long enough to know he wasn't returning, "What were you really here for?"

Kageyama looked a little shell-shocked. His mouth hung open a moment, and he glanced at the floor near your feet. His eyes trailed back up in a way that could've been incriminating, but you decided not to comment on it.

"I just- wanted to say good job. Really. Your technique... is cool."

He was so obvious. You failed to bite back a smile at his -seemingly rare- sincerity.

"It's awesome," Hinata emphasized. When you looked at him, he visibly tightened and felt the need to disguise it with more words, "Man, I wish I could hit as hard as you!"

A shy laugh found you- you covered it with your hand. Kageyama wished you wouldn't.

"I could show you sometime, if you want," You offered. Any excuse to play again was appealing, especially with someone who had this much energy.

He gasped and began speaking with only Kageyama in a big, animated fashion.

A teammate of yours tapped you to let you know your team would be leaving for the bus, soon. Before that, you hadn't noticed how much the crowd was thinning out. There were only a few of you left and you knew you needed to go soon.

You looked at your brother, eyeing your little trio from afar. He wouldn't leave without knowing you were alone and unfollowed. Especially with his antagonistic opinion on Karasuno, in general.

"I can give you my number if you want to set something up. I- really gotta get going."

Hinata's eyes grew wide and sparkly with joy- you could tell he appreciated the offer on a few levels. He quickly fumbled around for his phone and you exchanged numbers.

Kageyama eyed you like a hawk, but you pretended not to notice until you pulled away.

A brief glance at him was all it took to send him back to a broody, avoidant mess.

"Just send me a text when you wanna meet up, okay?" You slung your bag and pushed on his shoulder playfully before jogging away to catch your friend.

There was only a brief moment of silence while the pair walked to rejoin their team.

"I'll break your legs if you don't give me her number."

It didn't put the fear of God in him the way he wanted it to. Hinata, equipped with newfound courage and a dash of arrogance, laughed instead.

"What are you gonna do with it? She won't want a text from you--" He evaded the first swat, got clipped on the second, and almost dropped his phone when Kageyama lunged for his phone a third time.

Before he could succeed in a fourth attempt, Hinata took off in a sprint towards their exit with Kageyama lagging behind.

It was easier to dodge the swarms of other teams and visitors with his smaller frame, but once they reached the end of the hall, it would be up to the mercy of their team to hear his pleas and save him.

♕ VIP ♕

@integers @yuchacco

my masterlist

want a part 2 or got any requests?

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endereies · 2 months ago

Text

Manager!Reader being formally introduced to Volleyball!Player!Chris

The gym couldn't be any louder if it tried. The pounding of shoes against the polished hardwood, the slap of palms connecting to the ball and the steady rhythm of every motion the players made. It was a simple practice match within the team but it seemed to be pushing everyone the longer it went on. It was halfway through the third set - the last set to decide the better mix up of people. It realistically should've been relaxed, however, the players had other plans.

Chris poised himself just be behind the ten-foot line, knees bent and in position. Sweat was beading at his temples, clinging onto anything it could. His eyes were locked on the server, everything else blurred in his peripheral. Two steps back - float serve. The ball came as quick as his decision did, hurtling directly for Chris. A float serve as predicted, and thankfully he was in a decent enough place to perform an overhead pass. It was less risk to dropping the ball that way.

It placed itself perfectly into his fingers, rising back up towards a teammate who was already pacing to the net. Another shuffle of footsteps pounded the floor as the middle blocker acted as a decoy to throw off the opposing side. They fell for it. Left wing was already airborne in first tempo and that was all they needed.

The blockers didn't have time to reach the floor properly before a spike blew past them into the far corner of the court. "Yes!" Levi pumped his fist into the air with a cheer which Chris stared at him in silence, then to where the ball landed.

"We could've done minus tempo." Chris' voice ejected softly, but enough to overcome the heavy breaths of his teammates.

"Excuse me?"

"I mean your approach could've been faster to the net. Minus tempo. The blockers realized or decoy faster than normal." Chris didn't offer anything else and turned back to his original position to call out the next rotation. Levi couldn't complain though. With Chris being the setter, he was simultaneously the control center of the team. And he made his presence known.

Coach Daichi clapped a few times to get the boys' attention. "C'mon everyone, reset and go again. I don't want you to dwell on it, that won't get anyone anywhere."

A few groans followed, but Chris was already lining up, palms out and knees bent just like before. The next serve was much shorter than the last, coming dangerously close to the net before James barely bumped the ball. It drifted near the antenna. Chris instantly changed his posture, lowering his body enough to reach underneath the ball. His body moved before his brain had the chance to catch up, muscle memory taking control. He got under ball - positioned himself - and set. The angle was less than ideal, preventing much more from Chris that rally.

"Cover!" He snapped slightly, seeing that no one was quite moving for it. Another hitter managed to finally thaw his feet from the grounds but by then the ball was too low. He hesitated. His fingertips grazed the ball and nudged it into the net.

"What the hell was that." His face flushed as Chris took a few steps towards him. He almost wanted to stand back himself but once more, his feet were stuck.

"You can't just hesitate midair, the ball was high enough-"

"Sturniolo. Enough."

Chris turned sharply, his jaw jarringly tight. He didn't argue, he never argued the coach. He knows he's wrong but his pride forces him to swallow that for now. His whole gaze nearly burned a hole into the wooden floors before a sharp whistle pierced his thoughts.

"Timeout everyone!"

Everyone just stood there leisurely, relaxing their bodies. Daichi turned to face Kaia, their team manager and with them, someone completely unfamiliar.

You stepped cautiously into the chaos - the sound of your ordinary sneakers squeaking against the panels beneath. The whole team just stared, sweat from their match evident on their faces and the way their uniform clung to them.

Kaia stepped forward first, her figure blending into the atmosphere perfectly. Her hands motioned towards you, a small smile written on her face. That gave you the confidence to do the same as she spoke up.

"As I'm sure you are all aware, after this year, I will no longer be the manager of this team due to graduation. Since I am in my final year, Daichi and I saw it fit to find a 'replacement' so to speak. We wanted a smooth hand off to everyone else without any hiccups, so they will be shadowing me and this team for the next set of months leading up to graduation. Everyone, this is Y/n."

Silence.

That wasn't exactly ideal. Your heartbeat pulsed rapidly in your ears, drowning out every other sound made by the gym. Mustering a harsh swallow, you spoke up. "It's nice to meet you all.." Did they even hear you when you were that quiet? God, this was stressful and nothing had even happened yet.

"Yo sick! Another manager to gloat about." Well, that took you by surprise.

"Relax Suna, let's not scare them off already." Kaia smirked at the typical eagerness of Suna's personality - it was hard to miss with that bright grin of his.

Chris didn't speak, but he did acknowledge you. He'd seen you around the campus before, but since he was evidently older than you, the amount of classes you had dwindled to zero. He stared hard. Not rudely, not welcoming either. Was he evaluating you? It sure felt tense when you two finally made eye contact.

Once introductions were given and half forgotten, you know were once again a random person standing in this huge gymnasium. That was quickly picked up by Kaia who gently nudged you to get your attention, unlike the whistle the coach dangled around his neck. "Just observe for now, you'll pick everything up soon enough," She paused, contemplating her thoughts. "You said you already understand parts of volleyball, correct?"

A meek nod was all it took. "Uh, yeah. My brother used to play so I learnt some stuff from him..."

"That's good then, at least you aren't learning from step 1"

The whistle blew and somehow it seemed louder now that you weren't prepared for it. The board showed it was set three and now their exhaustion clicked in your mind. one all so far and this one was to win. This time you were finally able to see everyone play, the positions sticking out.

This time, Chris didn’t wait for the pass to settle in the air. He adjusted on the fly, running a quick set to the middle. The timing was tight. The blockers attempted a read block, but by the time they all figured it out, it was too late. The ball hit the floor with a smack.

One.

During the next play. Chris hustled again, this time opting for a soft dig and diving with barely a second lost. He called for a back row attack, and delivered a back set no one saw coming.

Two.

Then, a perfect serve receive. Chris barely touched the ball before it was in the air again - a fast pass to the outside, and Levi, now focused, buried it down the line.

Three.

Coach gave a sharp nod. “That’s what I want to see.” Chris got back onto his feet, firmly cemented where he belonged. Chest rising and eyes hard, you saw it.

The way he watched the court and treated it like chessboard was astounding. He only made essential movements to score points just as efficiently. The way his body moved before you could even process anything. The way he seemed displeased with his efforts, and everyone else's too. That threw you off. It seemed like a perfect play, how could he want more.

Kaia leaned in close, pushing her voice over the yells. "Impressive right? That's Chris for you. You'll get used to his stature soon enough."

You nodded slowly, your eyes heavy on the court. "Yeah..."

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cloudastra1 · 1 year ago

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#software development #devops #tomcat connection timeout

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pbaz7 · 6 months ago

Text

It’ll Always Be Her Chapter 15

AN: Here’s the next chapter, just a cutesy one to transition into the last portions of the story. It’ll end up being 19 chapters so we’re almost done!

Word Count: 3.4k

The UConn Pavilion was alive, buzzing with the kind of energy only playoff basketball could bring. Every seat in the arena was filled, a sea of fans clad in blue and white, waving banners and chanting in unison. The court gleamed under the bright lights, the UConn logo standing proud at center court. The stakes were high; this wasn’t just any game—this was the Big East Championship game, where every second counted, and every play could make or break a team’s positioning come time for the NCAA tournament.

Paige took a deep breath, standing at the free-throw line as the referee prepared to toss up the jump ball. She could feel the eyes of the packed crowd on her, but she tuned out the noise, her focus narrowing to the task at hand. Across from her, Azzi gave her a quick nod, her expression calm but intense. It was their silent way of communicating—no words needed. They’d been here before, and they knew what needed to be done.

From the moment the ball was tipped, Paige and Azzi were a force to be reckoned with. They moved like two parts of the same machine, their chemistry undeniable. Paige drove to the basket with precision, weaving through defenders before kicking the ball out to Azzi, who drained a three-pointer with ease. The crowd roared, but neither player celebrated. There was still work to do.

On defense, they were equally relentless. Azzi intercepted a sloppy pass, immediately looking upcourt to find Paige sprinting ahead. The two connected on a fast break, with Paige finishing at the rim, her layup just brushing the backboard before dropping through the net. The opposing team called a timeout, desperate to regroup, but the damage had already been done.

“Keep pushing!” Geno shouted as the team huddled on the sideline. “They can’t stop you two if you stay locked in.”

Paige wiped sweat from her brow, her eyes never leaving Azzi. They were both breathing hard, but neither looked ready to slow down. Azzi smirked, leaning in close enough for only Paige to hear. “They’re scrambling out there. Let’s keep pushing.”

Paige chuckled, nodding. “Let’s do it.”

Back on the court, the intensity only ramped up. The opposing team fought hard, trading baskets and refusing to let UConn pull too far ahead. Every possession felt like a battle, with bodies colliding and tempers flaring. The crowd fed off the tension, their cheers and boos rising and falling with every play.

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, the score was tied. Both teams were in the bonus, and the pressure was palpable. Paige dribbled at the top of the key, calling for a screen. Azzi set a perfect pick, giving Paige just enough room to drive into the paint. As the defense collapsed on her, Paige spotted Azzi slipping to the wing, wide open.

Without hesitation, Paige fired the ball to her. Azzi caught it in stride, rising for the shot. The ball hung in the air for what felt like an eternity before swishing through the net. The Pavilion erupted, the crowd on their feet, but there was no time to celebrate. The opposing team inbounded quickly, racing back down the court.

Azzi clapped her hands, barking out defensive assignments as Paige picked up the ball handler. They were back in sync, shutting down passing lanes and forcing a contested shot that clanged off the rim. Paige snagged the rebound, her eyes immediately searching for Azzi. Together, they pushed the pace, refusing to let their opponents catch their breath.

The crowd was on their feet as the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter. With under a minute to go, UConn clung to a comfortable lead. The pressure was suffocating, but Paige kept her composure. She called for a screen, weaving through defenders before dishing the ball to Azzi, who drained another three, putting UConn up by 13. As the final buzzer echoed through the UConn Pavilion, signaling the end of a thrilling Big East Championship game. The crowd exploded, a tidal wave of cheers and applause that seemed to shake the very foundations of the arena. Blue and white streamers and confetti rained down from the ceiling, filling the air with a sparkling, celebratory haze. Paige stood at center court as she took it all in.

This wasn’t just any win—it was the culmination of a season built on grit and determination, a season where they had a full roster for the first time in years. After a difficult, injury-riddled season the year before, where they barely had enough players to field a full squad, UConn had come roaring back this year, undefeated and ready to take on the world. Now, with the Big East Championship secured, the number one seed in March Madness was all but theirs.

Paige’s breath hitched as she realized the weight of it all. The last few years had been a rollercoaster, but this moment made every struggle worth it. She had a perfect season ahead of her, but more than that, she was just a few games away from possibly lifting the NCAA Championship. The emotions flooded her—joy, relief, pride—and for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to fully feel them.

She didn’t notice the tears at first, but as they slid down her cheeks, it became impossible to ignore. She’d put everything into this season, everything into leading her team, and it was all coming to fruition in the most glorious way.

Azzi was by her side in an instant, sensing the shift in Paige’s demeanor. She didn’t hesitate, pulling Paige into a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around her to offer comfort, strength, and love. The world around them faded. The noise of the crowd, the celebration, everything else was drowned out by the closeness of the moment.

They stood like that for what felt like eternity, Paige resting her head on Azzi’s shoulder, as if grounding herself in the support of the one person who had been with her through it all. Azzi held her tight, the intensity of the moment palpable between them.

In the hush of the hug, just for a moment, Paige’s lips brushed against Azzi’s neck in a soft, almost imperceptible gesture, as if confirming the unspoken bond they shared. Paige pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Azzi’s, the quiet words that passed between them only adding to the electric energy of the moment.

“Couldn’t have done it without you,” Paige whispered, her voice shaky with emotion.

Azzi’s smile was tender, her voice soft but filled with certainty. “And I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”

As their hug lingered, the camera zoomed in on them, capturing every raw emotion. The jumbotron flickered to life, broadcasting their moment for everyone to see. The crowd’s cheers softened as they caught sight of the intimate exchange between the two. The connection between Paige and Azzi was undeniable, filled with so many emotions—victory, love, relief, and the silent promise that they were in this together.

Phones came out in the stands, fans capturing the moment for social media. Before the trophy presentation had even begun, the buzz was already growing. Speculation swirled across Twitter and Instagram, as fans and followers debated the nature of the relationship between Paige and Azzi. Some celebrated the bond they shared, praising their connection as something pure and powerful. Others weren’t so kind, questioning what they saw, unable to separate the intense chemistry on the court from their own assumptions.

@hoopsfanatic21: “That hug says it all. 💙@paigebueckers1 & @azzi_35 are not just teammates. Uconn is unstoppable! #BigEastChamps #TimeForMarchMadness

@CourtSideGurl: “Love seeing @azzi_35 and @paigebueckers1 show their bond on and off the court 😍🔥. But is it just me, or are we witnessing something more? #UConn #BigEastFinals"

@BasketballNews247: "Is @paigebueckers1 and @azzi_35 hug more than just a celebration? The chemistry between them is unreal. 🔥💔 #BigEastChamps #MarchMadness"

@SportsHotTake: "That hug... uncomfortable. Just me? Something feels off with this whole @paigebueckers1 and @azzi_35 dynamic.”

But while the social media storm began to rise, the team was still lost in the bliss of the present. They were too busy celebrating their victory, their trophy, and the joy of a perfect season to notice the online frenzy unfolding. The cameras caught the smiles of the team, the hugs exchanged, and the euphoria of a championship win—but none of them had any idea what was brewing off the court.

When the trophy presentation finally began, Paige was called forward as the Big East Championship MVP. She walked up, her steps steady but her heart racing. The roar of the crowd filled her ears, but she couldn’t stop the overwhelming flood of emotions that rose within her. Azzi’s eyes followed her every movement, filled with pride and admiration. When their gazes met, Azzi’s face softened, a tender smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It was clear: Azzi was beyond proud of Paige.

Paige took the trophy, the weight of it symbolic not just of her individual achievement, but of the journey she had taken with her team, and with Azzi, by her side.

As the celebration continued, no one—least of all Paige or Azzi—could have anticipated the chatter just their moment of a hug on the jumbotron would cause.

As the sound of celebration slowly faded and the team filed back into the locker room, the excitement was still palpable. They had just won the Big East Championship—something they had worked so hard for all season. The coaches were still congratulating them, clapping each player on the back as they made their way toward their lockers. Paige, still holding her MVP trophy, exchanged high-fives with teammates, her heart still pounding from the win.

It was only when they started pulling their phones from their bags that the first signs of the online firestorm hit. Caroline, who had just unlocked her phone, looked up in surprise as her eyes scanned the screen. Her expression shifted from curiosity to disbelief.

"Guys, you need to see this," she said, walking toward Paige and Azzi, who were in the middle of a quiet exchange, still basking in the glow of their victory.

Paige and Azzi both looked up, but it was Azzi who answered, her voice casual. "See what?"

Caroline handed over her phone, showing them the flood of tweets, Instagram posts, and viral videos featuring their hug on the jumbotron. The speculation was rampant. Caroline pointed to one tweet in particular.

Paige and Azzi exchanged a quick, surprised glance. Their hug had only been a moment of raw emotion between them—a celebration of everything they had worked for. Yet, now it was at the center of a social media storm.

“Wow,” Paige said softly, shaking her head. "Just a hug, huh?"

Azzi laughed softly, a touch of disbelief in her voice. "Guess it’s a lot more than that."

Caroline gave them a sympathetic look, her face mixed with concern and amusement. "I’m sure you two didn’t expect this. But honestly? You look so happy together, people can’t help but notice."

Paige nodded, still processing everything. "We’re fine with it," she said quietly. "It’s not like we’re trying to hide anything. But we also didn’t think it’d blow up like this."

Azzi gave a short chuckle, her smile still warm. "Yeah, but it is what it is."

Before they could discuss it any further, Geno walked into the locker room, signaling that they needed to head to the interview room. "Let’s go, ladies. Time for interviews."

As they walked down the hallway, the weight of the conversation they were about to have loomed in the air. Both Paige and Azzi were quietly processing the fact that their moment was now out in the open, and they were about to face questions they hadn’t prepared for.

The interview room was filled with media members, cameras flashing as Paige and Azzi entered, still wearing their uniforms. The reporters’ chatter quickly died down as Paige and Azzi took their seats at the front, with the MVP trophy sitting proudly on the table in front of Paige and the team trophy sitting in front of Azzi.

For the first few minutes, the questions were all basketball-related. The reporters congratulated Paige for her MVP performance, and Azzi was asked about her contributions to the game. They talked about their preparation, their teamwork, and what it meant to secure the number one spot in March Madness.

One reporter, sensing an opening, leaned in. "Paige, Azzi," the reporter began, "we all saw that emotional moment between the two of you after the win. With everything going on right now, fans seem to be reacting strongly to your connection. Have you two seen what’s been happening on social media?"

Azzi and Paige exchanged a quick glance, the weight of the moment sinking in. Paige was the first to speak, her voice steady but calm. "We haven’t seen it, no," she said, glancing at Azzi for a moment. "But Caroline showed us a quick glimpse at what people were saying."

The reporter leaned forward, eager to get more. "So, with all the attention on that moment, what’s your take on it?"

Paige took a breath, thinking carefully before she responded. "Azzi and I have been through everything together," she began, her voice softening with the weight of their shared history. "I’ve known her since I was a teenager. We’ve played on Team USA together, we’ve been through injuries together, and we’ve been at UConn together. Our bond is deep, and we’ve been through a lot. But we’re both private people, and we’ve always kept our personal lives just that—personal."

Azzi nodded in agreement, her tone calm but firm. "Yeah, it’s about respect. We’ve got a deep connection that’s been built over years of friendship and shared experiences. But we don’t feel the need to explain it all. We’re focused on basketball, on the championship, on what comes next."

Paige added, "What’s important right now is what we’re doing together as a team. We’ve been through a lot to get to this point, and we’re focused on the bigger picture."

The reporter, sensing they weren’t about to get an explicit answer, nodded, respecting their choice to keep things private.

The conversation shifted back to basketball, but the subtle way they spoke left room for interpretation. Neither Paige nor Azzi confirmed anything, but their words said enough to make it clear that they weren’t really hiding anything anymore.

…

After the game ended and the interviews were done, Paige and Azzi made their way out the back of the UConn Pavilion, where a crowd of fans waited excitedly. Paige, casually holding Azzi’s bag, seemed unfazed by the attention, her focus more on the quiet moment shared with Azzi. They stopped to take a few pictures with fans, each fan bubbling with excitement.

One fan, snapping a picture, grinned. “You two always seem to be together. I couldn't stand being with my bestfriend 24/7.”

Paige chuckled and shot a playful look at Azzi. “Just good teamwork,” she said with a wink,

Azzi, leaning in a little closer, grinned. “Yep, we work well together. Can’t ask for a better partner,” she teased, her voice light, but with an undercurrent of something more.

Another fan, snapping pictures, noticed Paige holding Azzi’s bag and raised an eyebrow. “That’s sweet. You always carry her stuff?”

Paige shot the fan a half-grin. “What can I say? I’m just really good at helping out,” she said casually, making no effort to downplay the closeness.

Azzi rolled her eyes dramatically, but her smile never faltered. “Yeah, she’s sooo helpful,” Azzi teased, nudging Paige’s shoulder as if they were sharing some private joke.

One fan, waving their hand frantically in an attempt to catch Paige’s attention, called out her name. But Paige was too engrossed in conversation to notice.

Azzi, noticing the fan’s efforts, leaned in with a mischievous smile and whispered in Paige's ear, "Someone’s trying to get your attention."

Paige didn’t look up right away, still distracted by the fan she was talking to. Azzi raised an eyebrow and, with a quick glance toward the fan, turned back to Paige, her voice a little more playful and louder this time. “Hey, babe,” she said, her words slow and teasing, her tone deliberately flirtatious. “Someone’s calling you.”

Paige finally turned, raising an eyebrow at Azzi’s tone but smiling when she realized what was happening. “What? You’re just trying to get me to notice you, huh?”

Azzi smirked, a confident glint in her eye. “Maybe, but I think I’d rather help our fan out,” she said, nudging Paige toward the excited fan, who was still waiting.

Paige chuckled, clearly amused. “Alright, alright. I’m here,” she said with a grin, finally turning her full attention to the fan.

Azzi leaned in a little closer to Paige so only she could hear, her voice lowering just enough to be playful but filled with flirtation. “You know, it’s kinda cute how much attention you get. I think they’re all a little obsessed with you,” she teased, her lips curling in a smile. At this, Paige smiles at Azzi, letting her know she heard her as they share a moment with one another.

The fan was clearly excited. “I just wanted to say that you two are great together! You make the best team on and off the court.”

Azzi glanced at Paige with a knowing smile. “Well, what can we say? We make a pretty good duo,” she replied, her eyes locked on Paige, the chemistry undeniable. “But we’re just doing what we do best.”

Paige grinned, her fingers lightly adjusting the strap on Azzi’s bag. “Yeah, we’re just two people making it work. No big deal,” she said casually, giving the fan a smile. “Thanks for the love!”

As they wrapped up the conversation, another fan shouted from a little further away, trying to get Paige’s attention. This time, the fan looked directly at Azzi, unsure how to catch Paige’s eye.

Azzi, with a playful smirk, turned to Paige and said, “Looks like we’ve got another one. Maybe I should help them out, huh?”

Paige raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “You really do like playing matchmaker, don’t you?”

Azzi just gave her a sly wink, leaning closer to Paige’s ear and in a loud enough voice for the fan to hear, she called out, “Hey, Paige! You’re needed over there!” Her words were light and teasing, her eyes never leaving Paige’s face.

The fan’s eyes widened, both at the sound of Azzi’s playful tone and the way she effortlessly got Paige’s attention. Paige couldn’t help but laugh, finally turning to the fan. “Sorry about that! What’s up?”

Azzi leaned in and whispered with a teasing grin, “I think I just became your personal hype woman.”

Paige chuckled, shaking her head but clearly enjoying the playful banter. “Clearly, you’ve got this whole thing down.”

As they continued to chat with the fans, one of them pointed out their matching phone cases, prompting another round of smiles. “Are those matching cases?” the fan asked, grinning. “That’s so cute!”

Azzi, glancing down at the phones she was holding with a smirk, nudged Paige. “Guess we’re just on the same wavelength,” she said, her voice light but flirtatious.

Paige shot her a sideways grin. “Don’t lie, I got those for us.”

As they made their way to the car, more fans continued to watch, whispering excitedly about everything they had just seen.

Azzi overheard and shot Paige a teasing look. “Guess I’m getting spoiled tonight,” she said, her voice dripping with playful affection.

Paige opened the car door for Azzi with a smile, not even thinking about it as she helped Azzi slide in. “What can I say? Someone’s gotta treat you right.”

Azzi’s grin widened. “You’re officially my chauffeur now. I’ll make sure to tip well.”

As the car pulled away from the Pavilion, the fans' murmurs continued to buzz. Social media lit up again, fans sharing every little detail they’d just witnessed: Paige holding Azzi’s bag, the matching phone cases, Paige opening the car door for Azzi, the two of them flirting in front of fans. It was a game of subtle hints, with the fans eagerly picking up on every unspoken gesture.

Paige looked over at Azzi, her eyes soft. “Guess the fans will have a lot to talk about tonight.”

Azzi just laughs at this saying it’ll probably get 10x worse during March Madness.

@melpthatsme

#pazzi #paige x azzi #pazzi fics

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whateverisbeautiful · 10 months ago

Text

♥️Reveling in Richonne - TOWL

#39: The Love of My Life (1.04)

gif cred: @figmentof

Now for years, I’ve pretty much acted like ‘love of his life'/'love of her life’ are Richonne’s official pronouns. So many of us have been referring to Rick and Michonne as the love of each other's lives for ages. And to now have an in-show moment where that's expressed directly - Heavenly. 😇 And I’ll be gushing about it for forever.

This scene is a magnificently acted and heartrending knockout. 👏🏽 And it's especially powerful because it's in this moment that Michonne gets to be so vulnerably honest about her pain and what/who has been causing it recently 🥺...

So after a beautiful, quiet, and poignant exchange between Richonne, they again have one of those emotional lingering looks in each other's eyes, and then the building returns to rumbling.

Rick uses the building as a way to sorta put a halt to the vulnerability when he starts to get up and say, “We gotta get out of here. We’re running out of time.” As he stands up and puts his pants on, Michonne looks up at him and concretely says, “No.”

Then I always like the way Rick says, “Michonne.” One; cuz I just always love the way he says her name and two; Even tho it’s very true that the building is about to collapse, you can already hear in Rick’s voice that he knows he’s probably going to comply with whatever Michonne wants to do lol.

gif cred: @andy-clutterbuck

Plus I was like sir, Michonne didn’t hesitate to throw y’all out of a moving helicopter during a raging storm so staying in a shaking building a while longer is nothing to her crazy self. And we love her for it. 🤭

Michonne says with certainty, “We need to decide what’s next right now.” Rick tries to make his case one more time by reminding her that “this place is going down” and once again you can hear in his voice that he knows he’s about to give in.

Michonne looks right in his eyes as she says, “Sit, Rick.” She knows this is how it has to be. And it’s true. The whole reason she yanked them out of that helicopter was because they needed neutral ground for their timeout. If they leave here it’ll only make it harder to talk things through and get Rick to not revert to thinking he needs to call the CRM.

Michonne makes an executive decision for them when she says, “We’re not moving until we decide.” I like how serious she is about this because she knows what’s at stake. Like if they can’t figure it out in this conversation this could potentially end with them going their separate ways. So they need to give this the time it deserves and the building can wait.

Michonne again recalls her bestie Nat when she says, “Nat used to say ‘You got to know when to go’ It’s not time to go. Not until we know where we’re going.” I’m with it. 👌🏽 And I think the building is with it too the way it shakes and rattles after she says this. That building said 'that's right Rick, sit down, buddy.' #DirectQuoteFromTheBuilding.😁

And so Rick gets on board and sits back down on the bed, placing the PRB in between them. I love that even despite thinking it’s crazy to stay in here, Rick is willing to stay a little longer in this crumbling building for Michonne.

gif cred: @nat111love

And then I love the framing of it when Richonne both look down at the PRB on the bed and then Rick looks out focused on the shaking building and Michonne looks up focused on her shaking husband.

As Rick then looks at her with teary eyes you can see so much of that suppressed pain within him slowly but surely bubbling up to the surface. Michonne again takes this approach of asking questions that help Rick get to the bottom of what he really wants and feels when she asks, “After I left here, why did you come after me?”

I love that this is what she wants to address first because Rick going after her was a clear sign that they are way too magnetically connected to actually let each other go.

gif cred: @figmentof

Rick says, “You know why.” And I love the way he says it. 🫦He knows she knows he loves her more than life itself. But then I just adore Michonne saying, “Say it. I need you to.” Yes.👏🏽 Danai’s writing said this miniseries is not gonna just vaguely infer and imply when it comes to expressing Richonne's feelings about each other. Very refreshing to see.

I love that Michonne wants Rick to say the reason aloud even tho of course she knows. There’s power in hearing the words both for her and for him to have to hear himself directly say aloud why he couldn’t let her leave.

gif cred: @nat111love

And because she needs to hear it, Rick so willingly tells her why, and without even trying to be as romantic as possible he manages to be as romantic as possible by giving his honest answer, “You’re the love of my life.” 😭

gif cred: @riickgrimes

PERFECTION. 🙌🏽 After witnessing Richonne's beautiful years-long journey, can we just pause and take another moment to appreciate that there is now a scene where Rick declares Michonne the love of his life. All we've ever done is won, y'all. 😭

Hearing Rick so sincerely tell Michonne that she’s the love of his life brings me copious amounts of joy. 🥹 Rick knows she's the one. Past, present, future - Michonne is the one for Rick. The one & only. 😌

Then he adds to the devastating beauty of it all when he says, “I couldn’t just let you go. It felt like my heart ripped - ripped itself out of my chest and walked out the door.” If you wanna talk about romance, baby, this is it right here. 😭😍🫠

gif cred: @msanonships

I love Danai for writing this and Andy for so powerfully performing it. We feasted on every word and this gave such a shining example of why Richonne's story is an epic love story through and through. 👏🏽

After watching his panic when she left the apartment earlier, I love that Rick now describes it by saying it felt like his heart ripped out of his chest and left. By personifying his heart walking out the door he’s saying Michonne is his heart. She leaves, his heart leaves. 🥲

And again, Rick isn’t even trying to be romantic. This is just genuinely what is pouring out of his heart for her. It’s just his truths. And it’s beautiful that his love for her is still so overwhelmingly strong that he could never move on or let go of her. He couldn't let her go when she walked out of the apartment just like he couldn't let her go during their almost 8 years apart. 😭

gif cred: @nat111love

I also think about Rick and Michonne's first season 3 scene face to face at the prison when Rick walks away and tells Michonne, “Can’t let you leave.” Man has that been proven more true than he could have ever guessed.

gif cred: @figmentof

Michonne hears this and she knows she feels the exact same about the love of her life because when she walked out earlier it felt like her heart ripped itself out of her chest and stayed in the apartment. 🥺

Like we really saw how extremely difficult it was for both these magnets to even have a few moments of thinking they were walking away for good. 🧲💔

gif cred: @ricksmarlene

So she urges Rick, “Then come home with me. It’s that simple.” I love how Michonne’s mindset is so firmly rooted in her belief that she and Rick can go home and overcome anything that follows if they’re together.

No matter how complicated things appear, she believes the simple truth that together they’ll figure it out. And...

But Rick isn’t so sure of that when he says, “It’s not…it’s not that easy.” Again, after so many years refusing to entertain any other idea than that he’d be making it home to his girls, this is now a Rick who is beaten down by the fact that it really hasn’t been as easy as he hoped to make it home.

I like how even tho Rick seems like he’s jumping out of his skin with all the emotions swirling inside of him right now, knowing he’s on the brink of being the most honest and vulnerable he’s been in years, he still gives Michonne his full attention.

Michonne takes another effective approach that is so signature to Richonne - which is leveling through vulnerability. She lets Rick know how the CRM hurt her, leading by example of how he too can open up about how the CRM hurt him.

She says, “Listen to me, when this army attacked my friends, I got hit too. I nearly died.” Once again, it’s important for Rick to hear these things and be reminded that Michonne has been through a lot and so being apart from her doesn’t protect her nearly as much as being with her. Plus now he knows the CRM almost took her life which has got to shake him up.

gif cred: @clonecaptains

She explains how she was holed up in a mall with Nat for an entire year and then emotionally says, “They took a year from me, from my time with my kids.” Pain. 🥺😖

The way her eyes water up thinking about the valuable time she lost with her kids thanks to the CRM. You can tell that rips her up inside because every moment with her children is precious and the CRM stole countless moments.

I feel like the flagship show wouldn’t have given Michonne an opportunity to share not only what the CRM did to her but how it pained her. And it’s another reason I am so grateful to Danai for writing this episode and truly acknowledging Michonne’s feelings.

Then Michonne confesses, “I lied to you. I don’t know how Judith is. I don’t know if she’s okay. She stopped answering the walkie.” The way her voice breaks as she for the first time in a long time has to admit to herself that she doesn’t actually know if Judith is alright. 🥺 I just...

She so badly only wanted to entertain the thought that her daughter is alive and well out there but here she’s vulnerable as she reveals she hasn’t been able to know for sure for quite some time.

Rick reacts to this as it hits him that because of the CRM, Judith had to be without both her parents for an extended amount of time.

Then Michonne says, "They've taken so much from us. Why give them any more?" So true. Michonne handles so much so well in ep 4 in how she gets Rick to really come to necessary realizations.

Like when she shares with him what the CRM took from her (a year, her time with her kids, her chance to get to Rick sooner, nearly her life) it’s leveling through vulnerability to help him see they took things from her too and so she understands what they’re capable of taking from people. And it shows him how he can open up with her and share what they took from him.

Rick is squirmy over all this tho and so he starts to look away. But I love that Michonne takes his face in her hands and keeps him looking at her as she passionately says, “This hope that you have in the CRM, sacrificing yourself - it’s not real. We, your family, are real. I’m real.” Y'all, it’s physically impossible for me to not tear up over this right here. 😭 So superbly performed and so powerful. 👏🏽

gif cred: @nat111love

I love that she wants Rick to see that over the years he’s been fed a narrative that isn’t real. This type of sacrifice won't solve things for him just like it didn't solve things for Okafor either.

Like Okafor tried to act like sacrificing being with his wife was the right way but it clearly still broke something major inside him. And Okafor's viewpoint of living only for the greater good was a story he told himself and believed in to run from the darker reality that he had destroyed what made him human and what made life worth living when he 💣 his wife.

Fortunately, the love of Rick’s life is here to remind him of what is and isn’t real and what he should actually pursue which is his being with his family.

I love that she appeals to Rick as the Family Man he is at his core when she says "We, your family, are real." She's helping him see he has a whole family who loves him and wants and needs him with them. And Michonne wants Rick to see that being with them can be his reality the second he chooses it.

And then I especially love Michonne earnestly telling Rick "I’m real."

I think about Rick’s last full TWD episode and how he has this breathtakingly beautiful moment with an imagined Michonne (again, thank you to Danai for advocating for that scene 🙏🏽) and at the end of the hallucination, Rick says, “...But this isn’t real” and Michonne assures him “Yes it is” because their love is real in any dimension.

The real Michonne doesn’t even yet know about all the dreams and visions Rick has had of her, starting all the way back from his final ep in s9, but it makes it all the more fitting for her to now almost be reminding Rick he doesn’t have to dream anymore - She’s right here.

It is so beyond refreshing to now see Michonne really in front of Rick and again helping him see that she is real and their love is real. Always has been, and always will be.😌

I adore how she then says, “Our love. This? It doesn’t get denied.” 👏🏽I love the passion in that delivery and the way Michonne has this clear reverence for the power of their love. Me too.🙋🏽‍♀️

gif cred: @nat111love

Richonne's love is really and truly an unstoppable force and it can’t ever be denied so I love that Michonne knows that and verbalizes it to Rick here.

gif cred: @nat111love

She says their love can’t be denied, “No matter what you keep trying to tell me…” and when Rick again starts to look away she turns his face back to her, almost as this act of recentering him to look at what's real and important as she says, “Or yourself.” She’s speaking some gospel truths, as always. 🙌🏽

gif cred: @nat111love

After she witnessed his panic attack in bed, Michonne knows Rick is wrestling with something deep within himself and knows he's been trying to lie to not just her but to himself too. And honestly, the two are so one that lying to himself is lying to her, and lying to her is lying to himself.

Michonne saying "or yourself" is her addressing that Rick keeps trying to convince himself of something that's untrue and trying to deny a love that simply cannot be stopped.

gif cred: @nat111love

And then y’all, this next part both breaks my heart and heals me because Michonne looks at him with tears in her eyes as she gets exceptionally vulnerable to tell Rick, “And this - this back and forth…it’s hurting me, Rick.” 😭

How are we supposed to watch this and not burst into tears? 🥺

gif cred: @nerd4music

First of all; it is meaningful beyond words that Michonne got to just outright express that she’s hurting. And specifically hurting from Rick’s behavior and back and forth.

As I’ve said before, it’s so fitting to address the hurtfulness of the back and forth because it’s not just the pulling away that’s painful. Like to have those moments where they’re so blissfully bonded and connected only for that Rick to continually disappear. It’s all hurtful. 😔

Rick was so one-track-minded in his desire to keep Michonne safe that he ended up being the one to cause her harm. And I love that she just told him straight up that what he was doing was hurting her and that that was the catalyst for him to finally be honest and vulnerable with her.

Michonne says, “It’s making me become someone I don’t recognize. You’re hurting me.” The vulnerability is so raw and authentic. 😢 This is a woman who knows she can be completely real and honest with her man, even when he’s in this state.

gif cred: @nerd4music

Rick hears this and you can see her words hit him like a ton of bricks as he looks down with a tear. He knew he was deliberately trying to hurt her, but I think having to be confronted by those actions directly and hear Michonne say it outright, it becomes real what he’s doing.

And you just know from his penitent expression that he’s immediately deeming it intolerable to continue hurting her.

gif cred: @nerd4music

I love that something as simple as saying "you’re hurting me" ends up being so powerful. Because Michonne could have tried to say it without saying it or just let it be the elephant in the room but instead she has the maturity to just call it what it is and say what you are doing is hurting me. And hearing it laid out plain and simple has an immediate impact on Rick.

TOWL made it very clear that Michonne does not exist just to carry the weight of Rick’s emotions. Supporting and uplifting him is a beautiful thing that she does so happily, willingly, and well, but she is also a person who needs to be heard and held in this relationship.

All that back and forth Rick was doing, it was making her lose herself as she tried so hard to hold onto those flickers or her Rick while seeing the man she loves rapidly fade away at any given turn. Similar to how Rick saw Michonne burn away in his dreams, Michonne has been having to watch her Rick routinely try to burn himself away from her in real life.

She needed the deliberate hurtfulness, the continuous deflections, and the kiss-like-we’re-still-madly-in-love-but-then-act-like-everything-we-have-is-broken thing to stop. For her sake and his. For their sake. And hearing her outright say that he’s hurting her is enough for Rick to snap out of it and finally put down the wall with the one person who always gets all of him.

Michonne continues to look at him as she says with certainty, “And I know you. That is not how you love.” This dialogue man. 🫠 Elite. 👏🏽🔥

gif cred: @nerd4music

I love this line so much. After saying several times in this episode that she doesn’t know who Rick is anymore, I love that here she says with conviction that she does know him and she knows the way he loves and it’s not like this.

Rick has a giant heart and is a very loving person, which is a huge reason he’s so compelling and unique as an apocalypse protagonist, and I love how Michonne expressing this here shows that she loves how he loves.

That’s actually something I noted a lot throughout TOWL (especially in episode 5) which is I adore how Michonne loves the way Rick loves. Like he’s Loverboy 5000 and loves giving gifts and affection and warmth and Michonne is so wonderfully reciprocal and appreciative of all the love he has in his good kind heart. It’s great. 🥰

And because she knows and cherishes how Rick loves, she’s able to look at him in this moment and tell him that trying to hurt her like this is not him. This showing of love through lies and inflicting pain has been eating away at Rick, and so he knows this is not how he loves too.

gif cred: @nerd4music

Before this episode aired, there was a lot of discussion and curiosity surrounding what would be the thing that gets Rick to officially snap out of his defeated state in TOWL. What would prompt his turning point?

And I appreciate more than I can even properly express that what it ended up being was Michonne expressing her hurt. That was it. 🥲That’s enough. That’s more than enough. 😭

gif cred: @figmentof

Rick hearing that he’s hurting his wife is what spurs him to finally go to the depths of everything he’s feeling and let it out because no matter how hard or scary it’ll be, he’ll do those hard things if it means no longer hurting his wife. That means so much to me. 🥲

Danai deserves several gardens worth of flowers for this alone. 👏🏽🔥Having the hurt and vulnerability of a character like this be voiced and validated is rarely seen in media, and so it was very meaningful and healing to witness depicted on screen - both witnessing Michonne getting to voice her hurt and for it to matter so much that it’s the very thing that gets Rick to finally make a change. 🥹

Truly, this scene had me looking at Danai like...

She really wrote something special with this scene and this whole episode.

And also I just so appreciate Richonne’s communication. Rick’s previous relationship severely lacked that as he and Lori went whole pregnancy terms not talking about their issues and not getting things off their chest.

I think about the season 3 premiere when Lori says they need to talk and when Rick asks about what she just vaguely says, “Things.” She was still trying to tiptoe and make Rick have to be the one to directly get the tough stuff out in the open. Which was pretty unfair to do to him, especially after he was already the one who had to initiate getting all the secrets out of her and Shane in season 2 since they had no intent of confessing about their betrayal until he confronted them.

But with Michonne, she says the exact thing she’s feeling and thinking which makes their communication so healthy. I’m glad that now Rick has Michonne who loves and trusts him enough to be outright vulnerable and just tell him something as straightforward, honest, and effective as “You’re hurting me.” And he loves her enough to not shut down but rather hear her, receive it, and finally open up after she expresses this. He won't let himself intentionally hurt the love of his life any longer.

gif cred: @figmentof

So Michonne has powerfully poured her heart out to Rick in this phenomenally acted scene and now...it’s finally time for Rick to more fully pour his heart out to her and reveal what's really going on inside him.

And the next part of this scene can best be described as incredibly emotional and truly exceptional. 😭👌🏽

#richonne #towl #reveling in richonne #1.04 #RIR (39)#the ones who live #twd towl #michonne grimes #rick grimes #rick x michonne #twol #michonne #rick and michonne #twd: the ones who live #twd #richonnefandom

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