#zizi talk

[therapeutic-dose]

i dunno if anyone would check my tumblr looking for news on my fics, but jic:

i've been very unwell for several months, and writing has been on the backburner. i think it would actually help me a lot to write, but writing, like many things, feels impossible.

i'll get there. thank you for your patience. nothing has been abandoned, i just have to try not to care so much about what others think and just tell the story i want to tell

[prettygirl-gabi]

Just thought you'd like this

My wife

[zaneswhite]

Foster care/being adopted is so wild, like, I have been every type of sibling. Every type of child. I was the youngest sibling. I was an only child. I was the eldest child. I’m a middle child. People talk to me about the type of siblinghood they grew up with and no matter what they say, I already know. I know why your older brother snaps at you. I know why you feel lonely for no reason. I know why your little sister copies you. I know why your sibling disappears a lot. I was forced to be them. I adapted to play their part even if it was just for a little bit. I know you, I know you, I know you. Do not take your place for granted.

[prettygirl-gabi]

I…..I wasn’t expecting to be blasted with reasons listed in an order…. Okiiii okiiii I’ll drop it….

Y'all I have a bone to pick with @prettygirl-gabi

1. She hasn't updated her master list which she said she would ages ago

2. She hasn't updated the through the lens fic cause apparently she's still working on it

3. She's been edging me-I've been begging miss ole girl to drop the Natasha cloud fic she has rotting in the drafts and she's not listening

Girl feed us, we are starving 😭😭😭💔💔, just playing with my heart and shi

[demie90s]

Hello can you do Juju x R where they’ve always been best friends since they were little. Everybody is convinced that they are dating, but they always say they’re not… until something gets caught in the background of Dom‘s live

Not Dating

Juju Watkins x fem!reader

MASTERLIST | MORE

Summary: We’ve been best friends forever. Everyone swears we’re dating—we always say we’re not. Then Dom went live, and something caught in the background. Let’s just say… the internet had a field day.

Warnings: Friends to lovers, public outing, background kisses, playful denial, soft chaos

Word count: ~ 0.5k

It was always me and Juju.

Back to backyard hoops, hide-and-seek in her grandma’s yard, pool days, party nights, game days. Wherever she went, I wasn’t far behind. People swore we were dating by middle school—hell, even our coaches gave us the “no PDA” talk in tenth grade.

But we always laughed it off.

“Nah, that’s just my best friend.” “Ew, never.” “Y’all read too deep.”

And somehow… it always worked. Until Dom went live.

It was post-practice, late night. Everyone was lounging. Juju had just showered, hair wrapped up in a towel like a crown, skin glowing, hoodie hanging off one shoulder. I was in the kitchen grabbing snacks. Dom was on the couch, half upside-down, scrolling through filters and yelling at Vic who was already cracking herself up in the background.

Viv: “LOOK at this! Why I look like a boiled peanut?”

Dom: “Girl, that’s just your head.”

The comments were going crazy, all caps, emojis flying. I walked past the frame, said something slick about Dom’s socks not matching, and Juju—halfway into detangling her hair—just smirked and shook her head.

“You don’t even know what you talkin’ about,” she called toward me.

I leaned against the bathroom door while she sat at the counter, towel now off, curls falling down her back. We weren’t even thinking about the live. I was watching her comb her hair like I hadn’t seen her do it a hundred times. She was talking about how tired her legs were. I was talking about how that one assistant coach needed to shut up with all his sideline hollering.

Normal. Easy.

Dom in the background still narrating her own life: “Y’all, Juju over there pretending like she’s not vain. She been in the mirror for twenty minutes. Look at her.”

Viv: “She been fine, let her detangle in peace.”

Juju laughed soft, rolled her eyes, and kept brushing.

And then—without thinking—I walked in behind her. Slid my arms around her waist. Rested my chin on her shoulder. Kissed her cheek. It was cute.

She didn’t flinch. Didn’t move. Just leaned back into me like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I whispered, “This so lightskinned.”

She said, “Shut up’.” I grinned. And that’s when Dom turned the camera.

Dom: “WAIT—WAIT—WHOA WHOA WHOA—UH UH UH—“

Vic: gasping “OH. OH SHE KISSED HER. SHE—DOM, REWIND THAT—“

Chat blew up. Caps. Emojis. “I KNEW IT!!!” “STOP PLAYINNNN” “EXCUSE ME????” “THE WAY SHE JUST—” “PAUSE.”

Dom was on the floor SCREAMING, laughing so hard she dropped her phone. Viv’s voice went high-pitched like she just saw Beyoncé walk in.

“Y’ALL BEEN DATING THIS WHOLE TIME?!”

Juju looked me dead in the eyes. I looked back. She said nothing. Just smiled that famous juju smile. I shrugged.

Dom still yelling in the background: “Y’ALL BEEN LYIN’ FOR YEARS! I NEED AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT—A PRESS CONFERENCE—A SOFT LAUNCH POST—SOMETHING.”

But we just kept doing what we always did. Juju brushed through another curl, leaned her head against mine, and said under her breath�� “so damn extra”.

@xxsnowxx213 @draculara-vonvamp @kcannon-1436-blog @zizi-bee-yapping @kaliblazin @perksofbeingatrex @soapyonaropey

[azzifudd10]

New Teammates, Old Baggage Chapter 4

Azzi drove with one hand on the wheel and the other resting protectively on Jazlyn’s car seat handle, still locked into the backseat. Her heart was racing — not just from the encounter, but from the way Jazlyn had pressed into her and gone quiet, like her whole body remembered what her mind couldn’t fully name.

Paige was already outside when they pulled into the driveway. She didn’t wait. She yanked the car door open before Azzi had even fully shifted into park.

“What happened?”

Her voice was sharp, tight. Not angry — terrified.

Azzi unbuckled Jazlyn first, then scooped her out of the seat, slow and steady. “Inside,” she said gently. “We should talk inside.”

Paige led the way in, pacing while Azzi settled Jazlyn on the couch with her blanket and a cartoon playing low. She didn’t even fight it — just curled into her usual corner, thumb in her mouth, quiet.

“She okay?” Paige whispered, once they were out of earshot in the kitchen.

Azzi hesitated. “Yeah. She’s… shaken. But she didn’t cry. She held it together.”

Paige’s eyes narrowed. “Held it together for what?”

Azzi didn’t sugarcoat. “Some man showed up at the ice cream shop. Tall. Cocky. Said he was her father.”

Paige’s face went white. “What?”

“He knew her name. Called her ‘Jazzy.’ Had a photo from when she was a baby. I didn’t let him near her. I stayed between them the whole time.”

Paige gripped the edge of the kitchen counter like she might break it. “You’re sure it was him?”

“I’m not sure of anything except the fact that Jazlyn didn’t run to him. She didn’t say a word. Just shut down.”

Silence stretched between them like a wire pulled too tight.

Then Paige exploded. “Of all the damn times—he just shows up? After years?”

Azzi didn’t interrupt. She let Paige pace. Let her let it out. Because she knew what it looked like when someone tried to shove their panic down too fast. It always came out sideways.

“He doesn’t get to waltz back in and pretend like—like he didn’t leave us!”

“I know,” Azzi said.

“No, you don’t know,” Paige snapped, eyes flashing. “You didn’t watch her cry herself to sleep when she was old enough to notice he stopped calling. You didn’t hold her while she asked if she’d done something wrong.”

Azzi stepped forward then, voice calm but full. “You’re right. I didn’t. But I am here now. And I will be here the next time it happens. If it happens. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Paige shook her head, chest rising fast, arms folding like she didn’t know what to do with them.

“I don’t trust this. I don’t trust him. I don’t trust anything that feels good, because it never lasts. And the second I let myself believe—”

“Believe what?” Azzi asked, stepping closer.

“That someone might stay,” Paige spat, too loud, too raw. “That someone might actually mean it.”

Azzi didn’t hesitate.

She stepped into Paige’s space and kissed her.

Hard.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t slow.

It was messy, furious, and real.

Paige didn’t resist.

She grabbed Azzi’s hoodie with both fists like it was the only thing tethering her to solid ground and pulled her in tighter, mouths crashing together with months of pent-up tension. It wasn’t romantic — it was desperate. A dam finally breaking.

Azzi pushed her back until Paige’s spine met the fridge, both of them breathless, hands wandering like they didn’t know what to hold onto first.

Then—

“Mama?”

They both froze.

Azzi stepped back first, lips swollen, eyes wide.

Jazlyn stood in the doorway, blanket dragging behind her, hair tangled, one sock off.

“I spilled my juice,” she said sleepily, rubbing one eye. “And I heard noises.”

Paige cleared her throat, straightened her shirt. “We were just… talking, baby.”

Jazlyn looked between them. Then tilted her head. “Why were your mouths fighting?”

Azzi coughed into her hand.

Paige buried her face in both palms.

“Were you mad at Zizi?”

Azzi knelt. “No, sweetheart. I wasn’t mad. Grown-ups just… talk different sometimes.”

Jazlyn considered this. “Was it a kiss fight?”

Paige made a strangled noise.

Azzi bit back a laugh. “Maybe. Something like that.”

Jazlyn nodded wisely. “Okay. But if you’re gonna fight kiss, do it quiet. My show was on.”

Paige and Azzi both laughed then — real, helpless laughter.

Later, after Jazlyn was asleep again, curled in Paige’s bed with Zizi Pillow tucked under one arm, Paige lingered in the doorway. Azzi leaned against the opposite wall, watching her.

“I shouldn’t have—”

“Don’t,” Azzi cut her off gently. “You don’t need to explain.”

Paige turned to her. “She’s going to ask again in the morning.”

“I’ll follow your lead.”

Paige studied her for a long time.

Then, softly, “I didn’t hate it. The kiss.”

Azzi smiled. “Yeah. Me either.”

They didn’t kiss again that night.

But something between them had shifted.

And this time, neither of them tried to push it back into place.

The next morning dawned with streaks of sun cutting through soft clouds, golden light creeping past the curtains and into the small kitchen where Jazlyn was already munching dry cereal from a cup. She had on a mismatched outfit — sparkly purple leggings, a tie-dye shirt, and one of Paige’s old hoodies that dragged on the floor.

“Mama,” she said around a mouthful of Cheerios, “I think Zizi’s kiss fight made her forget to brush her hair.”

Paige, pouring coffee, nearly choked. “Jazz.”

Jazlyn shrugged like she was stating plain facts. “It was a lotta kiss.”

“Can we not make that a thing?” Paige muttered, sipping.

“Too late,” came a sleepy voice from the hall.

Azzi wandered in, hair wild, sockless, and still tugging her hoodie down like she wasn’t entirely sure where her body ended and the floor began. Her nose was pink from sleep, and she looked like she'd just barely escaped a tornado.

“See?” Jazlyn pointed triumphantly. “Kiss fight hair.”

Azzi flopped into the chair next to her. “She’s not wrong.”

Paige gave them both a long look over her mug. “We are never going to live this down, are we?”

Azzi just grinned and swiped a Cheerio from Jazlyn’s cup.

Later that afternoon, Sparks practice was in full swing.

Paige was locked in a one-on-one defensive drill when she heard it — a sharp smack of body on wood, followed by a hiss of pain.

Her stomach dropped before she even turned around.

Azzi was sitting on the court, one hand pressed to her face, the other outstretched as a teammate reached to help her up.

Blood was already trailing from her nose.

Coach blew the whistle and barked for the trainer.

Paige was there in seconds.

“What happened?”

Azzi winced and tipped her head back slightly. “Elbow. I zigged, she zagged. Nothing broken.”

“You sure?” Paige asked, already crouching beside her, panic barely tucked behind her eyes.

“I’ve had worse,” Azzi said through a pinched voice, cotton now pressed to her nose. “Just… embarrassing. I was trying to look smooth, and now I look like I lost a bar fight.”

Paige didn’t laugh.

Not even a little.

Azzi noticed that. And her voice softened. “Hey. It’s okay.”

Paige’s jaw clenched. “You shouldn’t get hurt.”

“That’s kind of part of basketball, Bueckers.”

“I don’t mean that kind of hurt.”

Azzi blinked, then tilted her head despite the blood. “Oh.”

There it was again — that fault line between them, widening and shifting like the earth beneath their feet wasn’t fully solid. Paige was scared. Not of blood. Not of injuries. But of caring so much that something small could still leave a mark.

The trainer helped Azzi up and led her to the bench with a towel, ice, and gauze. Paige followed like a shadow.

“I’m fine,” Azzi insisted again, pinching her nose. “See? Still hot.”

Paige finally smiled, just a little. “You look like Rudolph.”

“I’m a very sexy reindeer.”

“That’s debatable.”

Azzi raised an eyebrow. “You seemed pretty into me yesterday.”

“Yeah, well,” Paige muttered, cheeks turning pink, “that was before you started leaking.”

Azzi grinned. “You worried about me, Bueckers?”

Paige didn’t answer.

But she did reach out and wipe a smear of blood from Azzi’s cheek with her sleeve, her hand lingering a second longer than it needed to.

That night, Jazlyn was freshly bathed and curled between them on the couch, wedged in tight with a fleece blanket and a half-eaten bowl of popcorn. She kept sneaking glances at Azzi’s taped nose.

“Does it hurt?” she asked finally, fingers poking gently at Azzi’s arm.

Azzi smiled. “Not anymore.”

“Did you fall because your body was too tall?”

“Exactly that,” Azzi whispered. “Too much tall for one gym.”

Jazlyn giggled. Then after a second of thought: “Did Mama kiss it better?”

Paige nearly dropped her water bottle.

“Jazz,” she warned.

“What?” Jazlyn blinked. “That’s what happens when I get hurt.”

Azzi bit back a smirk. “I’ll allow it.”

“Good,” Jazlyn declared. “Cuz I like when you stay. Even when your nose is red.”

She turned to Paige, entirely serious. “Can Zizi be part of our team forever?”

Paige looked at Azzi. At her stupid taped nose and soft eyes and popcorn-streaked hoodie.

Then back at Jazlyn.

She didn’t say yes.

But she didn’t say no either.

And in the quiet that followed, that felt like something real.

[yejinnie]

☆ only you.

the things yang jeongin would only let you do to him.

- pairing. yji x reader

- tags. fluff

✧ physical affection.

this one was quite obvious, since jeongin isnt very fond with physical affection from others. however, since he incredible whipped to you, you are the only exception. he even finds himself craving for your touch, which at first he found weird as he isnt use to feeling such emotions towards a person. his favourite physical affection from you is intertwining your fingers together or when he comes home from practice, his body aching from pain and couldnt wait to be embraced by your warmth, as he snuggled into your neck while laying ontop of you. (his members are very much jealous of you, so don't be surprised when a whiny innie is behind you trying to hide from han trying to kiss him for the 100th time)

✧ letting you have a bite of his food.

bruh you seen this dude eat, like pookie your food aint gonna run away, you don't need to shove the whole thing down your throat. 😭 eversince you and i.n had gotten together, jeongin had became more protective and affectionate over you. in the early stages of your relationship, you had went on study mode during exam season, causing you to skip sleep, as well as eating. when jeongin found out what you been doing, bro evaporated into thin air and suddenly appeared right infront of your doorsteps with a bag full of food he got along the way to your place. ever since that, he had grown into a habit of shoving whateva he's eating into your mouth. oh, jeongin is eating pizza, in your mouth it goes. he's eating ramen, wow the chopsticks has teleported infront of your mouth. if mans eating, be prepared to hear here comes the airplane~. basically just be prepared to be well fed.

✧ accepting your kisses

jeongin has made it clear to his members that his lips are only reserved for you, however, some dont get the message (han im looking at you) so whenever his members ever see you guys kiss, be prepared to hear the endless mimicking of smooching and teasing towards you two (more aimed at jeongin tho). however, even though their teasing is annoying, he would go through it all day if he had too. just so he can kiss you again.

✧ poking his dimple / touching his face

sometimes you can't contain all your love for jeongin (LMAO LOVE SURGE) so one of the ways you would express it, is by ruffing his hair and squeezing his cheeks. when you first did it, his face was painted in red, as it froze in a shock expression, however, his face quickly changed into a frown and a whiny jeongin was awaken when you started to shower him with compliments. another way you had showed your love to jeongin was when he was talking about something but instead of listening, you were distracted by the dimple that peeked out on his cheek as his mouth moved. so out of instincts you poked it, which has impacted him alot, as i.n stopped mid-sentence and started to ask you what you were doing while giggling. it may of not seem like it affected him physically, but oh boy, jeongin felt like a hot mess. his heart had stopped beating and his face started to grow hot. oh how much you affected him.

hellooo my name is zizi and this is my first post pls be niceee (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)♡

(btw this is not edited so sorry for any mistakes)

[leycorice]

wigs and lashes

caleb x zayne // crossdressing // crack fluff // 4k words

when zayne got dragged into a girl's night out...

the buzz of an electric kettle filled the quiet dorm room, steam curling lazily into the air as zayne sat stiffly on the edge of the couch, one leg crossed over the other. his eyes, sharp behind silver-framed glasses, were fixed in disbelief at the open laptop sitting on the coffee table in front of him.

yuu clicked to the next slide.

"reason four: if a man sits at our table, the perceived approachability of our group drops by 65%. that’s statistically significant, zayne."

he pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled through his teeth. "obviously, i would’ve agreed from the start. there’s no need for you to list out and present your reasons in... powerpoint."

"it's just better with visuals," she chirped, nudging the laptop slightly toward him. the current slide had a pie chart. a glittery, hot pink pie chart.

zayne stared at it like it had personally insulted him.

"but," he continued, slowly, voice on the edge of breaking, "i still don’t understand the part where i have to dress up as a woman."

yuu gave him a winning smile, all teeth and no shame. "because it’s girl’s night out, duh."

"that’s not a reason."

"my friends are very meticulous. if one of us brings a male friend, they’ll get all suspicious and protective and won’t let loose. which defeats the whole point." she clicked again. the next slide read: the science of vibe preservation. it was underlined three times in sparkly font.

zayne stared at the screen like it was physically causing him pain.

"besides," yuu continued, shifting onto the couch beside him and leaning in conspiratorially, "if you don’t go, then i’ll have to be the sober one all night, and you know how much i hate that. plus caleb will literally skin me alive if he finds out i went drinking without backup. you’re neutral. you’re switzerland. you’re my best bet."

"i’m not neutral," zayne muttered. "i’m actively being conscripted into madness."

"oh come on. you don’t even have to say anything. just sit there, sip soda, look mysterious. i’ll tell them you’re my quiet cousin from out of town. you just need to nod or shake your head. that’s it."

he looked at her, deadpan. "that’s your plan?"

"it worked for that one girl who snuck her boyfriend into her all-girls spa weekend," yuu replied, now kneeling by the low vanity. "i already bought the hair extensions and some stick-on nails. also—" she paused dramatically and held up a sheer black blouse and a cute high-waisted skirt, "—i got these in your size."

"my size?"

"i may have peeked at your laundry tags once or twice."

zayne slumped forward, forehead in his hand, the beginnings of a migraine blooming between his eyes. "yuu..."

she plopped the hair extensions in his lap with a grin. "zaaayyyne. it’s just one night. i’ll buy you as many caramel puddings as you want."

"two."

"four."

he paused. considered. the pudding-to-humiliation ratio was acceptable.

"…fine. but if even one of your friends figures me out, i’m faking a nosebleed and escaping through the bathroom window. and i am not wearing that outfit. get me something decent. please."

"deal," yuu said brightly. "now sit still. you’re still getting lashes."

"god help me."

⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾

the low thump of bass pulsed through the trendy downtown lounge, a kaleidoscope of neon light reflecting off glass tabletops and the shimmer of too-glossy cocktails. the table was circular, the velvet seats deep, and unfortunately for zayne—now answering to zizi—there was no escape route that didn’t involve throwing himself through a potted plant.

he sat stiffly between yuu’s friends, legs crossed far too neatly, hands folded like a job interviewee, eyes blinking slowly like he was buffering.

"zizi is a freshman?" one of the girls—bright lipstick, fake lashes like wings—asked sweetly, swirling her drink.

zayne opened his mouth. closed it. remembered he wasn’t supposed to talk.

yuu, sitting across from him like the devil she was, jumped in, chipper as ever: "yep! transferred in just this semester. she's super shy though. grew up in like... the mountains. or something. right, zi?"

zayne gave a tight-lipped smile. he hoped it looked bashful and not like a man spiraling through identity death.

another girl leaned in, eyes wide. "your hair is gorgeous. is it real?"

before he could panic, yuu again: “all natural. raven-haired beauty, right? i had to beg her to even put on a bit of eyeliner.”

zayne’s lashes fluttered from the weight of the fake extensions. the eyeliner was not ‘a bit.’ he had enough wing on his eyelid to redirect a low-flying drone.

someone reached out and gently touched a strand of his hair. "wow... it’s so soft. you must use rice water or something."

zayne smiled again. it felt like barbed wire. he nodded, once, solemnly. let them think he used rice water. let them think he was from the mountains. let them think anything but the truth: that he was a cardiac surgery student with three published papers and a nightmare-inducing case file sitting in his dorm inbox.

"your eyes are gorgeous,” another chimed in. “are those lenses?"

yuu nearly choked on her drink. "nope. real. she was so shy about them in high school, can you believe it? people used to ask if she was part elf."

zayne nearly gagged on the sip of water he was nursing. part elf? what kind of lore was being written about him in real time?

"she's got that elegant vibe, you know?" the girl next to him gushed. "like—quiet pretty. like those dramas where the cool girl doesn’t say much but you know she’s got a tragic backstory."

zayne stared ahead, deeply evaluating all of his life decisions that had led to this moment. somewhere in the back of his mind, a single neuron wept.

"do you model?" someone else asked, already pulling out their phone.

yuu slapped a hand over zayne’s arm before he could recoil. "no pictures! zi’s super private. you know, camera-shy."

zayne gave a quick shake of his head, hoping it looked endearing and not like a hostage signal.

a waitress walked by with a tray of shots and someone reached over to grab one for zayne. he stared at the tiny glass like it was a landmine.

"oh—zizi doesn’t drink!" yuu cut in fast, batting her lashes. "teetotaler. for… spiritual reasons."

zayne raised an eyebrow at her across the table. spiritual reasons?

yuu gave him a look that said you want them thinking you’re a dude in heels or a monk in training? pick one.

so zayne smiled again. nod. sip water. repeat.

meanwhile, yuu was thriving.

her friends loved "zizi." her cover was working better than expected. she'd have to make zayne wear lashes more often if it meant he couldn’t scold her for a whole evening.

though, she knew his composure was cracking by the way he gripped the edge of his glass like it personally offended him. still, he was enduring it. for her. for caleb. for the pudding she’d promised. and possibly to hold it over her head for the next ten years.

she leaned over, grinning. "you're doing great, queen."

zayne didn’t even look at her. just muttered under his breath, "this is going in your medical history."

⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾

the hallway by the women's restroom was quieter than the rest of the club, the thump of bass muffled by walls and distance. a flickering neon sign overhead buzzed like an irritated fly.

zayne stood leaning against the wall, legs crossed at the ankles, eyes alert beneath perfectly curled lashes. his fitted outfit and faux charm had managed to fool yuu's friends all night—but right now, none of that mattered.

he wasn’t "zizi" anymore. not while tara was alone behind that door. not when he’d seen that table of men watching them like wolves in heat all night.

one of them—a square-jawed, smug-looking type—had stood up when tara left for the restroom. zayne didn’t hesitate. he followed a few paces behind, gaze cold and flat, calculating.

and just like he expected, the man turned down the hallway.

zayne straightened from the wall.

"well, well," the guy said with a slow smirk, his steps casual, his tone oily. "what do we have here? you lost, pretty little—"

he faltered mid-sentence.

zayne had taken a single step forward. that step brought him up close—closer than expected—and about an inch taller than the guy. his shoulders squared, his stare unflinching, nothing but quiet promise in the line of his jaw.

the man blinked, taking a reflexive half-step back. "feisty one, aren’t you..." he muttered, still trying to recover his swagger. but then the smirk returned. "sorry, sweetheart. tall girls aren’t my type."

he moved to push past—toward the women’s bathroom.

zayne moved faster.

in a flash, his hand shot out, fingers curling like a vice around the man's wrist. the movement was clean. controlled. painful.

the man grunted. "what the hell’s your problem? i said i’m not into you, lady."

zayne said nothing. his grip tightened.

more footsteps. voices. the man's friends had started to take notice and were now sauntering over like pack animals.

zayne turned his head slightly. six of them, not including the one he had pinned.

the hallway suddenly felt smaller.

"this crazy chick suddenly grabbed me!" the man barked, trying to twist out of zayne’s grip. he couldn't. zayne wasn’t just strong—he was deliberate. precise.

"hey now," one of the others said mockingly, spreading his arms like a performer. "no good forcing yourself onto someone, girlie."

zayne’s scowl deepened.

the audacity.

they didn’t even bother hiding it anymore. he’d seen the sleight of hand earlier—those tiny vials disappearing into palms, the deliberate angle of the wrist over drinks. these men weren’t just trouble—they were predators.

"if you wanna play though," another said, licking his teeth, "we can keep you company."

that was it. zayne drew back his fist, the weight of weeks of stress, exhaustion, and suppressed fury behind it—

"what are you idiots doing flocking around here?"

the voice cut through the air like a razor. calm. cold. commanding.

the whole group froze.

zayne blinked.

no way.

the crowd of bodies parted slightly, like shadows giving way to flame.

dark brown hair. purple eyes. tall, lean, and built like every inch of him could break a man in two.

caleb.

he wore a dark hoodie under a military-style bomber jacket, sleeves pushed to the elbows, expression flat and unreadable. his presence filled the hallway like a storm front.

"someone wanna explain?" caleb asked, not looking at anyone in particular, though his eyes briefly flicked to zayne.

zayne swallowed. hard. he shifted his hand off the man's wrist, smoothly folding his arms over his chest instead, hoping the shadows would hide the tension in his jaw.

the man rubbed his wrist with a snarl. "this chick just—grabbed me outta nowhere, man."

"right," caleb said, voice skeptical, eyes flicking briefly to the group behind him. "seven of you. and one girl. that doesn’t look weird at all."

"look, we weren’t gonna do anything."

"you sure? because i know exactly what you slipped in your back pocket earlier." caleb’s voice didn’t rise, but it hit like a hammer. "i’ve got friends on staff. you want me to ask for the footage?"

the group went quiet. suddenly, they weren’t as confident.

"…we’re leaving," one of them muttered. the others followed, one grumbling curses under his breath.

zayne remained still as they left, shoulder to the wall, arms crossed, watching them go.

caleb waited until they turned the corner before speaking again.

"…you alright?"

zayne nodded once.

caleb’s eyes narrowed a bit. "don’t talk much, huh?"

zayne nodded again.

"…do i know you?"

a pause.

zayne shook his head slowly. kept his head slightly down. tried to blink innocently under lashes that should’ve been illegal.

caleb’s eyes lingered for a second too long. then he exhaled.

"stay near your group," he said finally. "creeps are crawling tonight."

he walked past, heading for the front of the club. but before he disappeared around the corner, he cast one last glance over his shoulder, eyes narrowed. suspicious.

zayne held his breath.

and then caleb was gone.

tara exited the bathroom a moment later, startled. "zizi? whoa, what happened? you look like you just saw a ghost."

zayne let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

he had. and it was named caleb xia.

⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾

the air was cold, heavy with the scent of spilled alcohol, exhaust, and whatever perfume was currently radiating off the half-dozen girls zayne had just carried—carried—into the backseat of yuu’s car.

he gently adjusted the seatbelt over yuu’s shoulder, careful not to wake her. her head lolled to the side, a drool line forming, eyelashes fluttering like she was dreaming of sugar.

the others were slumped across each other in a tangled mess of glitter, heels, and clutch purses. it was like a tornado had hit a fashion boutique and dumped the remains into his car.

zayne straightened up, rolling his sore shoulders with a low sigh. the night had taken ten years off his lifespan.

he turned, already ready to leave—

and stopped.

boots.

military-style.

black and silent.

zayne looked up.

caleb stood there, hands in his pockets, posture casual, but his eyes were sharp. calculating. narrowed.

zayne's stomach dropped.

oh, god.

caleb tilted his head, brows furrowing slightly as his gaze scanned zayne’s face from top to bottom. hair extensions. faded eyeliner. that stupid soft loose sweater yuu made him wear. the only giveaway was the slight shift in zayne’s jaw, the stiff line of his shoulders that refused to relax under caleb’s scrutiny.

then caleb spoke.

"you…"

a beat.

caleb’s frown deepened.

"…you're zayne."

zayne froze like someone had hit him with a tranq dart.

there was still a chance. a sliver of a chance.

he looked away—deliberately. just a subtle aversion of eye contact. feign confusion. play it off. you are zizi, shy freshman, mountain girl.

he turned slightly, making like he was about to walk back to the driver’s side and drive this disaster home.

but caleb stepped forward and reached out—not aggressively, just steady. confident. he gripped zayne’s arm and tugged gently, pulling him halfway around to face him.

"hey." caleb’s voice was low now. not angry. not mocking.

just knowing.

zayne turned reluctantly.

their eyes locked.

even in the dim parking lot lighting, there was no hiding the shape of his face now. no lash or gloss or glitter could erase the familiarity burned in from years of friendship.

"…zayne," caleb said again, this time with certainty.

and zayne, thoroughly defeated, stood there in a wig and heels and muttered—

"goddammit."

caleb blinked.

then blinked again.

and then he just—laughed.

one short breathy sound, like a crack in his perfect composure. the shock had finally registered. caleb staggered a step back and clapped a hand over his mouth to stop from fully losing it.

"you’re kidding me," he said through his palm, barely holding it together. "that was you?"

zayne ran a hand down his face and groaned. "do us both a favor and forget this ever happened."

caleb looked at him, utterly incredulous. “forget? you looked like—like if an assassin got dropped into a pop music video.”

"i will kill you."

"i knew something was off! you looked so damn familiar. i thought i was going insane."

zayne leaned against the car and let his head fall back, staring at the stars like they might smite him from pity.

caleb was still watching him, this time with something quieter in his expression. less laughter. more... understanding.

caleb exhaled. looked down at the girls passed out in the backseat. "thanks for watching out for them. even if you were in—whatever this is."

zayne snorted. "your sister is the reason for this. i was blackmailed. with dessert."

"sounds like her."

there was another pause.

then, caleb smirked again. "so... zizi, huh?"

zayne gave him the flattest stare in human history.

"i cannot believe you wore eyeliner for this."

"shut up."

"you even wore heels."

"you live with this secret now. and you never speak of it again."

caleb raised his hands in mock surrender. "fine. fine."

but zayne could see the grin trying to sneak back in.

"…zizi."

"i swear to god—"

"you… jerk!"

both zayne and caleb flinched as the slurred voice sliced through the night.

they turned just in time to see yuu, half-slumped over in the backseat, eyes barely open, hair a mess, face flushed and defiant as she leaned out of the half-rolled window like she was about to wage war.

"don’t bother my... friend like that!" she growled—or tried to. it came out more like a tired meow. "or i’ll... beat you… up…"

she slowly sank back into the seat, drooling against the window glass, completely unconscious within seconds.

a long silence.

caleb stared, one brow rising. then he cracked a quiet laugh, biting the inside of his cheek.

"i’m lecturing her for six hours straight tomorrow," he muttered.

zayne sighed and rubbed at his temples like he’d aged twenty years in one night. "i don’t have time for this. i’m leaving."

but caleb, ever persistent, tilted his head, arms crossed casually as he leaned against the hood. his smirk was a permanent fixture now.

"wait,” he said, “you’re all alone, aren’t you?"

zayne side-eyed him. "don’t start."

"i’ll keep you company then."

"i don’t need it," zayne grit out, opening the driver’s side door with a little more force than necessary.

"but it wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me to leave a beautiful lady out here all alone," caleb teased, clearly enjoying himself far too much. "taking care of her drunk friends? admirable. but risky."

zayne turned to face him, scowl sharpened. "go back to your friends. i’ll take care of your sister. i’m not as helpless as you think."

caleb didn’t flinch. "didn’t say you were helpless. just saying being alone isn’t as safe as you think. especially for someone as—" he gave zayne the slowest once-over, "—pretty as you."

zayne looked like he wanted to either melt into the asphalt or commit a felony.

there was no winning. caleb had locked in like a heat-seeking missile.

"do what you want," zayne finally snapped, sliding into the driver’s seat. "i’m ignoring you anyway."

caleb just gave a mock salute as the car pulled out of the lot, then slid on his helmet and followed smoothly on his bike, headlights trailing after zayne like a shadow that just refused to leave.

⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾

by the time zayne had parked and helped the last of the girls inside, his arms were aching. tara had insisted on being carried bridal style while giggling. one had thrown up near the bushes. yuu, still passed out, was now tucked under three blankets on the couch, snoring like a puppy, with her leg halfway off the armrest.

zayne looked around the quiet house, the mess of heels and coats and faint scent of alcohol. he shook his head.

he made sure the doors were locked, lights were off, and everyone was at least breathing regularly. then he stepped out onto the porch, closing the door with a quiet click behind him.

the night air was cold. sharp.

he exhaled.

and groaned the second he looked up.

caleb was still there.

leaning against his motorbike like a poster boy for bad decisions, helmet now resting beside him, arms folded, eyes gleaming like he had all the time in the world.

"…you’ve got to be kidding me," zayne muttered.

"i’m committed now," caleb replied, smiling. "i escorted you home. that’s chivalrous. i deserve a medal."

"you deserve a restraining order."

"you’ll need to try harder than that. i was raised on yuu’s tantrums. i’m immune to insults."

zayne trudged down the front steps, brushing past him toward his car. "if i get back in the car fast enough, maybe you’ll vanish."

but caleb fell into step beside him, hands in his pockets.

"do you do this kind of thing often?" he asked casually. "you know... wear eyeliner, throw guys into walls, save drunk girls from creeps."

zayne shot him a glare. "only when blackmailed."

"mm. looked good on you."

zayne stopped walking. "you know i have a scalpel collection, right?"

"i do, actually. and that just makes this even better."

zayne yanked his car door open, slid inside, and shut it with a satisfying thud. he rolled down the window just enough to deliver one final, exasperated glare.

caleb leaned down, elbows on the window frame, chin resting on his hand like this was a romcom.

"you looked out for her," caleb said finally, voice quieter, more sincere now. "for yuu. i appreciate that."

zayne paused, caught off guard.

"…she’s my friend," he muttered.

"i know. you always were the reliable one." a soft smile. "even if tonight, you looked like a decoy in a spy movie."

zayne started rolling the window up.

"night, zizi."

"don’t you dare."

but the window was closed. caleb chuckled and stepped back as zayne started the engine, tires rolling quietly out into the night.

caleb stood there a few seconds longer, helmet under his arm, watching the red taillights disappear down the street.

his smile faded into a thoughtful line.

"…yeah," he murmured to himself, "definitely zayne."

but he couldn’t shake the way his heart had stuttered just a little when he first saw her—him—under the club lights. dressed different, eyes the same. still unreadable. still sharp.

and for a moment, he wondered if zayne had any idea just how pretty he actually looked.

even without the disguise.

⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾⳾⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅❀⑅*⳾

sunlight filtered through the tall arched windows of the campus library, casting golden streaks across the quiet tables. the place was nearly empty—zayne had made sure of that. he’d scoped out the farthest possible corner, barricaded himself behind a fortress of anatomy textbooks, and made absolutely sure there were no violet-eyed military nuisances in sight.

he wasn’t avoiding caleb.

he was simply... strategically preserving his remaining sanity.

he flipped a page in genetic cardiomyopathies vol. ii, underlining a key term, when—

schffft—clack.

the chair across from him slid back. zayne didn’t even need to look up. he felt the disturbance in the air. a smug gravitational pull of chaos had entered his orbit.

he looked up slowly.

caleb sat down, cool and casual like this was just another tuesday. hoodie unzipped. shirt neat. that same relaxed lean like the entire world bent to his tempo.

zayne lowered his pen. "what."

caleb didn’t say anything at first. just folded his arms and tilted his head, as if trying to gauge his odds of survival.

"if this is another one of your sick games—"

"look, i’m serious," caleb said, rubbing the back of his neck. "this isn’t about revenge."

zayne narrowed his eyes.

caleb sighed and leaned in a little, voice dropping. "i’ve been getting too much attention lately. it’s getting out of hand."

zayne blinked. "you are the golden boy. that’s what you wanted, isn’t it?"

"i wanted to graduate and do my job, not get swarmed every time i walk to class," caleb muttered. "there were three love confessions outside the mess hall yesterday. one girl actually had matching jackets made. for us."

zayne winced. "...tragic."

"exactly."

zayne folded his arms, unimpressed. "and what does this have to do with me?"

caleb leaned forward, elbows on the table. "you’re gonna pretend to be my girlfriend."

there was a silence.

zayne stared. "you’re joking."

"i’m not."

"you want me—me—to dress up again and play fake girlfriend just to help you fend off your fangirls?"

"i don’t need you to act every day," caleb said quickly. "just now and then. i’ll call you up. you show up in that getup of yours—wig, makeup, whatever—and walk around campus with me. hand-holding, casual conversation, just enough to make it believable."

zayne stared at him like he was a terminal patient who’d refused treatment.

"you want me to cosplay as your girlfriend to ruin your dating market?"

"to control it," caleb corrected. "filter out the chaos. if people think i’m already taken, they’ll back off. mostly."

"and you thought of me for this?" zayne asked, voice flat.

caleb raised a brow. "you’re the only person i trust not to catch feelings. and you’ve already proven you can pull it off. you had tara convinced, and she once dated a backup dancer."

"i swear to god, caleb—"

"you owe me."

"for what?"

"for not outing you last week when you tried to curb-stomp a guy in six-inch platform heels and called it girl’s night."

zayne scowled. not about revenge... yeah, right. look who's blackmailing him now. xia siblings are one and the same.

he looked down at his notes, then back at caleb.

the worst part? caleb wasn’t smirking this time. he actually looked... tired. like the attention really was weighing on him. and if zayne was honest with himself—which he rarely was—he’d always had a soft spot for caleb’s more vulnerable sides.

he exhaled slowly.

"…once a week," zayne grumbled.

caleb blinked. “of course.”

"no pictures. no public declarations. no matching outfits."

caleb nodded. "done."

zayne glared. "if i so much as see you wink in public—"

"i’ll behave," caleb said, lifting a hand in mock solemnity. "scout’s honor."

"you weren’t a scout."

"didn’t stop me from being honorable."

zayne shoved his textbook toward him. "sign a contract next time."

caleb grinned.

"thanks, sweetheart."

zayne pointed a pen at his head. "i will euthanize you."

[lix-ables]

くTEXTING FWB ! SKZ TO COME OVER ろ HYUNG LINE

⨳ ⁺ . ‧ when you text stray kids to come over for obvious reasons ... and you just happen to bless their day with a pic ‹33

‧₊ WARNINGS — sexting ,, teasing ,, use of prompts from pinterest ,, fwb ! skz ,, mentions of fucking + dirty talk ig ,, etc.

‧₊ NOTE — first time doing this, it's been in my drafts for a while !! please be kind to this, and show it some love ‹33 happy reading !!

PART ONE / PART TWO

01. CHAN . 💌

02. MINHO . 💌

03. CHANGBIN . 💌

04. HYUNJIN . 💌

©lix-ables, do not repost / translate.

taglist . 🥑 . @telesvng @starlostseungmin @chrisbahng @comet-falls @niijo @chvnnie @lixhues @joonszn @cherryhanji @blueberry-chan @dnadoublefelixx @ethereallino @stuckwithaphobiaa @chewryy @bangchanbabygirlx @zizis-world12 @aimeexx @whatudowhennooneseesyou @nightlychans @americanokisses @katieraven @hwan-g @svintsandghosts @idek-at-this-point-lol @es-kay-zee @writerracha @hwajin @lethallyprotected @lino-jagiyaa @zoiescastle @compersian @jilixcuddles @teaspeungmin @eulaenthusiast @chriscentric

[happy-lemon]

My father wasn't around (my father wasn't around). I swear that I'll be around for you. I'll do whatever it takes (I'll make a million mistakes). I'll make the world safe and sound for you. ~ Leslie Odom Jr., Lin Manuel Miranda, 2015

My mom was over the moon and oddly...prepared...for the announcement.

Oh, I've been thinking about this moment for a long time, she said. I didn't bring you into the world to give me grandchildren, and if you decided you were never having kids, I'd embrace that, too. But, sweetheart, I am ready. Is it a boy? A girl? Do we know?

We don't, I told her. And we don't want to know. We just know that the baby's healthy, I'm healthy, and everything is happening the way it should.

After congratulatory hugs and kisses from Grandma and Soji, Mom and I went out onto the balcony for a bit of privacy.

When your father died, I didn't know how to handle my own grief, let alone yours, she said. So I ignored your grief and mine, thinking that giving you an easel and a journal was therapy enough. It wasn't right. Wasn't healthy. And I'm sorry that I put you on a such a self-destructive path.

I'm sorry I was such a little shit. But don't beat yourself up over it another second. I've talked my grief out in actual therapy and I'm using my journal more constructively these days. I'm okay. You and me? We're okay. Period.

Mom laughed and sniffled at the same time, wiping her tears with her fingertips. From the moment you were born, there has never been a moment I haven't loved you with my whole heart. And I promise to be a better zizi than I was a mother.

The fuck is a Zizi?

She laughed again, louder and with joy. Oh, I was listening to a Hoes to Housewives podcast episode about being called grandma when you're not ready for the rocking chair just yet, and I decided I'd rather be called Zizi.

Fair enough, I said, pressing a kiss to her cheek. Just don't be surprised if The Bean makes other plans.

By the way, before you beat me to the punch with surprises, I was planning to tell you that I've released your trust fund. I've second guessed so many times about holding onto it for so long—

Don't. I would have blown it all on drugs. You did the right thing. I'm ready now.

I rubbed a hand over the beginning signs of a bump. We're ready.

[therapeutic-dose]

I have no joy in me and it’s hard to keep reaching out because I don’t want this version of me to be all I have to offer my loved ones.

I hope I can come back to myself soon. I miss being me.

[prettygirl-gabi]

The gc saga continues….. @elswhore , @yailtsv , @let-zizi-yap , @atimelessheaven ……. What shall I ever do with y’all

[sky-champion]

!Cielo [rp]!

"Im not sure how to use this app-"

"Anyways- hello!"

༄.°｡°·☁︎ ୭ ˚.

(Ooc)

Hello! Im role playing as cielo, u can call me lia/zee or zizi

This will be my first time doing roleplay (also posting stuff) so I apologize if i did something wrong T^T im still trying to get used to this lol i hope we can all fun and talk!

!THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THIS BLOG!

1st-im a minor, please be open minded and refrain from saying or asking weird things:( please be respectful and mindful of actions and words! Im a real person roleplaying a character

2nd-im okay with shipping ig? But lets try to avoid that since I dont want to make anyone uncomfortable!!!

3rd- i may not be 100% accurate with this roleplay but ill try my best! I apologize of the inaccuracies

4th- keep everything SFW! lets stay on the safe side and avoid any inappropriate stuff as i said im still a minor and ofcs it will be uncomfortable so please keep those 18+ stuff away

5th- be respectful, and mindful! Lets have fun and interact! (Im lonely lolol) i will try my best to reply fast!

As always Treat everyone with respect :D!

༄.°｡°·☁︎ ୭ ˚.

//More rp Cardbots to interact with!\\

s1

blue cop- @blue-policerobot

mega trucker- @thelatinodancerbot

mega ambler- @unlicensedmedicalcardbot

shadow x- @shadowx-ishere1

dexter- @k1ttykatwhisperer

fleta z- @gracefulbountyhunter

pheonix fire- @safety-fir3-y43h

buffulo crush- @themilkywayofficial

buster gallon- @buster-gallon

heavy iron- @heavyironsbasement

black hook- @capta1nstreasure

s2

musclehyde-

red blitz- @the-crimson-flash

gigantrex-

rock crush- @thedrillingmole

glober-

deep bite- @thefriendlyshark

blast train- @b1asttrain

sky gallop- @thechivalrousskygallop

spark beat- @ex0tic-r4cer

flash vector- @plebec-invisk8r

flame nova- @flamen0va

༄.°｡°·☁︎ ୭ ˚.

(ill add more later:ppp)

[gltzgghln]

happy belated 4/13 and chag pesach sameach!!! here's a trickster stelsa design based on italian rainbow cookies. inspired by hostilemuppet's hamantashen trickster!stelsa

transcription of text at bottom jic it's hard to see:

stelsa: ZIZI DOLL IM SORRY I EVER DOUBTED YOU LETS OVERTHROW THE LEGISCLATION AND HAVE MANY REVOLUTIONARY GRUBS

tyzias: stelsa wwwwhat are you talking about

[demie90s]

ᴋᴋ ᴀʀɴᴏʟᴅ X ꜰᴇᴍ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

ᴡʜʏ ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ?

MASTERLIST, MORE

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: You’re chaotic. KK knew this when she started dating you. But now? Now you’re on HER Live, talking about conspiracy theories, and asking why the word “salmon” has an L in it. She’s trying to answer fan questions.

ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Comedy | Established relationship | TikTok Live chaos

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: Unhinged behavior, secondhand embarrassment, reader casually thirsting over KK on Live, KK trying not to smile

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: ~0.3k

ᴠɪʙᴇ: You walk in wearing KK’s hoodie, holding a box of cereal and a sock puppet.

[🎥 TikTok Live: 4.6k viewers and climbing because people are screen recording]

KK’s sitting at her desk, hair slicked, serious face on. She’s clearly trying to give a Q&A.

You’re in the background, upside down on her bed with your foot in the air, eating grapes one by one like you’re in a biblical painting.

KK: “So… we’re just answering fan questions today. Please be normal.”

You: with no warning “Do you think birds have anxiety or are they just always like that?”

KK doesn’t even turn around. She blinks once. Slowly.

KK: “Y’all see what I go through?”

Live Comments:

@/kk4everrr: is she okay

@/uconntruthers: she been upside down for 8 minutes

@/azzipulledup: I can’t do this rn

You: “Be honest. If I died right now, would you take over my lease or grieve first?”

KK: “Both. I’m a multitasker.”

You: nodding proudly “See. That’s real love.”

KK: “No, that’s rent due on the 1st.”

⸻

[📣 Someone asks if y’all are dating]

KK: “We’re not dating.”

You: slides into frame like a soap opera villain “She’s in denial.”

KK: drinking water aggressively “We have separate bedrooms.”

You: “We fall asleep on FaceTime.”

KK: “For safety.”

You: “She moisturizes my ankles.”

KK: “Because they were ashy.”

You: “You said ‘not my baby having desert elbows’ with a tear in your eye.”

Live Comments:

@/coachgeno: BLOCKED

@/paigesburner: i want what they have

@/kkdidwhat: y’all are insufferable and i’m obsessed

⸻

[🥄 You randomly walk into frame with a spoon and bowl of shredded cheese]

KK: “Why are you eating that?”

You: “Calcium.”

KK: “Put it down.”

You: “Say you love me and I will.”

KK: staring straight at the camera “I love you. Put it down.”

You: smirking “You fold easy.”

⸻

[📲 Azzi joins the Live]

@/azzifudd: why is she putting cheese in her pocket

KK: “Because she’s broken, Azzi.”

You: “I’m resourceful.”

@/azzifudd: “Block me please.”

⸻

[📣 Someone asks who would survive a zombie apocalypse]

KK: “Me. Easily.”

You: “You’d cry if your sock got wet.”

KK: “And you’d try to make friends with the zombies.”

You: “Connection is key.”

⸻

[🎥 Live ends after you attempt to balance a candle on your forehead and KK shuts the phone off mid-sentence while whispering, “We’re done. We’re done. I’m gonna lose NIL money.”]

⸻

Caption (posted later on your IG story):

“she said ‘we’re not dating’ but we literally filed taxes together”

@zizi-bee-yapping

[azzifudd10]

New Teammates, Old Baggage Chapter 5

It had been a good week.

Not perfect — never that. But good. The kind where things felt less like balancing on a wire and more like walking solid ground. Jazlyn had started calling Azzi “Zizi-Pillow” like it was her official name, and Paige didn’t even try to correct her anymore. She found herself smiling at it — quietly, to herself, when no one was looking.

They made pancakes Wednesday morning. Azzi burned one and flipped the next onto the floor, which sent Jazlyn into a fit of laughter so wild she got syrup in her hair. Paige pretended to be annoyed, but she stood in the doorway with her arms folded and a ghost of a grin tugging at her lips.

It was good.

That’s why it was so cruel how fast it all went to hell.

It started on a Friday afternoon, outside the practice facility.

Azzi had offered to grab Jazlyn from daycare while Paige finished an extra session. They were supposed to head to the park after — bubbles, juice boxes, and a beat-up soccer ball in the backseat.

Jazlyn was already buckled in, humming a nonsense song to herself, when Azzi turned from the passenger door to find him standing at the edge of the parking lot.

That same fitted jacket. Same smug stance. Same “I belong here” energy, like he hadn’t vanished for almost five years.

Azzi’s body tensed instantly.

She didn’t reach for her phone. Not yet. She didn’t want to scare Jazlyn.

“Hey,” he said casually, stepping forward. “Thought I might find you here.”

Azzi didn’t respond.

He smirked. “Don’t look so tense. Just thought we could have a little chat.”

“Now’s not the time,” Azzi said, low and tight.

“You make it sound like it’s ever been up to you,” he replied, voice hardening just enough to raise every red flag she had.

“I’m going to ask you once,” Azzi said, firm now, eyes locked on him. “Leave.”

He tilted his head. “She’s my daughter.”

Azzi stepped back toward the car, shielding the window. “You’re five years late to that party.”

That’s when he moved.

Fast. Unhinged. Like something inside him snapped from zero to rage in one breath.

His hand grabbed Azzi’s arm and yanked.

She shoved him back, hard. “Get away from the car.”

But he didn’t stop.

The next moment shattered like glass.

A sickening crack — his fist connecting with her face.

She stumbled back. Hit the ground hard. Her head bounced off the pavement with a sound that made Jazlyn scream.

Azzi didn’t get up.

Jazlyn’s wails echoed inside the car, sharp and terrified, and Paige — who had just come outside looking for them — ran.

She didn’t see the punch. Just the blood. Just Azzi on the ground, eyes half-lidded, barely conscious. And Jazlyn pressed to the window, crying so hard her chest heaved.

The man was backing away fast, eyes wide with a flash of panic, but Paige didn’t care. Didn’t even look at him. She slid to her knees beside Azzi.

“Hey—hey, come on.” Her voice was frantic. “Azzi. Look at me.”

Azzi blinked once. Blood ran from her nose. Her forehead was already swelling. “She okay?” she slurred.

“She’s safe. You’re not. Don’t move.”

Paige was already dialing 911 with shaking hands.

The hospital waiting room was cold and beige and too bright. Jazlyn was wrapped in Paige’s hoodie, curled in her lap, but she hadn’t said a word since the ambulance doors closed.

“Jazz,” Paige whispered, brushing hair from her eyes. “Sweetheart, I need you to talk to me.”

Jazlyn looked up slowly. Her eyes were puffy, cheeks blotchy. “Is Zizi gonna die?”

Paige’s heart cracked straight down the middle.

“No. No, baby, she’s not.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.” Paige kissed the side of her head. “She’s strong. She’s just… resting right now.”

Jazlyn sniffled. “He hit her. He hit her so hard.”

“I know.” Paige’s voice trembled. “I should’ve protected her.”

Jazlyn just leaned in tighter. “Can we sleep here tonight?”

Paige didn’t have the heart to say no.

The doctor came out an hour later.

“Azzi sustained a moderate concussion and a nasal fracture. She’s stable, but we’re keeping her overnight for observation.”

“Can I see her?” Paige asked, voice raw.

The doctor hesitated. “She’s asking for you.”

Azzi looked worse than Paige expected.

Pale. Bruised. A bandage on her forehead and gauze taped beneath her nose. But her eyes opened when she saw them — Paige and Jazlyn both, hand in hand at the foot of the bed.

“Hey,” Azzi rasped, voice thick from swelling.

Jazlyn broke first. She ran to the side of the bed and buried her face in Azzi’s arm, sobbing again.

Azzi flinched — not from pain, but emotion. She brought her hand to Jazlyn’s back with care, cradling her. “I’m okay, Pillow. I’m okay.”

“You were on the ground,” Jazlyn cried. “You were all red and I was screaming and I thought you died!”

“I didn’t,” Azzi whispered. “Because I heard you. That’s what kept me here.”

Paige stood back, watching. Her eyes glistened, fists clenched.

“He’s gone,” she said softly.

Azzi met her eyes. “Are you okay?”

“You’re the one in the hospital bed.”

“And you look like you haven’t taken a breath in an hour.”

Paige walked to the other side of the bed and sat, gently taking Azzi’s free hand.

“I was so scared,” she admitted. “I saw you on the pavement and I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe, I—”

Azzi squeezed her hand, slow and warm. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“You better not,” Paige choked out.

Jazlyn was already asleep against Azzi’s side, her small fingers curled around the hospital gown like she wouldn’t let go.

And Paige? She didn’t try to fight the tears anymore. She just laid her head down beside them both and finally let herself fall apart.

Because this time, she didn’t have to hold everything together alone.

And this time, she wouldn’t lose the person who stayed.