coffeeluv3r

[coffeeluv3r]

Secret love affair⋆˚࿔

⋆Pairing: 𝖯𝖺𝗂𝗀𝖾 𝖡𝗎𝖾𝖼𝗄𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗑 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋

⋆Word Count: 900

⋆Summary: 𝖫𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗌𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖻𝖾 𝖺 𝗍𝗋𝗂𝗎𝗆𝗉𝗁, 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖯𝖺𝗂𝗀𝖾, 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗋𝗎𝗍𝗁 𝗆𝖺𝗒 𝖻𝖾 𝗍𝗈𝗈 𝗁𝗂𝗀𝗁. 𝖠𝗇𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗅𝖾𝖿𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗁𝖺𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗌, 𝗐𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗌 𝗇𝗈 𝗅𝗈𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗇 𝗈𝗉𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇.

⋆Genre: 𝖠𝗇𝗀𝗌𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗅

⋆Author’s corner: 𝗁𝖾𝗒𝗒, 𝗂 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗎 𝗀𝗎𝗒𝗌 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗌 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖺𝗌 𝗂 𝗐𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌!- 𝗌𝗈𝗋𝗋𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗈𝗇𝖾'𝗌 𝗌𝗁𝗈𝗋𝗍, 𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖾𝖽 𝗆𝗒 𝖻𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝗋𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗌𝗍𝗒 lmao

credits to @dollywons for this cute af dividers!

The arena roared, but all I heard was the frantic thump of my own heart. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and victory, the metallic tang of adrenaline sharp on my tongue. Paige, a blur of blonde ponytail and UConn blue, sliced through the defense, her movements poetry in motion. The symphony of squeaking sneakers and strategic dribbles filled the court, each beat a pulse of inevitability. Then—release. The ball arced, spinning through the air like it was destined for greatness.

Swish. Game point. Victory.

The crowd erupted, a tidal wave of screams and stomping feet, but I stood frozen on the sidelines, drowning in the noise. I should have been ecstatic. Everyone around me was. But a knot of dread coiled tight in my stomach, suffocating the elation before it could even form. Another win meant another wave of attention, another round of interviews, another barrage of cameras capturing her every move. And with each flash, the pressure mounted, crushing me under its weight.

Paige and I were a secret. A stolen kiss in the empty locker room after practice, hushed whispers on late-night phone calls, intertwined fingers under the table at a crowded restaurant, hoping—praying—no one noticed. It was beautiful, fragile, and terrifying.

I knew why. Paige was a phenomenon. A star. A brand. Coming out as queer, especially with someone as...unremarkable as me, was a risk. She had endorsements, sponsorships, and an image to maintain. I understood, logically. But understanding didn’t make it hurt any less.

After the game, confetti rained down like a cruel parody of celebration, a stark contrast to the gray cloud settling over me. I waited by the tunnel, forcing a smile for the fans shoving their phones in my face, eager to glimpse their superstar. Finally, she appeared, radiant and electric, her face flushed with triumph.

Our eyes met. And for a fleeting second, I saw everything: relief, love, a plea for understanding. Then, just as quickly, the moment was gone, swallowed by the throng of reporters who had already begun circling like vultures.

"Paige! Huge game! Thoughts?"

"Paige, what's next for the Huskies?"

"Paige, any words for your fans?"

I watched as she navigated their questions easily, her voice steady, her answers polished and professional. She spoke about teamwork, dedication, about the future of UConn basketball. Not a single mention of the person who had stayed up all night with her, calming her pre-game jitters. Not a single acknowledgment of the hand that would be cold and empty on the drive home.

Later, my phone buzzed.

“Drinks with the team. Raincheck?”

Raincheck. That word had become the soundtrack of our relationship. Raincheck on date nights, raincheck on introducing me to her family, raincheck on simply existing together in the light. Everything was a raincheck, perpetually postponed to a mythical future where the stars aligned, and the world was ready for us.

That night, I didn’t reply.

The silence stretched for days. I avoided the arena, the TV, and even social media. Every notification, every news article, was a reminder of the chasm growing between us. The chasm is built of fear, ambition, and the crushing weight of public opinion.

When she finally showed up at my apartment, her eyes were red-rimmed, her fingers trembling as she clutched the hem of her sweatshirt. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“Why are you ignoring me?” she asks in a hurt tone.

"You know what's going on, Paige." My voice was steel wrapped in glass, fragile and sharp all at once.

"I’m tired of being a secret. I’m tired of hiding."

"But I can't..." She trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Not yet. I just need more time."

"Time for what?" My voice cracked, raw with unshed tears. "Time for everyone else to be okay with us? Time for you to decide if I'm worth risking your image?"

"That's not fair," she said, her voice rising, defensive. "You know I care about you."

"Caring isn’t enough, Paige. I need more than stolen moments and whispered white lies promises. I need you to be proud of me. I need you to want to show me off to the world."

“Can’t you do that for me? For us?” I pleaded. She stayed silent.

“Paige, please say something,” I begged, my voice shaking as tears ran from my eyes uncontrollably.

Why isn’t she saying anything?

Why?

Why?

Just why.

The silence that followed was suffocating. I saw it then—the truth, etched in the tight set of her jaw, in the flicker of fear behind her eyes. She wasn’t ready. And I couldn’t wait any longer. Her silence was the only answer I needed.

"I can't do this anymore," I whispered, my voice breaking.

Tears slipped down her cheeks, carving silent paths of regret. "Please, don’t go. Please stay."

But I had to. For my sanity. For my self-respect. I couldn’t keep sacrificing my happiness for a future that might never arrive.

"Goodbye, Paige." I said, turning away.

The door clicked shut behind me, the sound slicing through the quiet like a final, irreversible decision. As I walked away, I imagined the headlines that would eventually break, the whispers that would follow Paige and the scrutiny that would descend upon her. I hoped, with a selfish pang, that she would regret her choice. But mostly, I hoped that one day, she would find the courage to be true to herself, even if it cost her everything.

Because in the end, love shouldn’t be a secret. It should be a victory, celebrated with as much passion and fervor as a game-winning shot.

And I deserved nothing less.

[coffeeluv3r]

Caught Between the Lines ˚ ༘ ೀ⋆.˚

✩Pairing: 𝖢𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗅𝗂𝗇 𝖢𝗅𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝗑 𝖬𝖾𝖽 𝖠𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗇𝗍! 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋

✩Word count: 2.1k

✩Summary: 𝖢𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗅𝗂𝗇, 𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗁𝖾𝗋𝗌𝖾𝗅𝖿 𝖾𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗅𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗇 𝖺 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝖿𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗐𝖾𝖻 𝗈𝖿 𝖾𝗆𝗈𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌. 𝖲𝗁𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝖻𝗈𝗒𝖿𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖽, 𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗋, 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗅𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒, 𝗌𝗁𝖾'𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝖽𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗈𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋. 𝖢𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗅𝗂𝗇 𝗂𝗌 𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗇 𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗅𝗈𝗒𝖺𝗅𝗍𝗒 𝗍𝗈 𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗋 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗎𝗇𝖾𝗑𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝖺𝗍𝗍𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗌 𝗍𝗈𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖽𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗆𝖾𝖽 𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗇𝗍.

✩Warning/s: 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗋 𝗅𝗆𝖺𝗈, 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗍 𝖿𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝗉𝖺𝖼𝖾𝖽???

✩Author's corner: 𝗁𝖾𝗒𝗒, 𝗂 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗎 𝗀𝗎𝗒𝗌 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗌 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖺𝗌 𝗂 𝗐𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌!!—𝗂'𝗆 𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝗆𝗂𝗌����𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗂𝗇 𝗂𝗈𝗐𝖺. 𝗉𝗅𝗌 𝗂 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗒𝖾𝗍 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗈𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌

CAITLIN CLARK HAD ALWAYS known exactly who she was.

From the moment she first picked up a basketball, the rhythm of the game had been her heartbeat. It was her first love, her greatest passion, the one thing in life she could always count on. Every shot, every pass, every buzzer-beater was a piece of her story, written in the language of the sport she adored. And then there was Connor—her steady, unwavering boyfriend, the person who had always been by her side. Through every victory and every defeat, he was there, a familiar presence, a safe place.

She never questioned it. Not once.

Until you.

It wasn’t supposed to be complicated. You were just the new assistant for the athletic department, someone she saw in passing, a friendly face on the sidelines. The kind of person anyone would gravitate toward—kind, funny, easy to talk to. It started out simple. A few harmless conversations, a joke exchanged between drills, the kind of thing she’d never given a second thought to before.

But then she started noticing things.

The way her pulse quickened when she heard your voice. The way her eyes searched for you in the crowd before every game. The way she caught herself smiling at her phone when your name popped up on the screen.

It didn’t make sense. She was happy with Connor. She loved him. Didn’t she?

One evening, after a grueling practice, Caitlin walked outside the gym and found you waiting, leaning casually against the brick wall, arms crossed, that familiar smile playing at your lips. The golden glow of the setting sun framed you in a way that made her stomach twist—an unfamiliar, exhilarating feeling she couldn’t quite name.

"Hey, superstar," you teased, bumping her arm. "Killer game today."

She laughed, but it came out breathier than she intended. "Thanks. I try."

For a moment, the world seemed to slow. There was something unspoken in the air between you, something she wasn’t ready to acknowledge but couldn’t bring herself to ignore. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her gym bag as she struggled to push the feelings away.

"You, okay?" you asked, voice soft with concern, noticing Caitlin's uneasy posture.

She hesitated. She could brush it off, pretend like nothing had changed. Or she could be honest—with herself, with you.

"I don’t know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think—"

But she didn’t finish. Couldn’t finish. Because if she said it out loud, if she admitted what was happening, then it would be real. And that terrified her.

You didn’t push. You just nodded, offering a quiet reassurance. "Whatever it is, I’m here."

Caitlin exhaled slowly, a mix of relief and frustration washing over her. She didn’t have the answers, didn’t know how to navigate these feelings. All she knew was that, for the first time in her life, she felt like she was standing at the free-throw line with the game on the line—and she wasn’t sure if she was going to make the shot.

As she stepped into the locker room, her teammates were in mid-conversation.

"Clark, you good?" Gabbie asked, tossing a towel over her shoulder.

"You’ve been spacing out a lot lately."

"Yeah, you better not be losing focus on us," Kate teased, elbowing Caitlin lightly. "We need our star locked in."

Caitlin forced a laugh, shook her head, sat on one of the benches, and began untying her shoes. "I’m fine. Just tired."

Monika gave her a knowing look but didn’t press. "Well, whatever it is, make sure you don’t forget we’ve got Purdue this weekend. We need you sharp."

Caitlin nodded, but even as the conversation moved on, she couldn’t shake the unease creeping in. She was used to having all the answers, knowing exactly what she wanted. But now? Now, she wasn’t so sure.

That night, as she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, Caitlin tried to rationalize it all. Maybe it was just admiration. Maybe she simply looked up to you in a way she hadn’t with anyone else. But then why did her stomach flutter every time you sent her a text? Why did she replay your conversations in her head, wondering what you meant by certain glances, certain words?

Connor noticed something was off. He had always been good at reading her.

"You’ve been quiet lately," he said one afternoon as they walked along campus. "Everything okay?"

Caitlin forced a smile, nodding too quickly. "Yeah, just tired. Long practices."

He accepted her answer, but she knew it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t fair to him. It wasn’t fair to herself.

Days passed, and the weight in her chest grew heavier. It was after a particularly grueling practice that everything came to a head. She found herself lingering in the locker room longer than usual, dreading the moment she had to step out and face reality.

"Clark, you’re showering in slow motion today," Hannah teased as she finished getting dressed. "You trying to avoid something?"

"Or someone?" Sydney teased with a grin.

Caitlin sighed, running a hand through her hair. "You all are too nosy."

"We’re just looking out for you," Gabbie said, her tone more sincere now. "If something’s up, you know we got you, right?"

Caitlin said nothing in reply to Gabbie, she leaned her back against one of the lockers, running her fingers in her and softly tugged on it.

"I don't know why you're avoiding Y/N, and I don't want to meddle in on what's happening between the two of you, but I hope you two will fix this, whatever's been going on." Gabbie said in a worried voice.

Caitlin swallowed hard, nodding. "Yeah, I know. I'll talk to her soon." What Caitlin didn't know was that ‘soon’, may come a bit earlier than she would have liked.

You walked inside the locker room, your eyes looking for something or someone, your expression shifting the moment you saw her. The girls, all except Caitlin, turn to look at your arrival.

"Caitlin?"

She snapped her eyes open and stood straight as soon she heard your voice and turned to face you. "Y/N..." she said in a shocked voice.

"Hey, Cait, can we talk for a moment?" You said meekly, Caitlin merely blinked her eyes at you, unsure what to say. "Um." she mumbled, darting her head towards the girls in the room, signaling with her eyes that she wanted a moment with you.

Gabbie and the others shared a look of understanding and slowly piled out the room to give the two the privacy they needed.

You slowly approached her and took your place beside her. The two of you standing side by side with both your hands lying limply just inches away from each other, both in your mind wanting to hold each other's hands but too afraid to make a move. Neither of the two was looking at each other. Caitlin's staring blankly at the ceiling, while yours were at the ground, your right foot twiddling the floor. After a few minutes of tension-filled silence, you can't handle any more of the awkwardness dancing between the two of you and decide it was time to speak up.

"Why are you avoiding me, Cait?"

Caitlin did not reply to you, still staring at the ceiling, her eyes slowly blinking, quickly licking her lips.

"Had I done something wrong?" You said forlornly, furrowing your brows. At that, Caitlin snapped her head at you, and she immediately shook her head in disagreement.

"No, no... It's not you, God it was never you, Y/N," Caitlin quickly replied while grabbing your hand at your side, while her other hand held your jaw, her thumb rubbing your cheeks softy.

She looked at you nervously, her heart hammering. "I don’t know what’s happening to me," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t know why I feel this way."

You didn’t look surprised. If anything, you looked… understanding.

"You don’t have to figure it all out right now," you said in a whisper, while slowly caressing her inner wrist with your forefinger.

"Feelings are messy. They don’t always make sense. You can talk to me, Cait. You are not alone, don’t bottle this up."

Caitlin inhaled sharply, her hands trembling. She wanted to believe you. She wanted to let go of the guilt, the confusion, the fear.

“I don’t know why I feel this way for you… It’s not fair. I— I don’t know what to do.” Caitlin choked, pressing her forehead to your neck. “I wish I could answer that, Cait.” You bit the inside of your mouth; the only comfort you gave to the teary-eyed girl was a soft squeeze of her wrist with a light kiss on the top of her hair.

Caitlin wanted to believe in you but most of all, she wanted to know what it would feel like to kiss your lips and not question why she wanted to.

Four months had passed, and Caitlin continued to wrestle with her emotions. Avoiding Connor was no longer an option. She needed to confront the truth—even if it scared her.

One afternoon, after practice, she found him waiting outside the gym. He looked at her with hurt but quiet understanding, his hands tucked into his pockets. "Do you love me, Caitlin?"

It was quiet for a moment, Caitlin hesitated, and in that pause, the answer became painfully clear. "I care about you, Connor. I do. But… something’s changed. I’ve changed."

His jaw tensed, but he nodded. "I knew this was coming. I just didn’t want to admit it."

"I’m sorry, I really am, but I don’t want to hide any longer. If I dragged this much longer, I would continue to hurt you more, it's not fair to you." she whispered in an apologetic voice.

"I just want you to be happy," he said softly. "Even if it’s not with me. Your happiness is more important."

“I’m proud of you, cait. I really am.” Connor added with a wobbly smile.

Tears pricked at Caitlin’s eyes as he walked away, but alongside the sadness was something else—a strange sense of relief. The weight she had been carrying was slowly lifting.

Later that night, she found herself outside your apartment door, heart pounding. When you opened it, surprise flickered across your face before softening into a smile, leaning against the door, crossing your arms, and leaning against the door frame.

"Yes, Caitlin?"

She exhaled, steadying herself. "I don’t have everything figured out yet… but I want to. With you.... If you'll let me."

You shook your head and stepped forward, pulling her into a big hug. "You don’t have to have all the answers or worry about what the future might hold. The answers will come when they’re meant to. Just know that what you're feeling is real. And it’s okay. You're okay."

Caitlin’s breath hitched, but this time, it wasn’t out of fear. It was out of relief. Acceptance. She let herself lean into the warmth of your touch, leaning on your right shoulder, pressing her nose at the side of your neck, finally allowing herself to believe it.

For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid of who she was. And that, more than anything, felt like victory.

[coffeeluv3r]

Court-side Confessions ₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ.

♡Pairing: 𝖯𝖺𝗂𝗀𝖾 𝖡𝗎𝖾𝖼𝗄𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗑 𝖳𝖾𝖺𝗆𝖺𝗍𝖾! 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋

♡Word count: 1.6k

♡Summary: 𝖯𝖺𝗂𝗀𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝖾𝗇𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝗁𝗂𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝖾𝖼𝗂𝖽𝖾𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝖿𝖾𝗌𝗌… 𝗌𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖼𝖺𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗋𝖾𝗀𝗋𝖾𝗍 𝗂𝗍, 𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍?

♡Author's corner: 𝗁𝖾𝗒𝗒 𝗂 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗀𝗎𝗒𝗌 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗌 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖺𝗌 𝗂 𝖽𝗂𝖽 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌!!— 𝗂 𝖽𝖾𝖼𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝖾 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝗎𝗍𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗌𝗂𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗂 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗌𝗍𝗒 𝖿𝗂𝖼𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝖽𝖺𝗒𝗌.

The early morning sunlight filtered through the gymnasium windows, casting long shadows across the polished hardwood floor. Paige Bueckers dribbled the basketball with practiced precision, her movements fluid and controlled. Each bounce echoed in the empty space, a rhythm that matched the beating of her anxious heart.

At twenty-two, Paige was no stranger to pressure. As a senior and star point guard for the university basketball team, she'd learned to channel her emotions into her game. But there was one pressure she couldn't seem to master – her feelings for a certain teamate.

Y/N was stretching at the far end of the court, her athletic frame moving with a grace that made Paige's breath catch. They'd been teammates and close friends since freshman year, a connection that ran deeper than just basketball. Paige had watched Y/N grow from a talented rookie to the team's leading scorer, admiring not just her athletic prowess, but her compassionate nature and infectious smile.

"Hey, you're here early," Y/N called out, walking towards Paige with a water bottle in hand.

Paige's heart raced. She'd perfected the art of hiding her true feelings over the years – a survival mechanism born from fear of rejection and the potential impact on their friendship. "Early bird gets the best practice time," she responded, her voice carefully controlled.

The truth was far more complicated. Each day, Paige wrestled with her emotions. Y/N was more than just a teammate or a friend. She was everything Paige had ever wanted – kind, supportive, intelligent, and breathtakingly beautiful. But the fear of losing their friendship always held her back.

As they warmed up together, Paige couldn't help but notice how perfectly they moved in sync. Their basketball chemistry was undeniable – a metaphor for the deeper connection she desperately wanted to explore. The campus buzzed with Y/N's popularity. She was the team's darling, loved by teammates and fans alike, with a charm that drew people to her naturally.

During a water break, Y/N sat next to Paige, their shoulders almost touching. "Big game coming up next week," she said, her voice soft and encouraging. "You've been working really hard."

Paige knew this was more than just a casual observation. Y/N had always been perceptive, always seeing beyond the surface. It was one of the many reasons Paige had fallen so deeply in love with her.

The university's athletic Gymnasium was a testament to competitive sports. Trophies lined the walls, photographs of past champions creating a backdrop of excellence. For Paige, it was both a dream and a pressure cooker. Her sexuality, her feelings for Y/N, her athletic performance – everything felt like it was hanging in a delicate balance.

As practice concluded, Paige made a decision. She couldn't continue like this – hiding, wondering, hoping. The uncertainty was consuming her. This was their senior year, potentially their last season together. Something had to change.

"Y/N," Paige said, her voice trembling slightly, "can we talk?"

Y/N turned, her dark eyes questioning. "Sure." she responded, a smile playing on her lips.

In that moment, Paige realized that taking a chance might be the most courageous thing she'd ever do. Not just as an athlete, but as a person discovering her true self. The basketball court had always been her safe space – now it was becoming the ground zero of her emotional revolution.

Paige’s hands felt clammy despite the cool morning air circulating through the gym. She gripped the basketball a little tighter, trying to ground herself. Y/N’s easygoing smile had always disarmed her, made her feel safe—but also made her heart pound like she was in double overtime with seconds left on the clock.

Y/N nudged Paige with her shoulder. “What’s up?”

Paige exhaled, willing herself to stay composed. “I just… I wanted to talk to you about something. Something important.”

Y/N’s brow furrowed slightly, but her expression remained open and attentive. “Of course. What is it?”

Paige hesitated. The words sat on the tip of her tongue, but fear kept them locked in place. She could make a move on the court without hesitation, but this—this was terrifying. What if it changed everything? What if she lost Y/N’s friendship? What if it ruined their dynamic as teammates?

But what if she didn’t say anything at all? What if she let this moment slip away and regretted it for the rest of her life?

She licked her lips, forcing herself to push through the fear. “I—”

The gym doors creaked open, cutting her off. Coach Geno strode in, clipboard in hand, his usual no-nonsense demeanor in full force. “Morning, ladies. Hope you’re ready to put in some work.”

Paige’s stomach twisted. The moment was lost.

Y/N shot her a look, a mixture of curiosity and concern in her eyes. “Let’s talk after practice, okay?”

Paige could only nod.

Practice was brutal, as expected. Full-court drills, defensive rotations, and high-intensity scrimmages had everyone drenched in sweat. Paige threw herself into the training, using it as an outlet to channel her emotions. She and Y/N played off each other seamlessly, their chemistry on full display. No-look passes, perfectly timed assists—it was almost as if they could read each other’s minds.

By the time Coach blew the final whistle, Paige’s legs felt like jelly, but her mind was clearer than before. She had to do this. No more running away from her feelings.

Y/N approached her at the water station, tossing Paige a fresh towel. “Still up for that talk?”

Paige wiped the sweat from her forehead, nodding. “Yeah. Let’s go somewhere quiet.”

They walked side by side out of the gym, the early morning practice now giving way to the hustle and bustle of campus life. The air was thick with the scent of fresh-cut grass and the faint aroma of coffee from a nearby stand. Students hurried to class, their chatter blending into a familiar background hum. Some stopped to greet Y/N with high-fives and words of encouragement, their admiration clear in their voices. Paige had always admired how effortlessly Y/N fit in everywhere. She was magnetic, a natural leader on and off the court.

Despite the warmth of the morning sun, Paige felt a chill crawl up her spine. Her pulse quickened with every step as her mind raced ahead of her. This wasn’t just any conversation—this was the kind of moment that could change everything.

They found a bench near the gym, slightly tucked away from the main walkway, shielded by the sprawling branches of an old oak tree. The shade offered a sense of privacy, though Paige’s nerves still prickled. She took a deep breath, her hands gripping the edge of the seat. Her knees bounced slightly, the movement a quiet testament to her anxiety.

Y/N arched an eyebrow, leaning in slightly. “Okay,” she said, her tone light but laced with concern. “You’re kind of freaking me out now. What’s going on?”

Paige let out a dry chuckle, shaking her head at herself. “Sorry. I just… I’ve been holding this in for a long time.”

Y/N’s expression softened, her eyes searching Paige’s face. “Paige, whatever it is, you can tell me.”

The sincerity in Y/N’s voice made Paige’s throat tighten. She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her. Her heart pounded so loudly she wondered if Y/N could hear it.

“It’s about us,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N blinked, her eyebrows lifting slightly. “Us?”

Paige nodded, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her practice shorts. She forced herself to meet Y/N’s gaze, terrified and relieved all at once. “I don’t know how to say this without making things weird, but—I like you, Y/N. More than just a friend. More than just a teammate.”

The words were out, and Paige felt like she had just taken the most important shot of her life. The silence that followed was unbearable. The world around them seemed to fade into a dull blur—students walking past, birds chirping overhead, the distant whistle of a coach calling out instructions on the field. None of it mattered. All that mattered was Y/N and whatever she was going to say next.

Y/N’s lips parted slightly, as if forming a response, but no words came out immediately. Paige’s stomach twisted, the fear creeping back in. What if this ruined everything? What if—

“I… I didn’t know you felt that way,” Y/N finally said, her voice softer than before.

Paige looked down, nodding slowly. “I’ve been scared to tell you. I didn’t want to mess up our friendship or the team dynamic, but… I couldn’t keep pretending.”

Y/N was quiet for a moment before she let out a small, breathy laugh. “Wow.”

Paige’s stomach flipped. “Wow good or wow bad?”

Y/N turned to face her fully, her dark eyes filled with something Paige couldn’t quite decipher. The sun cast a golden glow around her, highlighting the soft curve of her smile as she exhaled a quiet chuckle. “Wow, to think I thought it was unrequited. I feel the same way too, dummy.”

Paige’s breath hitched. “You do?”

Y/N smiled, a little shy, a little unsure. “I’ve never really thought about it before, but now that you’ve said it… well, I’m glad you did.”

Paige’s chest swelled with something new—hope. The tension in her shoulders melted away, replaced by a warmth that spread from her heart outward.

“So… what do we do now?” Paige asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers with an ease that sent a shiver down Paige’s spine. “We take it one step at a time. Together.”

Paige let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, a genuine smile breaking across her face. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something incredible.

[coffeeluv3r]

Little Green-Eyed Monster ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆

♡Pairing: 𝖩𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌!𝖯𝖺𝗂𝗀𝖾 𝖡𝗎𝖾𝖼𝗄𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗑 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝗑 𝖯𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗇𝗂𝖼! 𝖢𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗅𝗂𝗇 𝖢𝗅𝖺𝗋𝗄

♡Word count: 1.2k

♡Summary: 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋, 𝗈𝖻𝗅𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗈𝗎𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖯𝖺𝗂𝗀𝖾'𝗌 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌, 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗎𝖾𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖽𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗈𝗉 𝖺 𝖼𝗅𝗈𝗌𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖢𝖺𝗂𝗍𝗅𝗂𝗇, 𝗐𝗁𝗂𝖼𝗁 𝖿𝗎𝗋𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖿𝗎𝖾𝗅𝗌 𝖯𝖺𝗂𝗀𝖾'𝗌 𝗃𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌𝗒.

♡Author’s corner: 𝖧𝗂 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝖨 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗀𝗎𝗒𝗌 enjoyed 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗌 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖺𝗌 𝖨 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌!!— 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗌 𝗆𝗒 𝖿𝗂𝗋𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗌𝗈 𝗁𝗈𝗉𝖾𝖿𝗎𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗂 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝖽𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝖺 𝗀𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝗃𝗈𝖻 :,)— 𝖨'𝗆 𝗌𝗈𝗋𝗋𝗒 𝖨 𝖺𝗆 𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗒𝖾𝗍 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 any 𝗋𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗌𝗍s, 𝗆𝖺𝗒𝖻𝖾 𝗂𝗇 𝖺 𝖿𝖾𝗐 𝗐eeks 𝖨 𝖼𝖺𝗇, 𝗌𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗈𝗅 𝗁𝖺ve 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗎𝗉 𝗆𝗒 𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗅

Paige Bueckers didn’t think of herself as the jealous type.

She wasn’t. At least, that’s what she told herself every time she saw Y/N laughing a little bit too hard at something Caitlin Clark said, Y/N’s hand resting on Caitlin’s arm like it was the most natural thing in the world. It shouldn’t have bothered her. Y/N was friendly. That’s just how she was. And Caitlin? She was the same way—loud, charismatic, magnetic. It made sense that Y/N would be drawn to her. Everyone was.

But that didn’t make it any easier to watch.

It started as a quiet, nagging feeling. A twist in Paige’s stomach when she saw the way Caitlin casually slung an arm over Y/N’s shoulder after a game between Uconn and Iowa. A twinge in her chest when Y/N reposted another one of Caitlin’s ridiculous Instagram stories, her responses filled with inside jokes that Paige wasn’t a part of.

Then it got worse.

She noticed the way Y/N stayed up late Face Timing Caitlin after games, her soft laughter filtering through the walls. She caught the way Caitlin looked at Y/N—like she was her favorite person in the room—and Paige hated how much she understood that feeling.

Because Y/N was her favorite person in the room.

And yet, somehow, she was never Y/N’s.

At least, that’s how it felt.

Paige tried to push it down, to remind herself that she had no right to be jealous. They weren’t dating. They were best friends—had been since their high school days in Hopkins. She had no claim over Y/N, no right to feel this way, but every time Caitlin made Y/N smile, it felt like something sharp was lodged in Paige’s ribs, like she was suffocating on words she’d never been brave enough to say.

She started to withdraw, her usual lively energy fading into something muted. On the court, she was all business, hyper-focused and distant. Off the court, she was even worse, skipping out on team hangouts after a good win, and turning down Y/N’s offers to study together. She didn’t want to admit why, but the truth clawed at her every time she saw Caitlin’s name light up Y/N’s phone screen. It was making her crazy.

“Paige, are you okay?”

Y/N’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts, and Paige blinked, realizing she had been absentmindedly staring at her across the gym. Y/N’s brows were furrowed, concern evident in her eyes as she stepped closer to Paige.

Paige swallowed hard. “Yeah, I’m good.”

Y/N didn’t look convinced. “You sure? You’ve been kind of off quiet lately.”

Paige forced a tight-lipped smile. “Just tired. Long practice.”

Y/N studied her for a moment longer with a slight frown before nodding. “Okay. Well, Caitlin and I are going to grab food after this—wanna come?”

There it was again. Caitlin and I.

Paige should have just said no. Should have made up an excuse. But instead, she found herself nodding, because the thought of leaving Y/N alone with Caitlin made her stomach churn even worse.

Dinner was torture. Paige sat stiffly across from Y/N and Caitlin, barely eating, barely speaking, a pizza laying limply in her hands. She watched as Caitlin leaned in to whisper something in Y/N’s ear, making her laugh softly. That same laugh that used to be just for Paige. It burned. Jealousy starting to fill her.

Caitlin was always charming, and maybe that was the worst part—she wasn’t doing anything wrong. She was just being herself. And Y/N wasn’t doing anything wrong, either. She was just being her. And it made Paige feel bad because she Y/N was being friendly. That’s just how she is.

“Oh shit, it’s getting late. I should get going.” Caitlin said standing while looking down at her watch.

Y/N stood up from her seat alongside Paige, “Yeah us too, Geno might chew us at practice if we're late,” Both Caitlin and Y/N chuckled while Paige looked with a blank expression, her tongue poking her right cheek.

“Thanks for the catch-up Cait.” Y/N added looking at Caitlin with a smile.

“It was also good catching up with you Y/N, god knows when will be our next.” Caitlin chortled.

“Right, well see you, Cait. I had fun tonight.”

“Me too, see you both around.” Caitlin replied nodding to Y/N and Paige. Y/N waved goodbye while Paige remained standoffish causing Caitlin to look confused at Paige’s behavior.

After dinner, Y/N walked beside Paige, a lingering concern in her eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked noticing Paige’s behavior was off the entire night.

Paige exhaled sharply, stopping in her tracks. “No. I’m not.”

Y/N frowned. “Paige—”

“I can’t do this,” Paige blurted out, eyes shining with frustration. “I can’t sit there and watch you with her like it doesn’t kill me.”

Y/N’s mouth parted slightly, shock flashing across her face. “Paige…”

Paige looked away and ran a hand through her hair, inhaling sharply. “I know we’re just friends. I know I don’t have the right to feel this way, but I do. I like you. More than I should.”

Silence stretched between them, heavy and uncertain. Then, slowly, Y/N reached out, taking Paige’s hand in hers, interlocking them.

“You should’ve told me sooner,” Y/N murmured, squeezing gently.

Paige’s breath hitched. “You do?”

Y/N nodded, smiling softly. “Yeah. But I didn’t want to ruin what we had. I was scared.”

Relief flooded Paige’s system, and for the first time in weeks, the tightness in her chest eased. She let out a shaky laugh, squeezing Y/N’s hand back. “Guess we’re both kind of dumb, huh?”

Y/N chuckled and shook her head slowly. “Yeah. But at least now we know.”

Paige’s heart raced as Y/N gently tugged her forward, their steps in sync as they walked back towards to their dorm. The night air was crisp, the sky a deep shade of indigo. It felt like a fresh start, like a weight had been lifted off both of their shoulders.

“So… what happens now?” Paige asked, her voice soft, unsure.

Y/N squeezed her hand, fingers lacing with hers. “Well, we could start by going on an actual date.”

Paige felt a warmth spread through her chest, a rare, giddy smile pulling at her lips. “I’d like that.”

“Good,” Y/N said, bumping her shoulder lightly. “Because I don’t think Caitlin would’ve been a great girlfriend anyway. No offense.”

Paige threw her head back in laughter, shaking her head. “Yeah, probably not.”

The two of them walked on, hand in hand, the tension and uncertainty of the past few weeks fading into something softer, something new.

Later that night, Paige lay in bed, staring at her phone screen. She hovered over Caitlin’s contact, debating whether to say something. Eventually, she just sent a simple message.

Thanks for being cool.

Caitlin’s response came almost instantly.

Took you long enough. Don’t mess it up.

Paige let out a small laugh, setting her phone aside before rolling over, and staring at the ceiling. Maybe she’d been jealous, maybe she’d been petty, but in the end, it led her here—with Y/N, finally, at her side. And that? That made everything worth it.

[coffeeluv3r]

When y/n gets too annoying to the point you want to stop reading

[coffeeluv3r]

“he’s so babygirl”

babe he just killed somebody.

[coffeeluv3r]

HEARTBREAK: LIVE | Masterlist

Rafe Cameron's MASTERLIST | Social Media AU

Pairing — Ex-BF!Rafe x Radio Host!Female Reader

Summary — You and Rafe were the perfect couple. But after a mysterious breakup, you went off the grid. When your best friends pulls you back into the spotlight to host a on-campus radio show, you find yourself opening up to the world about your experience. This time, with everyone listening—including Rafe. And him? He wants you back.

Content — college au, football player!rafe au

Timeline — 10/27/2024 – 12/29/2024

Status — Completed

NAVIGATION —

asks – thoughts – theories – analysis – ✏️ ideas – fav. moments feedbacks

LINKS —

community – spotify

TABLE OF CONTENT —

✶ Part 01 ✶ Part 02 ✶ Part 03 ✶ Part 04 ✶ Part 05

✶ Part 06 ✶ Part 07 ✶ Part 08 ✶ Part 09 ✶ Part 10

✶ Part 11 ✶ Part 12 ✶ Part 13 ✶ Part 14 ✶ Part 15

✶ Part 16 ✶ Part 17 ✶ Part 18 ✶ Part 19 ✶ Part 20

✶ Part 21 ✶ Part 22 ✶ Part 23 ✶ Part 24 ✶ Part 25

✶ Part 26 ✶ Part 27 ✶ Part 28 ✶ Part 29 ✶ Part 30

✶ Part 31 ✶ Part 32 ✶ Part 33 ✶ Part 34 ✶ Part 35

✶ Part 36 ✶ Part 37 ✶ Part 38 ✶ Part 39 ✶ Part 40

✶ Part 41 ✶ Part 42 ✶ Part 43 ✶ Part 44 ✶ Part 45

✶ Part 46 ✶ Part 47 ✶ Part 48 ✶ Part 49 ✶ Part 50

✶ Part 51 ✶ Part 52 ✶ Part 53 ✶ Part 54 ✶ Part 55

✶ Part 56 ✶ Part 57 ✶ Part 58 ✶ Part 59 ✶ Part 60

✶ Part 61 ✶ Part 62 ✶ Part 63 ✶ Part 64 ✶ Part 65

✶ Part 66 ✶ Part 67 ✶ Part 68 ✶ Part 69 ✶ Part 70

✶ Part 71 ✶ Part 72 ✶ Part 73 ✶ Part 74 ✶ Part End

EXTRAS —

✶ when reader blocks rafe on all socials

✶ when it's 'national text an ex' day

✶ when reader posts about rafe on instagram

✶ rafe and reader's clay date night

✶ reader watching their football edit

✶ reader sending rafe a football tiktok

✶ reader and rafe doing a tiktok trend

✶ new chauffeur alert

✶ rafe carrying reader home

✶ rafe posting reader on ig after getting back together

✶ pope's secret

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT TAGLIST AND UPDATES: if you want to be notified about all my fics and updates, follow @zyafics-library and turn on notifications! however, if you want to be added to this specific taglist, let me know (but to remain tagged, you must interact with the posts).

[coffeeluv3r]

i can fix him (no really i can)

[coffeeluv3r]

"There's ghostface in the house! Run!"

Me asf:

[coffeeluv3r]

maybe i was born to read fanfic and obsess over fictional men idk

[coffeeluv3r]

smut is great but do you know what’s better? heart wrenching, soul twisting angst that makes you want to cry (take my money)

[coffeeluv3r]

reblog if you’ve read fanfictions that are more professional, better written than some actual novels. I’m trying to see something

[coffeeluv3r]

[coffeeluv3r]

i love ao3 but tumblr fanfics just hit different 😩😩

[coffeeluv3r]

[coffeeluv3r]

[coffeeluv3r]

holy trinity of dilfs