#uconn

[princessazzi]

Azzi is so fine. TOO FINE. 🥵

[bueckersstuff]

HER NEW OBSESSION

Part I Part II Part III Pairing: Paige Bueckers x Reader

The soft glow of your bedside lamp bathes the room in warm hues, casting flickering shadows across the walls. Paige lies beside you, her blonde hair fanned out over your pillow, her blue eyes tracing the contours of your face with a lazy sort of fascination. Her fingers ghost over your arm, drawing invisible patterns on your skin, the sensation light enough to send a ripple of shivers through you.

"You're staring," you tease, your lips curling into a smirk as you turn onto your side, facing her fully.

"M'not," Paige murmurs, though the small grin tugging at her lips betrays her. "Just admiring the view."

You roll your eyes, but the warmth spreading through your chest is undeniable. This—whatever it is—has been going on for days, maybe even weeks now. Nights spent tangled in each other's arms, limbs draped over one another like it’s the most natural thing in the world. It's a silent routine neither of you have acknowledged out loud, but neither of you has dared to stop it, either.

Paige shifts closer, pressing against you until there's hardly any space left between your bodies. Her hand slides up your arm, tracing over your shoulder before settling at the base of your neck. "You’re warm," she mumbles, tucking her head under your chin like she belongs there.

You chuckle, wrapping your arms around her without hesitation. "And you’re clingy."

"Shut up, you love it," she shoots back, her breath fanning against your collarbone.

You do. You really do.

Her fingers play with the hem of your hoodie—her hoodie, technically, but she had tossed it over to you one night, and it somehow became yours. Now, it smells like the two of you, a mixture of her perfume and your detergent, an unspoken claim neither of you address.

Paige lifts her head slightly, her nose brushing against your jaw. "I should sleep, practice tomorrow."

"Then sleep. No one’s stopping you."

She exhales a quiet laugh before nudging her forehead against yours, her lips just a breath away. "You make it kinda hard when you're this close."

You don’t move, don’t pull back. Instead, you let your fingers trace slow circles against her back, committing the feel of her to memory. "Sounds like a you problem."

Paige hums, her fingers now threading through your hair, her touch slow and deliberate. "You're such a pain."

"And yet, here you are."

She doesn’t argue. Instead, she presses the softest, laziest kiss to the corner of your mouth, a touch so fleeting you almost question if it happened at all. But then she sighs, burrowing into you again, her grip around you tightening like she’s afraid to let go.

Neither of you speak. The silence between you is comfortable, weighted with something neither of you is brave enough to name. For now, it's enough to just exist like this—like two lovesick fools tangled in the sheets, living in a moment that neither of you dares to define.

You’re curled up on the couch, tucked into Paige’s side, your legs draped over hers as the soft glow of the TV flickers in the dimly lit dorm room. A movie plays, some overly romantic love story about a celebrity falling in love with a regular girl. You’re barely paying attention to the plot—too caught up in the way Paige absentmindedly traces her fingers along your arm, her touch featherlight yet electrifying.

This has been your reality for weeks now. Late nights tangled up together, stolen kisses in the quiet of your dorm, whispered words meant for no one else’s ears. No labels. No questions. Just the warmth of her presence and the way she looks at you like you’re the only thing that matters in a world that constantly demands her attention.

Your head rests against her shoulder as you exhale softly, watching the couple on screen navigate their love against the backdrop of fame. There’s a moment of quiet vulnerability between them, the kind that makes you ache for something you can’t quite name. Without thinking, the words slip from your lips.

“I think I’d want something like that… just, you know, a normal life. Something simple. Growing old with someone without the whole world watching.”

You don’t notice the way Paige’s fingers pause against your skin, how her body tenses just slightly before she forces herself to relax. For the first time in a long time, she feels something crack within her��a sharp, undeniable realization settling into her chest like a weight she can’t shake off.

She looks at you. Really looks at you. The way your eyes soften when you talk about the future, the way you absentmindedly play with the hem of your sleeve, so unaware of the silent war raging inside her.

Because she knows.

She knows she can’t give you that.

She knows that no matter how much she wants you—how much she’s grown addicted to your presence, to your laugh, to the way you fit so perfectly against her—she will never be able to give you the quiet, simple life you deserve. Her world is loud, relentless, and unforgiving. It demands too much, takes too much. It’s anything but normal. And you? You deserve normal. You deserve steady, safe, and certain.

Paige swallows the lump in her throat and forces herself to look back at the screen, pretending like your words didn’t just shake her to her core. She wants to tell you, wants to explain why she suddenly feels like running away, why the thought of wanting you so much scares the hell out of her. But she can’t. Because the truth is, she’s a coward.

So instead, she tightens her arm around you, pressing a kiss to your temple, as if that can make up for the words she’ll never say.

And for now, you don’t question it.

The change is subtle at first. Small enough that you don’t think much of it. Paige starts coming home later than usual, her schedule stretching into the night. At first, she tells you it’s just extra practice—Coach is pushing them harder, she says. You don’t question it. You know how serious she is about basketball, and it’s not like she hasn’t stayed late before.

But then, it happens again. And again.

One night, you’re lying in bed, waiting for her like you always do. But tonight, the silence stretches. You check the time. Midnight. You don’t remember the last time she got home this late. You fight to keep your eyes open, but exhaustion takes over before you hear the door.

At some point, you realize you’re falling asleep before she even gets back. The sound of her key in the lock, her bag dropping onto the floor—those little things that used to signal her arrival—aren’t waking you up anymore. You’re already deep in sleep by the time she returns, and when you wake up, she’s already gone again.

You’re not sure when she got back, but her side of the bed is untouched. She must’ve crashed in her own room. Your stomach twists, but you push the thought away.

It’s like you’re moving in opposite directions, barely catching each other in passing. You try not to think too much of it.

Then the weekends change, too. Saturdays used to mean lazy mornings tangled in bed, stealing kisses between half-asleep conversations, making breakfast together even if neither of you knew what you were doing. But now, Paige has plans. You don’t know what kind, exactly—she just says she’s busy. And she doesn’t offer more than that.

“Where are you headed?” you ask one Saturday, sitting in the couch as she throws on a hoodie. The morning sun filters through the blinds, casting patterns across her face, but she doesn’t look at you.

“Just out,�� she says vaguely, tying the laces of her sneakers. “Gotta get some things done.”

You wait for her to say more. To give you something. But she doesn’t.

“Okay,” you say quietly, watching as she grabs her phone and tucks it into her pocket.

She hesitates at the door, just for a second. Then she leaves.

You stare at the empty space she left behind, a strange feeling settling in your chest.

It’s nothing, you tell yourself. Nothing at all.

At first, you make excuses for her. Maybe she’s just busy. Maybe the season is taking a toll on her. Maybe she just needs some space. But the doubt seeps in like a slow drip, filling the spaces where certainty used to be.

One evening, you casually ask again, "Are you staying late at the gym again?"

She barely glances up from her phone. "Yeah, something like that."

Something like that.

You swallow the lump in your throat and nod, pretending you don’t notice how distant she sounds. Pretending it doesn’t feel like she’s slipping away, one late night at a time.

The dorm, once your shared little world, felt colder. She was distant. Conversations were clipped, forced. The warmth in her voice when she said your name had disappeared, replaced by indifference. The weight of Paige's absence settles heavier with each passing day. The routine you once had—lazy mornings tangled in sheets, whispered jokes before class, her hand instinctively finding yours without a second thought—has become a distant memory. Now, it’s replaced by silence, cold and suffocating, wrapping around the dorm like an unwelcome ghost.

She comes home late. So late that you don’t even wait up anymore, your body giving up before your heart does. Sometimes you hear her, the shuffle of sneakers against the floor, the zip of a duffle bag, the sound of a shower turning on. But you don’t move. You don’t greet her. And she doesn’t greet you either.

Then came the rumors.

At first, you ignored them. It wasn’t uncommon for people to talk about Paige—her popularity, her presence. But the whispers were relentless. They carried weight. The flings were back. You heard about them from passing conversations, from girls giggling about how Paige had been seen with someone new. It wasn’t just one name being thrown around—it was multiple. The stories were different, but the theme was the same.

Paige Bueckers was back to her old ways.

Still, you refused to believe it. Not without proof. Not without her telling you herself.

Then you saw them.

Faint, but there—marks on her neck when she came home late one night, barely acknowledging you before shutting herself in her room. You heard the flirtatious lilt in her voice when she was on the phone. She didn’t even bother lowering her tone anymore, as if she didn’t care if you heard or not.

And yet, she never said a word to you. No explanation. No confrontation. Just distance.

And it hurt.

More than it should have.

One night, when she finally came home, you couldn't take it anymore.

"Paige."

She paused, her hand still on the doorknob to her room. "What?"

"Where have you been?" Your voice comes out small, but the weight behind it is anything but.

Paige doesn't even look at you. "Out."

"Out where?"

A pause. Then, "Does it matter?"

Your chest tightens. "Yeah, it kinda does."

She scoffs, rubbing a hand over her face. "You don’t own me."

That one stings. But you push past it. "I never said I did. But you just... you disappeared. You won’t even look at me anymore."

She stays quiet, jaw clenched.

You shake your head, laughing bitterly. "You know what’s funny? I didn’t believe any of the rumors. I thought, 'No, she would tell me. She wouldn’t do this to me. Not like this.'" Your voice cracks, and you hate yourself for it.

Paige finally looks at you, something unreadable in her eyes. "What do you want me to say?"

"The truth," you whisper. "Tell me this isn’t real. Tell me you’re not..." You swallow hard. "That you haven’t just been—been running around with random girls again like none of this meant anything."

Paige’s expression flickers for just a second—guilt, regret, something deeper—but it’s gone just as fast.

She hardens, turns away. "I never promised you anything."

"Are you seeing someone?" Your voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the weight behind your words.

She didn't answer immediately. Just looked back at you, something unreadable flashing in her eyes. "Does it matter?"

It was like a slap to the face. "Does it—" You swallowed hard, trying to steady yourself. "Of course it matters. After everything—"

"We don’t have labels," she interrupted, her tone sharp. "You knew that."

Your stomach twisted. "That’s not the point, Paige. I—" You exhaled shakily. "I don’t care about labels. I care about you. And I don’t understand why you're—why you're doing this."

She clenched her jaw, looking past you instead of at you. "I don't have to explain myself to you."

You feel like the air has been knocked out of your lungs.

She stands, moving toward the bathroom, signaling that the conversation is over. But you can’t let it end like this. Not like this.

"Was any of it real?" The words come out choked, barely above a whisper.

Paige freezes in the doorway. Her back is to you, but you see the way her shoulders rise and fall, the way her fingers twitch at her sides. For a moment, you think she’s going to say something—something that will fix this, something that will bring you back. But she doesn’t.

She walks in. The door shuts behind her.

And you’re left there, sitting in the dark, realizing that maybe—just maybe—you were the only one who thought this was real.

You don't know when it started—this gnawing feeling of inadequacy, of doubt creeping into your bones like a slow-moving poison. Maybe it had been there for a while, festering beneath the surface, waiting for the perfect moment to seep into your thoughts. But now, it consumed you.

It wasn't just Paige's absence anymore. It was everything that came with it.

You tried not to care. You really did. But every time you closed your eyes, you saw her. The way she used to be with you, the way she made you feel like the center of her world, even if you never put a label on it. And then the intrusive thoughts followed.

Were you not good enough?

Had it been nothing to her?

Had you just been another name on a long list, another brief distraction before she moved on to the next?

You started comparing yourself to the girls in the rumors.

Were they prettier?

More exciting?

Was there something you lacked, something you failed to give her?

You wondered if, when she was with them, she thought about you at all. If she even remembered the way she used to hold you close like you were something precious.

It drove you insane, the not knowing. The lingering questions, the way your mind refused to give you peace.

So when the big game came, and the victory party followed, you made a decision.

You had to see it for yourself.

Had to put your questions to rest.

Had to stop this stupid, reckless hope that maybe, just maybe, Paige wasn’t doing what everyone said she was doing.

And if the rumors were true… if you saw it with your own eyes…

Then maybe, finally, you could let her go.

The pub is alive with flashing lights and bass-heavy music, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat. Bodies sway, pressed together in an intoxicating rhythm, but your focus is razor-sharp.

You scan the room, heart pounding with a mix of nerves and something more dangerous—something close to dread. Then, like a nightmare brought to life, you see her.

Paige.

Surrounded. Girls draped over her, touching her, laughing, leaning in too close. And she—she’s letting them. Entertaining them. Smirking when one whispers something into her ear, leaning into another’s touch. Paige is in her element, basking in their attention like none of it matters. Like you don’t matter.

And then, as if she feels your eyes burning into her, she looks up.

Your gazes lock. For a moment, time seems to slow, the music a dull thrum in the background. You wait—hope—for something to flicker in her eyes. A sign of guilt, recognition, regret. But there’s nothing.

Paige holds your stare with a stoic expression, unreadable, detached. Like she doesn’t even know you.

A knife to the gut would have hurt less.

You almost crumble right there, almost let the tears spill in front of all these strangers. But pride keeps you standing, keeps you breathing through the ache clawing at your chest. Paige sees the flicker of pain in your eyes, the way your lips part slightly before you force them shut.

But she doesn’t move. Doesn’t react.

You turn away first. If she wants to pretend you don’t exist, then fine. Two can play that game.

You push your way through the crowd toward the bar, ordering the strongest drink they have. You down half of it in one go, desperate to erase the sight of her from your mind. You focus on the burn in your throat, on the blur of people moving around you. Anything but her.

Until someone steps into your space.

“Been watching you all night,” a voice slurs, hot breath brushing against your ear. A guy, taller than you, his grin lazy and overconfident. He leans in, too close, fingers ghosting over your wrist. “You alone?”

Irritation flares in your gut. “Not interested.”

“Come on, don’t be like that,” he coaxes, his grip tightening slightly. “Just one dance, sweetheart.”

Your jaw clenches as you try to yank your arm free. “I said no.”

The guy clicks his tongue, still holding on, still pushing. “You’re real pretty when you’re mad, you know that?”

Before you can shove him away, a new presence cuts in—solid, imposing.

A voice colder than ice. “Let. Go.”

Paige.

The moment Paige stepped between you and the guy, the entire party seemed to pause. The look on her face was murderous, eyes dark and sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. The guy, clearly drunk and emboldened by whatever liquid courage he had consumed, barely registered the threat at first.

"The fuck are you doing?" Paige’s voice was low, dangerous.

The guy scoffs, but there’s a flicker of uncertainty in his expression. “Relax, I was just talking to her.”

Paige doesn’t blink. “You were harassing her.”

“It’s not that serious—”

“Try touching her again,” Paige interrupts, voice quiet but deadly. “See what happens.”

The guy falters. Paige doesn’t break eye contact, her entire stance daring him to make another move. Finally, with a muttered curse, the guy raises his hands in surrender and disappears into the crowd.

Silence lingers between you. The pub moves on as if nothing happened, but everything inside you is trembling. Paige’s gaze shifts from where the guy disappeared to you, and suddenly, all that ice and fury is directed your way.

You took a sharp breath, shaking off the momentary shock. "I don’t need you to save me."

Paige finally turned to you, expression unreadable. "Then what the fuck are you doing here?" she shot back.

Your stomach twisted. "What the fuck am I doing here?" you echoed, incredulous, feeling something snap inside you. "Are you serious right now?"

Paige exhaled through her nose, as if already tired of this conversation. "You don’t belong in places like this."

That set you off. "Oh, but you do? Right. Because this is your scene, isn’t it? You and your little… fan club."

Something flickered in Paige’s eyes, but she didn’t react the way you wanted her to. She just tilted her head, crossing her arms. "I don’t know what you want from me."

"I want to know what the hell happened!" Your voice cracked despite your best efforts to keep it steady. "I want to know what I did wrong, why you suddenly started acting like I don’t exist, why I had to hear about your flings from random people instead of from you! Why you keep pushing me away like I was nothing!"

Paige’s expression hardened. "I never promised you anything."

Your breath caught in your throat.

The words landed like a physical blow.

She had never said those words before. She had never needed to.

"Wow." Your voice was hollow now, the anger drained and replaced by something far more devastating. "So that’s it, then? You don’t give a shit about me?"

Paige exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. "I—"

"Paige, what the fuck?" Another voice cut in, and suddenly, Azzi was stepping between the two of you, eyes flicking from your devastated expression to Paige’s clenched jaw. "What the hell is going on here?"

KK was standing a few feet away too, watching with a disapproving look that made Paige’s shoulders tense.

You swallowed down the lump in your throat, forcing yourself to laugh, though it sounded broken. "Nothing. There’s nothing going on. Right, Paige?" You turned to her, daring her to correct you.

She didn’t.

KK didn’t wait for Paige to answer before grabbing your wrist and gently tugging you away. "C’mon, let’s get you home."

You didn’t resist. You couldn’t.

The last thing you saw before turning away was Paige, standing there, watching you leave with an expression you couldn’t quite decipher. But it didn’t matter anymore.

That night, you vented everything to KK, voice cracking as you let out weeks’ worth of bottled-up emotions. She didn’t say much, just listened, holding you when your body shook from trying to suppress your sobs.

When sleep finally came, it wasn’t peaceful. It was heavy and suffocating, filled with the weight of unspoken words and all the things you wished you never felt for Paige Bueckers.

KK went back to the pub. She had seen Paige in all kinds of moods—pissed, cocky, exhausted, even heartbreakingly vulnerable—but this? This was different.

She watched as Paige stood at the bar, gripping her drink like it was the only thing tethering her to the ground. Her jaw clenched, her eyes dark with something that wasn’t quite anger but wasn’t anything good either. Azzi stood beside her, arms crossed, waiting for an answer.

“What the hell was that?” Azzi demanded. “That was low, even for you.”

Paige didn't respond at first. She just stared at the rim of her glass, like the whiskey swirling inside could somehow answer for her. Azzi sighed in frustration, shaking her head.

“We actually thought you were getting better these past weeks,” Azzi said, her voice quieter, like she was still trying to understand. “We thought maybe it had something to do with her. And then you pull this? You acted like she was nothing to you.”

That finally got Paige to react. Her grip on the glass tightened. Her head dropped for a second, her expression unreadable, and then she did something neither of them expected—she asked, voice rough and hesitant, “Did she cry?”

KK and Azzi froze.

KK recovered first, eyes narrowing. “Why do you care?”

Paige let out a slow exhale, tilting her head back as if trying to keep something from spilling out. “Just tell me.”

KK hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, she did.”

Something flickered in Paige’s expression—guilt, pain, regret. It was all there for just a second before she forced herself back into that indifferent mask she’d perfected over the years. But KK and Azzi had known her too long, had seen too much. They weren’t fooled.

Azzi shook her head in disbelief. “Paige, what are you doing?”

Paige swallowed hard, still not looking at them. “Making her stay away.”

Azzi scoffed. “That’s bullshit. You want her. You need her. We all see it.”

Paige let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Wanting something doesn’t mean you should have it.”

KK frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Paige finally turned to them, her blue eyes clouded with something heavier than she could put into words. “I heard her that night. We were just watching some random movie, and she said it. Just like that. This little comment about wanting a normal life, growing old with someone without all the chaos. She didn’t even know I was looking at her.” Paige let out a harsh breath, shaking her head. “And that’s when I knew.”

Azzi watched her carefully. “Knew what?”

Paige’s jaw clenched. “That I can never give her that. My life isn’t normal. It never will be. I’m about to enter the draft soon. Everything is only going to get more complicated from here. I’ll be traveling nonstop, constantly in the public eye, surrounded by people who only want a piece of me. She deserves more than that. More than me.”

KK and Azzi exchanged a look. For the first time, they saw past Paige’s usual walls, past the cocky bravado and recklessness. This wasn’t just Paige running away because she was scared. This was Paige believing she wasn’t enough, that she would ruin something good before it even had the chance to become something real.

Azzi’s voice was softer this time. “Then why don't you explain it to her?”

Paige hesitated, then nodded. “I don’t do explanations. And she’ll end up hating me anyway if she sticks around long enough.” She exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down her face. “It’s better this way.”

KK’s voice softened. “Is it?”

Paige clenched her jaw. “It has to be.”

Azzi shook her head. “The sad thing is, you might actually be right. If you can’t give her what she wants, maybe she is better off.”

Paige flinched, like the words physically hurt her, but she nodded anyway. “Yeah.” Her voice was hoarse. “That’s what I keep telling myself.”

KK studied her for a long moment, then sighed. “Then why does it look like it’s killing you?”

Paige didn’t answer. She just finished her drink and signaled the bartender for another.

The morning after the disastrous night at the pub, you wake up feeling like you barely slept at all. Your head is heavy, your chest is worse, and the sting of last night still lingers like an open wound. But nothing could have prepared you for what you see when you check your email.

Subject: Housing Reassignment Notice

Your stomach drops before you even open it. Hands trembling, you click on the message, scanning the words that don’t make sense.

You have been reassigned to your original dormitory, effective immediately. Please visit the housing office to complete the transition process.

What the hell?

You stare at the screen, blinking rapidly. That—That can’t be right. You never requested a reassignment. You love your dorm. Sure, the past few weeks have been rough, but that doesn’t mean you wanted to move. Frantic, you click ‘Reply’ and type out a message, your fingers shaking over the keyboard.

“This must be a mistake. I never requested a reassignment. Can you confirm why this is happening? Did someone transfer out?”

You hit send, heart pounding in your chest. A response comes back almost immediately, making you flinch.

“The request was made by Paige Bueckers. Given the nature of the request, the housing office approved the change.”

Your breath catches. Your entire body goes cold.

Paige.

You read the words over and over again, but they don’t change. Paige requested this. Paige went out of her way to make sure you were removed from the dorm you shared.

A sick feeling twists in your stomach. Your heart clenches painfully in your chest.

What the hell is going on?

You knew she had been distant. You knew she had been cold, cruel even. But this? This is something else. This isn’t just pushing you away—this is cutting you out completely. And you don’t even know why.

Tears burn in your eyes as the full weight of it crashes down on you. After everything—after all the nights spent in quiet, unspoken tension, after all the moments you thought maybe, just maybe, she felt something too—this is how it ends?

It’s like last night wasn’t enough. Like humiliating you in front of everyone wasn’t enough. Now she wants to erase you completely. And the worst part is, you have no idea why.

You don’t know what you did to make Paige Bueckers hate you so much.

And that’s what hurts the most.

That evening, Paige finally came home from practice, sweat still clinging to her skin, exhaustion in the way she carried herself. But when she saw you standing there, arms crossed, waiting for her, something shifted in her expression.

She knew what was coming.

“You really went out of your way to kick me out, huh?” you asked, voice sharp.

Paige barely reacted. She set her bag down and exhaled. “It’s for the best.”

“For the best?” you echoed, stepping closer. “For who, Paige? Because it sure as hell isn’t for me.”

Paige ran a hand through her damp hair, looking anywhere but at you. “You’ll be fine. You’ll move on. It’s better this way.”

“Better how?” Your voice cracked. “You won’t even explain anything! One second, we were—” You stopped yourself before you said something you couldn’t take back. “And then suddenly, you’re treating me like a complete stranger. Like I don’t exist.”

Paige’s jaw clenched. “That’s exactly why you need to go.”

Your stomach twisted at her words. “Why?” you asked, softer this time. “What did I do to make you act like this?”

Paige sighed heavily, shaking her head. “You didn’t do anything. That’s the problem.”

You frowned. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

Paige finally looked at you, and for a fleeting second, there was something raw in her expression. Something vulnerable. But then it was gone, replaced by that same cold, indifferent mask she’d been wearing for weeks.

“This conversation is over,” she muttered before turning toward her room.

You watched her disappear behind the door, the sound of it closing like the final nail in the coffin.

Something inside you snapped.

You stormed into your room and grabbed your suitcase, throwing your belongings inside with reckless urgency. You refused to cry. You refused to let her have that power over you. If Paige wanted you gone, then fine—you wouldn’t waste another second in a place where you weren’t wanted.

You just needed to get through one last night.

You left your packed bag by the door and walked to the kitchen for a bottle of water. As you twisted off the cap, a loud crash came from Paige’s room.

You froze.

Then another bang. A thud. Something heavy slamming against the wall. Like she's wreaking havoc inside her room. 

Your heart pounded, and for a moment, you thought about checking on her. But then you hesitated. Maybe she was just rearranging things. Or maybe it was one of her late-night hookups. Maybe it was nothing.

You clenched your jaw and forced yourself to walk away.

Whatever it was, it didn’t concern you anymore.

Tomorrow morning, you would be gone. And this time, you wouldn’t look back.

You barely slept that night. Every time you drifted off, something pulled you back awake—the weight of knowing it was your last night here, the anger simmering in your chest, the hollow ache of something you couldn’t name.

And the shadow.

It would appear outside your door, a dark silhouette cast against the dim hallway light. You knew exactly who it was. You didn’t have to open the door to confirm it. Paige.

She never knocked. Never said a word. Just stood there for a few minutes before walking away, only to return an hour or two later. Like she was stuck in some endless loop, pacing outside your door, restless, conflicted, but never stepping inside.

You refused to acknowledge it. You were done with her games, done trying to figure out what the hell went on in that head of hers. If she had something to say, she should have said it. But no—Paige only knew how to push and pull, to keep you close enough to feel but far enough to never hold. And you were tired. Exhausted, really.

By morning, you didn’t even bother checking if she was there. You packed up the last of your things, took a final look around the dorm that had been more of a battlefield than a home, and left.

Paige wasn’t in sight. Maybe she was sleeping soundly, unconcerned, unaffected. Must be nice.

You scoffed to yourself, shaking your head as you stepped out into the cold morning air. No hesitation, no second-guessing. You weren’t looking back. You had a new dorm, a new start.

And this time, Paige Bueckers wouldn’t be a part of it.

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[bueckershaven]

this angel just dropped 27 points. 7 assists. 5 steals. she is dangerous on the court.

[fruitbasketball]

yeah like yeah like YEAH

[iwantazzifudd]

Under the Stars

Word count : 4.6k Pazzi

Hii friends this is a young Pazzi one shot, I’m not sure if I like it but it took me so long so I just wanted to finally get it out there, enjoy 😚

Paige and Azzi had spent almost everyday this summer together trying their hardest to ignore the day Paige finally had to leave to go to college.

It was officially only 2 weeks until Paige had to go and Azzi was determined to make them special. So she planned a surprise for the two of them with the help of her mom Katie

“Are you sure she’ll like it mom” Azzi bit her lip nervously “Of course she will honey, honestly I think she’ll love anything as long as your there” “Moom” she couldn’t stop the blush from creeping up her neck. Her mom just put her hands up, feigning innocence.

…

Paige was disappointed to wake up in Azzi’s bed with no sight of the curly haired girl. She got so used to waking up with the warmth of Azzi cuddled into her, their legs tangled together.

That was something she was going to miss more than anything, simply waking up next to her best friend could be the highlight of her day. God she was really gone for the girl. Loving Azzi was so easy. Being in love with Azzi and not shouting it from the rooftops was a million times harder.

Paige just hoped that one day she’d have the courage to tell her but now was not the time. She couldn’t risk things with Azzi changing right when she was about to move. What if Azzi didn’t feel the same and things became awkward? Paige couldn’t even handle that thought. So she decided that it would be best to just keep it inside until the perfect moment came.

She checked her phone to see a few messages sent by the curly head girl

Az💗: good morning p 🤗

I’ll be home soon but in the meantime I’ve got an outfit on my dresser picked out for you

Be ready 😉

Paige ran her hands through her hair suddenly nervous and shot her a text back and headed to the shower.

…

“Paigey?” Asked Azzi as she entered the room wondering where the blonde was. Then, Paige suddenly came out of the bathroom not in the outfit Azzi had picked out but wrapped in a towel with her hair dripping on the floor. Azzi let her gaze linger on Paige’s wet skin for a beat too long and both girls flushed.

“Hi sorry” Azzi adverted her eyes now trying her best to look everywhere but at the girl across from her

Paige on the other hand, let her self take in Azzi looking her fully up and down. “Wow Az you look great” Azzi had made sure to put on a little bit of makeup today. Attempting to what, impress Paige? She felt crazy. “Thank you” she gave the blonde a flirty smile. Paige’s tongue ran over her bottom lip and suddenly there was tension in the room. Azzi just looked in amusement at the girl's flustered face, and she tossed her her clothes.

“You didn’t think I was capable of picking shorts and a t-shirt?” Paige teased

“No dummy, I just wanted us to match, now hurry up!! We don’t have all day” the brunette rolled her eyes but she couldn’t help the smile on her face as she left to let paige get dressed. Azzi was wearing a sporty black tennis skirt and a blue tank top, a bit different from her usual lazy summer attire, and for Paige she picked out the opposite blue shorts, and a black tee.

Today was the day she was finally going to tell Paige how she felt. And she was terrified. At first she decided she’d never do it, and that they were great as best friends but at some point this summer she realized that that wasn’t enough for her. She knew she’d regret saying nothing for the rest of her life and a spark of bravery hit her the other night. So she let that and some hope that Paige felt the same guide her to todays plan.

I mean the idea of Paige reciprocating wasn’t impossible, they’d always been closer than regular best friends. From that first fateful plane ride Azzi knew she was hooked, and as they spent more time together she couldn’t ignore the flutter in her chest when their hands brushed together or the fact that she loved just being around her. Was Paige a pain in the ass? Definitely. But that was just another thing for Azzi to fall in love with.

Today will be perfect, she thought, packed with activities. It had been a little since they had actually gone out of the house to do something more than play basketball or get food, so this would be much needed time out. Besides planning, Azzi spent the rest of her morning telling herself that even if Paige didn’t feel the same, nothing between them had to change. Even though the thought of that scared her more than she expected. She was done spending endless nights worrying about it and doing nothing. Today would be her moment.

…

The girls started their usual mornings with a nice breakfast and a workout, but today Azzi had other plans. Paige had been begging her to go on a hike all summer but Azzi had always made excuses against it. Whether it was her knee “acting up” or the long drive she just never wanted to say yes, and Paige would just accept which made the curly haired girl feel worse for lying.

It wasn’t that she was scared of heights per se, she was just constantly worried about slipping or a little more irrationally, taking a tumble off of the mountain. But she couldn’t deny that the site would be beautiful. She even had her mom hike up there by herself this morning to set up a picnic blanket, a cooler and food for the girls to enjoy, while she finished up making their plans for that evening happen.

Was she still scared? Definitely. But she knew that she’d feel safe either way with Paige by her side. And this would be a great start to lead into Azzi’s plan. Paige would be thrilled, and Azzi would be… alive at least.

“Can you guess where we’re going?” Azzi asked unable to contain the smile on her face.

“Uh the gym”

“That was such a bad guess p why would the gym be extra special” she rolled her eyes at the girls non creative guess.

“Just be prepared for the drive” Azzi was glowing with excitement and hated having to be patient.

“No way” the blonde gasped connecting the dots, she was like a puppy jumping up and down, unable to contain her joy.

“Uh huh now get in the car” the brunette rolled her eyes and teased.

…

The hike was a little over an hour and a half away, and the girls filled it with effortless chatter, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. Azzi felt a twinge in her knee and the clouds above seemed more present than she had hoped. She knew that rain would be possible but she had convinced herself that the heavens knew how important this day was and simply wouldn’t do that to her.

Paige could sense the younger girls unease from the driver seat and placed what was supposed to be a calming hand on Azzi’s thigh. But the gesture just raised the tension in the car, Azzi shifted in her seat finding herself nervous. The movement caused Paige’s hand to slide further up her thigh and the blonde felt her breaths become unsteady, Azzi stilled in her seat, her brain malfunctioning at the girls warm hand being so close to- both girls were brought back to reality by a loud horn blaring behind them. Paige let out a nervous chuckle and brought her hand back to the steering wheel suddenly more focused than ever on driving. Azzi couldn’t help but notice how her friend's hands gripped tighter on the wheel.

They finally reached the trail. Paige basically ran out of the car and Azzi couldn’t help but giggle at the older girl's energy. She took the time to stretch after being a little cramped in the car, her tank top riding up a bit and exposing a sliver of her stomach. Paige couldn’t help but look and swallow hard. She didn’t know that Azzi had caught her until she cleared her throat and gave Paige a teasing smile. Paige’s eyes widened for a split second worried that she was letting on too much of what she’s worked to hide for so long, or what she thought she wasn’t being obvious about, but anyone who wasn’t Paige and Azzi could tell just by being in a room with them.

She concealed her thoughts by giving Azzi a wide grin and grabbing the bag they packed filled with water, snacks, and a first aid kit just in case. She then grabbed Azzi’s hand in hers, just for safety of course, and they started on their hike.

It all started out so well. Azzi was still scared but the anticipation she felt completely calmed that worry, plus Paige’s steady hand in hers the whole time grounded her in ways nothing else could. The trail was already so beautiful and they hadn’t even reached the top yet. They walked in a comfortable silence finding peace in each other and the soft sounds of nature around them. And then against everything Azzi had hoped for, it began to rain. Hard.

“You have got to be kidding me” Azzi let go of Paige’s hand to lift her own up in shock. “Hey it’s okay, we can just try it again on another day” but the disappointment was clear on Paige’s face. “No we should still finish it we’re so close” Azzi argued and attempted to keep walking before Paige placed a gentle hand on her elbow, and she turned around to face her. “Az. It’s not safe you could slip” Paige said it with so much care but Azzi couldn’t just give in. Not when her first surprise was still planned at the top. “It’ll be fine p we just have to be extra careful” she tried to reason with the blonde but when she walked a little further and began to loose her balance Paige had seen enough.

“Azzi” the brunette reluctantly brought her eyes up to Paige’s “but-“ “please Az it’s okay. We’ve already done so much of it, it’s been great but I just want to get you back on level ground and safe okay?” Azzi wanted to cry but instead she shook her head yes and let Paige slowly lead her back down the mountain.

The ride back was silent between them. Azzi’s mind was full as she tried to convince herself that this was just one minor setback, it didn’t mean the whole day had gone to shit yet. She still planned on confessing to Paige, and the movies would work out. They had too.

When they finally got back to Azzi’s a bit earlier than her plan included, she tried to quickly figure out how they would pass the time. She originally planned on hanging out at her place for two hours, however since they were unable to finish their hike and eat up top, they had a long 4 hours to fill. Which wouldn’t have been a problem if Paige didn’t get so antsy.

“Okay so we technically don’t have to be anywhere until 9”

“Sooo we could nap, or find a movie, go bother my brothers, play a video game, all of the above, whatever it is” she continued on.

“I thought you had the whole day planned” Paige questioned.

“Well this was still a part of the plan just.. condensed a bit” Azzi responded defensively but her tone was still light. Paige raised her hands up in mock surrender. “Whatever you say fudd” she teased back.

“Oh actually I have a something special for you or us really brb” Azzi ran to her room to find the gift she had been hiding.

“Close your eyes okay?” Her voice came out less confident than she had hoped.

“Okay open.” Azzi had expected Paige to be excited but the look on her face was one of uncertainty. The curly haired girl had bought plane tickets to Connecticut so she could spend the weekend with Paige on her second week at UConn.”

“Do you not want me to come? What's wrong p?”

“No az it’s just-“ she sighed trying to think of a way to voice what she was feeling without hurting her best friend's feelings. “ I just feel like I should spend a little more time on my own before we see each other. Get accommodated yknow?” Paige wasn’t going to say it but if she and Azzi weren’t going to date, she needed to know that she’d be okay with their distance after spending so much time together the past three months.

“Oh- no yeah, I totally get it” she didn’t. “ That's why I chose the second week instead of the first” she half heartedly joked and Paige just looked at her with a pitiful look she couldn’t bear to see. So she brushed it off. “Don’t worry I’ll just return them, it'll be fine. She gave Paige a small smile trying not to let Paige’s underwhelming response hurt her as much as it was.

“I’m so sorry Azzi” Paige needed Azzi to know that she was being serious but the younger girl wouldn’t even look at her in the eyes. Azzi just stood their and reminded herself that the day wasn’t shit yet.

…..

The day was officially a big pile of dog shit. The girls had chosen to nap as their first time passer, one of their favorite activities over the summer but when Azzi woke up there was no blonde hair sprawled next to her,no warm arm wrapped around her waist. She frowned to herself in disappointment and walked out of her room to see Paige outside on the balcony on the phone and smiling. A lot. She couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous, wondering who her friend was talking to. When the blonde noticed Azzi she only gave her a small smile and a wave turning around and continuing on with her phone call.

Azzi mimicked the action back to her and tried to distract herself. She was about 3 rounds into Fortnite when Paige finally came back in to join her. “Hey turn on my controller for me”

“Bossy” Azzi said under her breath.

“What was that?” Paige asked back but Azzi chose to ask a question of her own as a response.

“Who were you talking to out there” she tried to keep the question casual but the nervous way she chewed her lip gave her away.

“ Oh just an old friend, Clara. Have I ever told you about her?”

“Doesn’t ring any bells”

“Oh well we were childhood friends like I’m talking kindergarten but we lost contact when she moved in the 7th grade. She like found my instagram a week ago and we’ve been talking a bit, it’s been great to reconnect” if paige thought the look on Azzi’s face was weird she didn’t say anything and just added “ apparently she lives around here, isn’t that cool?!”

“Yeah that’s great p” Azzi gave her a tight smile and tried to focus on the game. She had no reason to be upset but why had Paige never mentioned this girl, and why didn’t she tell Azzi they were texting??

“She’s real cool, I think you’d like her”

“Yeah, maybe” Azzi gave a dry response back trying to move on from the conversation. Paige shot her a confused look but didn’t press any further.

They played the game for a bit- well Azzi played and Paige tried to but she was too wrapped up in her phone to pay attention and not die. Azzi swore the blonde girl would look down every ten seconds checking a message and smiling to herself.

“Ugh Paige what’s the point of playing duos if your just gonna let yourself die”

“Sorry princess” the brunette couldn’t help but blush at the sound of the nickname from Paige’s lips

“Clara invited us to her party tonight, I told her that we’d be more than happy to go. That okay?”

“Paige but- I had the whole day planned yknow” Azzi couldn’t believe that this is how it was planning out. Paige for sure wouldn’t ask her to ditch the original plans though, right?

“Yeah Az I know but… it’s not like they other stuff really worked, can’t we just move it to tomorrow or something, there’s still two weeks to fill” Paige responded and shrugged her shoulders as if it didn’t matter. She couldn’t be more wrong.

Paige could see the tears Azzi was fighting so hard to blink away and her heart ached. Making the curly haired girl upset was the last thing she wanted to do.

“Shit I’m so sorry Az look at me, please?” The younger hair girl just shook her head in response letting out a humorless laugh. “ I just tried so hard to make today perfect for us and nothing has gone right” Azzi said while wiping the tears that were now falling rapidly.

“Shh it’s okay baby” Paige reached out to fully embrace Azzi accidentally letting the term of endearment slip, she tried to play it off but by the way Azzi tensed momentarily she knew her best friend had noticed. “Since when have we ever needed perfection to have a good time?”

“God you just don’t get it Paige” Azzi said harsher than she expected. Paige let go of her and took a small step back hurt spreading across her features. “I’m sorry I just- I just need a moment alone okay?” Azzi hadn’t meant to hurt the girl's feelings; she just couldn’t contain all of what she was feeling. She gave Paige’s arm a squeeze and walked back into the house. Paige just stood there for a moment confused by what was going on and how she could fix it.

So she went to talk to Katie who over the years became like a second mom to her. She could talk to her about anything, especially about Azzi. She found her in the kitchen cleaning up dinner.

“Katie?” She looked up at Paige with a concerned smile having seen her daughter come in tears and lock her door. The look only made Paige feel worse. “Yes dear?” “Do you know why Azzi’s so upset with me? Why was today supposed to be so special? ". She bit her lip and tried to keep her own tears from falling.

Katie gave her a knowing look, “Aw sweetheart Azzi just..” she hesitated trying to think of the best way to word things without revealing too much. “You mean so much to her, and you’re leaving so soon. She’s just scared that once you go to college you guys won’t be able to have these moments anymore.” “But we’ve done the long distance best friend thing before, why does anything have to change” Katie finally walked towards Paige and wrapped her in a hug when she let go she said “ things will change and I think deep down you know that. College is a lot different and it’ll be harder to make time for each other”

“I’ll always have time for Azzi” Paige said it with so much sincerity that even Katie wanted to tear up. “I think you just need to talk to each other. Like really talk about it. She can’t shut you out for too long, and honestly I don’t think she knows how to even if she wanted to” Azzi’s mom gave Paige a big squeeze and walked back to where she was cleaning.

Suddenly Paige had a great idea for them to end their night on a better note. “ Okay two more questions, 1, how would two people go about getting on the roof and would you be opposed? And 2. Where's your picnic basket?”

“I’ll let you up there only if you promise to be safe. It might still be slippery from the rain, and second I’ll tell you about the basket another time” she shook her head and laughed as she left the kitchen.

Paige had to make Azzi feel better and she wasn’t certain about her plan but she had to try.

…

About thirty minutes later Paige knocked on Azzi’s door before walking in. “Az?” She kneeled down on the floor to be eye level with the girl lying in her bed.

“Don’t you have a party to get too?” She rolled over trying to ignore her best friend in front of her

“What if I said I had something better planned for just us?” She was met with no response. “Come on Az pleasee” she rubbed the girls back “I really think you’ll like it.” Azzi hesitantly rolled back to face Paige ready to say no, but seeing the vulnerable look in Paige’s eyes, a sort of uncertainty she wasn’t used to seeing in contrast with Paige’s usual confidence, she just didn’t have the heart to.

Paige led Azzi through the house hand in hand not yet ready to let go.

“Do you trust me?” she playfully asked the curly haired girl trying to lighten the mood. Azzi’s eyes were red and puffy, Paige hated seeing her like this.

Azzi just shook her head but she didn’t let go of Paige’s hand so she took it as at least a partial win.

Azzi finally picked up on their location. “The roof?” “Paige you know my parents think it's too dangerous”

“Well actually I asked your mom and she said yes without any objections so” Paige shrugged like it was really no big deal.

“Can’t argue with that” Azzi mumbled and continued to the roof. When they finally reached it she couldn’t help but gasp. Paige had set out a blanket and a bag with what Azzi was guessing was food. Paige walked towards their blanket like it was nothing. The brunette though was a bit shocked and despite her mood felt her heart melt.

“It’s not much” the blonde said sheepishly , “but it is your favorite so I hope you like it.” In the bag was a plate of strawberries and Nutella laid out in a heart shape. Azzi looked at her in a way Paige didn’t have a name for yet but had seen many times from the girl, she felt her cheeks get warm.

Both girls laid down on the blanket. The chilly night air gave them a reason to lay close.

“It’s so beautiful tonight” Azzi said softly, letting herself relax.

“Yeah it is” Paige said quietly back, except, it wasnt the stars she was looking at. When Azzi looked at Paige, she found her best friend already staring intently on her, with a look of longing she thought she imagined . Her breath hitched, their closeness becoming apparent as she could feel the blondes breath mix with her own. They looked into each other’s eyes like that for a long moment until the intensity in Paige’s blue eyes became too much.

She sat up and distracted herself with the strawberries and Nutella, aware of Paige’s eyes still on her every move. Neither one of them talked for a bit but it wasn’t an awkward silence. Paige was surprised to hear Azzi’s voice finally break it.

“ I had it all planned out” she started Paige remained quiet just wanting to hear what else she had to say. “We were going to do that hike you always begged me to do, and once we finally got to the top I had a whole picnic basket of all of our favorites” “it wasn’t even supposed to rain today! Trust me I checked” she shook her head in annoyance, Paige just put a supportive hand on her shoulder. Azzi sighed and looked back up at the stars “ and when that didn’t work I was of course upset but I wasn’t going to let it ruin everything else about today yknow?”

“ But that plus the drive was supposed to take up most of the day time, leaving us a few hours to nap, or play video games or basketball, just any of the things we normally love to do. But without ou finishing the hike and eating there was just so much extra time, and who would I be to ask you to not talk to a friend when we had 4 hours before the last thing” she rambled on, just needing to finally let it all out.

She laid back down beside Paige but continued looking at the sky.

“And right about now, I had the drive through theater rented out for just us. They even let me choose our movie.” She took a deep shaky breath. Paige had a surprised look on her face but Azzi just kept going.

“And at the end of Love and Basketball” she finally turned on her side again to look Paige in the eye. Paige had been silent through all of it sitting up briefly with the girl rubbing calming circles around her back before she laid down.

Now with them both laying down Paige found herself holding her breath nervous to hear what else the brunette had to say.

“ at the end that’s when I was finally going to tell you that I’m so in love with you Paige” Paige felt her voice catch in her throat, rendered speechless by the younger girls confession.

“I have been for so long now, I’ve just been too scared I’m sor-“ she was quickly cut off by Paige’s lips crashing into her, the kiss was hesitant at first but it soon became desperate. Azzi’s hand cradled Paige’s cheek softly, which was a stark contrast to the way Paige’s hand gripped her waist, needing Azzi to become infinitely close

Azzi let out a breathy moan, her mouth opening enough for Paige to slip her tongue in. Her mouth was warm and tasted like chocolate from Nutella . The pace of the kiss picked up and Paige released a breathy moan of her own and she flipped them, hovering over Azzi letting some of her weight rest on top of her. She was drunk on the taste of Azzi. This moment was everything she dreamed of since the plane ride back from team USA.

Paige finally broke the kiss and rested her head on Azzi’s letting both girls catch their breaths. Neither girl could stop the smiles on their faces. Azzi looked so stunning like this with her pupils blown out fitting under Paige like she belonged there.

“You’re perfect” she tucked a loose strand behind Azzi’s ear and couldn’t resist placing another soft kiss on the brunette's lips.

“And we’re both so stupid” she laid back on her side and giggled. “Azzi. I have loved you since the day we met, there’s no one like you. and there’s nobody I’d rather spend my days with, no one I’d rather bicker with, and definitely no one I’d rather ask to be my girlfriend.”

This time it was Azzi who leaned in. This kiss was tender and filled with all of the words they shared, and everything yet to come.

“We really missed out on doing this all summer” Paige shook her head with a grin

“I guess we’ll just have to make up for lost time now” Azzi teased before pulling the girl back on top of her. This time they took it all in, hands wandering everywhere, and if it wasn’t for the chilly night air they would’ve stayed forever.

[ellehoops]

alright guys……soooo smut next chapter.

no i’m getting ahead of myself.

the voices the voices!

[uconnlover365]

me bc azzi is my goat and were winning that natty

(im kk)

[skiesuconn]

happy birthday big G we love u

[pboogerswbb]

tryna go round for round 😳

[clubhoops]

Azzi Fudd in the first half vs. Arkansas State:

21 points

8-11 FG

4-7 3FG

7 assists

2 blocks

5 steals

[mrsarnold]

if you write azzi x fem!reader i will give you my soul. im not even joking PLEASE. IDC WHAT IT IS, FLUFF, ANGST, SMUT. GIVE ME SOMETHING

NO ONE APPRECIATES MY GIRL PLEASE BABYY

❝i thought i was dreaming, when you said you love me❞ .꣑ৎ .

pairing ! a. fudd x fem!reader

warnings humor, fluff

summary azzi taking you on a beach date

"come on before it gets crowded", azzi exclaimed as she guided you onto the beach with your eyes closed. azzi apparently planned something really big for your first date and your had a clue on what it is.

"im trying- wait my flipflop is coming off", you complained trying to the fix your flip flop as yall finally made it to the destination.

"ok open your eyes in 3, 2, 1", azzi counted down to zero signaling for your to open your eyes.

you finally batted your eyes open after it felt like a lifetime and was met by a candlelighted picnic with a big heart sign in the background.

your eyes widened before smiling and kissing azzi.

"do you like i-", you cut off azzi before she could finish.

"it's perfect."

@janaelalfysblunt @kamii-2

[princessazzi]

Azzi and KK being all cutesy together 🥹💕

[bueckersstuff]

this white girl keeps messaging me to watch her game

[bueckershaven]

“Based on the statistics of the last 25 years, which is as far as our database goes, Paige Bueckers is the most efficient player we have ever seen in the women’s college game”

Paige. Madison. Bueckers. No one does it like you.

[fruitbasketball]

50.

40.

90.

34 points. 4 steals.

67% from the field. 60% from the arc. 100% from the line.

tonight? 60/60/100.

one of one.