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We'll Be Alright

Paring: Paige Bueckers x Reader Warnings: Angst with no comfort, closeted Paige, breakups, edited and written at 3 a.m. Words: 1,403 A/n: This is my first fic so feel free to critique the hell out of it! (The woman is making me write, send help.) Summary: "I just can’t be seen with you for a while… I can’t be with you for a while," she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion. I watched as her face crumpled under the weight of her confession. She turned away, avoiding my gaze, and in that moment, I felt my world tilt on its axis.

‘I’ve heard her wrong,’ that’s my first reaction, the only rational explanation. ‘I had to have heard her wrong.’ And I almost want to laugh at the ridiculousness of it, because there’s no way this is happening; it’s not possible. Out of everything I’ve learned in this life, only one thing remains steadfast: Paige won’t leave me, not like this. We've been each other's anchors for too long, willingly entwined each other into every facet of our lives—school, family, friends, work; everything leads back to Paige. My life isn’t mine anymore, it’s ours. You can’t just walk away from that; ‘she won’t walk away from that.’

She holds all of me within her grasp. I've given her everything, laid my heart bare at her feet and begged her to take it. I’m not sure I can even remember how to function without her anymore, and I really don’t want to have to re-learn.

At this, I have to take a breath - ‘she isn’t leaving you’—unclenching my fists, the pain of my nails digging into my palms fades into the background and I try to slow my pounding heart.

‘She isn’t doing this,’ ‘you heard her wrong, just ask her to repeat herself, she isn’t doing this’—I repeat like a mantra. I feel myself begin to open my mouth, but in my panic, I seem to have forgotten what to do next, how to speak, what to say.

I don’t have to though; as I watch her bury her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs, I know I've heard her correctly.

Time slows to a stop as I stare at her, the very fabric of our shared existence unraveling before my eyes. She’s trembling, her form completely hunched over, elbows resting heavily on her knees. I strain to hear the faintest sound of her sobs, unsure if it's her or my own heartbeat drowning out the world around me. Everything goes numb, or at least I think I’m going numb; I might be dying. 'I think I’m dying.’

One week earlier:

KK has perched her phone precariously above her stove, and she’s behind me. Her latest brainchild? A cooking show live, which is apparently just me awkwardly fumbling through a recipe in front of thousands of people, while KK assumes the role of my enthusiastic (if somewhat reckless) sous chef. She’s so busy scaring me half to death with her questionable knife skills and insistence upon dancing around the kitchen, requiring me to guard her away from the open flame and from knocking over everything on her chopping board (again), that we both miss Paige getting home.

I’m reaching to taste, and KK is preemptively handing me the salt as a familiar hand snakes it’s way around my waist. Paige leans over me to take my spoon in her mouth. "Tastes good, babe," she murmurs. I’m frozen under her touch, staring at our reflection on the livestream when KK bursts out in fake laughter. "Damn, all you gotta do to get Paige is know how to cook.” I laugh too, now catching on to KK’s cover story, turning to Paige. "For real, Bueckers, if you wanted some all you had to do was ask. Don’t waste your rizz on me," I joke, removing her hands from my waist. Her brow is furrowed, and a confused look passes over her face briefly until she looks up and sees the livestream, which is now blowing up. She steps away from me quickly and forces out a laugh before she slips out of frame and disappears from view. KK wraps the live up soon after this, and I rush after Paige, but the damage is done.

“I’m so sorry,” she sobs, wrenching me back into this harsh reality. “P?” I manage to choke out as I reach my arms out for her. I’m pretty sure I can feel my heart fall out of my chest as she pulls away, her head shaking in silent anguish.

But she doesn’t leave yet. Instead, she’s kneeling by my bedside, where I’ve seen her praying so many nights before. But she’s not talking to her god now; she’s looking up at me, speaking to me, clutching my hands in hers. “I love you, I’m so sorry,” she repeats, and yet even with her declaration of love, all I can do is shake my head in mute denial. “I can’t do it,” she gasps, desperation tingeing her words. “I can’t tell everyone yet. I’m not ready, and I can’t put you through this. It’s not fair to you.” I flinch away from her now, curling up into the corner of my bed.

“I’m so sorry.”

Even as I cower away, her outstretched hand reaches for me, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Summoning what little strength remained within me, I unfurl myself from the corner of my bed and reach for her again, ‘maybe for the last time.’ I brushed away the tears that stained her cheeks, my heart aching. “What does me not being seen with you mean?" My voice tinged with a desperation I could scarcely contain. Paige finally looks up at me; her gaze met mine, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I can’t handle the rumors anymore," she cries, her words a plea for understanding. "I'm so sorry" It’s my turn to look away now, unable to bear the weight of her gaze any longer, staring into my lap. And for the first time in my life, I shake my head and lie to Paige Bueckers, gently shushing her I reach for her hand, “everything's going to be okay, we'll be alright.”

#paige bueckers #paige bueckers x reader #uconn wbb #uconn huskies #kk arnold #womens basketball #angst #paige bueckers fic #paige buckets #wcbb #final four

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bbgbbgbbb · 13 days

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okay this is something i wrote on my wattpad , nothing too serious.

Lethal Basketball Mom

Paige x Black!FemReader

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you walked into the stadium, this would be your first time going against UConn with this team. you also felt like this would be your last time playing with this team as well.

the school wasn't bad, not at all. the coach? a totally different story. she's just overall a bad person. she would always push you too hard, even when you begged her to stop.

"I don't care! Keep running, Katz!"

"But coach! i've been doing suicides for the last 15-"

"I don't care! say something else and i'll add on another 10!"

you were getting sick of her obvious favoritism towards the rest of the team. she knew you were the best, that's why she pushed you so hard. her daughter was number one before you came, and when you did, her and the coach got upset about that.

so you always had to suffer.

you and your team were warming up, UConn players on the opposite side. they were good, great even. you thought this was going to be tuff sensing the fact that you'll be carrying your team the whole time.

you couldn't help but take a longer glance towards the paige bueckers. she was a sight to see, she had in her signature two braids into a ponytail.

you took a quick glance at every one else, that team looked like the best ever. they were laughing and just looked like they were having a good time.

you were still grateful, but you told your parents plenty of times you did not want to be on this team. they didn't listen because they went to this college and so they want you to follow their footsteps, although it's not about them, it's about you.

"Y/n! go get the water bottles from out the locker room!" you looked at her with a crazed look. "that's not my job, coach. Ms. Sasha is right there." you told her, trying to stay respectful as possible.

she crossed her arms, you just sighed and went to get the bottles. you didn't notice but a pair of eyes followed you.

(heads up, it wasn't paige 🤫)

when you came back it was time to actually start the game. you were excited, nervous and kind of scared.

"alright ladies, it's time to show up and show out. we all know how amazing UConn is but we got this. y/n, don't try to out shine anyone, especially my baby. let's go!"

the starting 10 players got into the floor, you and nika were doing jump ball, the ref threw it up and luckily you smacked it over to one of your teammates.

they knew to pass it right back to you, so you had the ball and dribbled it and made the shot.

"Y/N KATZ!!"

as paige started coming towards your side of the court, you were ready to guard her. she was a tough one to guard, but you didn't give up. she got passed you and passed the ball towards azzi and azzi made that perfect three.

"THREEEEE AZZIIIIII FUDDD!!"

you sighed but gained focus again once the coach's daughter, Angelica, passed the ball towards you. too hard. you almost lost control of the ball, you quickly looked at her but made your way down the court.

you passed it to your teammate who made an opening and shot an 3. you patted her on the back and ran back to your side of the court.

1stQ, H: 22, I: 21

2Q, H: 50, I: 51

it was now half time and you were up by one point. were you excited? yes but you couldn't get too happy. the huskies will make a comeback, that's what they're known for.

you were drinking from your water bottle and notice that coach, ms sasha, and angelica was missing. you walked out the locker room but noticed three bodies standing in the hallway. you backed up, eavesdropping.

"do you guys think this is a good idea? i mean having a great player should be a good thing." ms sasha asked, you can hear coach scoff.

"hell no, she's not gonna ruin my baby chances of getting drafted in a few years. we need her out." your heart dropped, they were talking about you.

"i agree, ms sasha. she needs to be gone, she's gonna ruin things for me. so ma, what's the plan?" angelica asked. plan?

"you're gonna injure her. make it hurt but don't make it noticeable that you're injuring her." your mouth dropped, what the actual fuck?

"try and trip her but make it look accidental. rough her up, you know?" coach told angelica. angelica smiled, "bet."

how could they do this? you were such an innocent person, you didn't deserve what was coming for you.

"ladies, let's talk about this-" "no, sasha. this is final. now, let's go before someone notices we're gone."

you quickly backed away, now you were scared. you couldn't tell anyone, so it's like you have to let yourself get injured. you just took deep breaths. half time was almost over.

"alrighttt, we're back and ready to play these last 20 minutes of the game."

everyone walked back out and got back into their places. the ref blew the whistle and the game started. a teammate passed the ball to you, you were quick to dribble and get to your side to shoot but angelica ran into you.

you fell, "oh shit, my bad." she lied, then proceeded to help you up. the ball went out of bounds to it was on the huskies. you could feel your ankle starting to hurt but you just ignored it.

the huskies got a three which made their team get to 53, you still at 51. it was your ball so you passed it to a teammate, ran up by them and got the ball back. you made the three and got the points.

you felt a smack on your butt, knowing it was a teammate. as you were running towards the other side, you felt a push on your back. it wasn't so friendly, you turned around wondering who did that just to see angelica.

you looked at her confused, she just ignored you and focused on the game. the fuck?

you shook it off, not wanting to cause a problem on the court with an off-court situation. you continued on playing, you already know what angelica plan was, you tried your best not to let it get to you.

nika made a shot and got them two points.

55-54

one of your teammates had the ball, and you were open. but angelica were also open, so she didn't know who to pass it to. you kept telling her to pass it to you but she was still confused.

it was taking up our shot time, before the shot time could hit 10, angelica shoved me which made her the only option to pass it to. you fell to the ground with a hard thump.

"Ow.." you held your arm in pain. you fell on it the wrong way, the ref blew the whistle. when a teammate helped you up, you quickly shot a glare towards angelica.

she put her hands up in surrender, a small smirk on her face. you were about to say something but one of your teammates beat you to it.

"we cannot kept wasting time y'all, get it together. angelica and y/n, start communicating more. let's go." you all patted each other on the back, getting back into position.

you glared at her one more time before playing these last two minutes of the third quarter.

3Q, H: 62 I: 59

it was the last quarter, this could go either way. you were nervous, annoyed and exhausted. you've been playing the whole 40 minutes and half of the time was getting pushed around by your own teammate.

the ball was in UConn possession, Kk was running towards the hoop but you stole the ball, it was an easy point since half the girls was still on the opposite side.

62-61

paige passed the ball towards nika, nika running up the court and passed the ball to aubrey. aubrey looked to see who she could pass it to, azzi was trying to get open but you were guarding her.

aubrey managed to pass it to azzi and azzi made an open 3. you cursed to yourself and got the ball passed towards you.

65-61

7:15

seven minutes left, you thought. you could easily catch up, and if you couldn't, you could at least tie with them.

68-66

5:10

fuck.. this is getting too intense. everyone was out of their seats, waiting to see what happens. your heart starting beating faster and faster.

you ran as fast as you could, seeing that Kk was about to make a shot but you managed to block it. the Idaho part of the crowd went wild and was cheering you on. you successfully made the shot.

68-68

2:09

you were tied, that was your goal. now it's time to get ahead. you passed the ball to a teammate but she didn't catch it, making paige quickly take it and make a three.

70-68

1:59

angelica managed to get the ball and started running down the court. you were close to the hoop so you opened up so she could pass you the ball.

1:30

"me! i'm open!" you yelled, she purposely ignored you and passed it to one of your other teammates who wasn't even open. luckily, she got it the ball and made two points.

you shook your head, are you really that dumb, angelica?

70-70

56.9 seconds

the ball was obviously in UConn's possession and they managed to get across you, fast. paige passed it to aubrey, aubrey going in for the three.

73-70

20.1 seconds

you had the ball now, quickly dribbling and doing good foot work. you managed to get pass azzi and pass the ball to a teammate. you ran to get an opening.

10 seconds

you felt angelica run behind you and bumped you a bit, you ignored it. you literally have ten seconds left on the clock, you did not have the time.

sadly, paige stole the ball from your teammate and managed to make another three.

0.0 seconds

final: 76-70

You walked away, defeated. as you were walking, you angrily grabbed your water bottle, walking into the main/front area of the stadium. your ankle started swelling up, you were playing on it so much.

"damn." you checked it out to see it getting bigger. you then heard footsteps behind you. "why'd you walk off like that? it's your fault we lost!" angelica yelled, her mom right by her side.

what?

you quickly turned around, a crazed look on. "I'M the reason we lost? Angelica, you literally sabotaged me the whole second half! my ankle is bruising!" you yelled, tired of their bullshit. you can see coach quickly step up, "don't yell at her like that! she isn't lying you know. you should've been more careful and communicated more!" she started to yell as well.

you were getting emotional. you heard more footsteps come towards you three but you didn't check to look who is was, too busy looking at coach. you sighed, "you cannot be serious right now, coach!"

"i'm serious as can be, you made us look embarrassing out there, i thought I taught you better!" she was flying her hands all around, angelica nodding along to what her mom was saying.

"taught me better!? don't act like I didn't hear what you guys were talking about in the locker room!" you called them out, you can see Angelica eyes go wide but quickly went back to normal.

"we have no idea what you're talking about." angelica spoke, coach nodding along. you chuckled audibly, "oh so, 'you're gonna injure her. make it hurt but don't make it noticeable.' just doesn't exist? does that ring a bell? huh!? you guys purposely did this to me. now my ankles completely fucked up and I-"

"watch your mouth around me, young one. don't forget who you're playing for." she sternly spoke, angelica just smirking. you looked at them two, hurt, anger, sadness all in one look.

you shook your head and sat back down in your chair, your ankle cramping up again. "you know what? i'm done. i'm tired of being treated like this, ive put up with enough. good luck finding a better player than me because I quit!" you yelled, tears pouring down your face.

coach glared at you with the meanest glare she could probably ever muster. "go ahead. we don't need you anyways. let's go, angel." she grabbed angelica's shoulder and they walked away but not before angelica chuckles at you.

you looked ahead, no emotion on your face but tears still coming down. you still didn't notice anyone watching until you heard a voice.

"Y/n, is it?" a deep voice spoke. you looked over , confused. you saw Geno, Paige, Azzi and Nika all standing beside of you. you looked at all of them before nodding your head, looking down at your ankle.

"you played really good out there, incredible-" "you don't have to lie to me, coach Geno. you heard her, i embarrassed the-" "you did anything but embarrass the team. phenomenal work out there, katz." you looked up at him, hearing this from the geno auriemma made you feel something you never felt.

it made you feel safe. you see paige, azzi, and nika nodding along with him. "that block you did against Kk? amazing." paige spoke, everyone nodded. "you really think so?" you asked, you wiped your tears off your face.

"yes. don't let her tear you down, she's just mad you're her best player and her daughter isn't." azzi shrugged, nika chuckled. you did as well, you could still feel paige's eyes on you.

"how would you like to join us?" geno had his arm crossed, waiting for you to respond.

you were shocked, "w- what?" he nodded, "you deserve to be a huskie. you have that mentality, i could just tell. here, take this. contact me when you're ready to enter the transfer portal."

you took the little card, looked at it and looked back at Geno. "Thank you, really." you smiled at him, he grinned a bit, "don't worry about it. I'll be waiting for that call. see you around, Katz." He walked off, azzi and nika following him but not before speaking.

"see ya, y/n." azzi spoke, nika nodded her head and they both followed geno. paige stood there, still looking at you. you started to get butterflies, as you two kept eye contact.

"i guess i'll be seeing you around, katz." she spoke, a slight smirk on her face. you smirked back, she had her hand out waiting for you to shake. "maybe, beuckers, maybe." you shook her hand, she smiled bigger.

you giggled a bit, she waved and walked away, going back to her team. "good job, by the way." you called out to her, she turned back around. "yea, you too."

she left and you looked back down at the card. should you really be doing this?

fuck yes you should.

#uconn wbb #paige bueckers #uconn women’s basketball #basketball #this is what makes us girls #uconn huskies #azzi fudd #final four

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