Risk - CC
Pairing: Caitlin Clark x Reader
Summary: Everyone believed the world revolved around Caitlin but if you were to ask her, she would say hers centered around something (someone) the world was too blind to see. AKA Caitlin is completely in love with you. Loosely based off Risk - Gracie Abrams.
Warnings: slow burn
Word Count: 5k
Sweetbans Masterlist
Caitlin has known you since freshman year. She learned early on that the two of you shared the same major (which she was over the moon about). You caught her eye long before she ever caught yours and that was only because she had put herself in a position to get noticed by you (when she finally got the guts to do so). It took her a whole year before she worked up the courage to say a single word to you and do you remember that word? No. But does Cait? Absolutely.
It was in a stats class sophomore year, she was sitting right behind you, has been in every class she has had with you. There was an exam that day and you had realized you didn't have a no.2 pencil for your scantron. You turn behind you, eyes meeting Cait's and you ask her for a pencil. Her response? 'Yes.' And she provides you with the only pencil she has.
See Caitlin would typically facepalm at the fact that she now has no way of completing her own exam but instead she sat there memorizing the moment when your eyes connected with hers and the faint look of concern that disappeared the second she passed her pencil to you. Caitlin was left rushing to finish the exam when her friend sitting next to her passed her a pencil.
Caitlin ended up getting a C on the exam. To her, it was worth it. She would do it again in a heartbeat.
All throughout college, Caitlin would secretly hope that you would be in each of her classes. She even went as far as changing her schedule a few times when she found out you weren't in her class. That was not an easy feat considering she was a student athlete but once Cait set her mind to something, her determination moved mountains.
Even though she would be in the same class as you, the most she would do is stare at the back of your head - wishing you would turn around so she could see your eyes. She felt like a fool waiting for you turn your head just so she could get a good glimpse of you.
There was one day about half way through spring semester when class ends early and Caitlin has her second conversation with you.
You were about to head out, grabbing your bag from your desk after packing it up. As you grab the strap, lifting it up, it breaks causing all of your belongings to scatter across the floor. You curse under your breath as you bend down to grab the contents of your bag.
As you are on the ground, you notice someone crouching next to you and the next moment you feel yourself being pushed to the ground.
You fall to the side with a little 'hmmmph'.
"I am so so sorry," the girl mumbles, as red as a tomato. She doesn't know whether to help you up or continue gathering your things. As Caitlin was bending down to help, she lost her balance and ended up pushing you over.
You see the conflict in her eyes and begin to laugh, which only makes the girl even more red.
You lift you hand up, asking for her help up.
Caitlin freezes, looking at you, knowing the palms of her hands are sweating. You lift your eyebrows, then let out a little frown. She tries to compose herself and decides to wipe her hands on her pants before taking your hand to help you up.
"Thanks," you say softly, realizing how nervous the girl in front of you is.
She just nods and goes back to gathering your belongings.
It makes you smile.
The two of you finish picking up the contents of your bag and stand. Once you do, you introduce yourself.
Caitlin, of course, already knows who you are but she isn't going to admit that fact. Nor is she going to admit the fact that she has known of who you are for over a year and could probably tell you more about yourself than you may even know.
Like when you sit down, you flip the hair on the left side of your body over your shoulder and then tuck it behind your ear. Or how when you are thinking really hard, your eyebrows furrow and you lick your lips. She has also learned that you never use your phone in class, even when waiting for the professor to begin lecture or during breaks. You sit there and review your notes or turn to your side and spark up a conversation with someone around you - she only wished she had the courage to sit closer to you so that conversation would be directed at her.
Caitlin has also noticed how you tap your pencil when you daydream. Not an annoying tap, you tap it on your hand as your eyes seem to be looking at the professor but your mind is completely elsewhere. This one took Cait a long time to learn since she would almost always sit behind you. But there was one class where the professor had you all sit in a circle of desks rather than in lines and she got to observe you in a different light.
One of her favorite things she has noticed and has come to love is your smile. She didn't catch it all the time but when she did, she was completely and utterly smitten. She would find herself smiling, then blushing realizing she is smiling uncontrollably due to you.
"I'm Caitlin," she says with a little smile. If anyone asked, you would say her little smile was adorable.
No one asked.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Caitlin," you say with a smile of your own. "You are on the basketball team, right?"
Cait nods a little faster than she intends to.
"That is so cool," you say. "I'll have to come check out a game."
Caitlin feels like she could combust from excitement. YOU coming to one of HER games? Where you would watch her do what she does best, absolutely.
"Hey thank you again for helping me out," you say, touching her arm lightly with a smile. "It was nice meeting you Caitlin."
Before she knows it, you have your back to her and are walking out of class.
Caitlin was too excited at the fact that you now know who she is and wanted to come to a game of hers to be embarrassed by the fact that she didn't say anything other than her name. She is also trying to savor the feeling of your touch on her arm. Your hand felt like the softest hand to have ever graced her.
Over the next few weeks, Cait has tried not to think too much into the fact that you could potentially be at one of her games. The last thing she needed was a reason to be nervous in the one area of life that she has never been nervous.
When she didn't see you at the first home game following your meeting, she tried not to be disappointed. If anything, she hid it really well. She played like she always did - all gas, no brakes.
The next few games, she found herself looking over at the student section more often than she had before. Walking over to celebrate with them in hopes that her eyes will fall upon you standing in the middle of the crowd, cheering her on like everyone else. But she doesn't - you are not found in the crowd and her disappointment grows.
After that, things went back to the way they used to be. Caitlin observing you in class and not really doing much to seek out your attention.
That is until March of junior year when she looks out into the crowd during one of the games leading into March Madness and finds you. She is ecstatic which quickly turns to sick when she sees someone's arm wrapped around you as they pass you a drink, kissing your temple.
Caitlin doesn't remember much after that, but she ends up snagging a triple-double during the game. Over the next few weeks, Cait feels the full effects of why it's called a crush.
Senior year rolls around and without having to switch any classes, you are in 4 out of the 5 classes Caitlin is taking. She still finds herself looking your way when you enter the room - really whenever you make any sort of move.
In one of the classes you shared during the second semester, you took the liberty to sit next to her for the first time. Of course it makes Caitlin's heart go a mile a minute but she has to constantly remind herself that you are taken and she has every reason to have no strings holding her down. With her battling with the decision to declare for the W draft or stay, she needs to make the decision that is best for her and only her. Also when Cait thinks about it, it's crazy that she thinks about you in her future when you are taken and haven't shown any interest in her.
Day one, you sit next to her with a wide smile.
"Caity girl!" You say with an enthusiasm that could have Caitlin run a marathon.
"Hi," she says, hoping she doesn't sound as sheepish as she feels. Hearing your little nickname for her has her wanting to hear it 24/7.
"After how many classes we have had together, we finally get to sit next to each other. Seems like a long time coming, am I right?" You say as you situate yourself.
Caitlin nods, she knows no matter what the two of you could talk about, you would always be right.
"Well, better late than never," you say as you open your notebook. It was in this moment that Caitlin realized something that she never really noticed before. You are the only one in class who is handwriting their notes while everyone else is on their laptop. She wonders why.
As the semester goes on, the two of you have little conversations here and there. You try not to pry into the life of a girl who you think always has eyes on her while Caitlin wants to unload everything about who she is to you. It is a very interesting balance really.
There is one week when Cait is super sick and doesn't make it to any classes but ends up traveling and playing a massive game.
When she gets back, and finally begins to feel like she is recovering - she gets an email from you.
[Class Notes 2/11
Hey Caity Girl - we missed you in class this past week but a friend said you were really under the weather. I thought I would share the notes from this past week so you don't fall too far behind. I know you are already doing so many different things and hope this makes it a little easier to manage. Feel better soon, ya? I miss having my notes buddy in class.
One attachment: Scanned by Gmail - *Notes for Caity Girl*]
Caitlin is smiling from ear to ear when she sees your email come in. After she noticed that you handwrite all your notes, she converted to doing the same. She was nowhere near as fast as you were but whenever you noticed she was slightly behind, you would slide your notebook towards her to help her catch up.
Caitlin distinctly remembers when you showed up to class one day with a messy bun and puffy eyes. She was ready to get up and fight whatever or whoever left you in this state.
You go throughout class trying to be as normal as possible, not noticing the worried glances of the girl next to you. At the end of class, you don't move to get up. Neither does Caitlin.
The two of you just sit there. Caitlin doesn't try to say anything and you don't talk either. At one point, you lean your head onto her shoulder and let out a shaky exhale. Caitlin slides your rolling chair closer to hers and lets you rest on her. She brings her hand to rub soft, slow circles on your lower back - just like her mom would for her when she was overwhelmed.
"I am here if you ever want to talk," Caitlin says softly, not wanting to push you in any way.
You let out a soft, 'thank you' and sit up on your own. The two of you finally leave the classroom and head your separate ways.
Later that day, Caitlin finds out that you and your girlfriend broke up. She didn't know details nor did she want to. All she wants to do is hold you and tell you that everything is going to be alright because you are you. And that she thinks you are the most amazing girl in the world and that you are loved and cherished and deserve nothing but best for the rest of your days. But she doesn't, she can't.
Neither of you talk about that day. You seem to go back to your normal self and Caitlin wonders how you compose yourself so easily.
As the semester is coming to a close and Caitlin's world feels like it is about to explode with different things, she can't help but sit and grieve the fact that you aren't going to be a part of it.
Over the past four years, she has slowly gotten to know you and has secretly fallen in love. No one knew and no one would ever know, but her heart screams for you. No other person compares to you in her eyes and she feels like she will never find another you.
Caitlin believes that you are the one for her.
She doesn't know how that would ever happen considering she doesn't even know where the next few weeks will take her but she is down right convinced that you are a part of her future.
When the time comes to leave campus for the final time as a student, Caitlin prays she runs into you. She doesn't care if she see's you across campus and has to spring to catch you, she would do it. She just needs to get one moment with you so she can open the door to a possibility of more.
If there is one regret that Caitlin has at her time as a Hawkeye, it is never being bold enough to get your number. She knows she has had to be careful but when it came to you - she should have been bold.
As she drives off campus with her parents, her heart breaks wishing she would have had the courage.
The next few months for Caitlin are a whirlwind. Being drafted no.1 to Indiana and going from the NCAA championship to her rookie season without slowing down has taken a bigger toll on her than she would ever admit. But she couldn't slow down.
Cait is so caught up that she misses when you attend one of her games - your first time watching her as a professional.
You didn't want to make a big deal out of it because to anyone around during your college days the two of you were just classmates. You never hung out outside of class and really only knew each other because you studied the same major. So when it came to trying to get her attention after a game - a sold out, Fever home game - there was really no pull as to trying to get her attention. You honestly didn't even know if she would recognize you.
It is after the game, after the team huddle and the stands are cleared when one of the members of the media team came up to show Caitlin some of the raw photos they took of the game when she sees you.
Caitlin almost drops the camera and asks how she can zoom in. And sure enough, there you were. Sitting in an Indiana Fever hoodie, a fat smile on your face watching her.
Cait runs back out to the floor, looking around as if she would magically find you but the fieldhouse is practically empty. She runs over to where you were sitting in the photo and she just stares at the empty row of seats.
You were there. You came to watch her play and she had no idea.
Later that night, she did a little stalking to see if you had posted about being at the game. She comes across your IG profile and sees there is a story waiting to be seen.
Would you think she is a stalker for finding you and watching your story? Should she follow you and send a message? The two of you hadn't talked, let alone had any messaging communication prior to now, even when you were in the same classes (minus that one email, of course).
Cait is overthinking when she decides to call Kate.
"CC?" Kate says, voice thick with sleep.
"Kate! I need you to do something for me," Caitlin then begins to ramble about how you were at the game and that you didn't ask to see her but you posted and she wants to see it but doesn't want to seem weird.
"Caitlin," Kate begins after Cait explains everything. "You called me, at - what time is it? Caitlin, you called me at 1am to have me view a girl's story for you?"
It is only now that Caitlin see's how this might be a little crazy but she doesn't care.
"Yes..." Caitlin responds.
"The girl you had a fat crush on in college but pretended not to," Kate says and Caitlin cuts her off.
"Woah, let's not blow this out of proportion," Caitlin says. She can almost feel Kates stare through the phone.
Kate sighs and goes to her IG. She finds you and views your story.
"It is a photo of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with your photo on the big screen. The one they put up for introductions," Kate says and Caitlin feels her chest swell.
"Thank you," Caitlin whispers and hangs up leaving Kate even more confused.
Caitlin doesn't sleep that night. How could she? She missed what could have been her only other opportunity to see you again. What if this was the last time? What if she missed her last chance to say how she feels? Even if she had the opportunity, would you be freaked out by her confession? The next day is hell for her.
The rest of the season she makes a point to look into the crowd - searching for familiar eyes. Just to her luck, she doesn't find what she is looking for.
She loses hope as the season comes to an end. The high of the though subsides as life goes on.
The next time you appear out of the blue is when Caitlin is scrolling through IG. Initially she scrolls past, but then freezes when her brain catches up to fingers. She scrolls back up to see a picture of you with your dog.
Caitlin immediately smiles, when she sees the smile you are wearing. She takes the opportunity to tap on your profile.
She sits up when she sees that you are following her and probably have been following her. She feels herself getting nervous as her thumb hovers over the follow button and decides she literally has nothing to lose.
Caitlin hits the follow button and then decides to add you as one of her close friends. She never really uses it for anything, but just knowing that she has you on it makes her feel special.
Time goes on and before she knows it, Caitlin is back in Iowa City on a chilly February morning. She is back with her family as her jersey is going to be retired in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, quite the honor.
She is walking around with her brothers to some of her favorite spots, stopping at the best bakery around just outside of campus. It's a little mom n' pop shop that has been family owned for 50 years. It was one of the only places she gate-kept in college because she didn't want them selling out of her favorite pastries.
As she walks in, she is caught in her tracks by the last person she would imagine in one of her favorite places.
You are sitting in a little table in the back corner with a book in your hand, eyebrows lightly furrowed as you are completely unaware of what's happening around you.
The little nonna, comes out and yells Caitlin's name before she has the time to walk over to you and say hello. Not that she knew what to say, but she was going to.
Your head whips up and you make eye contact with your favorite class partner.
A smile shines on your face causing Caitlin to smile even wider now.
Her brothers look at each other as they are forgotten in the background as Caitlin comes up to you.
"Why hello there," you say, smile never leaving your face. "What a nice familiar face to see." You put your book down and stand.
You go in for a hug and the second your arms are around her, she never wants to leave them.
"It is so good to see you," Caitlin whispers into you.
"It is good to see you too, Caity girl," you say as you pull away.
Caitlin tries to hide the disappointment in the separation. It then occurs to her, that you are standing in front of her. She didn't imagine this ever happening again, after missing you the last time the two of you were in the same room.
"You came to one of my games," Caitlin says before she can stop herself.
You laugh and nod.
"I did, I was traveling for work and the schedule aligned perfectly," you say.
"I would have said hi," she says.
"I didn't want to bug you," you say with a little shrug. You wanted to, you really wanted to.
"You could never bug me," Caitlin says softly.
The two of you just look into each other's eyes. You feel like you can really see Caitlin for the first time. You can see what you had suspected but never truly known until this moment.
You give her a soft smile and nod. A promise for next time. A promise that there would be a next time.
"Wait, what are you doing here?" Caitlin asks. From what she can remember from posts, you live in Manhattan now. You are a little ways away from home.
"Well this place has the best bear claws known to man, so I had to come snag one. Then I got caught up in this," you say lifting your book.
"I mean in Iowa," Caitlin says with a little blush. She has no idea why she is blushing but it is a reaction you seem to bring out of her whenever the two of you are together.
You knew that is what she was talking about, but it is just so easy to tease her.
"Well, I heard there was something pretty big happening and I just couldn't miss it," you say.
"You came for my jersey retirement?" Caitlin asks. She is in awe of you.
"Of course, I came for your jersey retirement," you say.
Caitlin leans in and places her head on your shoulder, trying to hide the blush that has crept up her neck into her cheeks. She is over the moon. Never in a million years would she have imagined to be important enough for you to make a trip to watch her jersey retirement.
You wrap you arm around her with a little laugh and rub her back. You let her take her time to compose herself, finding it incredibly cute at the affect you have on her even after all this time. Even after how big she is.
Nothing else in the world mattered to Caitlin in this moment, just you. Just you with your arms around her - hidden from the world.
This is what she wants - she wants this to be the norm between the two of you. Morning dates to your local bakery. Light touches. Comfortable silence.
"How long are you here for?" Caitlin asks before she can think too much.
"I leave tomorrow morning," you say, slightly disappointed.
Caitlin could take this as a sign that this was just another fluke, that the moments shared between the two of you will always be fleeting. But standing here, your hand still on her arm, she knows that she is done waiting for you. She's in. All in.
"What if it wasn't tomorrow morning?" She says, trying to be bold but her voice comes out slightly shaky.
"And what would I fill my time with if I didn't get on a plane tomorrow morning?" You say, baiting her.
Caitlin stands there, mind blank. She has thought about this moment on countless occasions but had never thought about what she would say if you said yes. She wanted to be bold but here she is, making a fool of herself. Little to her knowledge, you plan on seeing her regardless of what she says. If Caitlin wants to spend time with you, you are all hers.
"Uhhhh," Caitlin tries to find words. Her arm, where your hand is placed on her, is burning up.
You remove your hand and bring it up to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
If Caitlin wasn't in love before, she is in love with you now. But she was in love with you before and now she is double in love, if that is even possible.
Maybe it is the fact that up to this point, all of it was in Cait's head. She never ran the risk and here she is, trying to do exactly that. Even when she is cringy and feels like anyone else on this planet would run the other way, you remain in front of her. You are giving her the chance she has always wanted.
Blake comes over and taps Caitlin's arm. "We need to get going," he says.
Caitlin doesn't want to leave. She doesn't want to leave you. Now that she thinks of it, she never wants to leave you again.
"Go," you say with a smile.
She nods, a silly little grin on her face as she begins to talk out, completely forgetting the pastries she walked in to get.
"Wait," she says as she runs back to you. Cait pulls out her phone, opening it for you to put your number in. You do and save it.
"Stay," she says, rushed.
"What?" you ask.
"Tomorrow morning, stay," Caitlin says. "Don't get on your flight tomorrow morning."
"Okay," you say, unsure of where this is going but you are more than open to find out.
Caitlin leaves with her brothers and can't believe what just happened.
She tries to focus on the events of that night - it really is a special moment, getting her jersey retired is huge. She gets ready and she makes her return to Carver-Hawkeye. Caitlin has her friends, family, old teammates and coaches in the building for a special night. She soaks it all in, marveling in the memories made.
When the time comes, she gives her speech and takes photos with her family. She smiles and stands proudly.
You are among the sea of people who are there to support Caitlin and all she has done. You cheer her on as you watch her surrounded by all the people she loves. In the midst of the chaos, you watch her eyes wander to the crowd - searching for something.
Cait's eyes meet yours, yet another sign to her that this is what she has waited 5 years for. Her smile widens as she sees you. Nothing could make this night better.
As the night comes to a close, Caitlin takes photos with friends and fans all around. She gets a little antsy, hoping you have waited to come see her.
You wait and watch as everyone showers Caitlin with so much love. You feel a little weird waiting around but selfishly want a photo. After what feels like forever, the crowd dies down enough to where you feel comfortable heading over to the superstar.
"Think you can spare one more photo tonight?" You ask as you come up, bumping her shoulder with yours.
"For you?" Caitlin begins, confidence oozing from her from the night. "I'd do anything."
The two of you stand together to take a photo. After a few seconds, Caitlin turns to pull you into a hug. Your arms wrap around her and you feel her face bury itself in your shoulder, then turning to hide in your neck. You laugh when you feel her breath graze your neck, tickling it.
"You are amazing," you say, pride evident in your voice.
Cait could die happy now. Hearing you say that, she never wants to let you go.
"I moved my flight," you say when she finally lets go of you.
"Good," Caitlins says.
"Good," you respond.
"Good, because we have a lot to talk about," Cait says.
You smile.
"I look forward to getting to know The Caitlin Clark," you say and she blushes.
"There isn't much to me," she says. "I am much more interested in getting to know you."
"Well, we can get to know each other with time," you say. "How does that sound, Caity girl?"
Caitlin smiles at you, heart full thinking back to her freshman self. 5 years in the making and she finally has the opportunity to get the girl.
AN: Well, that was longer than I expected. I hope you enjoyed this! Let me know your thoughts! And as always, thank you for your love and support 🤍