#uconn x reader

[whoss0phia]

𝙼𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙻𝙸𝚂𝚃𓂃✍︎

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

જ⁀➴𝐑𝐈𝐎 𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐑

𑣲⋆𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃

[yailtsv]

My birthdays this weekend, I want Bella Hines, PB5, Grace Knox, Jess Shepard & tcloud fluff fics pleaseeeeee!!! I want my screentime on tumblr to be an ungodly amount of time. I’m begging for fluffy fics!!

[therealhakkenzie]

ᯓ★ʸᵒᵘʳ ⁱⁿˢᵗᵃᵍʳᵃᵐ ˢᵗᵒʳⁱᵉˢ ⁱᶠ ᵖᵃⁱᵍᵉ ʷᵃˢ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵍᶠ. pt.³

after not posting for almost a month, i am back 😗✌🏾 please forgive me 🙂‍↕️ i hope u guys like this hehe 🙏🏾 likes, comments and reblogs are highly appreciated 💝

[kkandazzi]

Too Late To Call? - Azzi Fudd x Female Reader ❤️

"You knew what you were choosing."

Those were the last words you said to Azzi Fudd before walking out of her apartment with tears running down your face and your overnight bag hanging from your shoulder.

And honestly?

That sentence haunted her for months afterward.

Because you were right.

She had chosen.

Not another girl.

Not fame.

Not intentionally even.

She chose basketball.

Again.

And again.

And again.

At first, neither of you noticed it happening.

When Azzi got drafted into the WNBA, everything moved fast.

Too fast.

Training camp.

Media obligations.

Travel.

Interviews.

Brand deals.

Pressure from every direction.

Especially as a rookie trying to prove herself at the professional level after years of expectations following her career.

You tried to understand.

God, you tried.

You supported her through everything.

Late-night phone calls after practices.

Watching games no matter how exhausted you were from your own life.

Flying out to see her when you could.

You never asked her to choose between you and basketball.

You just wanted to still matter too.

But slowly-

You stopped fitting into her schedule.

"Can I call you later?"

"I'm exhausted, baby."

"I promise I'll make it up to you."

Eventually those promises stopped sounding real.

The worst part?

Azzi noticed it happening.

She did.

Every missed call made guilt twist in her chest.

Every disappointed look on your face after she canceled plans again chipped away at her.

But every time she tried fixing it, basketball demanded more.

And Azzi had spent her whole life being taught one thing:

Sacrifice everything for the game.

So she did.

Even when it started costing her you.

The final fight happened after one of her away games.

You'd flown in to surprise her after not seeing her for almost a month.

You sat alone in her apartment for hours waiting while she got stuck doing media and team obligations after the game.

By the time she finally walked through the door close to midnight, exhausted and emotionally drained, you were already crying.

Azzi's face fell instantly.

"Baby-"

"I can't keep begging for scraps of your attention."

The words hit like a punch.

Azzi dropped her bag immediately. "That's not fair."

"Not fair?" you laughed bitterly. "Azzi, I barely talk to you anymore."

"I'm trying."

"I know you are."

That was the problem.

You knew she was trying.

But basketball still came first every single time.

"I just need time to adjust," Azzi whispered desperately.

"And what happens when basketball always needs something from you?" your voice cracked. "Where do I fit then?"

Azzi opened her mouth.

Then stopped.

Because she didn't have an answer.

And honestly?

That silence told you everything.

Tears filled your eyes instantly.

"You knew what you were choosing."

Azzi still remembered how broken your voice sounded saying it.

Then you left.

And suddenly the apartment felt unbearably empty.

-

After the breakup, Azzi tried throwing herself even harder into basketball.

Maybe if she stayed busy enough, the ache in her chest would disappear.

It didn't.

If anything?

It got worse.

Because everything reminded her of you.

Your hoodie still hanging over her couch.

Songs you used to play in the car.

The coffee order permanently memorized in her head.

Even stupid little things.

Like reaching for her phone after games before remembering there was nobody waiting for her call anymore.

Her teammates noticed the difference too.

Azzi became quieter.

More withdrawn.

Still professional.

Still talented.

Still working constantly.

But the lightness she usually carried disappeared.

One night after practice, Paige finally cornered her.

"You gonna talk about it?"

Azzi kept tying and retying her shoelace silently.

"There's nothing to talk about."

Paige gave her a look.

"You look miserable."

Azzi laughed humorlessly. "Thanks."

"I'm serious." Paige sat beside her quietly. "You miss her."

That nearly broke her.

Because missing you wasn't even a strong enough word anymore.

Azzi felt like she'd cut out a piece of herself.

And the worst part?

She did it willingly.

Not because she stopped loving you.

But because she convinced herself there would always be time later.

Later to fix things.

Later to slow down.

Later to love you properly.

Except later never came.

And now she genuinely believed she lost you forever.

So months passed.

Painfully.

Silently.

Until one random night in Dallas, Azzi sat alone in her apartment after a road trip staring at your contact again.

She had done this hundreds of times already.

Typed messages.

Deleted them.

Started calls.

Hung up before it rang.

Because what right did she have anymore?

She was the one who let you walk away.

Then her thumb accidentally brushed against an old photo.

You.

Half asleep wearing one of her hoodies while smiling at something off camera.

Azzi physically felt her chest ache.

And suddenly the fear of never speaking to you again became worse than the fear of rejection.

So before she could stop herself-

She called.

The ringing nearly killed her.

One ring.

Two.

Three.

Then-

"...Hello?"

Your voice.

Soft.

Sleepy.

Real.

Azzi closed her eyes instantly.

For a second she couldn't even speak.

Because after months of silence, hearing you again felt devastating.

"Azzi?"

Your voice sounded more awake now.

And cautious.

God, she hated that cautiousness.

It used to be comfort.

Now it was distance.

"Hi," she whispered finally.

Silence filled the line for a few seconds.

Then quietly:

"Why are you calling?"

The question was fair.

Painfully fair.

Azzi swallowed hard.

"I miss you."

Your breathing caught slightly through the phone.

And that tiny sound alone nearly shattered her completely.

"You can't say things like that anymore," you whispered.

"I know."

Another silence.

Then finally Azzi admitted the thing she'd been avoiding for months.

"I thought if I worked hard enough... if I gave basketball everything..." her voice cracked softly, "I thought eventually things would settle down and I could fix us after."

You stayed quiet.

"I didn't realize I was losing you while it was happening."

That hurt to hear.

Because part of you had waited so long for her to finally understand.

And now that she did?

It almost felt cruel.

"I loved you through all of it," you whispered shakily. "Even when you stopped showing up for me."

Azzi pressed her hand over her eyes immediately.

"I know."

"And that's what hurt the most."

Every word felt deserved.

Because it was.

Azzi took a shaky breath.

"I don't expect you to forgive me," she admitted quietly. "I just... I needed you to know that choosing basketball over you is the biggest regret of my life."

Silence.

Long silence.

Then finally-

Very softly-

"Why now?"

Azzi looked around the empty apartment.

The silence.

The loneliness.

The success that somehow meant less without you there to share it with.

And answered honestly.

"Because none of this feels worth it without you anymore."

[kkandazzi]

What We Lost, What We Still Have - Paige Bueckers x Female Reader ❤️➡️💙

The first time you got pregnant, Paige Bueckers cried harder than you did.

Not because you weren't emotional.

You absolutely were.

But Paige?

Paige looked at the positive pregnancy test like someone had handed her the entire world.

"Oh my God," she whispered shakily, staring at the test in her hands. "Oh my God."

Then she immediately dropped to her knees in front of you laughing and crying at the same time while wrapping both arms around your waist.

"We're having a baby?"

Her voice cracked saying it.

You smiled through tears while brushing your fingers through her hair.

"We're having a baby."

Paige kissed your stomach before there was even anything there yet.

Completely gone already.

And honestly?

She was the happiest you'd ever seen her.

At that point, she'd already completed her rookie year with the Dallas Wings.

You'd gotten married not long after the draft.

Quietly.

Privately.

Just family and close friends.

Then came IVF.

Appointments.

Hormones.

Hope.

Fear.

And when it finally worked?

Paige genuinely thought life couldn't get more beautiful than this.

She downloaded parenting apps immediately.

Read baby books during flights.

Started talking to your stomach at like six weeks pregnant.

"Baby's definitely gonna hoop," Paige said confidently one night while laying beside you.

You laughed softly. "The baby is the size of a blueberry."

"And?"

Then everything changed.

Three months into the pregnancy, you miscarried.

And it shattered both of you.

Paige had dealt with injuries before.

Pressure.

Losses.

Pain.

But nothing prepared her for that hospital room.

Nothing prepared her for holding your hand while both of you silently realized the future you'd already started imagining was suddenly gone.

Afterward, the apartment became painfully quiet.

Too quiet.

Paige tried being strong for you.

You tried being strong for her.

But grief made both of you lonely in ways neither of you knew how to explain.

Some days Paige threw herself into basketball because it was the only thing that still made sense.

Other days she barely spoke at all.

You'd catch her staring at the empty second bedroom sometimes before quickly looking away when she realized you noticed.

It strained your marriage.

Not because the love disappeared.

Actually the opposite.

You both loved each other so much that hurting together became overwhelming.

Still-

Neither of you gave up.

Therapy helped.

Time helped a little.

Learning how to grieve together instead of separately helped most.

And slowly, over the next year, your marriage found its footing again.

Not exactly the same as before.

But stronger in quieter ways.

Softer.

More intentional.

So eventually-

You decided to try again.

The second pregnancy happened during Paige's second year in Dallas.

And when you told her, Paige smiled immediately.

But this time?

The excitement looked different.

Smaller.

Careful.

Like she was afraid to hold happiness too tightly.

You noticed it immediately.

Still, she tried.

She really did.

She came to appointments.

Bought prenatal vitamins.

Checked on you constantly at first.

But underneath all of it, fear quietly started consuming her.

Because every milestone reminded Paige of the pregnancy you lost.

Every doctor appointment made her chest tighten.

Every conversation about the future suddenly felt dangerous.

And without even realizing it-

She started pulling away.

Not because she didn't love you.

God, she loved you desperately.

But Paige was terrified.

Terrified to lose another baby.

Terrified to watch you suffer again.

Terrified of letting herself fully believe this pregnancy was real.

So instead of confronting those fears-

She avoided them.

Spent longer hours at practice.

Stayed late watching film.

Volunteered for extra workouts.

Anything to keep her mind busy.

And at first, you understood.

You did.

But eventually the loneliness became unbearable.

Because you were pregnant.

Emotional.

Scared too.

And your wife barely seemed present anymore.

One night finally broke you.

Paige came home close to midnight after staying late at the practice facility again.

You were sitting alone on the couch wrapped in a blanket when she walked in.

Her face softened immediately.

"Baby, why are you still awake?"

You looked at her quietly for a long moment.

Then finally whispered:

"I think I want a break."

Paige physically froze.

"...What?"

Tears filled your eyes immediately.

"I feel alone all the time."

"Baby-"

"You're barely here anymore, Paige."

The guilt hit instantly because part of her already knew you were right.

"I'm trying," she whispered weakly.

"No," you said shakily. "You're avoiding me."

That hurt because it was true.

Paige sat down slowly across from you looking completely devastated now.

"I'm scared," she admitted finally.

Your expression softened slightly.

And suddenly everything poured out of her at once.

"The first time we were so happy," Paige whispered through tears. "And then it was just gone."

Your heart broke hearing the fear in her voice.

"I know it's not your fault," Paige continued quickly. "I know that. I know that logically but every time I let myself get excited again I just keep thinking something bad is gonna happen."

You started crying too then.

Because finally-

Finally-

She was saying it out loud.

But it still didn't erase how abandoned you felt.

"I need my wife," you whispered painfully. "And you haven't been here."

That completely broke her.

Because Paige never wanted to become another source of pain for you.

Never.

So that night, after hours of crying and talking in circles emotionally exhausted, Paige quietly packed a bag and left to give you space.

Which was how she ended up sleeping miserably on Azzi Fudd's couch.

Azzi took one look at her the next morning and sighed.

"You look terrible."

Paige groaned into the couch cushion. "Thank you."

"No seriously," Azzi continued while handing her coffee. "You look like a Victorian child with tuberculosis."

Normally Paige would laugh.

Today she just looked exhausted.

Azzi sat beside her quietly then.

"What happened?"

And eventually-

Paige told her everything.

The miscarriage.

The fear.

The distance.

The break.

Azzi listened silently the entire time.

Then when Paige finally stopped talking, Azzi looked at her very seriously.

"You know you're screwing this up, right?"

Paige flinched slightly.

Because she expected comfort.

Not honesty.

"I'm scared," Paige admitted quietly.

"I know," Azzi said softer this time. "But she's scared too."

Paige looked down immediately.

Azzi sighed before continuing.

"You think disappearing protects her?" she asked gently. "Because from what you're describing, it sounds like she's grieving this pregnancy alone while her wife hides in a gym."

That one hurt.

Badly.

Because it was true.

Azzi leaned back against the couch.

"You love her more than basketball," she said simply. "So act like it."

Paige covered her face with her hands immediately.

"She thinks I don't care anymore."

Azzi looked horrified. "Paige."

Her voice softened again.

"She knows you love her," Azzi said quietly. "But love still has to show up."

Tears filled Paige's eyes instantly.

Because somewhere along the way, fear made her forget that.

Azzi stood up afterward while tossing Paige her car keys.

"Now get off my couch."

Paige blinked up at her weakly.

"...That's the emotional support speech?"

Azzi pointed toward the door.

"Go get your wife back."

[kkandazzi]

One Person Azzi Said No To-Paige Bueckers x Female Reader 💙

The first mistake Paige Bueckers made was telling Azzi Fudd her younger sister was pretty.

The second mistake?

Saying it while sitting directly beside her on the team plane for the Dallas Wings.

Azzi turned slowly in her seat like Paige had personally offended her ancestors.

"Excuse me?"

Paige immediately regretted everything.

Because honestly, it just slipped out.

Azzi had been scrolling through pictures on her phone during a road trip, showing Paige some family photos from back home between games.

And then suddenly-

There you were.

Pretty smile.

Soft eyes.

Wearing an oversized UConn hoodie in one picture while hugging Azzi.

Paige's brain stopped functioning instantly.

"She's pretty," Paige repeated before common sense could save her.

Azzi stared at her in horror.

"That's my sister."

Paige blinked once.

"...Right."

"My YOUNGER sister."

"She's twenty-two, not twelve."

"That's not helping your case."

Unfortunately for Azzi, Paige was already doomed.

And things only got worse when you visited Dallas for the first time a few weeks later.

Azzi invited you to one of the Wings games while you were on break from school at University of Connecticut.

Paige told herself she would act normal.

She failed immediately.

The second you walked into the practice facility beside Azzi, Paige forgot how conversations worked.

You were somehow exactly how Azzi described you.

Calm.

Funny without trying.

Easy to talk to.

And worst of all?

You didn't care that Paige was famous.

You teased her within fifteen minutes of meeting her.

"Azzi says you're dramatic after losses," you said casually while sipping your iced coffee.

Azzi immediately snorted.

Paige looked betrayed. "Wow. Okay."

"She said you once ignored everybody for two hours because someone blocked your shot."

"That was emotional processing."

You laughed softly.

And Paige was completely done for.

After that, she started finding excuses to talk to you constantly.

"Do you wanna come to practice?"

"You should sit with us for film."

"Can I show you around Dallas?"

Azzi noticed immediately.

And she hated it.

Not because she didn't trust Paige.

Actually, that was the problem.

Azzi trusted Paige with her life.

Through injuries.

Pressure.

The transition from college basketball to the WNBA.

That was her person.

Which was exactly why she felt protective.

Because you were her little sister.

And even though you were an adult fully capable of making your own choices-

Azzi still saw the little girl she grew up protecting.

So no.

She absolutely did not react well when Paige admitted she liked you.

"You cannot date my sister," Azzi said flatly one night after practice.

Paige blinked. "Why?"

"Because I said so."

"That's not a real answer."

Azzi looked genuinely stressed now.

"Paige."

"What?"

"That's my FAMILY."

Paige softened a little then.

Because she understood.

Really.

Azzi wasn't trying to control you.

She was scared.

Scared her best friend dating her sister could ruin everything if things went badly.

And honestly?

Paige couldn't even blame her for that.

Still, none of it stopped her from falling harder.

Especially once you started falling too.

It happened slowly.

Late-night FaceTimes after road games.

Paige bringing you coffee before your classes.

You sitting courtside at Wings games cheering louder for Paige than anyone else.

And somehow Paige became softer around you.

The version of her the public rarely saw.

Quiet.

Affectionate.

Needy in a way she'd deny immediately if anyone pointed it out.

One night after a tough loss, Paige ended up sitting with you alone in the empty practice gym long after everyone else left.

She looked exhausted.

Mentally more than physically.

The pressure of being a rookie in the WNBA while carrying enormous expectations weighed heavily sometimes.

You noticed immediately.

"You okay?" you asked softly.

Paige shrugged, staring down at the basketball spinning slowly in her hands.

"People expect me to be perfect all the time."

Your expression softened instantly.

Paige laughed quietly afterward like she regretted admitting that.

"I sound dramatic."

"No," you said gently. "You sound tired."

That hit her harder than she expected.

Because most people saw the headlines.

The stats.

The fame.

But you saw her.

The actual person underneath all of it.

And honestly?

Paige fell in love a little right there.

Eventually, despite Azzi's continued disapproval, Paige asked you out properly.

And unfortunately for Azzi?

You said yes immediately.

"She said YES yes," Paige told Azzi later looking entirely too happy.

Azzi stared at her blankly.

"You're smiling too hard."

"I'm in love."

"You've been dating for six hours."

Paige pointed seriously. "And?"

Azzi groaned dramatically.

For a while, Azzi remained stubborn about it.

Not mean.

Never mean.

Just intensely protective.

She questioned Paige constantly.

"What are your intentions?"

Paige looked offended. "What am I, a boyfriend in a 2000s movie?"

"You better act like one."

But over time?

Azzi started noticing things.

Small things first.

Like how Paige always made sure you sat beside her on flights.

How she memorized your favorite snacks without trying.

How she looked for you first after every game.

How she softened instantly whenever you entered a room.

Then came the moment that finally changed everything.

The Wings had just lost a frustrating game.

Paige played well statistically, but she took losses personally sometimes.

The media afterward was brutal.

Questions.

Pressure.

Constant comparisons.

By the time the team got back to the apartment building, Paige looked exhausted in a way Azzi recognized immediately.

Normally after bad losses, Paige isolated herself.

Instead?

She went straight to you.

Azzi watched quietly from down the hallway while you opened your apartment door and immediately pulled Paige into your arms without hesitation.

No cameras.

No basketball.

No expectations.

Just comfort.

Paige practically melted against you instantly.

You rubbed your hand gently against her back while whispering something that made her finally laugh softly for the first time all night.

And for the first time-

Azzi really saw it.

Not a crush.

Not flirting.

Love.

Real love.

The kind that steadied people.

Protected them.

Made hard things easier.

Paige looked peaceful with you.

Safe.

And honestly?

Azzi couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her best friend look at someone like that.

Later that night, Paige nearly dropped her phone when Azzi texted her unexpectedly.

Take care of her.

Paige stared at the message for a solid ten seconds.

Then immediately replied:

Always.

A minute later another text appeared.

If you hurt her I'll request a trade just to beat your ass.

Paige burst out laughing instantly.

Then smiled softly while looking across the couch at you half asleep against her shoulder.

Worth the threat.

[therealhakkenzie]

Going to start writing the Princess! PB5 x Knight tomorrow😼(still sad pirate au didn't win 🥲)

[kkandazzi]

Babysit Maya - Sarah Strong x Female Reader 💙

Dating a mom was still new for Sarah Strong.

Not in a bad way.

Actually, completely the opposite.

She adored you.

And she absolutely adored your three-year-old daughter Maya, who somehow managed to have more energy than an entire college basketball team combined.

Still, Sarah would admit one thing very honestly:

Watching Maya completely alone for an entire day was terrifying.

Especially because you had parenting rules.

Very specific parenting rules.

And Sarah was trying so hard to impress you.

It was Mother’s Day weekend, and Sarah had spent nearly two months secretly planning the perfect gift.

A full luxury spa day.

Massage.

Facials.

Lunch.

Everything.

“You deserve one day where nobody says ‘mommy’ every fourteen seconds,” Sarah told you proudly while handing you the envelope that morning.

Your eyes widened immediately.

“Sarah.”

“You’re going,” she said firmly before you could protest. “And I’m watching Maya.”

You looked slightly unsure.

Sarah noticed instantly.

“I can handle one tiny three-year-old,” she defended dramatically.

From her high chair, Maya looked up proudly.

“I’m BIG.”

Sarah pointed immediately. “See? She’s basically grown.”

You laughed softly before finally giving in.

But before leaving, you crouched beside Sarah very seriously while Maya colored nearby.

“Okay. Instructions.”

Sarah nodded confidently.

“I got this.”

“Sarah.”

“Right. Serious face.”

You handed her a written list.

“No ice cream or sugar before bed.”

“Easy.”

“Please bathe her tonight.”

“Mhm.”

“If she says her bedtime is nine o’clock, she’s lying. It’s eight.”

Sarah snorted softly. “She lies about bedtime?”

“She’s manipulative.”

Maya gasped dramatically from the table. “MOMMY.”

You ignored her completely.

“No scary movies.”

“Obviously.”

“She needs outside time.”

“Okay.”

“And absolutely no iPad today.”

Sarah blinked once.

“…None?”

“None.”

Maya suddenly looked personally betrayed.

You kissed Maya’s forehead first, then Sarah’s cheek.

“Good luck.”

Sarah grinned confidently.

“I’m literally an athlete. How hard can this be?”

—

Three hours later, Sarah realized she had been arrogant.

Very arrogant.

Because Maya was insane.

Lovable.

Cute.

But absolutely insane.

“She’s fast,” Sarah muttered breathlessly while chasing Maya around the apartment after the little girl somehow escaped during lunch.

And unfortunately?

Sarah panicked.

So naturally—

She called reinforcements.

Which was how half the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team somehow ended up squeezed into Sarah’s apartment helping entertain a three-year-old.

Paige brought coloring books.

KK showed up with a soccer ball for some reason.

Azzi immediately sat on the floor playing princess tea party like her life depended on it.

Maya adored all of them instantly.

“This is chaos,” Paige laughed while Maya climbed onto Sarah’s back.

“I’m sweating more than practice,” Sarah admitted.

Things actually went pretty well at first.

Maya got outside time.

Sarah helped her pick flowers near the apartment courtyard.

They colored.

Watched cartoons.

Made chicken nuggets.

Everything was fine.

Until KK made a mistake.

“Can she have one cookie?” KK asked innocently.

Sarah hesitated.

Technically you said no sugar before bed.

But bedtime was hours away.

“…One cookie is probably okay.”

It was not okay.

Because one cookie turned into:

Two cookies.

Then ice cream.

Then Azzi teaching Maya how to make milkshakes.

Paige watched the disaster unfold silently.

“We’re gonna die when her mom gets home.”

Sarah waved dismissively while Maya bounced around the living room at dangerous speeds.

“She’ll crash eventually.”

She did not crash eventually.

In fact—

Maya became stronger.

Then came mistake number two.

The iPad.

Sarah had only intended to let Maya use it for fifteen minutes while everyone cleaned up.

Instead, Maya discovered a loud children’s dinosaur game and became emotionally attached immediately.

And then—

Mistake number three.

Bath time.

“Do YOU wanna give her a bath?” Sarah asked the room.

The entire team suddenly became deeply interested in literally anything else.

So bath time never happened.

Oops.

By 7:45 PM, the apartment looked like a crime scene.

Toys everywhere.

Tiny socks everywhere.

Glitter somehow on the ceiling.

And Maya?

Still fully awake.

Very awake.

Too awake.

“Why is she getting faster?” Sarah whispered fearfully while Maya sprinted past screaming about dinosaurs.

Paige pointed calmly. “That’s the ice cream.”

Sarah stared blankly. “I made mistakes.”

“You made several.”

Then Maya climbed directly onto the couch cushions and announced proudly:

“I’M NEVER SLEEPING.”

Sarah looked genuinely terrified.

—

Meanwhile, your spa day had been incredible.

Peaceful.

Relaxing.

Quiet.

Suspiciously quiet.

Too quiet actually.

Because Sarah normally texted constantly.

Instead, today?

Nothing.

Only one blurry photo hours ago of Maya holding a juice box while KK accidentally looked exhausted in the background.

So by the time you got home later that evening, you already knew something happened.

You just didn’t know what.

Until you opened the apartment door.

And froze.

The apartment was destroyed.

Absolutely destroyed.

Paige sat on the floor holding an ice pack against her forehead.

Azzi looked emotionally defeated.

KK was half asleep sitting upright.

And Sarah?

Sarah was sprinting past carrying Maya upside down over her shoulder while your daughter laughed hysterically.

“MOMMY!” Maya cheered happily the second she saw you.

Sarah stopped immediately.

Everyone went silent.

You slowly looked around.

“…Why is there glitter on the ceiling?”

Nobody answered.

Then your eyes narrowed.

“Maya.” You crouched slightly. “Did you have sugar today?”

Maya gasped dramatically before immediately pointing at Sarah.

“SHE DID IT.”

The entire team burst into laughter.

Sarah looked betrayed. “You snitched immediately?”

“You also didn’t bathe her,” you noticed.

Sarah looked nervous now.

“…Technically there was an attempt.”

“And why is she holding an iPad?”

Silence.

Complete silence.

You crossed your arms slowly while trying not to laugh.

Sarah looked so guilty it was almost cute.

Almost.

Then Maya climbed down from Sarah’s arms and ran to hug your legs.

“Mommy, Sarah and her friends are silly.”

You smiled despite yourself before looking back at Sarah.

And honestly?

Your heart melted a little.

Because despite the chaos…

Maya looked happy.

Safe.

Loved.

And Sarah?

She looked exhausted but completely devoted.

Like she genuinely tried her absolute best.

Sarah rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. “In my defense… she’s really persuasive.”

You laughed softly finally.

Then Sarah brightened instantly.

“Wait, you’re not mad?”

“Oh, I’m definitely mad,” you teased.

Sarah groaned dramatically.

But then you walked over, kissing her softly anyway.

“Thank you for loving her like this.”

Sarah’s entire expression softened immediately.

Always soft when it came to you.

And especially soft when it came to Maya.

“Easy,” she whispered quietly. “She’s kinda my favorite tiny person.”