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plot: caitlin has some tricks up her sleeve to make the vet like her back

trope: rookie x vet

pairings: wnba! reader x caitlin clark

warnings: manipulation girl idk

a/n: more one-shots coming soon 🙂‍↕️ found this in my drafts so we lettin' it free xx

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The first game, y/n got over it, shit was cool. It was basketball, it was physical, people talked their shit. She didn't have nothing against Caitlin. She was only in her 5th year, not completely a vet but there long enough to be considered one by a rookie. She knew how it was to be a rookie, to feel the pressure, to feel targeted on the count. She didn't wanna do that to other rookies. But, Caitlin wasn't at all helping her case.

Throughout their first game against the Fever, the rookie sensation was hooking her arms, fouling her without calls, talking a ton of shit. Whatever. She let it go. She wasn't gonna let a rookie get to her. But she couldn't lie and say she didn't expect Caitlin to be a little more..nicer to her, given she was also from Iowa.

Then there was the next game against Fever, it was at their house this time. She was looking forward to it. She loved beating a team on their home court, spoiling their home wins. It was one of her favorite things about away games. The boos only fueled her. The hate fueled her.

She made her way onto the court, greeting some of the Fever players like Kelsey and Lexie. She walked over to her spot near Caitlin, waiting for the tip off. Nneka hit the ball her way and she grabbed it, able to stand her ground against Clark, the rookie trying to pick her pocket.

She passed to Skylar and set up a screen for her to get by, opening her up for the three. She pushed up against Caitlin as Lexie had the ball, ready to throw inbound. Caitlin tried to push back but y/n was far too strong. Still, she was able to get a little free and catch the inbound from Lexie.

"Can't guard me," Caitlin mumbles, dribbling the ball as y/n stared her down. "Why you talkin' so low? Say that shit wit' your chest. Use your big girl voice." And just when she finished saying that, y/n smacked the ball from her hands for the steal. Caitlin ran after her as she sprint towards the hoop, tossing in the easy layup.

She turned to look at the rookie, "what you gotta say now?"

Caitlin ignored her, throwing the ball inbound to Kelsey. The game kept going, and y/n helped more with defense, assisting her teammates and recovering some rebounds. Anytime Fever got up in points y/n would play spoiler, and frankly it was beginning to piss off Caitlin.

Just as they knocked in a layup to lead, y/n got the ball to throw inbound. She passed it to Skylar and ran back inbounds. Sky knew what she was about to do and passed the ball back to her, setting a screen for her to get free from Caitlin. She took a step back and shot the ball for a three, a grin smacked across her lips as she held up a 3 celly.

Caitlin got the ball, running down the court, ready to respond with her own but as soon as the ball left her hands y/n jumped up to block it. It landed into Skylar's hands and they were sprinting back down the court. Y/n ran ahead and Skylar launched the ball to her. She jumped up for the layup but as soon as she was coming back onto her feet Caitlin had pushed up against her. She lost her footing and fell hard onto the floor getting the whistle and basket.

But as soon as she hit that floor she was pushing herself up to run at Caitlin, and her teammates knew her too well because she couldn't lay a finger on the rookie before Jewell, Nneka, and Skylar were running to hold her back. "Man what the fuck is wrong with you?!" She had every right to be pissed. She didn't give her any room to land and that was extremely dangerous. She was lucky she didn't get injured.

"I didn't even do anything." Caitlin scoffed, her teammates trying to lead her away from this.

"Meet me in that motherfuckin' lobby! I'll decide if you didn't do anything!" She exclaimed, her teammates pulling her over to the bench as Coach Sides challenged the call.

Their challenge was unsuccessful, leaving y/n to get two free throws. Although she did cop a tech for her language. She walked over to the line, wiping her hands against her shorts as the crowd booed. She grinned, taking the ball and shooting a successful free throw to silence them. She hit the next one, silencing them again, proving they couldn't get to her.

She got one more assist in the game before coach benched her for the rest of it to prevent anymore altercations. They won the game by 10, and y/n smiled as she walked to the tunnel, satisfied with her game tonight. A double-double wasn't so bad. She knew she could do better but still, it wasn't a bad performance.

It was half an hour after the game, y/n was sitting in the hall, showered and out of her uniform. She wasn't gonna leave on the bus with the team 'cause she planned to meet up with a friend...or well, an ex of hers. And that's when she heard it, the footsteps making their way towards her. She sighed, expecting it to be her teammate, "I told you I'm stayin' back Sky-"

She cut herself off, getting a look of Caitlin Clark, the rookie standing a few feet away. She still had on her jersey, arms crossed over her chest to make herself look tougher. "You look surprised. Aren't you the one who asked me to meet you here?"

She chuckled, standing to her feet. This was very amusing to her. She honestly forgot all about what happened in the game, but clearly Caitlin didn't. "You got balls, Rook."

She shrugged, although she did enjoy the completely. "What'd you wanna talk about?"

Y/n stepped closer, Caitlin's breath hitched as she stopped just a couple inches away from her. She would be lying if she said she wasn't intimidated. Y/n was stronger, and really scary. But she could only expect that from someone who tried to square up with BG. "You know I don't give a fuck about that foul, right?"

She gulped, trying to remain nonchalant, something hard to do with a disturbingly hot woman in your face who looked ready to punch you. "Then why'd you call me here?"

Her phone rang and Caitlin thought she was saved by the bell until Y/n just shut it off and tossed her phone on the floor beside her bag. "What's your problem with me? And don't fuckin' lie. I ain't stupid. I know when someone gots a problem with me so what's yours?" She sighed, her voice so low y/n couldn't pick up a thing. "No, no, speak up, rook. I wanna hear you."

"You played for my rival school," Caitlin stated.

She furrowed her brows in confusion, "what are you talkin' about? I played in SC not State."

"Not college. High school." She looked a little embarrassed to admit that, feeling like a child for holding it against her. It wasn't her fault she played for that school.

Her eyes widened slightly, staring at the rookie in disbelief. "Are you serious? Do you realize how immature that is-"

"I know. I'm sorry." She sighed, slapping a palm over her face. Y/n sighed, at least she had some regret over this foolishness. But still, it was a little frustrating to be targeted just because of a school you played at years ago. "Is there any way I can make it up to you? Seriously, I'll do anything."

As much as she didn't want to ask for anything, a ride to her date tonight could be useful. "Uh, I guess I could use a ride."

"A ride? Yeah, sure, I got you. Let me just change real quick and I'll take you anywhere you wanna go." Y/n nodded and Caitlin ran off to go change. She picked up her stuff and leaned up against the wall, waiting for the rookie to return. Little did she know, this was going all according to plan for Caitlin.

She came back after a few minutes, just in a basic Fever hoodie and sweatpants combo, keys in hands. "Ready to go?" Y/n nods, pushing off the wall to follow her out. She lead her to private parking lot and unlocked her car. She went to get y/n's door but she put a hand out in front of her, "I can open my own door, thank you."

Caitlin smiled awkwardly, "right, sorry."

Y/n climbed into the car and set her bag down by her feet. Caitlin got into the driver's seat and started it up. "So, where did you want to go?" She asks, ready to put in the location on her phone. "Uh, can you take me to The Eagle's Nest I believe it's called." She requested, reading the restaurant name off the message her ex sent her.

"Oh okay, I know where that is. You're going by yourself?" She questioned, staring to drive out of the lot. She was silently hoping y/n said yes so maybe she could find a way to subtly ask to join her. "Nah, I got a date." She answered shortly, leaning back against the seat, glancing out the window so she didn't see Caitlin's visible disappointment...and slight anger.

"Really? With who? Is it one of my teammates?"

She chuckled, shaking her head, "God no, I don't date ball players. It's just my ex."

She frowned, and then the confusion hit. "You're going on a date with your ex?"

"Yep."

She didn't understand that at all. "Why?"

Y/n raised a brow, glancing at her strangely, "I'm not telling you."

Caitlin groaned, "oh come on, I'm giving you a ride. You could at least tell me why my time is being wasted on your ex girlfriend."

She sighed, giving up on hiding anything because this girl was far too persistent and just overall nosy. "I'm not getting back together with her. This date is purely to get laid. I think I deserve it after a performance like that." Caitlin hummed, trying to digest that information. She kind of regretted asking that. "That's...I mean, good for you."

As they were about halfway there, y/n's phone went off. She quickly checked her messages and sighed, reading what she was sent. "Yo, you can just take me back to the hotel. She canceled." She turned off her phone, mood dampening immediately.

"Oh, um, yeah okay." She made a turn back around to the hotel she knew the team would be staying at. It was where she stayed before she got herself an apartment. "You don't wanna stop for food? My treat?" Now, she could never ever turn down free food...and she was fucking starving. "Sure. Yeah, I could go for some food."

She bit back her smile, stopping at a Five Guys. She went inside to order and get their food. Y/n stayed in the car because she was not sure she wanted to be seen hanging out with the rookie. That was the last thing she needed, more rumors about her life. Being seen with Caitlin Clark would put too many eyes on her. She preferred to keep her life outside the court private.

She returned with the food and found an empty lot to park in so she could eat without being caught on camera. "So, I would like to explain that foul." Caitlin spoke as y/n was stuffing fries into her mouth like she hadn't eaten in days. "I swear it wasn't intentional. I was just running super fast and before I could stop myself you were coming down and that's why I kinda ran into you. I'm genuinely so sorry."

Y/n took a sip of her drink, and sighed, "it's cool, Rook. I'm over it. That stuff happens all time. It's best to just leave it alone as soon as the clock runs out. I'm sorry for goin' crazy on you."

"Oh no, please, don't apologize. You reacted very accordingly. I'd be surprised if you didn't say anything to me." Y/n couldn't help but smile at her words, glad she said that. She leaned back, studying the rookie who got a little shy under her gaze. "You were scared shitless when I ran up on you, huh?"

She gulped, nodding slowly in embarrassment, but at least she admitted it. "Yeah. I thought it was over."

Y/n chuckled, reaching over to nudge her arm. "Don't worry. I don't lay my hands on rookies. You'll catch that fade next year baby." Caitlin chuckled, shaking her head in amusement, "not if I catch you first."

She pursed her lips, impressed with her determination, even if she couldn't back it up. "How 'bout you get your weight up and then we'll talk? It was like pushing around a sack of peanuts, babygirl. And that ain't a compliment." Her jaw dropped slightly, feigning offense, "okay, take it easy on me. Didn't you have these same problems as a rookie?"

"Oh, absolutely. That's why I minded my business and waited 'til I got strong enough to start fighting back." She answered before taking a bite of her burger.

"I'll keep that in mind, thank you." Caitlin noted, reaching into the cup for some more fries.

"Your class has been doin' real good though. I'm impressed. Y'all broke a couple of my records. It's good to see." Caitlin raised a brow, surprised by her positive reaction. "You're not bothered by that?"

She scoffed, shaking her head, "fuck no. I hate holdin' records. Y'all did me a favor."

Caitlin squints, leaning back into her seat. "I have a question, and I don't want you to be offended. You're clearly an insane basketball player, but you don't play to your full potential. You kinda hold yourself back a lot. In your first two years you went crazy, breaking records, making history and now you've just slowed down. Why's that?"

"I don't like the attention. The more I do crazy things the more I attract the spotlight and the more people want to know about me. I never wanted to be in the public eye. I was basically forced into sports by my parents. I just wanted to be a normal girl with a normal job. So I date normal people, regular people who don't have social media or public spotlight. It helps me feel...normal."

She glanced over to Caitlin, a small smile curling up her lips. "But I don't think you can relate to any of that. I think you thrive off the attention."

Caitlin smirks, "you know me so well," she teased.

Her head tilts slightly, a small squint to her eyes. She wasn't dumb. She knew what Caitlin was doing. It was very obvious that she was attracted to her. She saw all the signs clear as day. "You're not very hard to read, rookie." And she meant that in more ways than one.

Caitlin glared just a little bit, "why do you keep calling me rookie? I have a name."

Y/n leaned over the arm rest to get her message across very clearly. "I call you a rookie 'cause that's what you are. You're just a rookie." Caitlin leaned closer, eyes flickering to her lips before moving up to meet her eyes. "I may be a rookie, but I'm not a child. I'm a grown woman, same as you."

She sighed, really needing this to get through Caitlin's head because she wasn't hearing any of it. She was far too persistent. "I thought I made it clear that I'm not interested in ball players, Caitlin."

Caitlin frowned, eyes softening, "why does that need to apply to me? I'm more than just a ball player, y/n."

"Look, I get it. I was a rookie once too. I had my fair share of crushes on the vets. You'll get over it." Y/n stated before returning to eating her food. Caitlin sighed, not sure what to reply with so she didn't. She hated being rejected. It felt like losing, and she hated losing. Having crushes on older women sucked. It somehow made being rejected even worse.

After they finished their food, y/n threw their trash away and got back inside. She expected Caitlin to put the car in drive but nope, she didn't make a move. She turned in her seat, determination not leaving her yet. "I get the whole wanting to be a normal person thing, I do. I respect it. But, you can't seriously tell me you're not attracted to me in the slightest."

Y/n sighed in exasperation, "you just don't give up, do you?"

"Answer the question. Please."

"Will it make you feel better if I say yes?" Caitlin smiled sheepishly, shrugging her shoulder, "a little bit."

"Then yes, I am attracted to you. You're a pretty girl."

She leaned over the armrest, getting a little too close. The fighting spirit still in her. She wasn't satisfied yet. "If I'm so pretty, why don't you want me? Is it because I was rude? Is it because of the foul because I'm really sorry-" y/n frowned, not enjoying the sight of seeing Caitlin so confused and upset. It made her feel really guilty.

"Hey, hey, slow down. It's not your fault." She reached over to take her hands, worry coating her features when she seen Caitlin on the verge of tears. "Don't cry- please don't cry. I'm sorry. What can I do?" She cupped her face gently, "do you need something? You need a hug? I can hug you."

She sniffled, nodding her head, "yeah." Y/n reached over to embrace the girl, rubbing her back in a soothing manner.

She pulled away after a moment and then it happened, Caitlin bursted into tears. "I'm sorry- I-I shouldn't have backed you into a corner. You're right, it's just a crush. A stupid crush."

She couldn't do it. The guilt was eating her up inside. She hated making someone cry. She reached over to cup her cheek, brushing away the tears with her thumb before bringing her in, pressing a kiss to her lips. Pulling away, Caitlin blinked in shock, and y/n sighed, "look, if we do this, it's a one time thing and it's never gonna happen again. So don't get all crazy and possessive if I don't call you."

"I won't, I swear. I'm not possessive." Caitlin replied, but deep down she knew that was a lie.

"Good, 'cause I don't like crazy girls." Y/n mumbled, opening the door to get in the backseat, not about to crawl through the gap between the seats like a crazy person.

Caitlin smirked to herself, but it quickly dropped when y/n opened the door again. She pretended to sniffle before turning off the car. "Come on." Caitlin smiled softly and crawled through the gap between the seats. She climbed onto her lap, still trying to appear sad. "You don't uh...you don't have to do this if you don't really like me."

Y/n set a hand on her cheek, the other on her waist, "don't say that, okay? I like you, Caitlin. I just have strict boundaries. I'm breaking them for you, just this once."

Caitlin smiled, pressing their lips together again, heart racing as y/n's hand slipped under her hoodie to leave shivers down her spine. There’s an undenying confidence hidden under her shy facade. She pulled away with a shy smile, hands fidgeting to keep playing the part. "Um..do you mind if I take control?"

She raised a brow, a little surprised by her request. "Have you done this before?"

She shook her head softly, messing with the strings of y/n's sweats. "No, but I think you'd be surprised at how good I am at trying new things."

"Alright. If that's what you wanna do." She didn't waste a second pulling her hoodie off and bringing their lips back together. It wasn't soft and sweet like before, it was desperate and messy. It caught y/n off guard but she just went with it.

She didn't seem new to this at all.

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