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plot: in which, their lives finally start to align with their love

trope: teammates to lovers

pairings: wbb! reader x dewanna bonner

warnings: none

a/n: seeing her play ball in real time changed my life for the better 🙂‍↕️ but fr tho, i need y'all to choose between paige and saniya rn cuz yk im indecisive as fuck (if u say both we will be throwing hands 🤗)

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It all started when they got drafted to the Phoenix Mercury together in 2009. They had played against each other in college and high school so they were familiar with each other but not on a personal level. Yet. Their rookie year together is when they had grown closer. Through the season, they caught feelings for each other.

Y/n planned to tell her the night they won the WNBA championship, but she got too in her head and chickened out. So, she planned it again. That day, she was informed that the Phoenix Mercury were trading her to the Indiana Fever. She gave up on confessing her feelings that night.

They still talked occasionally over the years, even going out to dinner after some games against each other. They had a couple of tension filled moments but it never led anywhere.

When she did plan to tell her one night after a game, DeWanna told her about her relationship with her teammate Candice and how they planned to get married. All the hopes she had disappeared there.

She was happy for her though. Dewanna was married, had her twin girls and everything. She was doing good for herself, even if y/n wished it had been her instead.

Rather than dwelling over it, she started dating again as well. She got married in 2019 to her wife, a football player.

DeWanna was happy for her, and maybe a bit jealous but she didn't say anything. She couldn't. It was too late.

2024 was quite a year. Y/n was freshly divorced and coming off an ACL tear. Indiana hadn't been the best team, especially when y/n got injured last year. So, it wasn't a surprise when they got the number 1 pick in Caitlin Clark. She was sitting out this season, much to her dismay. She really wished she could be in there playing beside her rookie. But she couldn't, so she decided to be there for her off the court. Caitlin grew pretty attached to her, leaning on her when things got tough, asking for advice, even helping her transition back to the court.

They had to make some changes for the next year, which meant new players, new coaching staff, new everything. Y/n was ready to get back onto the court, and Caitlin was more than thrilled to finally play beside her vet. Through the off season, y/n was in the gym every week, working on new stuff, getting back into her game. Caitlin joined her every single time.

Given y/n's history with Indiana Fever, bringing them a championship in 2012, her commitment to the team, she had lots of say. When she heard it was a possibility for Indiana to bring DeWanna Bonner over...you best believe she encouraged the hell out of it. Why wouldn't she?

It was February 10th. DeWanna had landed in Indianapolis and was on her way to Gainbridge.

Y/n was on the court with one of the practice players who was rebounding for her as she did a shoot around. She knew DeWanna was getting a tour of the place so she was gonna wait to see her after to avoid the camera. Last thing she wanted was to be on camera looking a hot mess. Her hair appointment had gotten pushed back so that was irritating for her because she wanted to look good when DeWanna got there.

"I feel like I shoot better when I'm farther away from the basket," she spoke, moving beyond the 3-point line. She was good at 3s, but they landed a lot more when they were long 3s.

He passed her the ball and she took a stepback before shooting a logo 3. It was money, obviously. "Woo! Shoot that three!" DeWanna cheered, attempting a little clap with her coffee in hand.

Y/n turned with a bright smile, jogging over to her. "Can't sneak up on me like that. C'mere." DeWanna grinned, immediately wrapping her arms around her.

She pressed a kiss to her cheek before pulling away. "It's good to see you."

She couldn't fight her smile, y/n's hand still holding onto hers. "It's good to see you too."

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"So, I seen your little reunion with DB on IG and...I have some questions."

Y/n sighed in exasperation, her head falling back on the padded wall behind her. Their reunion had been caught on camera and that's all people could talk about. Everyone seen the chemistry, and flirty smiles. Fans started bringing up old videos of them in their rookie year, and moments they had on the court playing against each other. It was a hot topic. "What kind of questions?"

Caitlin smiled sheepishly, "do you like her?"

She shrugs, "of course I like her. She's a good friend."

She rolled her eyes, smacking her arm. "You know exactly how I meant it! Do you have feelings for DB? Be honest with me. I'm always honest with you."

A smile found her lips, that lovestruck look in her eyes taking over when she thought about her. Caitlin was grinning. "Yeah, I got feelings for her. She's beautiful. She's funny. She's caring, and understanding. She just makes me feel good."

Caitlin squealed into her hand, excited for her vet. "How come you haven't said anything? She's single. You're single! It's a sign!"

She shook her head, denying all possibility of that. "Nah, it's too soon. She just got here. I can't throw that on her."

"It's not throwing it on her if she feels the same way and with the way she was looking at you-" y/n quickly slapped a hand over her mouth to stop her from talking when she noticed DeWanna making her way over. "Hiii. Hope you don't mind if I join you two."

Caitlin pulled the hand off her mouth and smirked, "y/n doesn't mind at all."

Y/n shot her a glare before getting to her feet and smiling at DB. "It's cool wit' me."

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Three more months go by, y/n and DeWanna were close as ever, just like they were in 2009. Caitlin was getting so frustrated like it was her relationship. Majority of the team knew about it by now and constantly tried to throw in little hints and teases towards the duo but nothing ever worked. It was the most painful slow burn Caitlin ever witnessed.

They were sitting together, a couple hours before their upcoming game against the Sky. She was telling her about what happened with her girls and how they got toothpaste all over the bathroom sink last night. Y/n had already met them, many times over the years. They were getting more used to her being around as she spent a lot of time with their mom, whether it was watching a movie at her apartment or hanging out in the city.

Caitlin made her way over and the two immediately sighed. She was like a bad little kid to them. "Heyyy. What's goin' on?"

"What do you want?" Y/n deadpanned, knowing she was here for something. She always was. She loved to enter herself into their moments to try and stir things up.

DeWanna nudged her, "be nice," she scolded as she leaned into her. "What did you need, Caitlin?"

"I just wanted to come over here and remind you that you're 4th in all-time scoring," she smirks, "soon to be 3rd tonight."

DeWanna smiled, shaking her head, "we'll see."

"No, no, she's right. I'mma make sure you move into 3rd tonight baby." Y/n stated, and Caitlin smirked, loving when her meddling worked. "You should take her out to dinner after," Caitlin suggested, fingers crossed behind her back. Lexie ran over to grab the brunette, "is she bothering you again?" They nodded simultaneously with a little chuckle and Caitlin frowned as Lexie dragged her away from the soon to be couple.

Y/n casually slung her arm over DB's shoulders, "she's not wrong though. I should take you out to dinner."

DeWanna smiled shyly, holding onto her hand, and she only ever got shy around y/n. "You don't have to do that."

"Yes, I do. I was there when you started that record." She insisted, bringing her in closer, feeling Caitlin and Syd watching them from the corner of her eye. Nosy little kids they were. "Let me take you out tonight, D. It's long overdue." She sighed, pretending to contemplate it but she knew her answer. "I'd love that. Thank you."

She smiled, pressing a kiss to her cheek, "always."

Later that night, a couple hours after the game, they were in the car on their way to a restaurant to celebrate DeWanna moving into 3rd place for all-time scoring in the W. She wore a beautiful black dress that hugged her body so perfectly. It took everything to focus on the road and not her. Stopping at a red light, she glanced over to her. "I know I already said it but you look breathtakingly gorgeous it's insane."

She smiled, blushing as she mumbled a shy, "thank you."

"I love that smile. Lights up my world." DeWanna's eyes softened at her words, the urge to kiss her taking over her mind. She wanted so badly to do it, to kiss her and confess but she didn't want to rush her into a new relationship either. Even if it felt like everything was moving in their favor, she wasn't sure if y/n felt the same way.

She was getting so used to her being around, just like in 2009. She was falling in love with every single thing about her. She couldn't imagine her life without y/n, whether she was a friend or something more. She was the one she needed in her life, in her daughters lives. She was everything she needed. Everything she deserved.

They got to the restaurant, taking their seats and ordering some food and champagne. "I hope you know I'm really proud of you. Of everything you've accomplished and continue to. It's been an honor to be present for so many of these special moments and achievements in your life. You've been one of the best friend's I've had in my entire life. I'm so grateful for you, D."

She took a breath, reaching for the napkin to dab her eyes. "You're gonna make me cry. That's really sweet." Y/n smiled softly, reaching over to take her hand, brushing her thumb over her skin in a soothing manner. Exhaling softly to contain herself, she smiled, "I really appreciate you saying that. Hearing that from you, it means the world."

She pressed a kiss to her knuckles, "you deserve it."

Two hours go by, she's walking DeWanna back to her apartment. The dinner went as perfect as ever. Any time she spent with y/n went perfect so that wasn't a surprise. But she still hadn't made a move on her and that was beyond frustrating. She needed something. Just the smallest thing to imply that she had feelings for her. She needed some kind of confirmation.

DeWanna stopped her door and unlocked it before turning around face her. It was time. Fuck the confirmation. "I need to tell you something."

She pursed her lips, nodding slowly, not entirely sure what this could be about. "Um, yeah, okay."

She exhaled softly, "I didn't just come to Indiana to win a championship. I came for you." She nodded, a small smile because she just assumed she meant this in a friendly way. She was always convincing herself it was nothing more than friendship...something that deeply irritated Caitlin. "I kinda figured that but it's nice to get some confirmation."

She sighed, trying her hardest to not get frustrated with this woman she wanted to kiss so badly. "Okay, I don't think you're understanding."

"Is there something to understand?"

"Yes, there is." She reached over to take her hands, gazing into her soft eyes. "I love being your best friend, y/n. But I want more than that. I don't just want you. I need you. I need you in my life, more than a friend. I've always had feelings for you, and I know nothings ever aligned for us, but it's aligning now. I think we should finally make something of it."

She sighed, her reaction confusing the hell out of DeWanna. "Sorry- I just, I feel so fucking stupid right now. I should've been the one to say all this. I've been planning this speech since our rookie year together and I blew it yet again. Wonderful."

DeWanna smiled brightly, voice softening as she spoke, "you've been plotting on me since rookie year?"

She chuckled, nodding her head, so upset that she fumbled this once again. "Yeah, I was gonna tell you so many times but I chickened out. I know..it's really pathetic."

"No, no, it's romantic." She assured, bringing her closer, "I'm just happy that we're both on the same boat here." Y/n grinned, pulling her into a hug as mumbled words of agreement. She went in to press a kiss to her cheek and DeWanna knew it was coming so she turned at the perfect time to capture her lips instead.

It was sweet and delicate, both of them just savoring their first kiss, a very long overdue one.

Pulling away, DeWanna pushed her door open with her heel, hands still wrapped around y/n, not about to let her go anywhere that wasn't in her apartment. She pressed another kiss to her lips, lipstick smudged on her. "I want you to take this dress off me."

She nodded, ready to do whatever she wanted. "I can do that."

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