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plot: in which, one trade and one crush changes everything

trope: one sided enemies to lovers

pairings: wbb! black! reader x skylar diggins

warnings: foul language

a/n: i luv her lil aggressive ass 🫠 yes, t's little story abt her crush on sky inspired this 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ storm fans need somethin' to smile abt after that horrendous game 💔 also wanna clarify again that i don't write player x player, or ships (pazzi, sarina, etc) x reader! it's strictly player x reader around here sorry y'all

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It was the day after their first loss to the Seattle Storm. Y/n joined her friends on their twitch stream because she planned to hang with T for the day. Someone in the chat asked T what Skylar said during the game last night. Y/n had laughed as she recalled the moment.

Court laughed with her, "Aye, tell us about that game 'cause you know I was over there watchin' the whole thing."

"I told you what happened. So basically, I had just went over there, you know the situation happened. I went over there to deescalate the situation, 'cause I'm the deescalator." Y/n backed up a little bit give her some room to show them. "And I was like this-" she backed up and put her hands out.

Her and Court both demonstrated what happened and how Skylar had smacked T's hand away. "And I said, ooh." Y/n laughed, continuing to sip on her lemonade.

"She said get your hands off me," Court laughed.

"She said don't touch me. I said whoa whoa whoa whoa, I don't want no smoke. I came over here to deescalate the situation. Right? So then y/n come over, and they talking, and I was just sitting back, listenin' to the whole conversation and I'm like, you know what? That whole little crush that I thought I had, is out the window. It's gone!" Court was laughing her ass off, shaking T's arm.

"Who gets--Who gets beefed out wit' somebody and tells them that lil crush I had on you, is out the window?" Court wheezed, smacking y/n's knee as she snickered.

"And you know what she told me? You know what- You know what she told me? She said, shut up! You still like me." T laughed, and Court got out her chair to laugh with her whole body. "Mind you- lemme take it back."

Court was still laughing, getting back in her chair, "what type of trash talk is this?"

"Mind you, we never even conversated before, like in real life. We been- we maybe talked once at Unrivaled like in the training room. Other than that?" She shook her head, y/n trying not to spit out her drink. "But just know it's gone. It ain't there no more. It was barely there in the first place. But it's gone."

Court set down her shades, "my twin said it's really gone now." They started laughing all over again and Court started roasting her about it. "That's like some kindergarten ass trash talk. Like, that's why I don't like you no more," she said, shoving her finger into T's shoulder as they laughed.

"And that's what I said!" T clapped, proud of herself.

"You too damn much," y/n chuckled, smacking her shoulder.

"No, no, no! Tell 'em what you said!" T retorts, pushing y/n's chair back into the frame. "She lyin' I ain't say nothin'," y/n lied.

"Yes she did! She was tryna back me up- and she said, yeah, that's why 'ion like you no more either!" Y/n tried to hold in her as they busted out in laughter, Courtney especially. If she kept laughing she was gonna start crying. "She told me to shut the fuck up...very aggressively, might I add," y/n shrugged, pursing her lips awkwardly.

Court laughed, "and what'd you do?"

Y/n tried and failed to stifle a laugh, "I shut the fuck up."

Court was damn near about to fall out her chair with how much she was laughing. "This not even the first time this has happened with y/n and Skylar bruh." Y/n smiled, knowing Court was about to expose her and she didn't even care. "She been pressin' Skylar since she was rookie. She be shootin' her shot every single game she plays against her." 

"What's wrong wit' that?" She grinned as T dapped her up.

"See that's why you always be datin' yo teammates 'cause you always flirtin' wit' everybody." Court retorts, and y/n wore a proud grin. "What? It's like my way of trash talk."

Court gave her a pointed look, "and that's exactly why you always beefin' wit' Skylar."

T chuckled, nudging her arm, "Aye, tell Court what you told me yesterday."

Y/n smiled, looking over at her, "everytime Sky yells at me the crush gets stronger." T slapped her knee, throwing her head back as she laughed.

Court just looked at her in shock, "girl- that is toxic! Why would you want yo' woman to yell at you?" She cackled, "and she done yelled at you 'bout a million times already. Half of her techs are 'cause of you!"

Y/n bit her lip, nodding proudly, "yep, that's all me. I love it when she puts me in my place."

"I hate to break it to you, but I don't think she feels the same," Court stated.

"No, no, no. She does. I know she does."

"How you know?" T asked in amusement, knowing she was about to say something stupid as hell. Y/n pulls on Court's shades as she spoke, "cause she leaves me on read, implying that she reads my texts. And if you noticed, during the situation yesterday, she didn't smack my hands away like she did wit' T. She's warmin' up to me. It only took 8 years but trust, I'm on that."

Court looked to the camera, "Y'all, I sincerely apologize for the level of delusion you are witnessing from our friend."

"I'll remember this when she all up in my bed." Y/n nods, as delirious as ever.

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It was a random off day. Usually y/n would go out and do something fun but she wanted to spend it in the gym getting better. She wasn't feeling the best lately. Not fully satisfied with her performance, despite how good her coaches said it was. She wanted to get back to how she was before. How she played before she sprained her knee in Unrivaled.

She was incredibly hard on herself. Always had been, since childhood honestly. It wasn't a flaw either.

As she was running suicides, willingly, her coach called her. She had been watching, always keeping an eye on y/n because she never wanted her to push too hard. "We need to have a conversation."

"Alright." She grabbed a sweat towel and followed her. They walked down to the general managers office, and that's when she got a little concerned. It was like being pulled to the principals office. Nobody wanted to be there. She took a seat, Cheryl and their GM, Clare facing her. "Did I do somethin' wrong?"

"No, you didn't do anything wrong."

"..okay." She glanced between them with curious eyes, still waiting for them to spit it out.

"A couple of teams have reached out to us about a possible trade," Clare spoke, slow and steady.

Y/n hummed, immediately catching on to what this was about. "So what team y'all sendin' me to?"

"We know this is difficult, and we response what you've brought to this team. Which is why we wanna give you the choice. You have the option between Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm." Y/n was very upset about it, but she knew it was just business. None of this shit was personal. That didn't make it hurt any less. She really loved her Lynx family and they loved her back. But she also didn't waste a second to answer. "Seattle Storm. That it?"

"You know it's not anything personal-"

"I know. It's just business. We good. I still got love for y'all." Y/n assured, getting out of her chair. 

She pulled it to T's place that night, some Tupperware in her hands because anytime she made dinner, they'd eat it together. "What do we got here?" T grinned, taking the food excitedly and making her way to the kitchen. "We got some steak & lobster, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and I made lemonade."

T rubbed her hands together excitedly, y/n getting some plates for them. "See? Who needs a private chef when I got you?"

Y/n chuckled softly, putting their plates together as T poured the lemonade in glasses with some ice. "Hey, you never be makin' lobster. What's the occasion? You ain't confessin' yo love to me right? Cause I'm not gonna lie- I won't feel the same but I also don't know if I'll reject you either. You kinda fine."

"You're so dumb." Y/n smacked her arm as T snickered to herself. "Only woman I'm confessin' my love to is Skylar Diggins."

T nods, fully in support of her friend's delusions. "I know that's right."

"Speaking of Skylar...I have some news."

"Oh shit. Did she finally respond to your DM's?" T grinned, hitting her knee in excitement.

"No." Y/n frowned and T sighed, feeling the same disappointment. "I'm actually gonna be teammates with her."

T continued to eat, not sure what the fuck she was talking about. "Like in Unrivaled? You finally convinced Phee to let you be a Lunar Owl?" Y/n shook her head, although she wished that was true. Phee literally made sure y/n was on any other team except for the one Skylar was on specifically because she knew how determined her teammate could be. "I wish."

"So what's up?"

"Minnesota is trading me to the Seattle Storm. I leave in two days."

T fork dropped, her eyes widening in shock. "What? No! Bro, are you jokin'? That's not funny. Who else is gonna make me home-cooked meals? Who else is gonna play the guitar during road trips?" Y/n frowned, hating how upset this was making her. "I'm sorry but it's out of my control, T. At least they had the decency to tell me before I found out the same as everyone else."

"No. Bro. No. They can't do that." T frowned, leaning back into the couch, still in denial. She was distraught as she reached for her phone to immediately call Courtney. "Court, bro, I'm not even joking. They're trading y/n to Seattle."

"That ain't funny man."

"I'm not playin'. Go call Coach. They tradin' her for real. I'm deadass 'bout to cry."

Y/n sighed, reaching over to rub her shoulder, "I'm sorry T."

A few tears fell as Court had hung up to call coach to hear it from her. "This shit not fair."

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Most of the Seattle Storm players posted about the trade, some commenting how happy they were to have y/n join them. All except one. Skylar Diggins. She didn't post. She didn't like a post. And she skipped all the questions from the press about it. Nobody knew how she felt about this. Not even her teammates knew and they was around her all the time.

"Y/n's comin' today. How do you feel about that?" Nneka asked, both of them walking through the parking lot, getting there at the same time.

"Annoyed." All she had to say. All that needed to be said.

"I still can't believe they traded away one of their best players. I know her stats aren't the best this year..but she did kinda carry them to the finals last year." Nneka said, a lot of people in agreement with that but nobody wanted to say it. Even Skylar agreed and she didn't even like her. "Kinda? No, she did. They fucked up for givin' up on her like that. Injury or not."

"I worry for her mental health." Nneka mumbled, pulling the door open to the facility.

They walked to the locker room and Skylar immediately noticed y/n's locker clearly being used up. "Is she already here?"

Nneka raised a brow, "this early?"

They immediately made their way to the practice court to see what was up. There y/n was, working on her ball handling because people had been getting way too many steals on her lately. She was one of the best ball handlers in the league so people being able to steal or force turnovers on her was incredibly frustrating.

"Don’t you know what rest is?" Skylar shouted down the court, she could only imagine the smirk that found y/n's smooth lips.

"How am I supposed to get rest if I'm thinkin' of you?" She shot back way too quick, something Sky was gonna have to get used to again. Nneka was trying to hide her laugh, or she'd be on the other end of Skylar's attitude.

Sky walked over, Nneka staying a little back, but close enough so if things popped off she could deescalate. Sky smacked the ball out of her hand. "That's why you playin' like shit. You don't know how to give yourself a break. You ain't have to be here for another couple hours. Go home and get some damn rest. I don't need your ass complainin' when I run you up and down this court."

Y/n tried not to smile to avoid pissing her off some more. She knew Sky wasn't saying that to be rude. It was coming from a place of heart. It meant she cared. She cared about her wellbeing. It was just tough love. "A'ight. I hear you baby."

As she walked towards the exit, Sky glanced back at her, "and stop callin' me baby!"

Later that day, she came back for practice, all rested up. She was a little grateful Skylar yelled at her 'cause she felt a lot more refreshed after that. "Feel better?" Sky asked without looking up as tied her laces.

"Would feel much better if you was layin' in the bed wit' me," she countered, a little chuckle coming from her new teammates. "That's crazy," Erica mumbled in amusement. Of course she knew y/n's flirting habits on the court but the fact that they continued in the locker room for Skylar specifically was hilarious.

"Never in a million years," Sky scowled, storming out.

Her grin never faltered, "we'll see 'bout that."

Alysha made sure Sky was gone before she got up to excitedly greet her new teammate. "I know the trade must've been pretty hard but I hope you know we're really happy to have you." Y/n smiled, accepting her hug. She always loved AC. She flirted with her on the court occasionally as well. "I'm happy to be here."

"Also, don't flirt with me. It's distracting." Lysh chuckled, hitting her shoulder as she stepped away.

"I'll try my best."

Practice went...as well as it could've gone. Skylar really pushed y/n, and still, y/n struggled to guard her and just overall struggled with a lot. She was frustrated, rightfully so. Her coaches weren't upset. Neither were her teammates. They knew she had issues with her knee and she was doing the best she could. But, that wasn't enough for her.

The locker room was empty. Everyone had left. It was just her and whoever was left in the shower. She sat on the floor, staring at her knee like it owed her money. She wanted to cry, to scream. It was worse when you didn't have your best friends here to comfort you or boost your confidence. Court and T always did that. Nothing was the same.

Skylar walked back in, freshly showered. They didn't acknowledge each other at first. After a couple minutes, footsteps approached her. She took a seat on the floor in front of her. "What's the problem?"

"I don't know who that was out there."

"Whose fault is that?"

She scoffed. Skylar always knew how to piss her off. "You think I want to play like this?"

"You must. 'Cause I know damn well you're better than this." Skylar stated.

"You don't even know me like that."

"Oh really? I don't know you? Like I ain't been playing against you since college? Are you fuckin' serious?" Y/n stayed quiet, way too lost in her head to even make a comment. "I watched you sprain a damn ankle and still keep playing 'cause your team needed you. I know you. I know what kind of player you are. I know how much you love this. That's why I know coddling you isn't gon' do shit. You need tough love. You're better than this. So much better. So what the fuck is holding you back?"

"I don't know."

"Yes you do. Don't bullshit me."

"They traded me, Skylar. I brought them championships and they still traded me. I gave everything to Minnesota and they traded me for draft picks? All 'cause I ain't playin' like an All-Star this year? It's a slap to my fucking face and I'm tired of pretending like that shit doesn't hurt." Skylar reached over, wiping the stray tear with her thumb. She hadn't ever seen her get emotional before. Not even after winning championships, or gold.

"Here's what you're gonna do." Skylar wiped her face, still showing she cared..even if she yelled and cussed her out far too much. They were teammates now. This was apart of being a leader. "You're gonna skip the game tomorrow. Take a personal day. You're gonna stay home, and cry. Let yourself feel the hurt. Let all your emotions out. Then you're gonna come back and we're gonna get to work."

Y/n nodded, taking a breath before a smile found her lips. "Can I get a hug?"

"Don't push it."

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"Get up."

Y/n was laid out on the floor after Skylar blew past her. They stayed after practice to put that work in one on one. Or well one on two. Nneka stayed back to help 'cause Sky knew y/n needed to be pressured under the basket. "You wanna do this you gotta get up. I'm not helpin' you." Y/n sighed, pulling herself to her feet by herself. Nneka just kept quiet, catching the rebound and passing it back to Sky. She didn't think her input was necessary when Skylar was on her ass as it was.

Skylar pushed the ball back into her hands and got into a defensive position. She noticed y/n hesitating on the drive and stepping back to hit the three instead, a 3 that she missed. "What the fuck was that?"

"What? I can't miss a three?"

"Why you takin' 3s when you're better at drivin'?"

She sighed, hating how she noticed every single thing. "I don't think my knee is reliable for drives right now."

"Uh, yes the fuck it is." Skylar scoffed, collecting the ball and tossing it back to her. "You never gon' get back to where you were if you don't trust your body. You gotta trust your knee. You tore your ACL before, you should know this shit." Y/n sighed once again, really feeling the pressure Skylar applied to her in the most aggressive but supportive way. "Don't sigh. You was cleared for a reason. The only thing holding you back is yourself. Stop puttin' the damn blame on your knee."

"You know you ain't gotta talk to me like that..." Nneka's eyes widened, gulping nervously at those words.

Skylar raised a brow, walking over which immediately had her tensing up. "Oh, you got a problem with the way I talk now? 'Cause you wasn't complaining when you was flirting wit' me up and down the court."

She received silence, something she expected. "That's what I thought. You better drive in or I'm leavin'." She got into another defensive position. Y/n dribbled the ball and blew past her, Nneka pushed against her under the basket but she spun around and pulled a fadeaway jumper.

Nneka grinned, holding her hand up for a high five. "That was perfect."

Y/n looked to Skylar for approval, the woman not showing much emotion at all. "Oh come on baby. Not even a smile? I killed that."

"You gotta earn this smile. Do it again." Nneka chuckled under her breath, passing the ball back over to her.

"That's fine. I earn everything I eat." Y/n mumbled under her breath.

Skylar raised a brow, passing the ball back to her. "What'd you say?"

"Nothin'."

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"Good mornin', beautiful." Y/n smirks, walking past Nika to get to Skylar who sat in the lounge with Nneka, scrolling on her phone. She rolled her eyes, "what did I say about the names?" Y/n didn't respond, setting a coffee in her hand and she hummed, internally delighted to have it even if she didn't show it. "I don't get coffee?" Nneka asked.

"You ate my brownie. I ain't forget." She mumbled, plopping down in the sofa and Skylar snickered to herself.

"You should've put your name on it," Nneka argued.

"Nah. You is too grown to be eatin' food that don't belong to you. That could've been infused and you would've lost your mind." She scolded, only further annoying Nneka and making Skylar giggle. She couldn't help it. The arguments between Y/n and Nneka were too funny. She couldn't take them serious at all.

"Why would you even bring infused brownies to work?" Nneka deadpanned.

"You are deeply judgemental and frankly I don't appreciate it."

Skylar chuckled, getting up from her seat to leave. "Y'all are so stupid."

She smirks, looking her up and down slowly, "and you so fine."

"Shut up."

Nika walked over with her smoothie, looking at y/n in confusion. "Hey, how come you never flirt with me?"

Nneka hummed, "this should be interesting."

"I don't flirt with rookies."

"I'm not a rookie though."

She squints, Nika obviously having a good point. It still didn't feel right. "It's my first year with you so you're a rookie by default." Nika frowned and Nneka reached over to pat her shoulder. "That's her way of saying you're too young."

"That's unfair but I get it."

Y/n stood up, ready to go bother Skylar again. "You gay." Nika's jaw dropped, the vet casually walking out with a hand tucked in her pocket.

She found Skylar walking down the hall and threw an arm over her shoulders. "How are you, Ms. All-Star?" Sky pushed off her arm in annoyance, sipping on her coffee. "Not an All-Star." Y/n scoffed, setting her hand on her waist, "you talkin' 'bout me but you got no faith baby."

Skylar rolled her eyes, pushing y/n's hand off her once again. "Stop touchin' me."

"You're avoiding the question."

"You technically didn't ask a question."

She set a hand on her back, "do you want me to?"

She pushed off her hand again, "not really, no." Y/n sighed, setting a hand on her shoulder and Skylar came to a stop in front of the locker room, turning to her. She pushed off her hand once again, pointing a finger at her. "Stop touchin' me."

She bit back a smirk, "sorry."

"Don't smirk. You ain't sorry."

"I'm not." She smiled, following her into the locker room.

"Your first away game with us. You excited?" Alysha asked towards y/n, very excited for her personally because she had been working so hard getting back into her rhythm and adjusting with the new team. "Absolutely. Can't wait." She nods with a grin, taking a seat on Skylar's chair.

Skylar rolled her eyes, "get off my chair."

"There's plenty of room for both of us." She smirked, patting her lap and Skylar was not amused. "I will smack the shit out you. Get out my chair."

"You'll give in one day." She got up, walking to her own chair as Alysha chuckled. It was actually quite fun seeing someone test Skylar's patience all the time. She took the heat off of everybody else.

"You been sayin' that for years." Sky mused, scrolling on her phone.

"Don't listen to her. I admire the determination." Alysha input, receiving a side eye from her teammate.

"Thank you. Nobody ever does."

On the plane, Skylar made sure to put stuff directly on the seat next to her because she knew y/n was gonna try and sit next to her. Just as she got comfortable, y/n came over, moved her stuff onto the other seat and sat down beside her. "You can't be serious."

She smiled, kicking her seat back to get comfortable. "Never been more serious."

"I really, really, can't stand you."

"That's okay." She shrugs softly, pulling out her phone to play her music through her headphones.

After the game in San Francisco, against the Valkyries, it was horrible for the team. Skylar cussed everybody clean the fuck out. Nobody was happy with the way they played. Y/n barely got any minutes because her and Hayes collided early in the game and the coach wasn't risking her going back out. Now they were on the way to Atlanta for their next game.

It was late at night. They were sitting together in the back of the bus, everyone else fast asleep. They always had late night conversations. It was slowly becoming their thing. "You think you makin' the all star team?"

Y/n scoffed lowly, "hell nah. Don't matter how many fans vote me. Them coaches ain't pickin' me."

"You still gon' come if you don't?"

"Oh yeah. T and Court doin' a 72 hour stream thing and I'mma do it with 'em." She smiled, really missing her two best friends. "So you like...the third stud?" Skylar asked, trying to stifle her laugh. Y/n did not find it funny at all. "That's not funny."

"What? You got stud potential. I see it." Skylar grinned, hitting her arm playfully.

She laughed sarcastically, "very funny. Sky got jokes now."

"So if you not a stud..what are you?"

"I'm just me. No labels." She shrugged, and she nodded, pursing her lips, "I respect it." She glanced at her, y/n looking right back into her eyes. "I got a question. What's it like datin' another basketball player? You ever get tired of it?"

"Uh, I think it depends. I personally found it easier to date a teammate rather than a player from another team. But like I said, it depends on the situation and person. 'Cause me and Kayla got together overseas as teammates." Skylar nodded, recalling that time those two dated for a little bit. "Then we broke up and she ended up coming to Minnesota. It's still kinda awkward to this day so...yeah, it depends."

Skylar chuckled, "how many players have you dated?"

"You want names or numbers?"

"Names. I like a good mess."

"Alright, let's see." She took a sip of her water, and hummed, trying to remember them. It wasn't that many. Just a couple women over the years. "Obviously there's Kayla. Then there's the other Kayla, Jordin, and Tip. Not that many." Skylar raised a brow, "don't forget Jewell." She sucked in a breath, really trying to ignore that one. "Yeah, I'm trying to forget that one."

"Why? 'Cause of me?"

"...kinda, maybe."

Skylar smiled, very curious as to what that was supposed to mean. "Why'd y'all break up? She never told me."

Y/n smiled, shrugging softly, finding the situation amusing to look back on. "She didn't like my flirting habits."

She chuckled, pointing to herself, "with me? Or everybody?"

"Everyone..but mostly you 'cause I meant it." She reached for her muffin, pulling apart a little piece to eat. "You still do." Skylar held out her hand and y/n set a piece in the palm of her hand. "To be fair though. If my girl was flirtin' wit' everybody in the W, I wouldn't take it well either."

"See that's the thing though. I can stop flirting anytime I want. The only reason I ain't stop is 'cause I ain't got what I want yet." She explained, chewing on another piece of the muffin.

Skylar turned to her, awfully close to her face, voices still dropped to whispers to avoid waking the others. "And what is it that you want?"

"You."

Skylar smiled, shaking her head softly. "You're not gonna get me."

Her answers were quick, no hesitation in between. "Yes I am."

She hummed, pulling the blanket over her that belonged to y/n. Even the hoodie she wore was y/n's. She may have stolen it. "Go to sleep."

The Atlanta game was...eventful. But unfortunately, y/n played like shit. Her defense was effective but her offense...let's just say she didn't have a hot hand. Skylar won them the game with eleven seconds left, beating them by one point. She didn't even talk to y/n after. And truthfully, y/n had no idea why. It couldn't have been because of y/n flirting with Jordin during the game. She never cared about her flirting before. Why would she now?

After the game, the whole team was obviously invited to the cookout Erica's family planned to celebrate the win. Y/n was pretty bummed out about Sky not speaking to her, in fact, it ruined her whole mood. She got there, chatted with some people, got a plate to go and left back to the hotel to sulk. Skylar noticed her mood, and she didn't wanna do nothing about it. Why would she? She was hurt too.

It was until they were walking back to their hotel rooms, Gabby on the same floor as Sky. After she went to her room, Gabby went straight to y/n's door. She knew they needed a little nudge in the right direction. Y/n pulled it open, obviously appearing miserable. "Damn, Sky's really got you fucked up," she blurted out.

Y/n squints, leaning against the doorframe with crossed arms. "What do you want?"

"If you don't know, and I'm assuming you don't...Sky's upset 'cause you were flirting with Jordin during the game. Her room is 245, in case you wanna talk it out." She offered a quick smile before tiredly walking back to her own room. Y/n didn't waste time. She shut her door and headed to Skylar's room. She wouldn't be able to sleep like this. Skylar had been pissed at her before, but it was nothing like this. This was different.

She knocked on the door, and Sky got up to answer it. She always looked pissed, so y/n couldn't tell if it was natural or because of her. "What do you want?" Nevermind. It was because of her. All her.

"Can we talk?" Skylar immediately went to shut the door on her but she quickly put her hand out to stop it. "What's with the attitude? Come on, at least let me plead my case."

"Your voice is annoying me." Skylar shrugged, walking away and y/n let herself in. "That's just unnecessary 'cause we both know you lyin'."

Skylar scoffed, turning on her heel, a bunch of attitude on her features. "Who you callin' a liar?"

She gulped nervously, hands awkwardly fiddling with the strings on her sweats. "Um...not-not you." Skylar hums, nodding her head, "that's what I thought." Y/n sighed, reaching over to take her hand but she pulled it away, pointing an accusing finger at her, "don't touch me."

"Gabby told me why you mad and I don't get it. You never cared about my flirting before so why now? Why you bothered all of a sudden? You got a problem with Jordin?" She knew the answer. She knew Skylar liked her. She just needed to hear her say it. Or well, she didn't need to, she wanted to. She wanted to know this wasn't one-sided.

She wasn't helping her case at all. She was pissing Skylar off more. "You are so fuckin' arrogant. You know damn well why I'm pissed. You got fuckin' amnesia or somethin'? Just gon' act like we ain't been laughing and bondin' since you came here? You been chasin' me for years and the minute I show some interest, you wanna be chased back? Grow the fuck up. You ain't got no backbone. Make a move or shut the fuck up."

She took a breath, the nerves working overtime. "You ain't gotta be so aggressive about it."

"See? There you go. I'm standing here waitin' for you to do somethin' and you still complainin'. You all talk. You don't want me for real." She turned around, taking a deep breath to calm herself down before she exploded some more. "You done? Or you got more to say? 'Cause this the last time I'm allowin' you to speak to me like this."

Skylar turned on her heel, hand of her hip. "Matter of fact? Yeah, I do. I think you're fake as fuck and this entire time you've been pretending to like me 'cause you like the idea of making a strong woman like me weak. And I'm done. I'm done fallin' for you and gettin' jealous knowin' damn well you don't give a shit about my feelings or-"

"Respectfully, I'mma stop you right there." She reached over to take her hands, Sky trying her best not to look into those eyes or she might just fold. "Every advance I've made was not fake. I mean everything I do, except when I upset you like this. I've always valued you, your wishes, and your feelings. I have never once lied to you about the way I feel. I've told you from day one that I wanted you and I meant it, Skylar."

"Then why don't you do anything about it?"

"I didn't know if this was more than a friendship. You're not the easiest person to read. Especially when you turn me down every chance you get." Skylar sighed, guilt creeping up in her chest. She didn't exactly do anything to make y/n feel wanted and now she was realizing that. But she still wasn't gonna just fold and go soft on her. She had to earn that side of her. "I don't know what you want me to say. I thought it was obvious."

She hummed, bringing her closer, Sky fighting a smile the closer she got. "You don't gotta say nothin'. You just gotta let me kiss you."

Sky finally took her eyes off the floor to look at y/n, those pretty, soft, caring eyes staring back into hers. Y/n closed the distance, capturing her lips into a soft, gentle kiss. She was finally giving in. After years of rejecting her, cussing her out, and finding every little detail to try and hate about her so she didn't have to admit the way she really felt. The kiss was nothing like how she imagined. She thought it'd be aggressive, and messy, just like their frustrations. But it wasn't. It was the exact opposite.

She was a good- actually, an fucking amazing kisser. She poured her feelings into the kiss. But even through that, you could feel the sense of relief, and cockiness in it. I mean come on, this was years in the making. Years of flirting, arguing, insults and glares thrown her way just for looking her way. Years of work put into this woman. And she'd do it all over again even if it meant she just got a kiss.

Skylar pulled away for air, immediately grabbing onto the collar of y/n's hoodie to pull her in. "One more thing. And I'mma only tell you this once." She nodded slowly, not sure if she should be scared or not. "If you flirt wit' anybody who isn't me, you're done. You make anyone think they got a chance, you're done. 'Cause if there's anything you should know about me, it's that I don't play about what's mine. Understand?"

She couldn't hide her smirk, she'd been waiting too long to hear that. "So, I'm yours?"

Skylar nodded, very confident and secure about it. She knew y/n wasn't going nowhere but the last thing she needed was her playing in her face. "Yeah. You got a problem with that?"

She shook her head so fast she could've got whiplash. "Hell nah."

"You wanna shower with me? Or is that too soon?" 

Y/n smirked, "If I ever say no to that, I'll take a charge from AT."

Sky laughed, a genuine laugh that had her burying her head into her chest. "You're so stupid. You be takin' charges from her anyway."

"You think I should stop?"

"If you wanna keep playin' till your forty, I'd suggest that, yes. Bein' bulldozed to the floor isn't an achievement." She patted her cheek softly, and y/n smiled, pressing a kiss to her head. "Alright, I'll stop stepping in front of her. Just 'cause I know it worries you."

"Who said it worried me?"

Y/n scoffed in offense, "oh it's like that?"

Skylar chuckled, hands hooked around her torso, suddenly not wanting to let go. This was an entirely different side of her that y/n didn't get to see and she was loving every second of it. As much as she loved aggressive Skylar, she loved soft Sky even more. "I'm just playin'. You know I don't like seein' you get hurt. Don't do dumbass shit no more. I mean that. Let the rookies take the charges."

"Awe. You care about me." She teased, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

She rolled her eyes, pushing off the woman to step into the bathroom. "Keep pushin' it and you can wait out here wit' your flirty ass."

"No, no, I'm sorry!" She quickly pulled off her hoodie and stumbled into the wall trying to get her sweats off. Clearly a little too excited. "Gotta hurry up before she remembers I played for UConn," she mumbled under her breath. Somehow Skylar heard her. "Don't remind me!" She shot back in disgust.

She stepped into the bathroom, Sky trying to figure out how to use the shower. "Why you sound like that? Gabby's a husky too."

"Friends and teammates with a husky is different from dating one." Skylar retorts, switching on the water and making it scorching hot. "I ain't even ask you to be my girlfriend yet." Y/n mumbled, leaning over to make the water a little more warmer. She did not need her skin to melt off. "Listen, I'm gettin' too old for all that shit. I'm makin' it clear right now that we are dating. You are my girlfriend."

Y/n nodded, very much okay with that. She liked to be reassured. "I'm still gonna ask you formally though."

Skylar smiled softly, pressing a peck to her cheek. "And when you do that, I'll love and appreciate it."

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After finding out Skylar was picked as a reserve for the WNBA All Star game, along with Nneka, and Gabby, y/n and AC wanted to do something special for them. They stopped by a bakery to order some cakes first. "We want all of them to say congrats all star." Alysha explained, telling them what flavor to get for Gabby and Nneka. "Hey, what's Skylar's favorite flavor?"

"Chocolate like me of course," she smirked.

Alysha just took a breath and turned back to the woman, "last one is chocolate."

After getting that situated, they headed to the store because y/n wanted to get balloons for them. "Let me get the 3, 4, and 5 balloons." Y/n said, chuckling when she realized their numbers were in order. "Hey, is that a croissant balloon? We should get one for Gabby 'cause she French and shit." She snickered, and Alysha couldn't help but laugh.

"Give me that clover one too. Can't forget my baby got them Irish roots." She joked. Lysh didn't get it at first until she realized it was because Skylar went to Notre Dame. "The fact that you thought of that is adorable." She mumbled as y/n picked out some more balloons, keeping the color theme.

They stopped by another place, because apparently y/n needed to pick up some more separate stuff specifically for Skylar. Alysha was clueless as to why, probably because nobody knew they were together like that. "Why do you need chocolate strawberries and wine?" Lysh questioned, glancing down at the box of strawberries in her lap because y/n was driving now.

"To celebrate," she answered, pulling onto the highway.

"With the team?"

"No. Just me and Sky."

She raised a brow, "just you and Sky?" She took a second to think, going over her suspicions. "Are you two hooking up?"

"No."

"So what are you?"

"We're dating."

She scoffed in disbelief, not buying that for a second. As far as they knew, y/n irritated the fuck out of Skylar. "That's very funny."

"Okay now I'm offended." Y/n muttered, pulling out her phone to call Skylar. She answered after a couple rings. "Hey baby. Where you at? I know you not wit' your cousin so don't lie to me." Skylar spoke, Lysh's jaw dropping in shock. She immediately snatched the phone from her hand. "Skylar?! You're dating and you didn't tell me?"

"Ummm- you're breaking up. I'll call you later." The phone hung up, y/n snickering in amusement. "She always does that."

"Who else knows?"

"So far? Just you, Nneka, Gabby, and her family, obviously. I'mma tell T and Court in person."

Getting back to the hotel, she had Nneka get Sky out of the room so she could set everything up. Lysh decided to help as well. It took maybe, close to an hour to finish but they got it done. "Oh shit, Nneka's said she's coming up." Y/n finished lighting the last candle and Lysh was quick to grab the trash. "Okay, now for the picture." She snapped some pictures of the room set up for memories before it got messed up.

Y/n dug into her bag, realizing the chain she planned to give Sky wasn't there. "Wait- Lysh, you got the chain?"

Lysh dug into her purse and grabbed it, tossing it to y/n. "Good luck."

Y/n took a deep breath, pacing back and forth as she tried to remember what she was gonna say. She heard shuffling at the door and walked over, quickly switching off the lights. Sky pushed open the door, eyes immediately landing on her girlfriend who she expected to be there. "Why you got the lights off?" She set her stuff to the side and wrapped her arms around her with a smile.

"You wanna turn 'em on?"

Skylar squints, not pulling out of the hug but reaching over to switch on the light. She immediately saw all the rose petals, balloons, the designer on the bed, and of course the banner hung up by the curtain that read 'Ms All Star.' "Oh, my god. Baby. You did this for me?" Y/n smiled, nodding as Sky kicked off her shoes, not taking her eyes off the scene. "Stop, this is so sweet."

"You really like it?"

"I love it, baby." Sky pressed a kiss to her lips, eyes sparkling with joy. "You're so good to me."

"You deserve it. You deserve all of it." Y/n said, beyond relieved that she loved it. She knew it was a risk to do this now because it wasn't at home, but in their hotel during an away game. Sky cupped her face gently, "thank you for coming into my life at the perfect time. I love you so much."

A smile graced her beautiful features, a smile Sky had been obsessed with for a decade. Those words were everything to her. She had been waiting for those words for years, and the feeling was even better than she expected. "I love you too." Sky was exhilarated to hear that, thinking she was too early to say that. She didn't want to move super fast and mess things up but it seemed y/n liked the pace she was at.

Sky glanced at the bed again, noticing the petals were shaped to be letters. "Wait- what does that say?"

"Go check." She gently nudged her along and Sky walked over, reading the rose petals that read 'Will You Be My Girlfriend?' with a heart around the question. "Stop- I did not think you were actually gonna ask. That's so cute." Sky chuckled, in awe of everything. This was all she wanted. She needed her partner overly obsessed and in love, and y/n was that and more. She couldn't ask for a better girlfriend.

"You wanna give me an answer, Ms. All-Star?"

Sky giggled, turning to look at her in those beautiful eyes she had. Just her eyes would have you entranced, almost as much as her voice did. "I would love to be your girlfriend, all star."

Y/n chuckled as Sky pressed a kiss to her cheek, pinching her waist in a teasing manner. "I'm not an all star." Sky pulled her into a kiss, the woman almost stumbling forward with how off guard it caught her. "You're an all star in bein' the best girlfriend to me," Sky mumbled against her lips.

"I can't wait to win all star in best girlfriend for the rest of my life then," she replied swiftly, getting the cutest laugh from her girlfriend.

Sky moved to lay on the bed, "can you get a picture of me baby?" Y/n nodded, pulling out her phone to get some pictures, taking multiple to find angle Sky would like even though she looked good in all of them. "You want naked ones too?" She joked.

"Put the phone away." Sky scolded, trying to fight the laugh she wanted to let out.

Y/n popped open the champagne bottle and poured her girlfriend a glass. Sky sat up, taking the glass with a smile, "thank you baby." She took a sip before setting it down to grab the bags, excited to see what gifts she got. She got some designer bags that weren't even for sale yet. "Okay- you're insane. These aren't even out yet. How'd you get these?"

"Being friends with models has it's perks," she shrugged, and that was only half of it. She was really into the fashion world so she always received stuff that wasn't out yet or custom items by her request.

Sky leaned over to hug her, "I love them. Thank you." Y/n smiled, rubbing her thigh as she stared at the purses longer, already imagining them with future fits. "I know just what to do with these." She set them back in their packaging and to the side to get to the next gifts. "I'm trying so hard not to think about the price but I know all of this costed you a fortune," she mumbled.

Y/n chuckled, barely even remembering the cost. It wasn't like it left a dent in her account. "I like spending my money on you."

Skylar smiled, ducking her head to try and cover up how much y/n made her blush. She opened up her next two gifts, which were some designer heels, and she made sure they weren't too high because Sky said she preferred a short heel. "I know exactly what to pair these with. Thank you baby." She leaned over to press a long kiss to her lips.

"There's one more thing," y/n added as Sky put the heels next to the bags.

"More? Baby- this is enough. You always spoilin' me. Stop." Sky blushed, falling back into the pillows, "I don't mean that, keep goin'." Y/n chuckled in amusement as she picked up the box on the bedside table and set it in front of her girlfriend. Sky sat up, eyes gazing over it in curiosity, "a necklace?"

She pulled it open, the diamonds almost blinding her as the shined against the light. It was a chain, covered in diamonds with her name 'Sky'. It wasn't small, or too big, but the perfect size to where she'd be able to pair it with anything. "Oh, my god. It's gorgeous. When did you get this made?"

Y/n pursed her lips awkwardly, not sure if she should tell her she got it made shortly after Unrivaled way before they got together. "Uh...around the time of the draft."

Sky paused, raising a brow at the woman, a smile pulling at her lips. She wasn't upset by any means. She thought it was the sweetest thing. It just proved how much y/n really liked her. "You are literally adorable."

She was a little surprised to see her positive reaction. She was so used to getting cussed out everytime she sent Sky a gift for her birthday every year. "You don't think I'm a stalker?"

Sky chuckles, shaking her head. "No. Why would I think that?"

"Cause you called me a stalker last year when I bought you that Birkin for your birthday." She deadpanned, and it was even more ironic when Sky paired that same Birkin with a pre-game outfit. "Not that I was right for cussin' you out- but, in my defense, you were sending me gifts every year despite us never being friends and me hating your guts."

"Gifts that you still used."

"Hey! They were expensive. I'm not, not gonna use them." Sky defended weakly, closing the box carefully and setting it on the table. She already knew she was gonna wear it for her pre-game outfit, and probably all of the time. It was definitely her favorite gift y/n had ever gotten her.

"That's why I think you secretly liked me all this time." She smirked, and Sky rolled her eyes at the cockiness. "You were doing so good. Don't irritate me." She scolded, obviously in the most unserious tone.

She hums, pulling Sky over to her by her shorts, "not denying it."

"Be quiet before I shove a strawberry in your mouth," Sky mumbled, crawling over her lap. Her little threats never worked on y/n anymore, not when her mind wandered as much as it did. Sky's threat made her smirk, hands sliding down to grab her ass. "As long as you lick the chocolate off my lips, that sounds good to me."

Of course, Skylar had a comeback for that, proving just how perfect they were for each other. "I'll lick you someplace else too if ask nicely enough."

The next day, during practice, Y/n and Lysh made an excuse to leave early during practice so they could go pick up the cakes. After doing that, they got the ballons together and headed back inside the practice facility as they were in New York for a game. Ezi held open the doors for them and took Nneka's cake and balloons, Lysh with Gabby's stuff, and y/n with Sky's.

"Congratulations All-Stars!" Alysha exclaimed, the three turning to look at them with big smiles.

Sky walked over to her girl, "I knew you were up to somethin'." Y/n chuckles, passing her the cake and balloons. "Oh, my god. The clover? You're so stupid." She laughed, smacking her arm in a playful manner. "Gotta represent them irish roots babygirl," y/n grinned proudly, pressing a kiss to her head.

"Are you serious? Who got me the croissant?" Gabby was baffled, immediately turning her head to look at y/n. "What? It's funny! Would you have preferred a baguette?" It was even more funny because of how serious she asked. She sounded as if she was gonna go take the croissant back to replace it with the baguette.

"She don't got one serious bone in her body. I got a clover." Skylar said, very amused and happy with her cake and balloons.

"Tell me why I got a dinosaur?" Nneka deadpanned.

"What? It's a Brontosaurus! He's green. I had to stay on theme." She grinned proudly, Sky chuckling as she rubbed her waist.

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 。* 。° 。* 。 • ˚《