𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍'𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

𝐊𝐌 - 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍, 𝐈'𝐌 𝐒𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐃

YOU COULD ALREADY sense a shift in the atmosphere as soon as kate walked into your shared apartment.

from your bedroom, you could hear the sound of the front door closing as well as a long sigh and drop of a bag.

usually when kate would get home from a late practice, she would call out your name and immediately indulge in random conversations about each of your days.

but you knew today was different. you also knew that the pressure was on for the hawkeyes with the march madness tournament coming up.

you get up from your spot on your bed and peek your head out of the bedroom door to see kate with her head buried in her hands. you could tell her shoulders were tense from the way she sat on the barstool at the kitchen counter.

you pad across the smooth wooden floor and make your way over to her. you lovingly wrap your arms around her shoulders and place a gentle kiss on her head.

"rough practice?" you whisper into her hair.

"mhm.." she hums quietly.

her large hands lower from her face as they grasp your own, your girlfriend finding comfort in your touch.

"you wanna talk about it?"

"i played like shit today," she starts, "and coach has been on all our asses lately. it's just a lot."

there is a slight tone of disappointment and tiredness in her voice, one that you recognized from when she loses a game.

"it's okay, my love, it's only practice," you reassure her, "everyone has off days."

"i know but what if i mess up during a game? there's almost no coming back from that."

"you're not the only person on that team, kate. your teammates will always be there to support you, to help you. i'll always be here to do the same."

"but-"

"no buts, babe," you cut her off softly. you remove your arms from her frame as you walk around to face her, taking her warm hands in yours, "i need you to know that you have so many people that love you, so many people that care for you. and i know things may seem rocky right now but i will always be here. always."

you observe the blonde's expression as a comforting silence falls over the two of you. the furrow in her eyebrows and pout on her lips from earlier has disappeared, her eyes now lingering on yours as she registers your words.

wordlessly, she places her lips on yours in a vulnerable yet grateful manner, saying everything that needs to be said and more.

she hums and sighs into the kiss, the knots in her shoulders and problems rushing through her head practically melting away at the feel of your lips on hers.

"thank you, y/n. i love you so much, babe, i'd be so lost without you."

"it's a good thing i'm right here then, huh?"

the two of your share a warm smile, gazing at each other with nothing but adoration and devotion.

you gently tug her over to your shared bedroom and urge her into a warm shower to soothe her muscles. you break away from her to make some hot chocolate and load up her favorite movie on your computer.

when she steps out of the bathroom, you extend your arms and beckon her over to the bed. she automatically allows herself to dive into your embrace, burying her head in your chest and inhaling your comforting scent.

you sense her breathing slow in the next few minutes and tilt your head down to look at her. and there she was, your beautiful girlfriend fast asleep in your arms, succumbing to the grasps of exhaustion. you lightly graze your hand over her arm as you become hyper-aware of your overwhelming love for her.

if one of you drifted away, put distance between you two, the other knew exactly how to reel them back in. it was an unspoken principle that you held each other down while the world outside was in shambles, regardless of any hurt or struggle that crossed your paths.

you would always be around to comfort her with open arms, and she would, no doubt, do the same for you.

- leilani signing off !