Matilda's Imagines

Its my birthday

It was a brisk winter morning as the Australian Matildas gathered for their usual pre-game warm-up. The training field buzzed with the energy of the team preparing for their big match, but for Y/n, today felt a little different. She could feel the subtle tinge of anxiety in her chest, a kind of quiet unease she couldn't shake off. It wasn't the game that was bothering her—Y/n loved the thrill of competition. No, it was something else.

Today was her birthday.

But she wasn't expecting anyone to remember. Y/n was a private person, always keeping things to herself. She had a habit of keeping quiet about her life outside of soccer, especially anything about her past or personal details. Her birthdays, in particular, were something she preferred to keep low-key. The team had never asked, and she had never offered.

"Alright, everyone, let's get ready for the match!" Tony, their coach, called out, snapping Y/n out of her thoughts.

As she joined the rest of the team for the usual warm-up routine, her mind wandered. She had always kept her birthday a secret, not wanting to bring attention to herself. No one on the team knew, and that was exactly how she liked it. The thought of celebrating it in front of everyone made her feel vulnerable, even though she knew they'd probably be supportive.

Little did Y/n know, Mini had already figured it out.

The match was intense. The Matildas were facing a tough opponent, but their chemistry was undeniable. Y/n played with her usual fire, her determination to prove herself on the field matching the passion of her teammates. Her ADHD sometimes made her restless, but today, she felt oddly focused, her energy directed perfectly toward the game.

By the time the final whistle blew, signaling their victory, the team was exhausted but exhilarated. They gathered in the center of the field, exchanging high-fives and hugs, the familiar rush of endorphins flooding through them.

"Great job, everyone! We've got this in the bag," Tony praised, clapping his hands. "Let's head to the locker room, clean up, and then we'll have some downtime."

Y/n, flushed with excitement from the win, slipped into the locker room with the rest of the team. She was a bit quieter than usual, distracted by the thought of the day passing without anyone noticing the date. It wasn't that she hated birthdays—it was just that, for her, it was a reminder of everything she didn't have.

"Y/n, you okay?" Kyra asked, nudging her with an elbow as they walked toward their lockers. "You're a little quiet."

Y/n forced a smile, trying to brush off the unease that had been slowly building in her chest. "Yeah, I'm good. Just tired from the game."

"Alright," Kyra replied, sensing that there was more to it but letting it go for the time being.

Later that evening, after the post-game debrief and dinner, the team gathered in the lounge area of their hotel. Y/n was sipping her water, feeling more relaxed now that the pressure of the game had passed. She was leaning against the wall, quietly watching the team laugh and joke around, when she saw Mini step toward her with a knowing look in her eyes.

"Hey, Y/n," Mini said softly, as though they were the only two in the room. "I hope you don't mind, but we have a little surprise for you."

Y/n blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

Before Y/n could process, the lights suddenly dimmed, and the team gathered around her. Alana, Caitlin, Macca, and Kyra were all grinning widely, their eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Happy birthday, Y/n!" they all shouted in unison, as a small cake with candles was placed in front of her.

Y/n froze. Her heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. How did they know? She never told anyone. She never even mentioned it.

Mini stepped forward, her expression soft and warm. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I knew. But I figured it out when I saw you avoiding the topic, and I couldn't let this day go by without celebrating you. You deserve to be celebrated, Y/n."

Y/n's chest tightened. She felt a rush of conflicting emotions—surprise, gratitude, and a little bit of panic. But the overwhelming feeling was warmth. Mini's words hit her like a wave, and for the first time, Y/n felt truly seen, truly cared for, in a way she hadn't felt in years.

"I— I didn't think anyone would remember," Y/n stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course we remember," Kyra teased, ruffling Y/n's hair affectionately. "You're part of this team, kiddo. We've got your back. Always."

The team laughed, and for a moment, Y/n felt like she could finally breathe. The thought of being surrounded by this family—the Matildas—on her birthday, was something she never expected, but now she couldn't imagine it any other way.

"Make a wish," Mini said softly, nudging Y/n toward the cake. "And know that we're all here for you."

Y/n hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the flickering candles. She thought about her wish—something small, something simple. For happiness, for peace, and for the people who cared about her.

She closed her eyes and blew out the candles.

The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, cake, and stories of past birthdays. Y/n found herself opening up more than she ever had before, her walls slowly coming down as the team surrounded her with love and support.

"I know it's hard for you to let people in, Y/n," Mini said later, as they all sat around, chatting and winding down. "But you don't have to hide. We've got you. And you can lean on us, whenever you need to."

Y/n smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Thanks, Mini. I... I never realized how much I needed this."

As the night wore on, the team slowly began to head to their rooms, but not before Kyra gave Y/n a big hug. "You know, for someone who's so private, you're pretty damn easy to love, kid."

Y/n laughed, a little embarrassed but grateful. "Thanks, Kyra."

As she headed to her room later that night, Y/n paused at the door, looking back at the team, who had just made her feel like part of a real family. For the first time, Y/n realized that her birthday wasn't something to fear—it was something to embrace. She had found a place where she belonged, and that was the greatest gift of all.