Matilda's Imagines

Its my job

The Matildas' training field was alive with the sounds of cleats on grass, laughter, and the occasional shout of encouragement. Y/n sat on the sidelines with her camera, capturing candid shots and footage for the team's social media. She'd been back with the team for a month now, and every day felt like coming home.

She glanced up from the viewfinder, watching Kyra teasing Caitlin over a missed pass. Macca and Alanna were playfully arguing about a drill, while Mini stood off to the side, arms crossed, her ever-watchful gaze on the team. Y/n smiled to herself. This was her family—her safe space.

But that sense of comfort had been disrupted earlier that morning when she received the call. The Army wanted her on a two-year deployment, and she was set to leave in just a week. The thought of being away from the team again—this time for so long—left her stomach in knots.

She hadn't told anyone yet. How could she?

The team gathered in the lounge after training, sweaty but happy. Alanna had brought out a deck of cards, and Kyra was already bragging about her winning streak before the game even started.

"Y/n, come join!" Caitlin called, waving her over.

Y/n hesitated, clutching her camera tighter. "Maybe later. I've got some editing to do."

Kyra frowned, tilting her head. "You've been weird all day. What's up?"

Y/n forced a laugh, brushing it off. "Just tired. You know, ADHD brain and all."

Mini, sitting in the corner with a cup of tea, studied Y/n closely. She didn't say anything, but Y/n could feel her gaze, warm and probing.

By the next evening, Y/n couldn't hold it in anymore. The team was sitting down to dinner in the communal dining area, laughter and chatter filling the room. She cleared her throat, her heart pounding.

"Hey, uh... can I say something?"

The table quieted, all eyes turning to her.

"I, uh... I got a call from the Army yesterday," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "They want me on a two-year deployment. I leave next week."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"You're leaving?" Kyra asked, her voice sharper than she intended. "For two years?"

Y/n nodded, looking down at her hands. "Yeah. It's... it's part of the job."

"But you just got back," Alanna said, her brows furrowed.

Caitlin leaned forward, her face softening. "How do you feel about it?"

Y/n shrugged, trying to keep her voice steady. "I mean, it's what I signed up for. It's my duty. But... I'm going to miss you all. A lot."

Mini set down her fork, her expression calm but her eyes full of emotion. "Have you made up your mind?"

Y/n nodded. "I have to go. It's not really a choice."

The room erupted in a mix of emotions.

"This sucks," Kyra declared, crossing her arms. "Why do they have to take you for two years? Don't they know we need you here?"

"It's not fair," Macca agreed, slumping back in her chair. "You're family, Y/n. It's going to feel weird without you."

Caitlin reached over, squeezing Y/n's hand. "We're proud of you, though. You're doing something amazing. Just... promise you'll stay in touch, okay?"

"Of course," Y/n said, her voice thick with emotion.

Mini finally spoke, her voice steady and firm. "We're all going to miss you like hell, Y/n. But we're also incredibly proud of you. And you'll always have a home here, no matter how long you're away."