Matilda's Imagines

Heard, Seen, Loved

Y/n had always worn her headband to training. The neon green one Kyra called "the banana strap" and Caitlin swore was cursed because Y/n scored every time she wore it. It wasn't about luck though. It was about hiding.

At sixteen, Y/n was the youngest on the Matildas. The baby. The one everyone looked out for — especially with the bruises of her past still healing in the quiet spaces between matches and meals. ADHD made her a bit of a whirlwind. And she never did like people seeing her vulnerabilities.

So she didn't tell them about the hearing aids.

They were tucked behind her ears, just under her messy ponytail and the band that made her feel invisible — just enough. Just safe enough.

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Training was light that day. A keepy-uppy challenge and short-sided games. Lani and Caitlin were on opposite teams, and the trash talk was flying. Kyra had already tripped twice trying to do tricks to impress the squad.

Y/n was laughing — really laughing — when she didn't see Courtney Vine sneaking up behind her.

"Yoink!" Courtney called, snatching the headband off her head mid-giggle.

The world stopped.

Everyone was still laughing at first — until the headband dangled from Courtney's hand, and silence fell.

Because there they were.

The beige hearing aids behind Y/n's ears.

She froze. Like stone. Her breath caught. A beat of silence.

Then panic.

"No—no, no, no—"

"Y/n—" Caitlin called, stepping forward, but it was too late.

Y/n bolted off the pitch, one hand over her ear, the other clenched tightly around nothing.

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Macca and Lani were already moving before anyone else.

They didn't speak. They just ran — down the track, past the gym, and behind the equipment shed where they found her curled against the wall, hands over her face, shoulders trembling.

"Hey, bub," Lani said gently, crouching beside her. "You alright?"

"Don't—don't look at me," Y/n choked out. "Please just go."

"We're not going anywhere," Macca said. Her voice was soft, like the ocean before a storm. "Y/n, look at me."

Y/n shook her head, but Macca gently sat beside her and tucked her hair behind her ear — revealing her own hearing aid. Sleek, dark gray. Familiar.

Y/n blinked.

"You—what?"

Macca smiled softly. "Yeah. Since I was a teenager. I don't always wear them in games, but I do in training. Thought you noticed."

"I thought I was the only one," Y/n whispered.

"You're never the only one with us," Lani said, sitting on her other side. "Never."

Y/n sniffled. "I didn't want anyone to think I'm broken or—hard to work with."

"You're not broken, you're brave," Macca said. "Do you know how strong you are? Learning to read lips, tracking everything when your brain is already running a million miles a minute? You're a legend, kid."

"And," Lani added with a grin, "you hiding it just means you're a stubborn little gremlin like Kyra. Which makes sense."

That got a tiny laugh.

"You don't have to hide, Y/n," Macca said, voice steady. "Not from us. We've got your back — hearing aids, ADHD, foster care, the whole deal. You're ours."

Y/n swallowed. "Even now that everyone knows?"

Lani nodded. "Especially now. You've got nothing to be ashamed of."

Macca reached into her pocket and handed Y/n the green headband. "You can wear this if it still makes you feel safe. Or not. Your call."

Y/n looked down at the headband, then slowly tucked it in her lap.

"I think I'll leave it off today."

Lani nudged her shoulder. "That's my girl."

Macca opened her arms with a grin. "C'mere, ya champion."

Y/n leaned into the hug, and for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel small or scared.

She felt understood.

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Back on the pitch, the rest of the team waited — a little quieter, a little more alert. When Y/n returned between Macca and Lani, hearing aids visible and head held high, no one stared.

Kyra jogged over first and ruffled her hair. "About damn time you told me. Now I have to get matching ones."

Mini stepped up with a bottle of water and a warm hand on her shoulder. "Proud of you, sweetheart."

And Courtney? She looked devastated.

"I'm so sorry, Y/n. I didn't mean—"

Y/n smiled a little. "It's okay. Just... ask next time, yeah?"

Courtney nodded, eyes wide. "Yeah. Totally."

The whistle blew, and they jogged to their positions. Macca jogged beside her and whispered, "Hey, just so you know—your hearing aids match your boots."

Y/n grinned. "Unintentional swag."

And just like that, the Matildas' baby was back where she belonged.

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