Hyukaplushie - Sui

A Game of Hearts

Pairing: FootballPlayer!Reader x Caitlin Clark

The roar of the crowd was like an electric current in the air as you stepped off the team bus, your cleats clicking against the pavement. Game days always came with a rush of adrenaline, but tonight felt different. It wasn’t just about the game under the Friday night lights; it was about the fact that Caitlin Clark—*the* Caitlin Clark—was going to be there, watching you.

You had met her a couple of months ago during a shared athletes' event at Iowa. Both of you had shown up late, grabbed the last two seats available at the same table, and by the end of the night, you'd talked and laughed more than you'd ever expected. Her competitive drive was inspiring, but her down-to-earth attitude and sharp wit were what really drew you in.

Tonight, you had more on the line than just football. Caitlin had texted you earlier in the week, teasing, *"I’m coming to your game. No pressure, though. Just don’t mess up with me watching, superstar."*

You'd tried to play it cool, but knowing she’d be in the stands had you more nervous than you’d like to admit. You threw on your pads and adjusted your helmet as you stepped out for warm-ups. As you jogged across the field, your eyes couldn’t help but scan the crowd, and there she was. Caitlin, wearing your jersey—the number *you* wore—sitting front row with that easy smile of hers.

Your stomach flipped, and you had to remind yourself to breathe. You had a job to do.

“You good?” one of your teammates asked, slapping you on the back.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” you mumbled, trying not to focus too hard on the fact that Caitlin was right there, watching your every move. You shook it off, running drills and focusing on the upcoming game, but her presence was hard to ignore.

---

The game was tough. The other team was relentless, and the hits were harder than usual. But every time you felt yourself start to falter, you thought about Caitlin sitting in the stands, and it lit a fire in you. You broke through tackles, ran harder, and every yard you gained felt like a step closer to proving yourself—not just to your team, but to her.

The final quarter was close. You were down by six, with just minutes to go. As the ball snapped, you pushed through, running harder than you had all night. The stadium blurred, the only clear image in your mind was that end zone—and the thought of Caitlin watching you.

You broke free of the defense, sprinting for the touchdown, and the crowd erupted as you crossed the line. Breathless and grinning, you turned to look at the stands. There she was, standing up now, fists raised in triumph, her smile wide and full of pride. Seeing that made every bruise and aching muscle worth it.

---

After the game, you were sore and exhausted, but the win gave you an extra surge of energy. You barely made it to the locker room before your phone buzzed in your pocket.

Caitlin:"Nice game, champ. Meet me outside?"

You rushed through your shower, quickly changing into fresh clothes before heading out to the parking lot. The cool night air hit you as you spotted her leaning casually against her car, arms crossed with a grin playing on her lips.

“Well, look who showed up,” Caitlin teased, walking toward you as you approached. “You were pretty impressive out there.”

You laughed, rubbing the back of your neck. “Just trying to make sure you didn’t regret coming out to watch.”

“Trust me, I didn’t,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “You crushed it.”

You looked at her, heart pounding in a way that had nothing to do with the game. The chemistry between you two had been simmering for weeks, ever since that first meeting. Every text, every flirty comment had brought you both closer to this moment.

“So,” you started, trying to keep your voice steady, “I was thinking… maybe now that I won the game, I’ve earned that date?”

Caitlin’s smirk was undeniable, her eyes glinting under the streetlights. “You didn’t need to win for that. You’ve had it since our first conversation.”

The words hung in the air, and you couldn’t help but smile. Without thinking, you closed the distance between you, pulling her into a hug. She fit perfectly in your arms, and for a moment, the world felt still. When you pulled back, she was looking up at you with that same confident gaze you’d seen her wear on the court.

“Next time,” she said softly, “maybe we’ll play a little one-on-one. See if you’re as good with a basketball as you are with a football.”

You chuckled, already feeling the competitive spark between you two. “Game on, Clark. Just don’t get mad when I win.”

“Oh, trust me,” Caitlin grinned, leaning in just slightly, her breath warm against your skin. “I don’t lose easily.”

And neither did you. This was only the beginning of your game with Caitlin Clark, and it felt like a win no matter where the score ended.

this with cowboy!abby ooouuughhhhh

I hyuka in temptation era is in my mind 24/7 🥹🥹🥹