*2 YEARS LATER*
Azure let out an exhausted grunt, setting down the last carton box on the floor of their new house. Their completely empty new house.
She wiped off the sweat from her forehead, watching as Katie set down the two cat carriers further on the wooden floor.
"Remind me why did we decide to do that today?" Azure asked, letting out a sigh.
They had played and won their last game of the season a few hours earlier. So short ago that they were still wearing their medals around their necks and their presentation kits.
"Because you guys are stupid," Beth answered for Katie, walking in with a smirk on her face. She carried a box labeled "Kitchen" and placed it on the countertop. "Seriously, you two couldn't wait one more day?"
Katie shrugged, smiling despite her exhaustion. "We were too excited. Plus, we wanted to wake up here tomorrow. Feels like a fresh start."
Azure shook her head with a tired laugh. "Yeah, but now we're dead tired and our house is filled with boxes."
Beth looked around at the chaotic sea of cardboard. "Well, I hope you have coffee unpacked somewhere because you're going to need it."
Katie rolled her eyes playfully. "We'll manage. Thanks for helping us, Beth."
Beth waved her hand dismissively. "No worries. As long as you don't call in too tired for tonight."
"Oh, right. It's at yours and Viv's, yeah?" Azure asked.
Beth nodded. "Yep, our place. It's going to be a blast. Just don't pass out in the middle of it."
Azure laughed, though she felt the weight of exhaustion in her bones. "We'll try our best. Can't promise anything, though."
Katie, ever the optimist, gave Azure a reassuring squeeze. "We've made it this far. What's a little more unpacking and a party?"
Beth shook her head, amused. "Alright, I shall go back to the wife. See you two later tonight. Try not to get lost in all these boxes."
With a final wave, Beth left, leaving Azure and Katie alone in their new, still-unpacked home. They stood there for a moment, taking in the magnitude of what they had just accomplished—not just the move, but everything leading up to this moment. The games, the victories, the personal growth, and now this new chapter together. Their introspection got cut short, though, by Cooper visibly going insane in his carrier and meowing like he was on the verge of dying.
Katie rolled her eyes and walked back to the carrier, crouching down and setting her cat free, who immediately flew to god knows where, before she opened the second carrier, where the cat Azure had offered her a few months ago was.
"Hey, baby boy," She called, almost whispering, gently snapping her fingers to get his attention. The little calico cat, named Stallone, cautiously stepped out of the carrier, his green eyes wide as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings. He rubbed against Katie's leg, purring softly as she stroked his head.
Azure watched the scene with a tender smile, feeling a sense of contentment despite the exhaustion. She walked over to Katie and wrapped her arms around her waist from behind, resting her chin on Katie's shoulder.
Katie leaned back into Azure's embrace, sighing contentedly. "It's hard to believe we're finally here, isn't it?"
Azure nodded. "Yeah, it really is. It feels like just yesterday we were talking about moving in together, and now we're actually doing it."
"Talking is a big word," Katie chuckled. "We were tearing each other's heads off about it."
"No, no. YOU, was tearing my head off about it." Azure rectified.
Katie turned her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Details, details," she said with a laugh. "But it was worth it. Look at us now."
Azure nodded, her smile widening. "Yeah, it was definitely worth it."
They stood there for a moment longer, basking in the shared warmth of their accomplishment. The empty house around them was filled with the promise of new memories, a blank canvas waiting to be painted with the story of their lives together.
"Alright, let's get to work," Katie said, clapping her hands together. "We can't show up at Beth and Viv's with our place still looking like a storage unit."
Azure groaned but nodded in agreement. "Fine, let's at least get the essentials unpacked."
Katie started with the kitchen, opening boxes and placing items in cabinets and drawers. The rhythm of unpacking became almost meditative, the clink of dishes and the rustle of packing paper filling the air.
Azure, her, went upstairs. For what Katie found a very, very long time. To the point where she was finished in the kitchen, and had to walk upstairs herself.
She opened the bedroom door. No one was there.
The bathroom. Only Cooper, licking himself while sitting in one of the washbasins, looking at Katie as if she was interrupting her.
She rolled her eyes and jokingly apologized for invading his privacy, then walked to the spare bedroom. Still no one.
So she walked to the home office. She pushed the door open, a smirk invading her lips once she spotted Azure. She leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms, observing her for a few seconds.
"That's what you call 'unpacking the essentials', baby?" She asked, startling Azure, who was very carefully polishing one of her Ballon d'Ors, that she had just placed on what used to be a bookshelf, but that she had visibly transformed into a trophy one.
Azure looked up, momentarily flustered. "Uh, yeah. This is essential," she said defensively, but her smile gave away her amusement. "I mean, come on, this is my pride and joy."
Katie laughed, walking over to inspect Azure's handiwork. The Ballon d'Or gleamed under the room's light, taking center stage on the black trophy shelf. "You missed a spot."
Azure frowned, leaning closer to the golden trophy. "Where?" She asked while Katie's smile turned into a full-blown mischievous smirk.
She put her hand behind Azure's head, then gently pushed her forward, Azure's forehead hitting the wooden shelf with a light thud. "Right there," Katie said, laughing as Azure groaned and rubbed her forehead.
"Real mature, McCabe," Azure muttered, but she couldn't help the grin that spread across her face.
Katie leaned in, kissing the spot she'd pushed. "Sorry, love. But seriously, let's finish up. We can admire your trophies later."
Azure sighed, taking one last, proud glance at her two Ballon d'Or. "Alright, alright. Let's get back to it."
They spent the next hour unpacking and organizing, the house slowly transforming from a chaotic sea of boxes into a more livable space. By the time they were done, exhaustion had set in, but the sense of accomplishment was palpable.
"Okay, I think that's good enough for now," Katie said, collapsing onto the couch.
Azure flopped down beside her, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, we can finish the rest tomorrow."
