Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 31
"So who is this for?" Wufei asked as he signed the football used for the first pre-season game. Once he was finished, he passed the marker and nearly covered ball over to Trowa.
Looking over his shoulder as he fished around his locker, Heero answered, "A kid that I know who is a huge fan of ours. Some other time, I'd like to use another game ball for his brother and sister. I know they'd appreciate it." A satisfied grin tugged the corners of his friends' mouths.
Everyone on the team had a soft spot for their younger fans.
After Trowa signed the ball and handed it over along with the marker, the quarterback appraised it. The entire starting lineup had written their autographs, with the exception of Duo. "Thanks, guys," he said sincerely before placing the ball back into his duffel bag to hide it once more.
'Not a moment too soon,' he thought to himself in spotting his braided housemate returning from his meeting with Howard. He wanted his gift to be as much a surprise for Duo as it would be for his children.
With a shudder as he reached his own locker, the American frowned deeply, "Narrowly avoided a full kiss on the mouth from Pops when I told him that my catching problem's been handled. I like the guy and all, but that crosses the comfort line by a few leaps and bounds."
From his spot on the long bench, Mueller's eyes widened and his head snapped up. Wufei and Trowa froze in their own changing, their own eyes glued on the running back. Heero snickered to himself and moved his shirt to strap on his shoulder pads.
"You can catch!?" Trowa yelled when his jaw finally started working again. Several heads turned in their direction as the rest of the team caught wind of that exclamation.
Shaking his head, Wufei yelled, "Why the hell didn't you tell us!?"
Duo winced and rubbed the back of his braided head. "Sorry, guys," he replied with a sheepish smile. "I didn't mean to leave you out of the loop, but I guess that with some other stuff that was going on at the same time, I kinda... forgot to mention it."
Trowa blinked his emerald eyes as he dissected the statement. Catching the simple and brief glance between Heero and Duo that came next, he quickly figured out exactly that 'other stuff that was going on' was. Knowing that Wufei was just as observant as he was, he shared a knowing look with the Chinese receiver.
With a smirk, Trowa stated, "All right. You're forgiven. But, we better start working on that more at practice so that you keep it up." The running back saluted with a wink before securing the gear over his clothing.
Stomach churning, Mueller swallowed roughly and finished with his own equipment.
* * * * * *
At the end of practice, Mueller was about to spit nails in having witnessed Duo make every pass thrown to him. 'I have to let Alex know about this as soon as I get-'
That thought was interrupted when Wufei's voice called from behind him, "Mueller." Looking back, the guard found that he and his teammate were alone in the long corridor. He turned fully to meet the onyx gaze settling on him. "I wanted to have a word with you," the receiver said with a smile that was almost cold.
Leaning close, Wufei spoke in a quiet but threatening tone, "I know that the news about Maxwell not being able to catch was based solely on Treize's findings in having coached him before. However, I find it a little too ironic that Alex was there with him to make that announcement.
"If word ever got back to your boyfriend about how that problem's been fixed so that he and Khushrenada can do damage control before Maxwell makes his first televised catch, I'll know exactly who's responsible for that. And you will not want to know me then."
His eyes narrowing, Mueller growled deeply, "Who the fuck do you think you are threatening me like this? You have no right to make accusations that you have no proof to back up."
No longer wearing that sinister grin, Wufei glared heatedly. "No proof yet, my friend," he replied.
"And as far as threats go, I'm not the only one that you need to be looking out for. I'm just the only one that's giving you a chance to do the right thing before I strike. Don't think that we forgot your little hissy fit back at Maxwell's suggestion that we actually try for that win just to pick a fight with him."
All of the air was knocked from the Mueller's lungs at that. So he really had strained his relationship with more than just a couple teammates.
Regardless of how much as he wanted to tell Alex about the fact that Maxwell could catch now, he knew that he couldn't. His lover was not one to keep his mouth shut and would go right to Treize with the news. And from there...
Barley managing to keep calm, Mueller told his teammate simply, "I haven't sold out any information on our team before and I won't now."
Satisfied with that, Wufei nodded firmly, "Then we won't have a problem." With a slap to the tight end's shoulder, he smirked, "Good talk." Brushing past him, the receiver headed the rest of the way towards the locker room.
Alone once more, Mueller leaned his back against the wall at the feeling of his knees nearly giving out. "I've got to work like hell in getting their trust back," he muttered to himself, knowing that it was going to be an incredibly long year if he didn't.
* * * * * *
With the season underway, the practices were much shorter and only lasted a couple days during the week to prevent injury. That made for a three-day stretch for Duo to be back home with his family.
Heero boarded the plane with him for the extended break.
An excited, cheering bound of children greeted the football players the moment they stepped into the door. Flocking between the pair, the youngest of the lot wrapped their arms around whatever limbs and they could get a hold of. The quarterback chucked deeply as he lifted Jamie so she could hug his neck tightly. "You're back!" she cried in joy.
"I told you I'd be back," Heero smiled. Carefully setting her down so she could reunite with her father as the others switched their attention, he greeted the others.
Just as before, Marcus, Tai and Flora stayed back a bit for their younger siblings to have the first chance to see their father. As Duo was finally able to move towards them to hug them and kiss their heads, Heero went into one of his own suitcases to remove the football covered in autographs.
When his partner stepped aside for him to move in, the quarterback grinned to the lot. "This is the first of three that I intend on getting for you," he announced, holding out the football. "It's the one that we played with for our first pre-season game win."
Gasping sharply, the trio's eyes widened in shock. "No way!" Marcus cried. With nearly trembling hands, he was the first to get his arms and hands to work in getting them to stretch out.
Duo looked to his partner with wide eyes of his own and his jaw almost hanging. "It's the whole starting lineup!" Tai exclaimed as he and Flora examined the gift in their brother's hands. "Wufei Chang, Trowa Barton," he read aloud.
"It even has the coaches' autographs!" Flora beamed in finding the names of Zechs Marquise and his staff. Before Heero could blink, the three teenagers nearly knocked him over when they hugged him tightly with shouts of thanks and adulation.
Chuckling deeply, the team captain returned the embraces. "Well, there's one more name that's missing," he smirked as he looked into the shocked eyes of his teammate. He retrieved the marker from his pocket and passed it over to the stunned running back.
A wide smile lit Duo's face as he etched his own autograph onto the ball, right next to Heero's. Once he was finished, his children ran shouting into the living room with their gift. Hilde and Solo shared a warm grin and followed their charges to give their friends a little time alone.
Just managing to find his voice, the running back breathed, "Heero, that was... I mean... you have no idea what that meant to them... to me." Wrapping his arms tightly around the other football player's neck, he whispered, "Thank you."
"No thanks needed," Heero replied quietly as he slipped his arms around his partner's thin waist. Pulling back, he lightly pecked Duo's lips and said, "I'll get unpacked while you spend more time with them."
Nervously chewing on his bottom lip, the American responded, "Yea... um... about that..." When the quarterback tilted his head in question, Duo took a deep breath a deep breath and offered in a rush, "You could always just crash in my room if you'd like." Instantly wincing, he added, "No pressure if you're not ready yet, of course."
Blinking his wide, cobalt eyes, Heero considered the proposal a moment. Really, there wasn't any reason to decline. There had already been a couple occasions now where they had fallen asleep together on the couch at his home. But... that was the couch. Staying in the same room had a completely different meaning behind it. Something... far more intimate that he wasn't sure he was ready for yet.
At the hesitation, Duo forced a smile and shrugged, "Hey, don't worry, 'Ro. If you're not ready for something like that yet, it's no problem. I know you're still sorting things out as we go along." He was silently amazed how steady his voice was during that reassurance.
Heero frowned deeply and rested his forehead against his partner's with a whispered, "I'm sorry. It's nothing against you. And I do want things to progress... eventually." Sighing in frustration, he stated, "It's just that I need a little more time."
"I know," Duo nodded. "Don't worry about it." Gesturing towards the living room, he shrugged, "I better go check on the kids." As he turned, his smile slipped away and his shoulders slumped a bit the moment he was out of the quarterback's view.
Lowering his head, Heero cursed quietly before taking up his luggage and heading up to the Marcus and Tai's wing.
* * * * * *
The weekly sports update was underway as Tim Crenshaw smiled to the camera, "Well, everyone, with the first weekend of pre-season games under our belts, we'll be reporting on the top stories to come out of that. Of course, we have to begin with the rivalry that got everyone going before the first official kick off of the year.
"Starting with the San Francisco Cougars, there was no surprise in their victory. However, their most surprising news from that game was just how well Alex Denton, freshly traded from the Pittsburgh Wolverines, performed. Coming out of the gates with impressive runs, he was like a completely different player out on the field. After this last weekend's press conference, this was what he had to say."
Alex's image appeared as he sat at a table with a dozen microphones and camera flashing on him. His face grim, he stated, "My being traded was more than the push that I needed to improve my performance. I want to be able to prove the Pittsburgh administration wrong for seeing me as the weak link in the team." He smirked, "Maxwell's time at the top is coming to an end this year and I'll be the one to take his place. I'll be proving that in the weeks to come."
Marcus growled deeply and folded his arms. Sitting between Tai and Flora on one of the living room couches, he glared at the screen, "Not bloody likely, pal." Duo snickered and shook his head as he gently ran a hand over Hope's red hair as she napped with her head on his lap.
Sitting beside him, Heero was equally amused with a lopsided grin on his face.
It was Treize's turn to flash onto the screen, the footage from the same press conference. That smug smile in place, he shrugged, "Alex was slighted by the trade and now has the most to prove. Already, he's been stepping up and performing better than he ever has. It only a matter of time before people will be seeing just how overrated Maxwell is."
Fists clenching and eyes narrowing, Tai and Flora's faces reddened at the image of their father's former coach. "Easy, gang," Duo urged gently. "We all know that it's just like Treize to talk trash about his opponents. It all comes with the territory. Sticks and stones, right?"
"Right," the trio muttered. Nodding his braided head firmly, the running back looked back to the screen. Heero watched him from the corner of his eye, in wonder once more over how well his partner was handling his parental role.
Adam Bradley's grinning face reappeared as he announced, "Back in the American conference, the Pittsburgh Wolverines were making their own headlines. Coming out of the gates with everything that they had, they took over the favorite Cleveland Hawks. Even knowing that a win would mean nothing, the Wolverines made it well-known that they are not to be taken lightly this year."
Footage of recaps of Duo's many runs began to play. "There's our Dad!" Flora cheered as she pointed to the screen. Heero smirked and nudged his grinning partner.
"Regardless of what Khushrenada or Denton might have to say, Duo Maxwell only continued to prove on Sunday why he's considered the best running back in the sport. He had more rushing yards than Denton and won over the crowd after they booed him onto the field at the start of the game. In his defense, actions clearly spoke louder than words this week."
The anchors flashed back into vision as Tim stated, "What's more regarding Maxwell is his surprising relationship with Heero Yuy. No one ever expected these two polar opposites in personalities to get along." The teenagers and the two athletes laughed at the comment.
"If only they knew how well we get along," Heero smirked as he shook his head in amusement.
With a frown, Tim commented, "With the growing tension between the Wolverines and the cougars, it's a shame that they're in opposing conferences and won't be facing each other during the regular season. The only chances of that match-up would be if they both made it to the championship. Many sports fans are wishing that they could see a face-off between them."
Snorting, Duo smirked, "What I wouldn't give for that. I'd get to see Treize's face firsthand when I made my first catch during a game." Heero nodded at the sentiment. It almost was a shame that they wouldn't meet up with the Cougars for a showdown.
* * * * * *
The following morning found Dorothy in her office. Typing away at her computer, she looked over at her telephone when it started ringing. As she reached over, she cleared her throat and greeted with a bright, "Yes?"
"Miss Catalonia, Evan Meyers, the Vice-President of the National Football League is on line one," her secretary replied almost nervously, and not without reason.
The team owner blinked her widening blue eyes. It was very rare to ever receive a call from the higher-ups in the association. They only made themselves known at a few get-togethers... or when an official decision of theirs was coming down the pike. If the Vice-President was the one making the call personally, something very big was going to happen.
Straightening in her seat, Dorothy said, "Put him through, please." The call way patched into a three-way conversation as the secretary addressed the Vice-President of the transfer. Using the moment to catch her breath, the Catalonia made sure to smile so that it remained in her voice to cover her nerves.
When her secretary disconnected from the line, the team owner greeted, "Mister Meyers. To what do I owe the honor of your call this morning?"
The deep voice on the other line chuckled, "Actually, Miss Catalonia, the pleasure is all mine to be speaking with you. I must say that you've made quite an impression in the league over these last few weeks. Well done on how you've been handling everything. I must say that you've really impressed me."
For her to receive a compliment from one of the league's higher powers was almost as overwhelming to Dorothy as receiving such kind words from her father. Almost.
Blinking in shock, her smile grew as she replied, "Well thank you, sir. That means a great deal to me." With a small smirk, she added, "Though I know that you did not just contact me simply to bestow such remarks, being the busy man that you are."
Once more, the organization's Vice-President chuckled in amusement. "Just like your father," he mused. "And you are correct that this is more than just a social call." Dorothy took a deep breath and prepared herself for whatever came next.
"As you are aware, my colleagues and I that run the league are at liberty to change schedules as we see fit," the young man began, "Considering the fact that you and your cousin are causing such a stir amongst the sports fans that we have decided to have your teams meet up in the pre-season since it is the only time other than the Super Bowl in which they can challenge each other. The match-up is going to bring in the best ratings for a non-championship game that we have ever seen."
Dorothy sat stunned in her chair. While the idea of going up against her cousin was more than appealing, she wasn't sure if her team was up to the challenge this soon. They were only getting used to the idea that they actually could become one of the top teams while the Cougars already established themselves as such for years.
But knowing what a draw the game would bring in support of not only her establishment, but the league as a whole, it was all too difficult an opportunity to turn down.
Her smile returning, the team owner answered, "I think that is a fine idea, Mister Meyers. Which of the last three pre-season will we be changing then?"
* * * * * *
Fifteen minutes later, Treize laughed into the receiver of his telephone. Leaning back in his leather seat, he exclaimed, "Wonderful idea, sir! I will let the team know that your last pre-season game will be changing over. I can already tell you that they'll be more than looking forward to it. Thank you for your call, Mister Meyers."
As he disconnected, the head coach laughed and rose from his seat to gaze out his window to the San Francisco skyline. "Oh, cousin, I hope that you realize what you just got yourself into," he smirked as he shook his head. "Your career and your team will be in shambles before the official season even begins."
TBC...
Back to SkyLark's Fanfictions Page