Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 30
Game day came with a perfectly clear sky. Though the air was warm, the breeze was cool- a sign of what was to come with fall quickly approaching. Spectators were beginning to fill the massive Patriot Stadium in Pittsburgh for the early afternoon kickoff. Announcers were in their booths, making their predictions and brining up some of the news leading up to the pre-season game.
Instead of wearing their own clothing for the field, the team arrived in their uniforms of red and gold. Like their jerseys, their pants were nearly all red with gold lines running down the sides of their legs. Their shining helmets of red with the image of a deep claw scratch running down either side finished the arrangement.
As they strapped on the last of their gear before suiting up, Heero leaned over to his housemate and asked quietly, "Should we try to have you make a catch today? It's your call since everyone watching to see if you can pull it off."
Tempting as the idea was, Duo replied, "Nah. We'll save it for when it really matters." As he wrapped his long braid into a bun at the back of his head that he secured with a couple pins, he smirked, "Better to leave people hanging in waiting, right?" The quarterback chuckled deeply more than happy to agree with the decision.
Zechs, Howard, Trent and Darren entered the locker room and all of the banter amongst the team ended. Smiling warmly as all eyes fell on him, the head coach began. "We've been preparing a long time for this. And just so you know all of the commentators are expecting you to lose by a wide margin."
Just as he'd hoped, the fuel was added to the fire as eyes narrowed and fists clenched all around the room. This was a very different team than the one he had worked with in the past. Now they knew that they were as good as any other team out there. And now they would finally get their chance to prove that.
"Let's see what they al have to say when you prove them wrong," Zechs smirked. Heads nodded and anticipation burned in the gazes watching them. After gathering into a tight ring, a small prayer was said and pleas of a safe game were murmured, the coach said, "Have a good game out there, guys. Let's go."
Cheering and hooting loudly, the young men gripped their helmets by their faceguards and charged down the corridor. Stopping just short of the doorway, they waited as their opponents were announced. There was a thunderous mix of cheers and boos from the sold-out audience. In the stands, there were just as many black and deep green jerseys for the Hawks as there were red and gold for the Wolverines.
When the starting line-up was almost finished being called, the cheerleaders for the Pittsburgh team moved to create a line at either side of the entrance. Their red and gold pompoms sparkled as they waved them over their heads. "And now, ladies and gentlemen," the announcer's voice called over the loud-speaker system, his voice echoing through the arena. "Your very own Pittsburgh Wolverines!"
The crowd screamed and cheered as they rose to their feet. With Zechs and his coaching staff in the lead in the lead, the second and third-stringers ran down the runway that the cheerleaders made and headed for the sidelines. Back in the entrance way, the starters waited. "The starting line up," the announcer began, "Number eighty-five, wide receiver Chang Wufei!"
On his way out to the field, the Chinese athlete winked to his lover. "Good luck!" Relena cried over the shouts and cheers from the crowd. Mueller and his fellow linemen were called after.
"Number fifty-three, center Trowa Barton!" the voice proclaimed. Smiling widely, the Latin player waved up to the stands as they yelled and applauded him on. Quatre whistled through his teeth from his place in the stands beside Lady Une.
Winding down the list of the offensive team, the presenter broadcasted, "Number twenty-one, running back Duo Maxwell!" As the newest member of the team ran onto the field, the atmosphere changed as most of the cheers turned to heckling and angry boos.
From the stands, a few statements like, "You suck!" "Go back to San Francisco!" amongst others could be made out. Sighing deeply, Duo just smiled all the more to himself. "Ah, my adoring public." Lowering his helmet when he reached his teammates, he blew kisses to the crowd, only to elicit more scoffs from the attendees.
Heero snorted and shook his head in amusement. The remainder of his team was doing the same while their opponents rolled their eyes and glared heatedly at the display. "That's my Duo," Quatre snickered, knowing this scene all too well. Lady Une just grinned warmly on the running back, knowing that few people had the pleasure of really knowing him the way she was lucky enough to.
"And finally, number one, quarterback Heero Yuy!" the announcer called. Every last jeer turned into a cry and shout of elation as the team captain past the cheerleaders. Over the deafening noise, he moved to send a message by going right up to Duo and slapped his shoulder with a friendly smile.
Winking at him with a grateful grin, the running back returned the gesture and nudged his partner with his shoulder.
Two sports announcers that were broadcasting live from one of the high booths watched on in shock. "Well there's something I never wouldn't have believed if I didn't see it!" the first all but shouted. "Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell looking like they've been friends for years! With totally opposite personalities, I never would have dreamed them ever seeing eye-to-eye!"
From her booth high above, Dorothy looked down on the quarterback and running back with a proud smile. "This is a very nice sight," she said quietly. All around the stands, murmurs were starting as the crowd took in the surprising exchange. No one could have seen their beloved Heero Yuy actually getting along with the arrogant Duo Maxwell.
A young woman stood on a little stage at the center of the field. "And now, please remain standing for the National Anthem," the voice beseeched. Making a line at either end of the field, the two teams placed their hands on their hearts during the song. At the end, the crowd erupted once more and took their seats.
At the coin flip, Hawks won and announced that they would receive the ball first. Sitting at the sides, Heero and his offensive team watched their defense try to fend off their challengers. A few throws, a couple runs and more than ten minutes off of the clock, the Cincinnati team was close to scoring. [1]
Zechs was pacing the sideline, growling deeply, "Hold them guys." Trent looked on with his arms folded and his eyes fixed in a stern glare on his defensive team. With only two yards to go and their last attempt to score at fourth down, the Hawks' offense was tense with the pressure on them.
At the ball snap, the quarterback looked for a receiver frantically before he was taken down by a Wolverine defender that he never saw coming. Jumping from their benches, the remainder of the team cheered along with the audience. Now it would be time to have possession of the ball for a chance to score.
Moments later, the ball was kicked and marked at the twenty yard line with a hundred and forty yards to go before the Wolverines could score. Licking the fingertips of his right hand, Heero positioned himself a couple feet behind Trowa. "Set! Set!" he cried. "Hike!" The ball met his hands and he turned to hand the ball off to Duo.
With the same ease that he showed during their training, the running back somehow managed to find a hole in the black and red wall. Punching through, he was off and charging down the field. The crowd was on their feet, cheering him on. One of the back defenders just managed to get a hold of him, bringing him down with a tackle from behind, but not before he ran the ball for eighteen yards.
Not bothering with a huddle, the Wolverines got back into position at their new spot on the field, now with four more tried to get ten more yards. Already knowing that the ball was going to be thrown on the second snap, Wufei and Scott readied themselves at either side of their line. Once Heero had the ball again, the barreled past their blockers.
First to break free of his challenger, Wufei looked back and raised a hand that he was ready. Quickly spotting his friend while dodging the defenders that broke through, Heero hurled the ball for him with a loud grunt of effort. Jumping to catch the ball, the Chinese receiver caught it with ease and was off a total gain of thirty-two yards before being shoved out of bounds.
Only twenty yards from scoring in just two plays.
The spectators were on their feet in anticipation. Heero called his teammates in for a huddle to give the details of the next play.
On the other side of the field, Coach Browning's pale face was growing more and more red by the minute. Yelling into his headset, he stalked up and down the line like a wild animal ready to strike.
"Run it in or throw it?" Trowa asked as he and his teammates huddled. "We only need to get ten yards for the next four tries for another ten. We had more than that with the ball on the ground and in the air."
Smirking to his housemate, he suggested, "Let's try the ground again." Duo grinned like a sly Cheshire cat at the chance to prove himself again.
At the snap, Duo found a hole and broke through, most of the defenders not even aware that he passed them during their struggle with the offensive line. All too late, one of the back guards ran after the braided young man, but couldn't keep up. Screams and cheers filled the air as the running back walked the last couple steps into the end zone.
Laughing and shouting, Heero was one of the first of his teammates to reach his partner. Both shared a brief hug and patted each other's backs as the others caught up and celebrated the score of the game.
* * * * * *
The game wore on for three more quarters. With only three minutes left in the game, the Wolverines were down by three points at a score of 24 to 21. After showing that they were not going down without a fight, the pride of the Hawks' coach made him push his own men harder. Now, both their offense and defense was tiring from the strain. They hadn't prepared for such a fight for a pre-season game.
Now screaming at his players on the sideline for allowing the game to be that close between one of the 'lesser' teams in the league, Browning had many of his young men swallowing roughly and lowering their heads. Zechs smirked and shook his head in amusement from his own side of the field. Even if his team did lose, they certainly proved they were no longer the pushovers that most thought them to be.
Huddling, Heero looked to his teammates after hearing the call from Howard in his helmet. "We're not going for a tie with a field goal," he told the others. "If we pushed this far, we go for the win with a touchdown." [2]
More than satisfied with that, his comrades smiled as they panted from their efforts up to then. Looking to Scott, the quarterback nodded firmly, "It's your play. You haven't had the ball thrown to you this whole game, so they won't see it coming."
Darren's replacement hid his rough swallow and nodded back. Breaking from the huddle, everyone went to their positions.
With his eye on the end zone thirty yards ahead, Scott dug his cleats deep into the grass and dirt beneath him. "Set! Set!" Heero called down either half of his line. Raising his hands, he yelled, "Hike!" Trowa snapped the ball back to him with trained ease and the play began. He turned for a fake hand-off to Duo, who made to look as though he here accepting the ball and all focus was on him from the pack that was pushing through the offensive line.
Just as predicted, the back defenders did little to cover the back-up receiver and left him almost completely open as he charged on. Just as Duo was narrowly avoiding the hands of his opponents, Heero turned and spotted his mark. Waving his hands twenty yards ahead, Scott let him know that he was ready.
Before any of the Hawks could see the open receiver, the ball was hurled to him for an easy catch. Not able to hear anything but the explosion of sound from the stands, Scott ran without opposition into the end zone.
Jumping and shouting, the rest of his team ran to celebrate with the wide receiver. On the Wolverine sideline, most of the back up stringers were dancing and standing on the benches, waving their towels in jubilation. Howard and Trent were sharing a tight, one-armed hug as they laughed and hooted. Darren whistled through his teeth and waving his ball cap in the air for his replacement. Zechs remained poised, but looked on to his returning offensive line with a wide smile.
With a loud, frustrated cry, Coach Browning ripped his ball cap and headset off and hurled them to the ground. With no time left to answer the score, the Hawks were forced to take a knee when their quarterback next had the ball in his hands. [3]
Elated, the Wolverines charged the field as they embraced and slapped the back of their defensive team with the coaching staff joining them. Walking very slowly towards them, the Hawks congratulated the victors. Extending a hand, Coach Browning to Zechs mumbled under his breath, "Good game."
The tall blonde gave him a firm shake and smiled, "Thanks, you too." Most of the athletes on both sides were enjoying a little banter over the game. With the game over, the rivalry was set aside and warm sentiments were shared amongst them. All the while, the crowd in the packed stands remained on their feet, clapping and screaming in excitement.
* * * * * *
As the Wolverines continued to celebrate on their way back below the stadium, an elated Relena ran up to throw her arms around her boyfriend's neck. Kissing her soundly, the receiver lifted her from the ground in a right embrace. Catherine soon caught up with her brother for a hug and kissed his cheek.
Zechs led the lot to the conference room where they found a smiling Dorothy and her administrative staff. Noin and her boys sprung for the head coach for a warm reunion. Over the cheering and excited talking amongst the team, Dorothy whistled loudly and sound stopped as all eyes turned to her.
Smirking, the team owner turned on the large screened television just behind her. The two announcers that had been broadcasting the game were shaking their heads in amusement as the first laughed, "Well, folks, I can easily say that this was the most exciting pre-game show I have had the pleasure of watching in years."
His counterpart grinned, "I have to agree, Jim. The Wolverines came out with guns blazing as if this was the last game of the season. It was pretty obvious that the Hawks were caught off guard in having to fight as hard as they had to. They clearly expected to walk away with a win, just as we all thought they would." Snickers and nodding heads were found all around the room from teammate and administrator alike.
Jim looked over to his fellow commentator and nodded, "Right you are, Adam. This is already a very different team from the one that we've seen over the last three years. Clearly, the addition of Duo Maxwell was a brilliant call on Dorothy Catalonia's part. That was clearly the missing link that was needed to catapult this team." The administrators smiled to their leader and bowed their heads in agreement while those closest to Duo nudged him with deep chuckles.
"If today was a hint of what's to come, the Wolverines will be a team to really watch this year," Adam stated with a firm nod of his head. A loud cheer went up from the team as Dorothy turned the television off to look on her assembly.
Raising her arms, she waited until everyone was still once more. "I cannot tell you how proud I am of you all," the team owner spoke with a near hitch in her voice. "Even though the victory does not count in the standings, this was a very important game. It will only assure that we, that Pittsburgh, are not forgotten this season. And in the end, that's what matters the most."
There was a real swell of honor amongst the team at her words, their smiles widening. Clearing her throat, Dorothy grinned, "Now, get showered and get out of here. I hope that you all have fun at your well-deserved celebrations tonight." Her team laughed and applauded her as she stepped from the room.
All eyes turned to Zechs in anticipation, waiting for what he had to say of their performance. Chuckling deeply, the head coach shrugged, "I couldn't have said it etter than that. You've earned the day off tomorrow. We'll see you here on Tuesday at eight sharp for practice as always."
Whistling and celebrating once more, the team filed out and headed for the locker room.
* * * * * *
Later that evening...
"Good night, everyone. I'll give you a call tomorrow," Duo said into his cell phone. Through the speaker phone on the other line, his family chorused their own 'good night' and the running back flipped his lip closed.
Stepping into the living room with a sigh, the braided athlete curled up to his partner lying on the couch. "The kids say hello," Duo announced quietly as an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him close. His eyes staying closed, Heero hummed an acknowledgement as the small smile on his lips grew. Chuckling deeply, the running back shook his head, "They're practically bouncing off the walls after watching the game."
The quarterback' s cobalt eyes slowly opened to meet the violet watching him. "Well, it was something," he grinned. "Even if it didn't count, it felt... really good. I almost forgot how winning felt."
Lightly kissing his cheek, Duo muttered, "Well, I'm pretty sure you'll be getting used to the feeling a lot more." Heero's grin widened and he leaned in to kiss his teammate soundly before resting his head back down onto the cushion.
Easily finding a position where they were both comfortable with their arms around each other, the fatigue set in and the two football players drifted off.
Lady Une entered the room, her eyes widening and warming at the sight. Quietly and carefully, she placed a blanket over them and slipped back out while turning out the light.
TBC...
[1] A football game is made up of four quarters of fifteen minutes each. Every time the ball is thrown out of bounds, or a player with the ball falls out of bounds (over the side lines), he clock stops. It also stops only for time outs which a team only has so many of each half of the game and when there is a score. So, the games can go on for a long time.
After the second quarter, there is 'half-time'- an intermission of sorts.
[2] A field goal is when the team kicker kicks the ball through two upright posts at the end zone. It's worth three points if they make it while a touchdown is worth seven points.
[3] Taking a knee is when the quarterback is snapped the ball and he kneels on one knee. It's done at the end of the game if there is too little time to do more than hand bow in defeat so to speak. The game is considered over then.
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