― I will not release you from suspension ahead of time. Monday you return to team activities. That's it. No discussion.
― Mother!
― I said no argument, Nicolas.
That kind of discussion was already so commonplace that Theodore didn't even feel uncomfortable. He saw his best friend get grounded and try to bargain to play video games so many times, and the result was always the same. He could never change his mother's mind.
This time he was trying to revoke his suspension to play. Somewhat unexpected that the topic of the time was something so serious and bigger than a base console.
Why would Nicolas imagine sitting in the stands without playing? Theodore should have known that he would try to do something.
― Fuck...
— Look at the mouth Nico ― Scold the blonde omega for his friend, without taking his eyes from his mother. ― You know the more you talk in front of her, the less likely you are to get what you want.
Nicolas snitching messing up his hair trying his best not to lose control. Sipping the juice that had been offered by the omega woman, Theodore had once again been a mere spectator of that discussion.
When he received the call from Nicolas telling him to stop by his house later, he was bombarded by his crazy ideas to convince his mother to let him participate in the finals of the qualifiers. Theodore had been listening to his plan for the rest of the afternoon, until he realized that it would drag on longer than he imagined.
After all, it was already Saturday morning and he had not convinced his mother to let him participate in the games. Even had to call Lilian and ask her to take care of some preparations for the team. Your luck is that the first-year girl sees that as a chance to win votes in said beauty contest. Otherwise, Theodore would have to leave his best friend in the middle of his cunning plan.
Surely that would yield in discussions and a Nicolas angry with him.
― Theodore, tell her!
― It's no use, if I said no. There's two days left on suspension, what's it gonna take to keep quiet?
― The team sucks without me. Isn't that reason enough?
The woman rolled her eyes and directed them to Theodore, who wisely swung his shoulders without daring to agree with any of them in that regard. Although Nicolas had a point, the team was bad without him. But he would never take his side one hundred percent in an argument against his mother. It would be crazy.
― Or is it because you bit that boy and you just want to be near him?
― Wow ― Theodore whispered without believing that Nicolas's mother knew about it.
Or even better, without believing that Nicolas had slightly rosy cheeks. Would the world be spinning counter-clockwise? Had he lost something in those days when his best friend would have stayed home?
― I don't need to be glued to it 24 hours, I've already fixed it.
― Oh, so you spent the night at his house, mister? Did you at least use protection?
― Mother!
— Did you spend the night at Milles' house? ― Spit a surprised Theodore, having again the glimpse of Nicolas embarrassed, despite the hint of anger. ― Wooooooooow.
― Do you believe that, Theo? When I get home, there's only one note saying his going out all night.
― I didn't go because I wanted to. You bet if it was 100% up to me, I'd only go near him to kill him.
― Said the guy who left the locker room underwater.
― Whose side are you on? ― Growl Nicolas.
― When your mother is around, of course, hers.
― You see, it should be just like him. ― Smile omega delivering a candy to Theodore ― Here dear, I saved it for you.
― Thank you aunt!
― Holy shit I must have dance samba on the table of the holy supper, it is not possible.
Theodore laughed at his friend as he opened the bonbon and bit him enjoying the chocolate. It wasn't a waste of time to go to Nicolas's house on Saturday morning. Definitely not outside. He had won a sweet after all.
However, the omega knew full well that his best friend was completely desperate to participate in the match. Worried about Milles or the team? Or was it your thirst to play against Maicon finally? It would be World War III if it were the three reasons in one.
Finished eating the bonbon, Theodore sighed low leaning on the kitchen counter to talk to the omega.
― What if you change the days of suspension only?
― Oh no, Theo. I thought the bribe worked.
― My best friend will never be bribed by a bonbon ― Nicolas said hugging his friend from behind. ― Maybe by two, but only one ever!
Nicolas's mother had made a grimace by shaking her head. Sighing as she leaned on the bench, she looked at Theodore with a patience, of which she certainly was not used with her son.
― Explain it further.
― Since Saturday he would still be in suspension and would finish Monday, how about only on Saturday he leaves to participate in the match and the suspension ends on Tuesday?
― Just to join the game?
― I promise to do laundry for a month! ― Bargained Nicolas.
― You already do that, Nico.
― Shit, I hate being a great son spontaneously.
Literally Nicolas was in his tantrum with his mother. He always tried to bargain his way out of punishment, though this time he seemed even more desperate. The scene itself was funny. Theodore had glanced at the woman, who sighed heavily before seriously staring at her own son.
— Your suspension involves classes and club activities, which also take place on weekends when they are in the period of championships. This means that it is fifteen days counting the weekends. ― Explains the woman. ― His suspension ends today at noon, in this case.
― So.... After noon I can play?
― If the departure is happening at that time, you can.
The jump that Nicolas had made scared Theodore, as well as his euphoric scream. Immediately the omega had run out the house going to his room, having the blond laughing fun of his reaction. He loved to play, he had always noticed that, but that time was being different.
Perhaps for Nicolas the games were more interesting because of a special person.
― If that boy had the same energy for his studies...
― He's smart, Auntie.
— Keep an eye on him, Theo. ― Asked the omega, opening the cabinets to take some packets of snacks and store them in a cooler. ― Lately he's been fighting too much and I'm worried about it. I don't want to get in trouble in another city.
― Now he has an alpha who can take care of him, Auntie.
― That worries me even more, since it's Milles... Ah, those two are flour from the same bag..
Theodore had opened a crooked smile. She was right, the two were flour of the same bag. Her concern was understandable. Especially when they've both traded punches a few times. He couldn't trust them.
― I'll do my best, Auntie.
― Sorry he messed up your routine. You should be in the gym taking care of the team by now.
— Oh okay! I asked for help to some friends and for now I did not receive a distress call. ― Checking the hours on your wrist watch, the omega nods ― They should be warming up by now.
The conversation was interrupted by Nicolas in uniform and backpack, energetic and motivated despite dark circles and unkempt hair. A mixture of lazy aura and thirst for victory that Theodore did not even know if he laughed or felt sorry for his best friend.
― All right. I'll take you to the gym.
― Thank you mom!
― You're as fake as a three-dollar bill. Who did you get?
― Obviously you, I'm your son.
Theodore laughed following the two to the car. He loved the dynamics of those two, whose bond was as strong as a chain. He remembered how she relates to his own mother, although he doesn't have the guts to cuss when he's at home. His mother was a sweet person, emanating pink blossoms from her.
And when he had his own family, what would it be like? Theodore's cheeks immediately warmed up. Shaking his head, the omega had entered the car and put on the belt.
And out of that way Nicolas managed to get to the gym in time to participate in the match. Theodore did not expect him to really get on the court, but when Nicolas wanted something he could even if it was on the basis of fatigue.
He was proud of his best friend.
While they were in the car leaving the city and taking the highway, the omega had begun to get anxious. He wanted to see Gabriel play a game like that, he would probably be so focused that he would forget the world around him. The alpha always made that face when he followed the ball, longing to touch it and win.
If they won, he'll be proud, of course. Gabriel's performance increased as he created a connection with the team and got used to the other players. Theodore simply loved watching him train, because it was fascinating. He could tell that seeing him focused was his favourite part of training.
Besides... Okay, everyone was sweaty and fatigued, but Gabriel was just sexy. Theodore swallowed dry just imagining the alpha in that state.
The moment they stepped into the huge gym where the match was taking place, Theodore had already noticed the burning tension emanating from it. The blonde was quick to announce his arrival with a reserve player and secure the pass to go to the bank where his teacher would be. And when they reached there... The way Montreal was positioned facing the opposing team made it clear that the game was fierce.
But his heart stopped even as he saw Gabriel holding his hand tightly and the game being paused.
His legs were wobbly and he could feel all his blood disappear from his face. Seeing him feel pain made his legs move alone towards the court.
He just looked at the alpha, unblinking. Longing internally to stand beside him, extending his arms toward him. Barely noticed that the coach had already noticed his arrival, because the moment his eyes met nothing else mattered.
― Take him to the infirmary!
Gabriel had come towards him, and Theodore had only swallowed hard pulling him by the shoulders off the court. He needed to calm down, since it didn't look serious.
― You're pale, Theo. ― Whispered the alpha opening a melancholy smile. ― It seems that he saw a ghost.
― Many feelings in one blow. I've just arrived and I see you hurt, of course I'll worry.
― Sorry to bother you, I wanted you to watch me play a little more.
Theodore looked at Gabriel and sighed heavily. Stroking his dark hair, the omega smiles in the hope of bringing calm to both the lover and himself.
― All right, we're gonna win anyway. And then we're gonna go regional.
Turning the corridor, he found Nicolas returning from the dressing room. The short omega just stared at Gabriel holding his own hand and opened a sly smile.
― All right, we're at that level. I'm coming in, Theo!
― Good luck, and no fighting.
Watching the omega pass through the doors that would take him to the court, Theodore could feel calmer. Squeezing Gabriel's shoulders, the omega had taken a deep breath and had continued on its way to the infirmary.
Everything would be fine.
He trusted the team.
― I thought the captain was suspended.
— When you have a formidable opponent, that sloth can have enough energy to fight. ― Whispered Theodore, knocking on the door of the ward. ― But now, let's take care of your hand.
Before the door was opened, Gabriel had deposited a saddle on the omega's cheek, seeing him blush immediately. His wide smile was instantly open, victorious even with clear eyes wide for him.
― Depending on the outcome, I accept a victory celebration or a consolation prize. But unfortunately I cannot use a hand.
Was he flirting with him at the time? Trying to make him disconcerted? Damn, he was getting it. Theodore felt his face warm, yet would not deliver the points so easily. Returning the sneaky smile, the omega arched the eyebrow seductively.
― All right, I'll teach you how to use the other one.
Having a blond omega of light eyes, messy hair with earrings in his ears looking like that... Defeat had come to Gabriel. He definitely blushed up to his ears, unable to respond.
Theodore was a lethal weapon for that alpha.