Chapter Text
“You know, Sledge,” Leckie says, “that’s really not bad for your first year at high school. Only few can say they helped getting their teachers together after being homeschooled for years.” He offers his hand for a fist bump.
Not one to let such a rare opportunity slide, Sledge bumps his fist against Leckie’s. “Thank you.”
Leckie nods. “Keep it up.” He turns around and wanders across the field to where Runner and Chuckler are stretching. Or pretend to be stretching, anyway.
To be fair, Sledge can relate. It might be unusually warm for January but it’s the first week after the break; he’s not really in the mood yet to move his body around the football field. Whoever thought that Christmas break was a time for relaxation and rejuvenating clearly hasn’t met the rest of the Sledge family.
Snafu next to him must harbor very similar feelings because he surely isn’t running laps either, the way they were told to. Good thing their coach is currently otherwise distracted.
“Boys,” Burgie says, coming up from behind and placing his arms around their shoulders, “I think we done good.” Together they look to the bleachers where Coach Haldane is currently deep in conversation with Hillbilly. It doesn’t appear so out of the ordinary. They’re acting exactly the same, save for the kissing, proof of which Ray had sent into their group chat earlier. It’s more a change in atmosphere, or aura, as Rudy might put it. Something has shifted, invisible yet palpable.
They’re standing really close. Sledge wonders whether they’d be standing even closer if it wasn’t for the spectator barrier between them, the metal railing in front of the bleachers.
Although he, Burgie and Snafu are almost on the opposite side of the field, they can see Hillbilly lean forward and grin. Not a good sign for them. He says something, way too quiet for Sledge to pick up, but he has the feeling that it’s not praise for how enthusiastically Haldane’s football team is currently performing.
And sure enough -
“Sledge, Burgin, Shelton, get your asses into gear before I decide to let you clean the locker room, since you’re obviously so eager to be here!” Ack calls over without so much as looking at them. He turns his head just enough that he doesn’t have to yell into Hillbilly’s face.
Nevertheless, Sledge reflexively takes a step forward. Haldane’s authoritative voice tends to have that effect on everyone.
Burgie uses the leverage he has with his arms still around their shoulders to manoeuver them 90°. “Come on, boys, you heard the coach. Let’s go.” He drops his arms and starts jogging.
Sledge shares a silent look with Snafu, who rolls his eyes. But then they quickly try to catch up, because Burgie actually takes practice seriously, as his unrelenting pace demonstrates.
“They’re still going to be insufferable together, aren’t they?” Sledge asks when he’s finally reached Burgie’s side.
“Yep,” Burgie replies. He’s grinning though. And he’s probably right.
They did good.
The End