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Patrick swore creatively as he scrambled to the right, avoiding Joey Bosa who seemed determined to ruin his first game as a starter.
‘Well. too fucking bad for him,’ Patrick thought, slightly wild, as he spied an open Tyreek Hill down the field. He had enough time to set his feet and get the pass off before getting slammed into, hitting the turf with a grunt and a curse.
He rolled over as the crowd was suddenly filled with a mixture of cheers and boos, as was common in Chargers games. Spying Tecumseh who sat, looking anxious on the sideline next to his coach, he attempted to reach out to her with his magic to assure her he was okay before he began cursing the damn magic suppressor. He was suddenly lifted up by arms and stifled a yelp.
Relaxing as he realized the player was wearing red, he spun around, grinning at Eric Fisher.
“That’s your first touchdown pass, kid. You better go get that ball before Tyreek loses it,” Eric said, hitting Patrick on the helmet as if he was older than the four years between them. Patrick laughed as his teammates suddenly were mobbing him.
He opened his arms to his teammates, accepting the ball from a smug-looking Kareem before following everyone off the field.
Andy smiled proudly at him. Patrick couldn't help the relief that flooded his body. This was proof that yes, he had made the right choice, and yes, his hard work had been worth it.
Tecumseh barreled towards him, and anyone with a brain knew not to get between a witch and their familiar. She wove around him, a pleased rumble from her throat at his joy. Patrick dropped down onto his knees, shaking fingers reaching for his chin strap. He yanked his helmet off and buried his face into Tecumseh’s fur. She purred loudly, and Patrick smiled, straightening up.
He accepted a tablet from a nearby trainer. Back to business.
—-----
Postgame, Patrick sat at his locker in the visitor’s room, letting the athletic trainer carefully remove the magic suppressors from his wrist. The press stood warily a few feet away, wincing as blood welled from where the two prongs had been in his skin. Rick patted him on the shoulder, pressing gauze against his wrist. He carefully taped it against the wounds with athletic tape before moving on to the other one. Patrick hissed in pain as he turned the suppressor off and began carefully tugging it out of his arm.
“Alright, keep the gauze taped against your arm, and if the wounds don't stop bleeding-” Rick began his lecture as he taped the gauze against his left wrist.
“-go and get you,” Patrick finished. He turned and grinned up at Rick. “I know the rules. I’ll be alright,” He promised. Rick nodded and walked off to check on Travis, who had taken a hard hit. The press began approaching, slightly wary. Tecumseh rumbled from her spot at Patrick’s feet, and they all froze. Patrick rolled his eyes.
“Y’all are alright, she doesn't bite. She just can smell your fear and likes to scare people,” He said, laughing slightly.
“Her favorite hobby is sneaking up behind me and yowling,” Kareem called from across the room. The locker room burst into laughter. The reporters seemed to relax, approaching more confidently. Tecumseh huffed before rolling onto her back, begging for attention. Patrick dropped down onto the ground and began petting her, letting the reporters crowd around him.
“This is your first game this season, your second as a starter, how do you feel about playing at the NFL level so far?” A reporter asked. Patrick grinned. He could do this.
“Honestly, it's kind of a mind trip sometimes, being here, playing against so many great players. It's such an honor and a privilege to be able to play this game I love,” He responded, digging his fingers into the scruff of Tecumseh’s neck. She purred, rubbing her face against his knee.
“You’re the first witch in the NFL, what's it like playing as a witch?” A young woman asked, eyeing Tecumseh carefully. Tecumseh yawned, showing sharp teeth, and she stepped back.
Patrick refrained from rolling his eyes. Of course. “I think it's just like anyone else playing, honestly. Of course, I have the support of my familiar and stuff, but besides that, it's just football.” He paused before grinning, tilting his head slightly. “And at practice, I’m able to pull some pranks the others can't.”
The reporters laughed before growing serious again. Patrick rubbed the side of Tecumseh’s face, calming her.
Another reporter stepped forward. Patrick recognized him as being from ESPN. “Patrick, um, how have the other teams and your own team treated you for being a witch? Have you felt you’ve experienced any, um, stigma? We know there was that incident with the referees last season when you made your first start.”
Patrick inhaled. Right. “My teammates have all been very kind and supportive from the very beginning. I feel I’ve been very accepted into this locker room and into the organization.” He dodged the question about the other teams. The reporter opened his mouth, probably to press about other teams, when Tyreek, God bless him, interjected.
Tyreek popped up beside him. “We tolerate you only for Tecumseh. We prefer her over you,” He said. Tecumseh rubbed her head against Tyreek’s hands, and he petted her, cooing. “You’re so pretty. Such a good familiar. We love you.”
“You’re the worst,” Patrick said, shoving him away. Tyreek dropped dramatically to the ground, and Tecumseh leaped at him, the two rolling across the locker room.
The reporters laughed and moved on to another question. Patrick relaxed. He didn't have to mention the glares he got from other teams. The slurs that were spat across the line of scrimmage by opponents.
It was all worth it to be in this locker room.
-----
Patrick had a text message from an unknown number. He just had arrived at his apartment (which he was in the process of packing up, he had just brought a house) when his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number
Hey, congrats on your first win! Let me know if you need anything, we Supernaturals in the league have to stick together.
-Aaron Rodgers
7:38 PM
Patrick nearly dropped his phone. Tecumseh, who was sitting on the counter, sniffing at the familiar orb Patrick had yet to break open, shot him a judgemental look. He swore, dropping down onto his couch.
Me
Thank you! It’s good to talk to you again, I enjoyed our conversation last season. Good luck versus the Bears!
7:40 PM
Aaron Rodgers
I don't need luck, but thank you.
7:44 PM
Patrick laughed at the last text. Of course. He set his phone down and buried his fingers into Tecumseh’s fur. She nipped at his arms before padding off, probably to go nap on the balcony.
His gaze drifted to the Familiar Orb that was sitting carefully on a shelf. He was nervous to break it open and see what fate had assigned him this time.
He sighed and looked at the boxes scattered around the room. He could finish packing later. Today he wanted a nap. They had tomorrow off, so he would finish then.
Tecumseh heard him heading towards his bedroom and followed quickly. His boxsprings and mattress were on the ground, his bed frame already packed up. Everything else in his room, actually, was already packed up.
He dropped onto his bed, laughing as Tecumseh clambered on top of him. “Such a good, pretty girl,” He cooed, scratching underneath her chin. She purred loudly, the tip of her tail flicking.
“Yeah, good girl, we’re gonna be alright,” He murmured, relaxing back into his pillows.