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Word spread rapidly through the corridors of Richmond about Trent and Ted's relationship. Over time, it became clear that they were cautious about showing their affection in public. However, they occasionally felt more at ease holding hands and stealing kisses near the locker room. Despite this, they kept their relationship private outside of Richmond, as it was still new. Roy was aware of the about the potential consequences of any negative publicity, but had his ideas.
As Roy had said, “I’ll break into their houses, 3 in the morning. If they ever said anything. Not expecting a thing,”
Whereas Trent would grab him by the shoulder and plea, “Please. The offer is lovely but not necessary,” Then he would add with a smile, “Currently.”
The team had grown accustomed to it. After games, Ted would give speeches, stealing glances at Trent, and they would exchange satisfied smiles. Sometimes, Trent would discreetly approach Ted in a crowd, whispering something that would make Ted place a hand on his hip and draw him closer. These subtle gestures could easily be missed if one blinked, but they were present.
Colin would infiltrate Trent's office during intermissions, asking him things worthy of populating an entire website. Despite their relationship being in its nascent stage of merely four months, their emotions were unmistakably evident from the moment their gazes intertwined. Colin would ask many, many questions, prompting Trent to occasionally remind them that they were in the early stages of courtship, not matrimony.
“Fine. Who initiated the first kiss?” Perched on Trent's desk, Colin would pose their questions, maintaining a hushed silence to allow Ted to focus on his conference call.
“I don’t kiss and tell, and haven’t you asked that before?” Trent would say, eyes still peered to his laptop.
“I have another question, Professor Crimm—“
“Please, for God’s sake, don’t call me that.”
“Okay, mum, I have another question—“
With his glasses perched on his nose, Trent gazed up at Colin, his brow arched inquisitively. In response, Colin offered a sheepish smile. “And that’s for?”
“Well, you know. Ted is basically our dad. So that makes you our mum,” Colin proceeded slowly, causing Trent's brows to furrow even deeper. In response, Colin frantically waved his hand in front of Trent's face.
“Woah. Let me explain! When Jamie had scarred up his knee the other day during practice, you came up to him after with some tissue and bandaids and literally baby-talked him through it because he couldn’t handle the burn of the alcohol. You might as well have kissed his scratch!”
Trent shrugged and turned back to his screen, “When a grown man is crying like that what else are you supposed to do?”
“Oh!” Colin exclaimed and continued, “And when Sam complained he was starving before a game, who slid him over some crackers and water and caressed his cheek?”
Colin cast a dubious gaze upon Trent, and a prolonged silence ensued. It was true that Trent had a nurturing role both on and off the field. He diligently reminded everyone of the importance of hydration, ensured they maintained a nutritious diet, and attended to their wounds and injuries following games and practices. Initially, his actions were subtle, but they eventually evolved into a times where the team would eagerly line up to receive Trent's care. One could almost say they disregard the presence of the medical crew on call, given the extent of Trent's involvement.
Trent contemplates to himself for a moment and finally sighs, “Mm. I mean, I guess I have a habit of being the mother hen. But I can’t help it, I’ve got a five year-old at home and it just carries here. Additionally, some of you boys really have got to have better diets. It’s actually a problem.”
Colin laughs, sliding of Trent’s desk and patting him on the shoulder, “It’s alright boyo—sorry, mum—it’s nice to have someone to come to. You’re just very warm.”
Trent smiled and bashfully shook his head with a small laugh, “I can’t be mad about that. It’s clear now why Ted loves you boys like his own so much.”
Colin gently embraced Trent from behind, his hand finding solace in Trent's hair. The gesture brought a sense of relaxation to Trent, prompting him to reach out and stroke Colin's arm. Colin had become akin to the son Trent had never had, initially serving as a mentor but now acting as a guiding voice in almost every aspect of Trent's thinking. It was a rarity for Trent to reprimand Colin for any of his occasional lapses in judgment.
“Richmond’s mother has a nice ring to it,” Colin says quietly.
Trent acknowledges the impact of his title on his emotions but sets it aside. He remembers a time when he felt targeted by everyone in the facility, as if they wished for his demise. The transformation from that to being regarded as their caretaker was a significant leap, and Trent is immensely grateful for the small family he has found.
“Fellas, I will see you on Monday. Hit the showers and have a good night!” Ted says with a beaming smile, wrapping up a lengthy yet fruitful practice session for the evening.
The boys through the locker room, Ted's attention shifting as he spots Trent nonchalantly leaning against a wall adjacent to their office. Ted strides towards him, his eyes filled with a knowing gaze that exudes both smugness and affection simultaneously.
“What?” Trent asks, removing his glasses.
“Nothin’,” Ted says softly, “Just admiring just how pretty you look,”
Trent laughs as Ted leans to to brush their noses against each other, “You’re too much. But don’t ever stop.”
“Didn’t plan on it.”
Just as they were lost in their moment, a gentle voice whispers, ”Mum?" Ted reluctantly separates from Trent and turns to see Jamie standing there, holding onto his elbow with a slight pout on his lips. Trent lets out a sigh and closes his eyes, he knows Colin has absolutely anything and everything to do with the fact that Jamie just called him mom.
“Jamie,” Trent says through gritted teeth, “I don’t know why—“
“I’ve got a cut. It’s botherin’ meh.” Jamie says, holding a cut on the edge of his elbow.
“Mom?” Ted asks to himself and Trent’s face flushes because God this is humiliating. But not at the same time? Fuck it’s all just confusing and Trent’s focus is not straight. Has it ever been? What?
“Mum, I’ve got a bruise on my knee could you kiss it better?” Isaac adds, leaning over Jamie’s shoulder with the same fucking puppy eyes and Trent doesn’t think he can deny them, even with this crisis he’s got going on.
“Hold up, hold up, mom?” Ted turns to Trent, “Is there something you need to tell me, Trent?” He gasps, hands cradling Trent’s abdomen dramatically, ”Is it mine?” Ted whispers.
Trent slaps his hand away and rolls his eyes, “You absolute gaffer, this is all Colin’s fault. He said some thing how you were the dad around here and so basically that made me their mother,”
“And!” Colin adds, “He’s mothered just about everyone in this locker room once or twice. It’s like- like his nature…you’ve gotta give it to him. Don’t we agree?”
Chatter of agreement chants through the locker room, and Trent isn’t sure what to say.
They exchange glances, observing Trent's bewildered expression. Surprisingly, he doesn't seem frightened by the situation. Trent has always made it evident that he cherishes each and every one of the boys. The fact that Olivia, at her age, requires constant care and frequent reminders, only adds to the complexity. Trent has often believed that his true calling lies in being a parent rather than a spouse. Plus, this whole gender-fuckery thing he’s got going on thrills at the idea of being their “mom.” So he just smiles, crossing his arms.
“It’s alright boys. I’m whatever you need me to be, especially a “mom” if you want.” Trent responds, and Jamie reaches up to place his elbow in Trent's arms, which Trent gently strokes. Ted chuckles in awe as Jamie embraces Trent, with Colin and the others joining in, creating a heartwarming group hug around Trent.
“I love you, boys,” Trent says, voice slightly strangled from the amount of pressure surrounding his small body.
“We love you to, mum.” Colin sighs and the boys murmur in agreement, simply taking in the warmth Trent provided them.
Soon after, Trent dismissed them saying they absolutely needed to shower and even gave Jamie a dismissive kiss on the cheek “for the cut” he had. It didn’t stop him from giving Colin a speculative look but quickly replaced with an appreciative smile. Colin may have figured out a lot of things for Trent in that moment, some he still can’t put any finger on but slowly.
“So,” Ted says once in the comfort of their office, “Mom and dad.”
Trent hums, stealing Ted’s spot in his own chair, “Mom and dad.”
“We make one hell of a team, baby.” Ted says, crossing over to place a gentle kiss on Trent’s lips before deepening it with eagerness, “I won’t lie when I say I think it’s doing things to me, hon’.”
Trent’s brows raise in curiosity, pecking his lips, “Shall we explore that later?”
“Yes ma’am—“
”Oi! Mom and dad? Yeah? Get a room,” Roy grumbles as he walks past them, muttering a brief farewell to Beard, who has been engrossed in his phone and hasn't said a word for the past few minutes.
“Agreed.” Is all he adds and Trent and Ted laugh collectively.