Conversation
Disclaimer: I do not own Galactik Football and I make no money from this fanfiction.
Prompt for GFchamp, that was given ages ago; sorry it took so long to fill. Prompt was: Artegor is trying to get a good conversation with Sinedd. I hope you like it!
Set during S2, after the Smog (and Artegor) just returned to the Shadows.
Artegor took a breath before entering the lion's den, otherwise known as Sinedd's room. Before, he would have just barged in there and barked his orders; it would have been swift, efficient. But that wasn't what he wanted now, he actually wanted a proper conversation with Sinedd; he actually cared now, and that was what was making it so damn difficult.
But it had to be done, the recalcitrant Striker was spiralling even further out of control, and Artegor recognised the warning signs- he needed to gain Sinedd's trust if he could ever hope to undo the damage that had been done.
He knocked, decisively, at the door.
"What?" Sinedd answered, moments later; in the disrespectful tones he had been prone to taking ever since Artegor got back from being Assistant Coach to them. As crazy as Artegor used to be, competitive and uncaring attitude was something that Sinedd could at least understand; he just didn't bye this whole 'new and improved' Artegor.
"I'd like to speak to you," Artegor said, letting himself through to door- not asking whether he could come in, that would just give Sinedd the opportunity to say 'no'. This conversation was happening if Sinedd wanted it or not.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral, on overt display of sentimentality would only make Sinedd suspicious.
"I feel fine," Sinedd said, automatically, giving the default answer. His eyes were narrowed though and his arms were crossed tightly in front of his chest.
"You're not having any dizziness or coughing fits?" Artegor inquired further, knowing a defensive manoeuvre when he saw one.
"No, as I said, I'm fine," Sinedd insisted, although he was being less than honest; the Smog didn't exactly make him feel good anymore but he needed it just to survive, he wouldn't let anyone take it away from him again.
Artegor nodded, sceptically. "That's good then. Keep me informed if anything changes; I know first hand how dangerous the Smog can be, I was just like you when I was your age."
There was an awkward pause, in which he wondered what else he could say.
"What about your social life?" Artegor asked, realising how false the question sounded only too late, he'd never inquired about it before- in fact he'd always told his team that football, winning, was the only thing that mattered.
Sinedd's lip curled; Artegor really had gotten soft to ask such a question.
"My social life is none of your business," he said, coldly, knowing that he couldn't exactly tell him about what he got up to even if he wanted to.
"Well if you ever need to talk…" Artegor said, awkwardly, parroting the phrase that Aarch had become fond of.
Sinedd just stared at him, willing him to leave.
"I'll see you in practice," Artegor stated, before making his move out of the door.
Had he had expectations, he would have been disappointed in how little Sinedd had opened up to him, but he'd known going in there that it was the response he was going to get. Still, he'd keep trying, hopefully over time he'd learn to trust him. Then perhaps they might be able to have a real conversation.
Yeah, that's it for this fic. I'm not a big fan of how I ended it- it just kind of stops…But I hope GFchamp likes it anyways. Review please!