Title: Coming to a Realization

Author: kawaiichiisaikitsune (Dana-chan)

Information: Movie - Remember the Titans - GerryXSunshine

Summary: Sudden thoughts seemed to randomly pop up in Gerry's head. Not all of them being things he's able to deal with.

Author's Notes: I'm totally disregarding the fact that Gerry gets paralyzed and whatever else happens in the movie after that point (I've only seen up to there). Uhm... So this is a new, fresh idea so I would request you to give me all your thoughts on it, whether they be good or bad. Thanks a ton, I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter Two: The Middle

.Start

For the rest of the hour, the two played all out in this game of basketball. When they both decided to call it quits, Ronnie really had beaten the captain, 18 to 16. Both were sweating horribly, drenched in their own bodily fluids. They were panting rather hard and exhausted beyond compare, both probably needing a large supply of water. Gerry thought about that and figured he'd go get a drink. So, he lifted himself from his bent position and realized, truly realized, the boy panting beside him.

Sunshine was bent over just like he was before, hands on his thighs and knees bent. He was sweating so much that his shirt stuck to his torso like a second skin and his the roots of his golden locks were drenched. The strands of hair around his face stuck to his cheeks, neck, forehead, and jaw line. Sweat beads slowly ran down his face, and his mouth was open, taking deep, long inhales and exhaling it quickly. His eyes were fluttering in their practically closed state before he looked up and met Gerry's gaze. Ronnie picked himself up and smiled beautifully at the captain, teeth a lovely pearl white. He wiped the back of his hand of his perspiring forehead and laughed slightly.

"He's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Gerry's mind stated in awe, and this time he didn't get frightened, he just stared at the quarterback.

"Uh . . . Gerry. We better head to the showers. Good game, by the way." That definitely shook the captain out of his reverie. He realized the other was walking away and sprinted to catch up. After that, he walked silently beside the other team member as they headed back to the locker room to take their showers.

After completing those tasks, and dressing himself, Gerry began to walk through the locker room toward the exit/entrance. As he walked by Sunshine's row he noted that the other boy was just finishing changing his attire. Picking up any lingering courage, he walked over to the homosexual and waited for the other to realize his presence. The moment Sunshine turned and saw him, he found the boy's shocked expression quite interesting, and relinquished in it for a small amount of time.

"Hey, Sunshine... Want to go grab a bite to eat? It's on me," Gerry questioned.

"Oh, of course, Gerry. Let's go," Sunshine answered with a smile.

The captain waited as the other locked his stuff and put on his shoes, and then they walked out together, discussing where they would go to have something to eat. After they decided upon the first fast food restaurant they saw, the two hopped into the captain's car and drove around a little bit before they saw a Wendy's and rode into the parking lot. Gerry parked the car, making sure this place was alright with his company, and they got out of the car to go eat inside.

Thankfully it was pretty much empty while they were there. Leisurely, they went to the register and ordered their food, and then went to find a seat. Seeing as the place was empty, someone came and gave them their food not too longer after. Without any words, the two started eating.

Eventually, Sunshine got sick of the silence and thought he'd start a conversation. Of course, the question that came out of his mouth was one that didn't normally show up in conversation.

"Why did you want to be in football?"

Gerry gave the other a sort of quizzical look before taking the question into consideration. He eyed the food by his hands, but he wasn't really looking at him. "I guess I just wanted to be a part of something. I wanted to be in a club, a sport, and football seemed to be the one for me. There's never been any true goal, just be a great player and all that. Besides, I liked playing football, it turned out to be a hobby for me. Y'know?" he looked over to the boy, smiling and nodding at his answer. "Why did you want to be in football?"

"My father wanted me to. I could honestly care less. I liked basketball more," he smiled proudly at this, "but my dad said football would get me farther in life. So, I played. And, I guess I like it enough."

"So, you only joined our team because your father wanted you to?"

"Basically... But, I'm glad I did. Everything turned out nice, and I like it like that. Don't you?"

"Yeah... I guess so. So, what would you have done if you never joined our football team?"

"To be honest, I don't know. Maybe join the basketball team, or... I don't know. It's kind of hard to imagine myself never meeting the team. What about you?"

"Same. I don't know what I'd do. I met my best friend, Julius, because of the team. I can't imagine that never happening. I'd probably still be... I don't really know." For a moment it was silent while both pondered deeply into what was just asked and answered. Then, Gerry was struck with a very curious question, but unsure of whether or not he should ask.

"Hey, Sunshine... How often do you get made fun of?"

"Well... I guess not as much as some people. But more than enough for myself. That make sense?"

"Yeah, it made sense. But, what do they say that... Y'know... Hurts the most?"

"All of it hurts, Gerry, they're making fun of me. I suppose it hurts the most when they call me a fag or something. Little subtle things and glares of hatred I can handle, but I hate it when people insult the fact that maybe I like one gender over the other. Nothing I can do about it." He shrugged, not really thinking too much of it. Those guys, all they wanted was his anger and sorrow as a reaction, and he wouldn't give it to them.

"Oh, well... If it helps, I'll make sure they don't call you that around me." Gerry gave a friendly grin.

"It does. Thanks, Gerry."

"Don't think anything of it. We're brothers, I'm there for you."

"Thanks. Really. I never thought you'd be the one to help me out."

The captain gave a confused face, "What do you mean by that?"

"I just mean because.. You called me a fruitcake when I first came to your team. You used to make little pokes of fun at me sometimes. And, I unwillingly put you in a lip-lock."

"Oh... Right... Well, that's all behind us now. We're cool now. Right?"

"Of course we are. And, I'm there for you, too."

Gerry, still perfectly awake, couldn't help but think, "He's so interesting, and kind, and sweet..." Trying quickly to cover up what he just thought, he spoke aloud, "C'mon, we gotta head back, so finish your food in the car."

"Oh. Alright, if you say so." Sunshine decided to throw away everything except his drink, "You want me to throw away your stuff?"

"Yeah, thanks. Not my soda, though," he replied, and the other took his trash and threw that away as well. Both with their drinks in hand left the building and stepped into the car.

On the ride back, Gerry turned on the music, and the first song that came both recognized. Oddly enough, there was no awkwardness, at least for Sunshine, and the boy started belting out the song, Gerry doing the same when he knew the words and wasn't paying all his attention to the road. After the song ended, the two were laughing quite hard at how they were acting and what they had just done with all their lovely choreography.

"Dude, you suck," Gerry announced to the occupant of the car, laughing slightly.

"Yeah, says the guy who can sing," he rebounded sarcastically, chuckling in the same fashion.

"At least you're adorable when you sing," Gerry thought adoringly, eyeing the boy before turning back to road and driving with the utmost caution.

"Hey, Gerry, what's your next class?" Sunshine asked after his giggling fit ended.

"Uh... English. Why?"

"Just curious. I have Sign Language. We don't have practice today, right?"

"Nope. Coach is giving us a break for once. Want a ride home?"

"Why, Gerry," Sunshine took on a falsetto voice, "I'll have you know, I'm an innocent, young lady. So, if this is your way of asking me out on a date, I think I'd need to ask my papa."

The captain howled in laughter at the absurdity of it all. He changed his voice to a low, more manly voice, "Well, little miss Sunshine, I do believe your papa'd approve. So, how about it? Wanna walk on the wild side with me?" At this point he waggled his eyebrows in a suggestive way, earning a girly giggle from "little miss Sunshine".

"I suppose I could. But, don't try anything funny, Mister!"

The two laughed insanely at how they were behaving and thankfully during the middle of all that, Gerry managed to park the car in the school parking lot. They stepped out of the vehicle, still in hysterics. Once they calmed themselves down a bit, they started walk in the general direction of their next class, huge grins plastered on their faces. Eventually, they parted with large smiles, a handshake, and a "see you after school", and turned to walk the rest of the distance to their fifth period.

Gerry made sure to be in his classroom a little early, and settled himself in a random seat. And just as everyone started piling into the room, his smile fell off his face and realization dawned on him. "I just flirted with Sunshine," his mind screamed in panic.

End.

Author's Note: Hope you like the story. I'd be saddened in my writing if you didn't. So, drop me some reviews to tell me what you thought of this chapter, and of any previous or latter chapters. And, also, drop me a review to tell me whether or not you'd want a sequel, or another story, or anything of that. Thank you for reading, though. :D