Synopsis: past fic. What happened to some characters on Akilian just before the Ice Age.
Disclaimer: the animated show "Galactik Football" doesn't belong to me. I'm not making any money with this fic so please, don't sue me.
Before the ice age, chapter 2
A village hall, 8 months before the explosion
It was midnight and Aarch didn't feel remotely sleepy. Nobody did, anyway. There's something quite universal with the fact that nobody ever sleeps at wedding dinners. He just felt slightly weird because it was his brother's wedding.
Why did he, by the way? There was nothing wrong with his new sister-by-law. There was also nothing wrong with the fact his beloved brother was going to make his dream come true and was starting a family at last. Actually, the only disturbing thing was the fact his bond of friendship with his brother might loosen now that he was married. Another life, other interests than galactik football… It just felt weird.
"How long do you give them?" a voice asked him. The captain of the team turned around and saw Burns, the short, black-eyed midfielder. He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"They look like a bit of a crack pairing, don't they? She seems to be a huge dreamer and he's so down-to-earth…"
Aarch laughed. "And you're a specialist, aren't you? Since when haven't you been in a relationship?"
"Well, observing others might be more fun. Look at these two ones." He gestured at Sven and Sandi, who were laughing together at another table. "They just need each other and don't realise it, pretending they're just good friends. "She" (he nodded at Adim) "needs to feel that she's in control of everything. Maybe one day she'll fall for a man she'll be able to boss around, and then she'll leave him because she'll think he's too weak for her. Or maybe she'll find someone more authoritative than her, and refuse to enter into a relationship with him because she wants to be in control while still admiring his charisma."
Burns nearly added that Aarch had exactly the same flaw and stopped himself just in time. People were sometimes uneasy at him being so perceptive. Aarch just shrugged. "I don't mind authoritative women", he said.
"How surprising."
Then Max went to them, grinning wildly. "Come on, stand up, I want to photograph everyone!" The two players complied and Aarch found himself standing between Adim and Artegor. The captain couldn't help noticing that she smelt good and that she looked particularly attractive that evening. Maybe it was because he was seeing her in a dress for the first time, or maybe because Burns had told him that she would be difficult to seduce, and he enjoyed difficulty… She winked at him and several years later, when Max had a look at the photos, he couldn't help noticing Artegor's wry face on one of them…
It was early in the morning when everyone left. Just before saying good-bye to his brother, Aarch took him apart. "I want to know", he whispered. "You told me months ago that you didn't want to mix work and relationships. How did this girl manage to get her claws into you?"
"She resigned" his brother said, beaming.
"She… what?"
"We had become, how to say, very close and I had told her I didn't want to go too far with my employee, even if I wished I could. So one morning, I found her resignation letter and she saying she liked me better than the job."
Norata had to wipe his eyes. He had obviously drunk a bit too much, like practically everyone. "I hired her again two days later, what else could I do?" he carried on.
"Hey, thank you for giving me your brother", interrupted the bride, who had obviously drunk a little too. She hugged her new brother-by-law and kissed him on both cheeks. The newlyweds left hand in hand. Dumbfounded, the blue-eyed striker turned around and saw Adim saying goodbye to Sven and Sandi. They were holding hands under the table and it was obvious that they were becoming more than just good friends, and also less sober. Aarch followed Adim with his eyes. She talking with a man he had never seen before.
"Hey!" Norata's brother said to Max, who was also slightly drunk. "Do you know who that guy is?"
"Uh? A cousin of the bride, I think."
Aarch was getting tired and he decided that it was time for him to leave. He had a last look at Adim before leaving. Cute girl, definitely. And at the same time, he could guess what Burns would probably tell him if he were around. Females are dangerous creatures, aren't they? If shy, quiet Kira was able to make your stubborn brother change his mind about something so important for him, what can a confident woman like Adim do to you?
Well, he loved taking risks, after all. He decided to ask Adim out as soon as possible.
Ooo0ooo0oo
Planet Akilian, 7 months before
"If you want my opinion", Artegor said again, "we should try to switch Max and Norata at least once. "They both seem to have potential in each other's fields."
Aarch nodded. "Why not? Although I'm not sure about Max. He may not be reactive enough to be a midfielder."
"It all depends on who he plays against."
"Maybe. But that would be a problem. A good player has to be consistent."
"You can say that again." The two players took a sip of their drinks and exchanged a smile. They had gotten used to have a talk in this place every Saturday afternoon after the training session. It had become a ritual for them.
"And how was dinner yesterday?" the black-haired striker asked suddenly.
"Dinner?" his friend answered, surprised. "What are you talking about?"
"Well, I heard you and Adim…"
The captain of the team sighed and looked away. "OK, who told you?"
"Max. He said he saw you by accident when he was looking for ideas for his next novel."
Aarch shook his head. "If Max told you that, half of the city must know now. Tell him about intimacy…"
Artegor laughed. "Hey, there's nothing to be ashamed of! We have Sven and Sandi who go out together now, so why not you and Adim?"
Aarch was feeling slightly ashamed because the night had been both a success and a disaster at the same time. First they had disagreed on the choice of the restaurant (he wanted a Chinese and she wanted an Italian) and they had finally tossed up for it. He had enjoyed the dinner and the talking, tough. She was smart, confident, determined; they felt they were on the same wavelength. And then he had suggested going to the movies and they had strongly disagreed on the choice of the film. She wanted to toss up again to choose, he didn't want to. Finally, they had walked slowly back home, talked, felt good together and that had been the end of the night.
In a way, he had enjoyed the way they had disagreed. He was the competitive type, after all, and a partner who agrees with you all the time seemed somehow boring to him. Maybe a hectic relationship was exactly what he needed.
Artegor didn't ask more questions. He knew the night had not been entirely a success, thanks to talkative Max. Suddenly, he wondered why he felt quite satisfied about it. Because it meant he was not the only person whose love life was far from being perfect? Or was it for other reasons?
He changed the subject. "Well, don't you think Sandi made some progress lately?"
Ooo0ooo0oo
The newlyweds' home, 6 months before the explosion
The midfielder came back home particularly tired. It was late, the training session had been very long and he felt like lying down and sleeping. Strangely enough, the shop looked as if it had been closed hurriedly. Norata knew his wife had surprising, childish reactions sometimes and he still wasn't completely used to it. "Kira?" he called. "Where are you?"
"In the kitchen but don't enter now!"
What on Akilian was she doing?!! He waited, puzzled. There were some dishes noises. "Did you water the roses?" he asked through the closed door.
"Of course! Come… No, wipe your feet and come in!"
He came in as his feet had already been wiped. The table was set, there were wine, candles, the smell of good food and she was standing in front of him, completely gorgeous in a dark red dress he had never seen before. She was giggling like a schoolgirl. He stared at her, dumbfounded. "Kira…" he whispered.
"Surprise! Do you like my dress?"
He nodded. "It looks new. Of course, but what's going on?"
"It's not new; I was just keeping it for a special occasion." She embraced him, put a light kiss on his lips and giggled again. "Sit down and have some wine."
He tried to understand. "What's going on? I didn't forget your birthday, did I?"
"Of course not. You can have all the wine, I won't be able to drink for some time. Come!"
Realisation dawned on him. "You mean…"
"Of course, my love. You're going to be a father!"
He stared at his wife for some time. "Are you sure?" he asked, still incredulous.
She kissed him again. "Of course, I'm sure. I saw a doctor today and she told me everything was all right with the baby, our baby. Aren't you happy?"
Suddenly he didn't feel remotely tired. He nodded, unable to say a word, hugged her and then loosened his hug to look into her sparkling eyes. This was the most wonderful news ever. "Well…" he whispered. "Well…"
"Well, sit down and let's celebrate. I made you a nice dinner."
He sat down, elated, and tried to think of something to say. "I noticed. Thanks, it smells good. Do other people know?"
"Of course not. I wanted you to be the first."
He laughed. "Well, thanks for the surprise and… everything." This was really wonderful news. He beamed at her while she poured him some wine, thinking he loved everything about her: her grace, her kindness, the way she surprised him every day… And then he started thinking about. A child would mean a lot of changes and new responsibilities. Of course they could afford to raise him or her but they would have to revise their budget, which he would do as soon as possible. The little room upstairs could be turned into a child's bedroom. There was a school in the area and…
"What are you thinking of?" she asked suddenly.
"Things" he said simply.
"And you say it's me who daydreams all the time!"
He shook his head. "I'm not daydreaming, I'm organising things. This child will need to be raised in the right way."
She laughed. "Norata, it's not even born yet! We have time to think about it. You're so serious sometimes…"
"I'm serious for two."
She laughed even more. "OK, then, Mr Serious, but could you please put your solemn side aside, just for tonight? I want us to celebrate."
"Of course." He took her hand and put a kiss on her phalanxes. Then he thought of something else and frowned. "You know, I think it's my brother who will be less happy about it."
She bat her lips. "What do you mean, he doesn't like children?"
"He doesn't mind them but us raising a child means the end of my career in the team. Galactik football is extremely important for him and I hope he won't hold it against me."
"You want to give up your career?" she asked, puzzled.
"Of course. What else would I do?"
"But it is also important for you", she noticed. "Listen, you don't have to give up GF to raise our child. I know how much you enjoy this sport and I would feel bad if you sacrificed it."
"I would feel bad if I sacrificed the bringing-up of our child", he retorted. "Kira, this will be my goodbye season and anyway, our reserve player can take my place afterwards. I don't want to be away in the galaxy while you'll stay alone with the kid. There's no bigger priority than family!"
She nodded, got up and hugged him, too moved for saying a word. How could she have believed him cold once? He was just the most wonderful man in the universe!
"Love you…" she whispered.
To be continued…