I didn't think we'd get here so fast.

Star Spangled Man was my song of choice to write this chapter … it was so much fun.

Year Three: Final Touchdown

Three Years Ago - Central High

Even in the rain, drops showing against the light, Xavier and his team managed to win the football match. Out of all the games, this one was the best one to win. The grand finale. The final touchdown for his high school career.

Xavier ignored the rain, as always. But when the time ran out for the last time and the crowd roars into screams, his teammates jumping on each other while roaring — everything slowed for him, sounds blurring in his ears. He's sure he was smiling along, clapping teammates' shoulders through their uniforms. Automatic movements and reactions. He even catches his sister amongst the cheerleaders who ran onto the field in celebration.

But then he catches her running up to him through the wet field. Her sneakers must be soaked as is her dark romper underneath his varsity jacket. Strands of her blonde hair stick to her face as she smiles softly at him. He knows she wants to jump into his arm and rip off his helmet before smothering him in kisses but she stopped.

Her face drops a little as she walks up to him slowly. Xavier removes his helmet and the rain hides their tears. They're thinking the same thing about this being the last game. The last game he'll ever play here. The last game where she'll be his Football Girlfriend and Girlfriend in general.

They're both crying now.

Xavier crouches on the field, covering his face with his hands. God, he never thought this day would come and now it's over.

Britney kneels in front of him, cupping his head and tilting his chin up to face her. Her smile is faint but he can distinguish her tears from the raindrops. She nods before she hugs him tightly and kisses his cheek.

"You played great, Captain," Britney whispers to him as he wraps an arm.

-o-

Present Day - Hudson Residence - 12:41 PM

Angela invites herself into Xavier's dorm since the door was open. She didn't even bother to knock since she knew Xavier wouldn't hear her. He was sitting at his desk, slouching in his chair with earbuds in.

Angela knows that Xavier knows she's here since she always did this stuff back home — walking into his room uninvited and he would ignore her.

Angela sits on the edge of Xavier's bunk, clearly in his peripheral vision and he doesn't budge. She pokes and pesters him but nothing. Instead, she takes out one of his earbuds and peeks over his shoulder. She raises a brow at him watching reruns of his final football game of their senior year.

"As the older twin, it's well within my right to force you to talk," Angela says as she watches another touchdown.

"Forget go big or go home, we're going big and then going home," Xavier responds.

Angela nods, giving back his earbud before standing. "I'll go call Orchid, Merida, and Victoria and we'll recruit some cheerleaders."

-o-

The Boiler Room - 13:15 PM

Angela's used to getting stares (and glares) when she walks into The Boiler Room since it's Sci-Tech territory. She's getting more dirty looks than usual, especially since James isn't with her. Usually, when they're here together, it's not as odd since he's a Sci-Tech cadet. Either way, the various looks don't bother Angela since she's here on her own agenda (and she's used to being stared at for a long time). Hell, she doesn't even know where James is.

Angela walks up to a booth off to the side and slides in beside Daniel who has Keith and Naomi sitting across from him.

"Word's been going around Sci-Tech," Daniel says to her. "End of the year football game on the field."

"I wanted to know if you're joining," Angela says, looking at the three of them. "Not necessarily the football part but just a fun time on the field and the bleachers."

"No," Keith states, "it sounds like a dumb jock party."

"Come on," Angela nags, "it's not a dumb jock party. Some Sci-Tech cadets are coming by. Even James is going."

"Oh god…" Keith mutters. "He's just a dumb jock who doesn't do dumb jock things."

"God, I can't even argue that one…" Angela leans back in her seat. She glances at Daniel who's nodding. "I'm dating a dumb jock."

"There will be alcohol and as long as that's there, people will be happy … and there's plenty of alcohol," Daniel says.

"I don't drink," Keith says. "I can't even get drunk to ignore those clowns." He looks over at Naomi who's giving him a dirty look. "No offence."

Angela smiles at him. "Same here on the latter. Most of them are irritating. Well, I tried. Come if you like." She looks at Naomi. "Victoria said she'll be there."

"I guess I'll come," Naomi says. "My flight back home isn't till the weekend."

Keith groans. "Fine, I'll come."

"See you there," Angela responds, a smile teasing her lips as she slides out of the booth.

-o-

Academy Field - 18:28 PM

Later in the evening, the Academy's field and bleachers were full of cadets. No training uniforms or textbooks were in sight but booze and footballs were, each being passed back and forth. No more academic pressures since the year was done.

"Now this is the American dream!" Victoria exclaims as she holds her shot up to Merida.

"Don't drink unless you want to wake up with regrets," Merida responds as she pours herself a shot.

"There are so many options for that."

Victoria holds her plastic shot glass to her lips, her dark blue lipstick staining the brim. She gazes out to the field where many guys are taking off their shirts and jerseys before running out onto the field and playing reps with each other. Meanwhile, Merida holds the vodka bottle and reads the label, nodding in the same approving way as Victoria looks at the many boys on the field.

"I see both of y'all," Orchid says as she jumps down a few steps on the bleachers, stopping on the seat behind them. She takes the vodka bottle and helps herself straight from it. "You know, the best way to own a guy who takes off his shirt to fight you is to pick up his shirt and put it on."

Victoria and Merida stare at Orchid oddly as she takes another swig from the bottle.

"Y'all doubt me but just watch," Orchid says. "I ain't ever wrong."

-o-

"I think Xavier got over what happened," James says casually as the football game goes on in the background. "We had a truce at Camp."

James stands between two sections of bleachers with Daniel, Keith, and Naomi. Fellow cadets pass by them, either heading onto the field or up into the stands. Off to the side on the edge of the field, Angela's cheerleading with other cadets from various programs. James glances over at Angela and his heart flutters when he sees her beaming in pure joy as she dances with Orchid. They're in leggings and sports bras but all he can focus on is her bright smile.

"He hasn't even brought it up since it happened," Naomi says.

"Yeah, but I'm scared for my life," James states.

And as if on cue, a football whips in their direction, sacking James right in the stomach. Keith and Naomi jump and Daniel just watches as James flies back and falls on the ground. He gasps for air, calling for his life and making cries for Asgard (specifically for Apollo to beat up Xavier) as a football rolls beside him.

"Impressive trajectory," Daniel praises.

"That was the best thing I've ever seen," Keith says, watching James' life flash before his eyes.

Xavier runs over to James and laughs as he pulls him up effortlessly with one hand.

"What the hell, James, you were supposed to catch that," Xavier says.

James is so confused, unable to stand on his own before Xavier hugs James tightly like one of the bros. A kind gesture that isn't so kind when given by a super-soldier spawn who allegedly doesn't have a grudge against him. James isn't even sure if his feet are touching the ground since Xavier is swinging him from side to side in his embrace. But he will say that it's better than some bro hug from Apollo.

"Good to see you in your natural element," Daniel says.

"You haven't seen anything yet," Xavier responds.

"Oh god…" James mumbles, scared for his life so he shrinks to escape the hug.

-o-

The field is divided into two teams: Operations Weight Class A and Sci-Tech vs. Operations Weight Class B and Communications. Was this a miraculous turn of events that united the Academy's programs? No. It was simply a buzzed fun time that allowed the two weight classes to have at it with each other as they usually do in their joint training sessions. Besides, it probably wouldn't have been a fair match if it was Operations versus Sci-Tech and Communications. (And if there was anything James learned at Camp, Communications doesn't want shit with Sci-Tech.)

"Haven't played since high school," Xavier says, tossing a football in the air. "Might be rusty."

"If you're rusty, then I'm obsolete," Ashton responds, grabbing the football at the next toss.

"Sucks for your team."

Ashton mocks him as he gets back to his side of the field with his weight class and the game begins.

"What are you doing?" Xavier asks Brody.

As the ball is being tossed back and forth across the field, Brody repositions Xavier on the field and just crouches behind him.

"Hiding behind you like a tree for a sneak attack," Brody responds.

"That's not even a good hiding place."

"Not with all the ladies looking at you."

Xavier rolls his eyes as Ashton runs by them. He spots Brody mid-pounce and ducks to dodge the sneak attack. Ashton laughs as he helps Brody up and they turn around to see Orchid in Brody's shirt since Brody took it off. Orchid winks at him before quickly flashing him. Xavier and Ashton look away as the crowd of cadets erupts into cheers. Mid-gawking, Angela runs up to them. She grabs onto Ashton's shoulders as leverage to swing her legs upwards and barrel-rolls Brody to the ground. The cheers continue as Orchid skips over to pull them up.

"American cheerleaders are so much fun," Brody says from the ground.

"How's that for a sneak attack?" Angela asks, grinning.

"Best. Day. Ever!" Brody yells. "James, you lucky bastard!"

"That's my girl!" James yells, cheering even when Xavier looks at him.

James hides behind Ashton as Brody did earlier with Xavier. Meanwhile, Brody pulls Orchid close to him, bodies pressed against each other, and whispers something in her ear that elicits an excited smirk from her.

"Сукин сын, her weird logic works," Victoria mutters from the bleachers as they look down onto the events of the field. "I like that farm girl."

"I'm not drunk enough for this," Merida mumbles.

"Regret coming?" Daniel asks Keith.

"I'm so entertained by these clowns," Keith says, having applauded the loudest with Angela jumped Brody. He never thought he'd have so much respect for those dumb blonds before … it'll fade.

"This is so much fun!" Naomi exclaims.

They continue watching the field where Xavier and Brody overwhelm Ashton with a farewell bro hug filled with many friendly punches. It doesn't help that Orchid and Angela joined in, even Merida jumped the bleachers to get a punch in.

Goodbye may be inevitable but they'll live through it. SHIELD Academy doesn't just exist for training. It's to make friends and connections. They'll never know who they'll need a favour from or have in their debt. They'll never know who can help them cover something up. Anyone could be on the Council one day. They were young because the future was open but, in another sense, they're much older and more mature than the childlike teenagers who first walked in those Academy doors.

And they'll be back for a final year as cadets.

This chapter has a spot in my heart.

And that brings an end to Year Three. I have a few summer chapters planned first … and as I'm typing this AN and chapter, it's July 2021 and I still have to finish planning Year Four. So far, I have 3 chapters. Ashton isn't leaving the story for good. He's just leaving the Academy. He'll be in future chapters. (As I'm publishing this chapter, I still have to plan Year Four so we're doing great!)