A/N: I'm literally the worst. I know. Maybe one day I'll get my crap together.

Disclaimer: I own the games. That's it. It owns my soul.

"Gods damn, ShinRa! Give the ball to someone else!"

Bryce looked away from Azrael running the ball into the endzone as Nalmir Rilith yanked his helmet off and stormed toward the sidelines.

"Watch your mouth, Rilith," Coach Jordan stated calmly, writing down the play as a success. "That was a great pass, ShinRa. Great run, Forrest. Everyone, get some water. We'll run another formation."

Nalmir seethed as his teammates hustled to the sidelines. He threw his helmet at the coach's feet. "Fucker doesn't give anyone else a chance, Coach!"

Coach Jordan looked up at him, eyes narrowed. "Now, I know you know better than to disrespect your equipment, Rilith," he told him, voice as calm as the air before a lightning strike. "I'll give you one chance to pick up that helmet, Son, and I'll believe it slipped from the sweat."

The dark-haired boy gritted his teeth, begrudgingly bending down to pick up the helmet. "Sorry, Sir."

"Better," Coach Jordan nodded. "ShinRa ran the play like I told him. If you have an issue with the formation, you direct your anger at the one responsible, you understand me?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Now, why do you think I had ShinRa throw the ball to Forrest in a play in which the receiver has less than three-fourths of a second to sprint 20 yards while juking past four 250-pound men trying to lay him flat on his back?"

Nalmir took a deep breath and shook his head.

"It's a simple question, Rilith," Coach stated. He turned to the other players who had huddled around them. "Anyone wanna venture a guess? Why'd I send a pass to Forrest in a play where he's got less than a second to get 20 yards down field without getting hit by a half-ton of men?"

"He's got the speed, Coach," Denzel called. "My line can't catch him."

Coach Jordan pointed at the blond. "Right, Strife," he nodded. "And if the best defensive line in the conference can't even lay a hand on Forrest, why in Ifrit's name would I not want my quarterback to throw to him?"

Nalmir remained silent, eyes flaming in anger.

The coach stepped up to the teenager. "I run the best men in the formations the offensive coordinators and I draw up," he told him. "The next time you yell at one of your teammates over a choice from this coaching staff, you will turn in your jersey and watch the game from the student section. Maybe a different perspective will open your eyes to the formation. Understood?"

"Yes."

Coach Jordan narrowed his eyes. "Yes, what, Son?"

"Yes, Sir, Coach!"

"Good," he said. "If you want more opportunities, prove yourself worthy of them without running your yap like a spoiled punk." Coach Jordan gave a small smile at Nalmir's nod. "Line up! ShinRa, sweeping pass to West in the backfield. Let's see a good run, Boys!"

Bryce patted Nalmir on the helmet as he joined the huddle. "Robby, go up the left. Nalmir, you got the block against Kenneth. Make a hole."

Nalmir nodded, eyes widening when Azrael grabbed his facemask. "No one opens up a line like you, Nalm," he told him, giving him a shake. "Make up for the outburst, Bruh. You got this."

"Right," Nalmir agreed, a small grin on his face. "Right. Yeah. Got it."

Bryce grinned at Azrael as he went to his position in the formation. Taking up a shot-gun position behind Paulo, he called out his play. "Wutai, 42. Hut!"

Paulo sent the ball into Bryce's hands, who immediately turned and passed it to Robby. Nalmir tracked Robby's route, coming up to block the 275-pound defensive end, Kenneth Ralls, and pushing him into Denzel. Robby sprinted through the hole that was made and tore into the endzone.

"Yes, Rilith!" Coach Jordan clapped from the sideline. "Excellent block! West, way to find that hole and run!"

Azrael jumped into the air and chest bumped Robby in celebration of the successful play. "Fuck yeah, Robby!" He exclaimed. "Let's go!"

Robby grinned, tossing the football back to the coach. "Thanks, Man," he answered. He turned to Nalmir, grasping his hand. "Dude, freaking awesome block! You were right where you were supposed to be!"

Bryce removed his helmet, smiling at the change in Nalmir's disposition. Paulo took his side and nodded. "Good call on using Nalmir for the block," the dark-eyed boy acknowledged.

"He just needed to be reminded of his strengths," Bryce said with a grin before jogging over to the sidelines and kneeling by the coaching staff with the rest of his team.

"Great job today, Boys," Coach Jordan told them. "We've got Kalm on the road this week. Then next week we are back here for homecoming against Edge South. Now, we all know that any given Friday night is different. We've had an amazing season so far. Tomorrow, we'll watch film on Kalm's games this year and see what weaknesses we can exploit. From what I can tell, their offense is spot on." He turned toward Denzel and the other defensive linemen. "But we have the best defensive line in the conference. Boys, I have faith you can stop them. The fact that you can't stop our own offensive drives solidifies the fact that we also have the best offense. We practice like we've never won and we play like we've never lost. You have the strength. You have the hunger. And you have the talent to take the championship this year. I'm proud of you boys." Coach Jordan turned and nodded toward Nalmir. "All of you. On your feet."

The team stood, bunched together. "SOLDIERS on three," Coach told them. "One, two, three…"

"SOLDIERS!"

"Hit the showers and I'll see you tomorrow. Great practice, Boys."

Nalmir stepped aside and waited until Bryce walked by, falling into step beside him. "Bryce, man; sorry about that."

Bryce smiled and nodded, holding his hand up for a fist bump. "No worries," he told him. "Az's got the speed, Bro; you got the laser sites and strength to block. Don't worry; you will get the ball."

"Right," Nalmir agreed. "Whatever gets that W, right?"

"That's the goal."

Nalmir slapped his back and trotted off to the field house. Azrael leapt up and grabbed Bryce in a headlock. "Fuckin' Prez always knows the right thing to do," he laughed, messing with Bryce's sweaty blond hair.

Bryce dropped his helmet and lowered his shoulder into Azrael's stomach, taking the silver-haired teen off guard and tossing him over his shoulder. "Damn, Az, you reek!" He laughed, tossing the silver-haired teen to Denzel. "Denz, drop him in the showers!"

Azrael laughed as the defensive lineman caught him. "It's the smell of success, Prez!" He was placed back on his feet as Paulo joined them, all four boys walking together back to the field house.

Robby trotted by, turning around and grinning at them. "Nice job, guys," he called.

"Robby, come here," Bryce waved him over, Paulo moving aside so the other boy could walk beside the blond.

"Sup?"

Bryce placed an arm over Robby's shoulder. "I have it on good authority that Marlene Wallace is hoping that you will ask her to Homecoming."

Robby blushed, looking around Azrael to Denzel, the taller boy narrowing his eyes at him. "Dude, are you trying to get Denz to kill me?"

Bryce looked over at his friend. "Denzel, Marlene likes Robby and he likes her," he told him. "I've reserved a limo for all of us; you and Melanie as well as Robby and Marlene." He looked at the other boys. "If everyone is amendable to that."

Denzel stopped and grabbed Robby by the shoulder pads. "If my sister wants to go with you, fine," he growled. "But if you so much as make her lip quiver, I'll break every block in practice and then break your gods damn neck, you get me?"

"No worries, Bro," he told him. "I really like her. I won't hurt her."

Denzel pushed him away. "Her choice," he stated. "If she says no, you leave her alone."

"Of course," Robby agreed. He grinned at Bryce. "Thanks for the heads up. I'll get a HoCo Proposal ready."

Paulo grinned as Robby jogged away. "I better do one for Kaya," he said. "Denz, what'd you do for Melanie?"

"I asked her," he grumbled, staring after the running back. He glared at Bryce. "Who told you Marlene liked him?"

"Andria," he answered, opening the door for them and following them. "Last night."

Azrael arched an eyebrow at him. "You were with my girlfriend last night?"

"She needed my access card to get into the labs at ShinRa," he explained. "My father is updating her card today so she won't need me anymore."

"Is this for her science project?" The silverette asked, tossing his helmet in his locker.

"Yeah," Bryce answered, removing his pads. "The labs there are more sophisticated than ours here. My father gave her permission to use them since she's familiar with protocol and he knows she will treat the facilities with respect."

Az nodded. "I'm glad you were with her then," he said. "I really don't like some of the frat boys they have working in there. I've caught too many of them staring at her."

"Andi's a pretty girl, Az," Denzel told him. "It happens. Just like when Cloud catches dudes at the bar checking out Tifa."

"And beats their asses?" Azrael grinned. "So, you're saying I should pummel them if they look at her? Good idea, Denz."

Denzel laughed. "You usually do."

Robby came back over then. "Hey, Denz," he asked. "What are Marlene's favorite flowers?"

Denzel clenched his jaw and glared at him. "White and yellow lilies," he answered gruffly. "They grow in the church in the Sector 5 slums."

"Church," Robby nodded. "I know where it is. Got it. Thanks!"

Denzel slammed his locker closed. "I fucking hate this," he grumbled.

"You're too protective of her," Bryce told him. Denzel glared at him. "Not that I blame you. She's your sister. I feel the same about Kaya, and she's just my cousin." He nodded toward Paulo. "Fortunately, this guy has loved her for as long as he's known her and treats her with respect."

"Robby better do the same for Marlene, or I'll kill him."

Azrael patted his back. "We all will," he promised. "You don't mess with our girls. Andi, Kaya, Ax, or Marlene. And now, Melanie Sanders."

Denzel grinned. "Right," he said. "Did you ask Andi to homecoming yet?"

"Guess I should make it official," he answered. "Big gesture, flowers, lame sign with a 'HoCo Would Be Lame-O Without You'. That kinda shit."

"She might like it," Paulo told him. "Just because you guys have a stable and longtime relationship doesn't mean you stop doing meaningful things for her."

"Sage advice from the man who brings my cousin flowers every week," Bryce grinned.

"Kaya is the best and deserves the best," Paulo said. "Who else am I going to spend my money on? I love spoiling her." He cut his dark eyes toward Bryce. "Besides, how many gifts have you given Axys and you aren't even dating."

Azrael laughed. "Oh, he got you, Prez!" He crowed.

"Please, I buy her energy drinks and cigarettes from time to time," he told them. "Small things, like I have for everyone."

"Funny how when you treat us all to dinner, it's at her favorite restaurant," Denzel chimed in.

Azrael grinned. "And the booze is usually stuff she picks out."

Bryce was grinning. "We have similar tastes."

"Just ask the pyro to Homecoming," Azrael laughed.

He shook his head. "Nah, I plan on going alone, as I'm sure she will since the object of her desires is already in a relationship."

Azrael rolled his eyes. "I can't believe she still likes me."

"The heart wants what it wants," Bryce said, grabbing his body wash and a towel. He tossed one to Azrael. "Shower before asking Andria to Homecoming or you will offend her with your stench."

Azrael laughed. "My manly smell too much for ya?"

"Your body odor is abhorrent."

Azrael sniffed under his arms. He gagged. "Yeah, okay. Even I admit that's bad. Gimme some of that body wash, Prez."

"I'll toss it over the stall," he agreed, leading the way to the showers.

Azrael trotted after him, punching his shoulder. "Thanks, Buddy."

Bryce ginned. "It's more for our benefit than Andi's," he told him. "You really reek."

Azrael laughed. "Success, Man. Success."

A/N: Maybe I'll update earlier next time.