Chapter Text
Baseball.
My one true love. My home. My family.
It’s Opening Day – more exciting than Christmas and birthdays and perfectly cooked stadium hot dogs.
I’m bouncing impatiently and I must look like a lunatic to the people around me. A grown man (large, bearded grown man) jumping around like a kid in a candy shop.
Where is he?!
I finally managed to get the seats I've been waiting for my whole life: Opening Day, front row, right next to the dugout. Right in front of the path the players will walk for the pre-game ceremony. I’ll be so close I can almost touch them. Touch them.
Okay, don’t be creepy, Garrett.
I feel a tug on my right sleeve as my sister Bethany entwines her arm through mine. She gives me this super excited grin as Carver (her twin) appears on her other side. Even with his baseball hat covering part of his face I can tell he’s scowling. Carver doesn't do well in crowds.
“Do you think he’ll walk near us, Gare?” Bethany asks hopefully as she cuts off my circulation.
“Probably,” I respond, trying to appear casual.
I know exactly who she’s talking about. My team – the Kirkwall Champions - had made a major off-season deal and landed one of the top players in the entire league: a brash, arrogant, (handsome) and extremely talented young pitcher who went solely by the name Anders.
Like some kind of rock star, I think, smiling dumbly.
Bethany, like almost every other female fan I know, has a hopeless crush on the guy. It's kind of…weird having a crush on the same guy as your sister. But it's easy to see why he was so popular. He was the classic “bad boy”; he kept his hair a little longer than most, pulled back in a small ponytail most of the time. He did what he wanted, when he wanted, and his mouth had gotten him into trouble more than once. He had a perpetual smirk on his face and could charm the pants off of anyone.
Or so they say. I would volunteer to test that theory. For science.
I had always admired him, even when he wasn’t on the Champions. For his skill and his attitude. He was cool. Unlike me. I'm just a regular 20-something guy who works in a bakery and obsesses over baseball. I’m not usually attracted to athletes (too much like Carver), but there was something about Anders that appealed to me.
I stopped hiding the fact that I obsessively searched for details of his personal life. Didn’t everyone? I mean, that was normal, right? Bethany would roll her eyes but then she would appear over my shoulder, stopping me when I swiped away too fast.
I snapped out of my daydream. I’m cool. It's cool. Please don’t do something stupid, Garrett.
Bethany grins wider as she untangles herself from my arm (precious blood, welcome back) and onto Carver instead. Carver rolls his eyes at her excitement but I caught the smile he gave her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Carver thinks he’s a lot cooler than he actually is.
Just then, the music changes and the announcer’s voice comes booming over the PA system. Bethany squeals beside me, and I just know I have the biggest, goofiest grin on my face right now.
I get way too emotional during these ceremonies. There’s so much hope, so many possibilities laying before us. So much pride that this is my team, and I’ll be right here cheering for them, win or lose.
The crowd erupts in a roar as the announcer begins. Traditionally, the visiting team gets announced first. This year we’re were opening against the Starkhaven Avengers. The Champions and Avengers have one of the biggest rivalries in baseball, constantly battling it out for the top spot in our division.
I don’t like their shortstop. Sebastian Vael. Even his name annoys me. His nickname is “The Prince” since his dad was a hot shot player back in the day. I suspect it’s really because he acts like a spoiled brat. That’s what I tell myself, anyway. He’s one of those guys that makes a big deal about how religious he is and feels the need to mention it in every other sentence. He’s pretentious and overrated, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to Anders knocking him down a peg today.
I start bouncing insanely again as I wait for all the visiting players to finish being announced. Bethy is leaning over the side of the small wall in front of us, trying to get a better view. Carver is pretending he’s not excited, but I know this means as much to him as it does to Beth and me.
Our dad used to take us to Opening Day every year, and then to a ton of games during the rest of the season. After he died a few years ago, the three of us made a pact to keep the tradition alive. I think we look forward to this day more than any other day of the year. I know I do.
Finally, finally the music changes again, and I can see the team hovering in the entranceway to the field. Bethany grabs one of my hands and squeezes, and I can tell she’s doing the same to Carver.
They announce the coaches first, and I make a note of the route they’re going to take before they stand on the field. They’re going to pass right by us. Right in front of us. I see Beth grab her cellphone, which reminds me to grab mine. We agreed before the game that she would take pictures and I would record video, so we didn’t miss a thing. Carver could just stand there…being Carver.
Finally, they start announcing the team. Relief pitchers and bench players come jogging by, waving at the crowd as they join the coaches lining the base path. I can see Beth’s finger tapping in a blur on her phone as I try to keep mine steady.
Then comes the starting line-up. Bethany squeals again next to me as they start. They’ll announce Anders’ name last, since he’ll be at the end of the line-up.
But oh no. Oh no. They announce the catcher and say the words I had totally forgotten about. How did I not remember?!
Warming up in the bullpen.
No! Bethany and I look at each other in horror as we come to the realization at the same time.
No Anders. He’s in the bullpen warming up, way, way on the other side of the field. Away from us. Away from my excitement and my cheers and my camera. I knew he was there too; Beth and I had commented on it during warm-ups. We both just forgot.
I can feel my stomach drop with disappointment, but I quickly push it away as the rest of the team is announced. I’m here for them, not just him.
Plus, we’re sitting right next to the dugout. He has to walk near us eventually.
They finally announce Anders, and the Jumbotron switches over to a shot of him throwing. He has a look of determination on his face, so focused, so different from his usual carefree grin.
God, he’s so hot, I think pathetically. Get a grip, Garrett.
The National Anthem begins and Beth and I put down our phones. We’ll neurotically go over every picture once we get home. The rest of the ceremony goes by in a flash, capped off by a big fireworks display. We're still on our feet as the ceremony ends, waiting for the team to take the field.
Then, there he is.
We see him the same time as everyone else, jogging in from center field towards the pitching mound, and the crowd erupts again. Beth is cheering as she bounces next to me and keeps slapping Carver on the arm. I'm cheering and clapping as loud as I can.
Anders is totally focused, though, you would think he was by himself out there. He mentioned in an interview one time that he feeds off the crowd, loves the attention. He must be loving it now, because I can't remember the last time one player got this much applause.
We finally settle into our seats as the game gets ready to start. I see Bethany take out her phone again and Carver digs into his bag of peanuts. Bethany nudges me, laughing.
“Bela wants to know if you fainted,” she grins, showing me the text. I roll my eyes but can't help but laugh.
Three of our other friends are also at the game but are sitting a couple levels above where we are. Isabela is there, along with Fenris (my best friend) and Merrill, the object of Carver’s secret affections. We aren’t allowed to mention that. We're supposed to meet up with them a few innings into the game.
I see Carver casually pull out his own phone, no doubt making some clumsy attempt to text Merrill. Luckily, she's the sweetest person we know and doesn't find Carver awkward at all. We also think she's completely oblivious to his crush.
I turn my attention back to the game where Anders is getting ready to throw his first pitch. I'm on the edge of my seat, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees as I watch. Strike one! We all cheer. Strike two!
Here we go, I think. I don't even realize I'm tapping my foot like crazy until Beth lays her hand on my knee, stopping me.
Strike three! We stand up again, cheering the first out of the game. Anders smirks as he rolls his shoulders, ready for the next batter. Piece of cake. The second guy goes down just as easy as the first.
Batter number three. Ugh. There he is. Vael. I start booing with some of the other people around me, including my siblings (I’m so proud), as he walks to the plate. That cocky strut, the way he taps his feet in the batter’s box, the…fact that he exists. It all annoys me.
Anders takes a little longer this time, focusing.
Come on! I'm chanting in my head. Part of me wants Anders to hit him with a pitch, but I don't want someone on base. It would be nice, though, I sigh wistfully.
First pitch is a ball and I groan as Vael smirks, briefly tipping his batting helmet towards Anders, mockingly.
Anders just stands in his crouch for a minute, and I can tell he's annoyed. I've watched him closely enough over the years to tell these small quirks.
Second pitch is a strike, but not by much. Okay, better. Third is another strike, followed by another ball and Vael is ready. I know how he is, he’ll gloat if he gets walked. Anders pauses again, shaking off the signs from the catcher as I start bouncing my leg again.
“Oooh he's pissed,” Beth says as she grabs my knee again. People can say what they want about girls and sports, but my Bethy knows more than anyone I know about the game, and she picks up on the same signs I do.
The next pitch is inside, almost grazing The Prince’s precious chin and wow, talk about a temper. Vael stalks forward a few steps, pointing at Anders as he yells. He thinks it was intentional (so do I). The catcher and umpire come to pull him back as I see Carver jump up and start screaming obscenities right back. That's my brother, always ready for a fight.
Anders just smirks and turns around, stretching his arm and totally unfazed.
“He so did that on purpose!” Beth laughs, as she tugs Carver’s arm to pull him back down.
“Totally,” I nod in agreement. “He's so awesome,” I grin. It’s a full count. Now he just needs to get the asshole out.
Anders gets in his stance, and I notice the little shrug he does as he winds up. Beth slaps my arm; she saw it too.
You know why Anders is so well known? Not just for all the reasons I've already gushed about. He has a pitch that no one else has been able to replicate; it's become something of a legend in baseball already. The analysts dubbed it “the electricity trick” because it's so shocking (ha) when it flies by you. He uses it sparingly, but no one has been able to hit it.
Ever.
And he does that little shrug just before he throws it.
Beth whispers to Carver, and I see the two of them lean forward just like me, holding our collective breaths.
Here it comes…
Vael never even saw it coming. The umpire calls him out and he throws his bat down in fury as he starts arguing. We’re on our feet cheering as the team comes jogging back into the dugout. Anders gets a pat on the back from the catcher and gives the fans a small grin as he disappears out of sight.
He knows what he's doing. God, this guy is awesome, I think again. Beth squeezes me around my waist and Carver gives me a high five. We all hoped he would throw the pitch once this game (like I said, it's rare) so this just pretty much made our entire night.
I feel my phone buzz as I sit back down.
Fenris: I’m supposed to be asking you a ridiculously vulgar question from Isabela but I won't. Pretend I did.
I grin. What a pal. I text him back.
Me: Just answer whatever you think I would say. I trust you, haha.
Five seconds later my phone buzzes again.
Isabela: I wanted to know if u came in ur pants after that last pitch, LOL! ^_^
I groan and put my head down. Bethany leans over to read the text and covers her mouth to hide her giggle. I glare at her quickly as I reply.
Me: No. Stop thinking about what's in my pants.
I don't bother to put my phone away, and sure enough, it buzzes two seconds later.
Isabela: Ooh ur sassy today. Guess u r all hot and bothered ;)))
I shake my head and text Fenris instead.
Me: Please stop her.
The Champs are up to bat now and I'd like to be able to pay attention to them. We have a nice lineup this year, with a few big home run hitters. It should be an exciting season.
My phone buzzes again.
Fenris: I told her to bother Carver. Ha.
That Fenris, what a genius. I hear Carver groan quietly and I text Fenris back with a smiley face. Carver gets flustered much more easily than I do; Isabela will have a ball.
Our side doesn’t have much luck hitting this inning either, and before I know it, Anders is back on the mound. The next couple innings fly by, neither side scoring and Anders pitching to near perfection. Now we just need some runs.
The fourth inning rolls around and Bethany tells me she’s hungry. I text Fenris and see if they want to meet us halfway and grab some food. I send him the section number to meet us and tell him we’ll be there in between innings (I’m not getting up while Anders is pitching).
As the teams switch, I nudge Beth and Carver and point towards the concourse. We head up to the main level and see the other three waiting for us a little ways down. I do this really big dramatic wave to get their attention.
It’s about 50 degrees outside, and Isabela is wearing cut-offs and a Champions jersey that she has knotted at her middle, exposing her stomach.
“How are you not freezing?” I ask her incredulously. I’m in 3 layers and I still get a chill when the wind blows.
Isabela just scoffs at me. “You never know when you’ll run into a dashing major leaguer,” she says, hand on her hip.
I roll my eyes. “In the stands? During the game?”
Bethany pats my arm as Isabela grins. “Why are you arguing, Gare?” Beth asks laughing.
I shake my head as I let the two of them link arms and walk ahead, dropping back to walk next to Fenris. He, on the other hand, is dressed in his usual all black attire, complete with black beanie covering his white hair. He has his camera bag slung over one shoulder as well, and I’m excited. Fenris is in art school and even though he dabbles in a bit of everything, he seems to prefer photography and digital imaging. And he’s talented. I can’t wait to see what kind of shots he got.
Carver has managed to get Merrill off to the side and I can see him grinning as she talks, gesturing her arms wildly at whatever she’s describing. It’s actually kinda cute to see him like that.
“So are you getting through the game in one piece with those two?” I ask Fenris. He snorts.
“Isabela has been talking to the guys next to her more than watching the game, and Merrill spends most of her time asking me what’s going on,” he replies. “And since I don’t know half the time, she finally gave up and started asking Carver instead.”
I grin. Sounds about right. My friends aren't big baseball fans. They're more the “it's fun to go to the ballpark and hang out” kind of people. Which is cool, I don't expect everyone to be as obsessed as me. And we always have a good time.
I see Fenris giving me an appraising look.
“What about you? Enjoying the pitcher – oh sorry, I mean, game?” he smirks.
I laugh and probably blush more than I should. “I am enjoying the game just fine, thank you.” I pause for a minute. “Actually, it’s pretty amazing…”
I babble for a while, describing everything. Fenris doesn’t care, but he humors me anyway. That’s why he’s such a good friend. He knows I know he doesn’t care, but still listens anyway.
We finally get to the concession stand. The twins and I have a very specific place we go to every year. They serve these amazing hot dogs and french fries covered in cheese and bacon, and I don’t know why it’s so fantastic but it was our dad’s favorite so it became our favorite too.
Fenris and I get in line. He tells me they already had something to eat when they got there (Bela was complaining loudly that she was starving), but he could eat again. Bethany slides up next to me and Carver and Merrill join us a minute later. I have no idea where Isabela went.
I’m all jittery as we wait. They have TVs up everywhere to show the game but I’m anxious to be back in my seat. I love my friends and all, but…these are seats of a lifetime. We order and walk towards the edge of the concourse to watch as we eat.
Bela shows back up a few minutes later, holding 2 big bags of cotton candy as she eats out of a third. She hands one each to Bethany and Merrill, who both smile like little kids.
“Oooh Bela, how much do I owe you?” Merrill coos as she opens her bag.
Isabela shrugs. “Nothing. I went and chatted with the guy selling them and he gave me a bag for free.” I groan as she grins. “Then I told him I had two very cute friends who would also love some, and he gave me two more.” She looks at us triumphantly.
I don’t know how she does it. Everywhere we go, she somehow walks away without paying for anything. I can’t help but admire her for it.
I turn back to the game as I see Anders walking back out to the mound. We’re halfway through the game now, and he still hasn’t allowed a run.
“Garrett, you have some ketchup in your beard,” Bethany stage-whispers to me. I wipe absentmindedly as I keep my eyes on the game. I don’t have time to worry about a ketchup beard right now.
Anders is in trouble. He walks the first batter, and I can see from his posture that he’s frustrated. He walks the second batter as well. Oh no. This is not good. Carver and Fenris had gone back to the concession stand to get some more food and Fenris quietly reappears next to me, sliding another hot dog and big cup of french fries down the table at me. I nod my thanks, but I’m too nervous to eat.
I start tapping my foot again impatiently as the catcher walks out to the mound to talk briefly with Anders. I look over at the batters box to see who’s up next and…oh great. It’s Vael again. Bethany is on my other side and she starts tapping her fingernails on the table, just as nervous as I am.
Bela laughs. “You would think you two are the twins, not this big lug.” She gestures towards Carver, who isn’t paying one bit of attention to her (or the game, for that matter) as Merrill is describing a rabbit she found on her way to work the other day.
The catcher jogs back behind home plate as Anders takes a big breath and exhales, calming himself. I’m ridiculously nervous right now. Two people are on base and Vael is going to be aggressive, swinging for a home run. Especially after Anders embarrassed him in the first inning.
Isabela sneaks up in between Beth and me and starts stealing my fries. I finally just push them towards her and she gives me a quick peck on the cheek before wandering back towards Merrill and Carver.
Anders is ready. First pitch is a strike, right down the middle. I clap but it’s too soon to get excited. Second pitch is off the plate, but Vael swings anyway. Strike two!
Jackass, I think smugly. Beth nudges me again as she snakes her hand into the crook of my elbow.
Anders pauses again, shaking off the catcher three times. I’m happy I’m wearing so many layers right now because I can feel Bethany’s nails digging into me painfully.
We’re too far up for me to be able to make out a lot of details, but I can see Anders is stalling for time.
“Smart,” I mutter.
“What is?” Fenris asks.
“He’s taking his time, making Vael wait for it,” I explain. “Vael has no patience, and the longer he waits, the worse he gets,” I grin. Like I said before, Anders sure as hell knows what he’s doing. This is why he’s the best.
Fenris snorts in response. I hear Carver shush Merrill for a second (I’m shocked) as he turns his attention back to the game as well.
Anders throws and…Vael makes contact. I hear the loud crack of the bat and see Anders jolt to the side as he falls. Beth cries out next to me and I stare in silent horror.
Oh God oh God oh God.
But then…Anders holds up his glove.
“HE CAUGHT THE FUCKING BALL!” Carver screams. The crowd roars as Vael holds out his arms in disbelief at first base.
I’m still staring at the field in shock as Bethany starts laughing and claps as she cheers. Even Fenris is clapping, and I can hear Bela whistling loudly.
Vael isn’t happy. I can see him arguing with the umpire again, and the Avengers’ coach is calling for a review. But they’re showing the replay on the Jumbotron, slowed down, and it’s perfectly clear that Anders snagged the ball and lost his balance by the sheer force of the hit.
The crowd cheers again as the umpire upholds his call and Vael has to sulk back to his dugout. The next batter hits a mediocre blooper that turns into a double play, and just like that, they’re out of the inning.
I turn and grin at everyone as if I had something to do with it. Fenris just laughs quietly as he shakes his head and Beth hugs me around my middle.
“Well, guys,” I say, stretching, “it’s been great, but all this excitement has made me tired. Think I’m gonna head back to my seat.”
Fenris nods as Bela pouts.
“Oh, you’re no fun, Hawkey,” she whines.
Carver glances at us nervously. “I’m um, going to stay and chat with Merrill a little longer. Meet you guys later?”
Merrill looks at him with her big doe eyes, and I see Bethany grin next to me.
“I’ll switch seats with you, if you want,” Fenris offers. Carver and Bela both brighten.
“Oooh yes, come sit with us, sweet thing,” she purrs, sliding up to Carver and rubbing his bicep. He blushes and glances at Merrill, who is smiling sweetly at him.
“Al…right,” he says. He fishes out his ticket and switches with Fenris, just in case someone checks.
I slap Carver on the shoulder and grin. “I’ll text you when the game is done. Or uh,” I glance at Bela, “you let me know if you want to come back.”
Carver nods and I grab the rest of my food and head back to our section with Beth and Fenris. I’m excited; I know Fenris doesn’t care about the seat as much as Carver, but I’m happy I get to share this experience with him. And I can tell he’s looking forward to taking some pictures from such a great vantage point.
We get back to our seats with the sixth inning starting and Anders heading back out to the mound. Fenris immediately takes out his camera and starts adjusting his lens. Now I’m really excited. I want to say something about getting some good shots of Anders but I don’t want to sound creepy. Creepier. Whatever. Bethy ends up saving me anyway.
“Make sure you get plenty of shots of Anders,” she says, leaning across me to Fenris.
Fenris smirks in response. “Don’t worry, I know Hawke will never speak to me again if I don’t.”
I huff and roll my eyes like I’m offended, but they both know I’m full of it. I pat Beth’s leg though in thanks before settling in.
Fenris starts snapping away as they begin. Anders has another smooth inning but I’m starting to get anxious. We need some runs.
Luckily this inning one of our best hitters is up – this hulking, surly outfielder named Blackwall. If there’s anyone who will get us on the board, it’s him.
The first guy gets walked, and I clap. Their pitcher looks like he’s wearing down, which means he’s getting sloppy. Next guy hits a long single, and now we have people on first and third with Blackwall coming to bat. I’m bouncing my leg again; all we need is a single to get the guy on third home and take the lead.
Fenris is still snapping away next to me. I don’t even know how many pictures he must have taken already, but it has to be a ton.
“Come onnnnnnn,” I hear Beth whisper next to me. I lean forward in my seat again and rest my elbows on the wall in front of us. I’m so nervous I can barely sit still.
Blackwall looks like he could kill me. We’re actually probably not that far apart in size (he’s definitely bulkier) but he just looks terrifying. He’s staring down the pitcher, and I think I would probably just walk him to get him away from me as soon as possible. Glad he’s on our side.
Like I said, the pitcher is getting tired and Blackwall smoothly drives the ball into right field. Our guy on third base makes it home easily. Beth and I jump up at the same time, cheering along with the rest of the crowd. It’s only one run, but I feel a little better.
The pitcher is rattled now, and he starts glancing towards the people on base a lot more often. His pitches are losing control, and our next two batters get hits, which brings our total to three. The rest of the inning breezes by, and to my disappointment, Anders does not come out to pitch the 7th.
Beth squeezes my knee. “He did awesome,” she grins.
I smile in return. He did do awesome. Even though I wish he would have stayed in the whole game, I guess it’s better to not overwork him so soon. There’s the whole season ahead of us.
Now that the excitement (and stress) of that inning is over, I suddenly realize how hungry I am. I think I ate a hot dog? I must have. It’s all a blur of Anders falling and me screaming and ridiculous excitement.
I really don’t feel like moving. I glance at Beth, who is absentmindedly watching the game as she texts, and Fenris, who is still snapping pictures. I sigh, looking over my shoulder at the concession stand.
So many stairs. So far to walk.
“Hey Beeeeth,” I nudge my sister. “You hungry?”
She doesn’t even bother to look up. “I’m not going to get you food, Garrett. You had your chance.”
Hmph. I turn to Fenris. My best friend. My best, best friend who surely must be concerned with my imminent starvation.
“Hey F–“
“No.”
I slump in my seat and give a dramatic groan. I’m the only one who actually wants to watch the game, they should take pity on me.
“Does anyone want anything?” I sigh as I stand. Fenris shakes his head no and Beth gives me this big, innocent smile.
“You could always get me an ice cream in one of those little helmets…” she suggests, sweetly.
I scoff and roll my eyes. She just grins and turns back to her phone; she knows I always give in. I spoil her way too much.
I trudge slowly up the stairs. The adrenaline from the last few hours is gone, and I’m suddenly really, really tired. I head to the closest stand and buy a tray full of food, including Beth’s dumb ice cream. I get a little extra in case Fenris wants something after all.
Beth cheers as I get back to my seat and hand her her ice cream. She always keeps those little helmets and washes them out when we get home. There’s like an entire shelf full of them in her room.
I look at Fenris and gesture to the food to see if he wants any. He hesitates as he looks at it, but shakes his head. He must not realize I can see through him by now, so I put a hot dog in his lap with a couple napkins and don’t say a word. He does this shy little smile as he opens the wrapper, and I’m happy. Fenris is really big on being independent and not allowing people to give him things, but I’m just so irresistible he usually lets me treat him. Plus, he bought me like $15 worth of food earlier, and Bela stole most of it. It’s the least I can do.
I finally relax in my seat and enjoy my food as I watch the rest of the game. There is no leaving early for the Hawke family; I will stay here through 20 innings if I have to (but please, not tonight).
The Avengers end up not scoring at all, and I’m extra happy that Vael didn’t manage to get a hit the entire game. I’m up and cheering with the remainder of the crowd – a big one, I’m happy to see – as the players walk out on the field and congratulate each other on the win.
Anders is getting a lot of attention, and I can see the reporters waiting to talk to him. He’s smirking, clearly proud of himself as he high fives the rest of the team. I notice Fenris has taken his camera back out and is rapidly taking pictures as the players head back to the dugout.
The reporters pull Anders aside and I can’t hear what they’re saying, so we just sort of mill around to make sure we don’t miss anything, until he walks into the dugout too.
I stretch as I grin at Beth and Fenris.
“How awesome was that?” I ask as Bethany gives my arm a quick squeeze. Fenris just makes some humming noise as he puts his camera bag back over his shoulder. I seriously want to see those pictures.
“Carver said the three of them will meet us outside Gate B,” Beth announces, looking at her phone. I take one last look at the field and grin as we walk up the stairs.