The crowd was murmuring and anxiously shifting in their seats as they waited for the match to begin. It was the last game of the season. Or rather, the last game to actually count.

 

Bramall lane was in a frenzy of nerves and hopes that Sunday as all the fans were keeping their eyes on the turf. More so than they ever had been in the club�s 180 year-or so history.

For this match was the one that was going to finally get them a coveted spot in the Premier League and raise a working class club to the same stature as the million pound Chelsea and Manchester United clubs.

4

Sean Bean sat in the box-seats and watched as the crowd got themselves roused for the up-coming match with a mixture of booze and fervent hope. Although he was as excited as any of them, he felt it would hardly be fitting for the owner to be falling down-drunk and half naked to boot, Besides, he was close to fifty and even though he aged well, he was sure that many in the stands would be more appreciative of the roster being half-naked instead.

 

�You think this is it?� Dominic Monaghan, the other owner of the team asked as he too scanned the crowds before them.

 

�I�m not saying anything lest I jinx it.� Sean replied laconically before turning his attention to his younger business partner.

 

�There�s no harm in saying it, you superstitious old bat!� Dominic chided him.

 

Sean shrugged.

 

�You stick to your rules, I�ll stick to mine.�

 

Dom shook his head.

 

�So you have that little faith in our players?�

 

Sean shook his head.

 

�I don�t want to be over-confident and make those two carry the entire burden of the team, that�s all.�

 

Dom grinned.

 

�I�m sure that�s not going to be a problem. The way those two play, they�ll be able to do that and much more.�

 

Sean grinned back, heart lightened slightly by his colleagues� remarks.

 

�Let�s hope so.�

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

�You scared man?� Boromir asked his brother as he tied on his boots a little tighter.

 

�You�d be an idiot not to be.� Faramir replied as he tied his hair back into its customary ponytail, letting it hang down to almost half-way down his back.

 

�Yeah. Shite. I heard that we�ve got 1-2 odds of beating Ipswitch today.�

 

Boromir commented as he checked the tie on his hair and making sure it would stay secure.

�Damn. I hope the twins put some money down then.� Faramir commented gleefully while Boromir rolled his eyes and whapped him on the side of the head.

 

�You too huh?� Meyers, The goalie, asked them, his eyes twinkling in mirth as he got his gloves on.

 

�Yeah. How else do you think my kids are going to go through collge, huh?� Faramir asked.

 

�Well, maybe if you�d invest in some birth-control you wouldn�t have that problem.� Neiville, one of the right-wingers teased Faramir, who blushed and flipped his team-mate the bird.

 

�How many is it now, Faramir? Eleven?� Markssun, their centre asked as he rolled up his socks over his shin-guards.

 

�Fuck off. I only have four. Boromir�s got the other two.� Faramir defended himself while his teammates laughed at him good-naturedly.

 

�Are you sure? Those kids all look the same man. How do you tell them apart?� Nilsson, their left-winger called from the open lavatory.

 

�We tattooed their initials on the backs of their necks after we brought the wrong kids home too many times.� Boromir replied archly as he walked over to his locker and pulled out the somewhat worn picture he kept in his locker and immersed himself in it to ease the pre-game jitters.

 

The photograph showed two little boys, one with longish strawberry blonde and the other with dark brown hair staring off into space as they were being held by a somewhat frazzled-looking man with dark hair and brilliant blue eyes that the lighter boy also had with him.

 

Boromir grinned at the picture before turning it around and reading the hastily written inscription written on the back:

 

�Next time, YOU hold them, and I�ll take the freaking pic! Lots lurve and huggles from yours truly and the Rainbow Monkeys!!�

 

Shaking his head, Boromir replaced the picture back into his wallet, feeling a lot calmer and confident than before.

 

Looking at that picture never failed to make him feel more at ease, especially when he had such an important game to follow through. It was a test for all of them, that game, but for him it was the one chance he was going to get to prove his worth to the Premier Leagues.

 

The Blades had taken a huge gamble on signing him on, although he had never been on the injury list since he had signed on, the fact that he had had a previous spinal injury had been a major point of contention between himself and the rest of the league.

 

They hadn�t been saying much in the newspapers about the Blades� poor judgment in picking him over a more supposedly promising draft, but he knew that they were biding their time and waiting for him to fuck up. One wrong move, and they would be all over him like the carrion they were.

 

So far though, he had been lucky. They had a solid squad, each player complimenting each others strength and weaknesses, making them have a solid position at the top of the league standings. That superb team effort had led them to today, which would give them the chance to finish off Ipswitch and take a crack at what was the fondest dream of all Blades� supporters: Promotion to the Premier League.

 

�You good now?� Faramir whispered to his brother as he them slung a careless arm around his shoulders and gave him an almost imperceptible hug.

 

�Uh. Yeah. I guess. You?� Boromir asked his brother as he returned the hug and bopped his brother on the head as he pulled away from him.

 

�You kidding? I�m ready to puke man. This is it. The big one. And I�m as scared as fuck it�s gonna get screwed up.� Faramir whispered to Boromir as he closed his locker and locked it.

 

�Uhmmm.� Boromir answered, not wanting to say anything further about the matter.

 

�It�s like I want this so bad, but I�m scared it�s not going to work out, you know?�

Faramir asked, speaking in rapid French as they sat down on one of the benches a bit away from their team-mates.

 

�Yeah. I know man. I�d rather just not think about it until it�s all over. If I think about it, I�m just gonna get scared.� Boromir told him as he began pleating the hem of his red and white striped uniform.

 

Faramir nodded and chewed on his bottom lip, a sure sign that he was nervous.

 

�You think we can win it?�

 

Boromir smiled and tugged on his brother�s hair.

 

�Yeah. We didn�t get this far to roll over and die. Now quit chewing on your lip already.�

 

Faramir immediately stopped chewing on his lip and turned to face his brother, who was staring straight ahead with a thoughtful expression on his face that made Faramir wonder whether he was simply talking about the game or their lives. After all, the past years that they had gotten out of school hadn�t been the easy, since although they had been drafted, every step of the way had been a struggle.

 

From fighting to be recognized on the field as good players rather than liabilities, from extremely lean times as they all struggled to make careers for themselves; their lives had been harsh and uncompromising. Except for what felt like brief moments of respite in an never-ending parade of hard work and almost crushing disappointments that often found Faramir and Boromir sitting together somewhere away from it all as they tried to find more strength to face another day again.

 

And now that they had the chance to prove it, the small kernel of doubt was making them wonder whether all their trials weren�t enough to assure them victory in the end.

 

�Jerk.����

 

Boromir snorted.

 

�You did stop thinking about it though, didn�t you?�

 

Faramir made a face at his brother and shook his head as he then asked himself why he still fell for the same trick time and time again.

 

�How do you that?� Faramir asked him. �I swear, you always get me every time with that! How the hell do you do it?�

 

�My secret and mine alone, little brother. Besides, if I did tell you, it wouldn�t as much fun as it is now, now would it little brother?� Boromir asked as he clapped his brother on the shoulder before the coach called them out to the sidelines.

 

Faramir got up and smiled nervously at his brother, who only shrugged, making Faramir wonder whether he should just take his brother�s advice and not think about anything else except playing.

 

�Here it goes.� He thought as he fell in step with his teammates as they walked out onto the field at the Lane.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

�Last call for the toilets. So are you all *sure* that you *don�t* need to use the bathroom?� Legolas asked his sons, Ponyboy and Viggo, who vehemently shook their heads, making the braids that Legolas tied their hair in swish in wide circles.

 

�Okay. Merrick? Hawksley?� He asked the other little boys who were watching their cousins� hair as they swirled in circles.

 

�No. Daddy already took us.� Merrick, the one that closely resembled Aragorn, with his dark hair and strong jawline said.

�

�Okay then. So we have snacks and milk and you�ve all gone to bathroom. We�d better get going now or else we won�t see your fathers play.� Legolas told the children as he herded them to the seats set aside for the wives and families of the players.

 

�Do you think Daddy�s teams going to win?� Hawksley asked, his blue eyes wide and shining behind the messy sheaf of strawberry-blonde hair that would never stay in the ponytail that his parents and grand-parents always tried to keep it in.

 

�Well, yeah. Of course I do! Why?� Legolas asked his nephew as he gathered up the soft hair and re-did the ponytail again.

 

�I heard some men talking and they said Daddy was a bleedin� wanker and that he was gonna bring the team down.� Hawksley replied seriously.

 

�What�s a bleeding wanker?� Merrick asked Legolas, his bright green eyes darkening. �Is it a bad thing? Cause my daddy�s NOT a wanker!� He yelled out, making Legolas wonder if he was going to have to take Merrick aside and calm him down. Although he was a sweet little boy, He had inherited his father�s extreme temper. Although it took him a long time to get angry, when he did it was a nightmare.

 

�No honey.� Legolas soothed as they finally found enough seats together. �Your Daddy isn�t a wanker. People just say stupid things sometimes, so you shouldn�t think about it, ok?�

 

�Okay. If you say so uncle Lee. But I�m gonna�Papa!!� Legolas looked up in time to see Aragorn, Celly, Galadirel and Celeborn coming to join them. He stood up and watched as Merrick ran over to his father.

 

�Merrick!! Hawksley! How are my boys?� Aragorn greeted his sons, scooping them up into his arms and hugging them.

�Legolas! How�s it hanging man! Where are the little ones at?� Celly asked Legolas as she hugged him.

 

�Mikka and Jussi are with Eowyn, they would just be bored if I brought them here. Eowyn�s happy watching them at home. Besides, she does have her hands full with Eloise and Mikel.� Legolas reminded Celly as he watched her sit down awkwardly.

 

�Christ. If that�s what I have to look forwards to, maybe I should let Eomer have this kid instead.� Celly joked as she settled back in her seat.

 

�Gee, thanks. Make me feel like dirt.� Legolas rejoined sarcastically.

 

�Yeah, whatever elf. So how are things with you guys?� Celly asked.

 

�Can�t complain, really. The season went well, the kids are doing allright and we finally managed to get flats that aren�t thisclose to being council housing, so I�d say it�s good.�

 

�That�s good. We were really worried there for a while. I know Dad wanted Boromir to try and use his degree for a bit there.� Celly commented as she surveyed the field.

 

�Yeah. The first season really wasn�t that good. I have to admit that I was worried. But they�ve both picked up their game and once they win this game, things should be good. Of course they�re going to have to compete against the premier teams, but still. This is proof that they can play.�

 

Celly nodded. �Yeah.I hear you. Eomer was lucky that he and his team-mates just clicked right away. They�re pretty sure that the Oilers are going to keep the Stanley Cup in Edmonton if they keep going that strong.�

 

Legolas nodded. �That�s good. How�s your teaching going?�

 

Celly made a face. �Apart from petty faculty bullshit, fairly good. Did I tell you that my book�s being picked up for study now?�

 

�No! That�s great! Congratulations!�

 

�Yeah. Thanks. I�m pretty shocked that more than just Canadians want to read about the Acadian settlements in New Brunswick, to tell you the truth.� Celly replied, laughing slightly.

 

Legolas shrugged. �Yeah, you can�t really tell nowadays�Wait. I think it�s going to start now.�

 

Celly sat up and looked around. �Shit. Yeah. It sure looks like it. I couldn�t really tell. In Hockey games, you always know when the games about to begin because some drunk chick is showing her boobs to the visiting team and they�re actively responding.�

 

�I can�t say whether it�s that classy here, but I know at least there won�t be flashers in the crowd. Maybe streakers. Lord knows we got enough of them.� Legolas stated disgustedly, making Celly laugh.

 

�I would have never guessed that much prudishness from you, Leggy baby. What happened?�

 

�Having kids.� Legolas stated sourly. �You try to explain why there�s a naked man running around at Daddy�s and Uncle Boromir�s games to a couple of seven year olds and their five year old cousins.�

 

�Well, you know what they say, it�s never to early to start sex ed.� Celly quipped, making Legolas glower at her.

 

�I�ll keep that in mind when you bring your kids over to watch a game.�

 

�Would you guys shut up? They�re gonna start the game.� Aragorn called over to them from to seats down where he was with Hawksley and Merrick sitting on his lap.

 

�Bite me bro. Besides, shouldn�t you be looking forward to the end of the game more than it�s beginning?� Legolas shot back.

 

�Well, yeah�Hey!� Aragorn sputtered back, turning red as he realized what Lee mplied.

 

�Enough. It�s starting.� Celeborn told them in his quiet, imperious way that automatically forced all of them to be silent and keep their eyes on the field.

 

�It�s going to be an exciting game at the old Lane today! The Blades are taking on Ipswitch for a shot at Advancement and the Premier League and the atmosphere is great! It�s the best turn-out we�ve had in years and I�m sure that the Blades won�t disappoint either!� The Announcer ended his spiel much to the amusement of both Celly and Lee, since they had attended numerous sporting matches and had heard different variants of it before.

 

�Do these guys have a freakin� script or something?� Celly muttered to Legolas, who laughed. He was about to tell her his theory, but was drowned out by the Blades Supporters singing the Chip Buttie Song right before the Blades came out into the field.

 

�And here we have the Blades!!�� The crowd erupted into a wild cheer, most of them singing the team anthem as the Sheffield United players ran out into the field.

 

�Oh god! There�s Faramir!� Celly cried out excitedly as she spotted her little brother running out in the field, his hair longer than ever and liberally streaked with red.

 

�Boromir�s like right behind him!� Aragorn shouted over the roar of the crowd as he then pointed his husband out to his children.

 

Boromir ran out, his hair streaked red and black and tied back in similar fashion as his brother. He waved to the crowd and then took his place beside his brother. The sight of the two brothers together set the young women and men roaring in appreciation and made Aragorn cheer and holler for his long missed husband.

 

�Daddy! Daddy!!� Merrick and Hawksley yelled out, waving enthusiastically to their father, who had been scanning the crowd anxiously for his family and brightened up when he spotted them. Giving them a small wave, Aragorn returned the wave and turned to his children.

 

�Daddy saw us! He saw us!� Hawksley crowed, jumping up and down on Aragorn�s lap.

 

�Yes! Hawksley! I know honey.� Aragorn soothed him, trying to get his son to stop from rendering him a eunuch from a misplaced kick.

 

�Here come Ipswitch.� Celly shouted down to Aragorn. Her shout was drowned out by the clashing boos, assorted swears, jeers, and cheers that accompanied the visiting squad as they trotted onto the field.

 

�Ladies and Gentlemen, here we have it, the deciding match between our two teams: Sheffield United and Ipswitch.�.

 

After the anthem had been butchered accordingly, the crowd sat down and immediately turned their full focus on the field, where the first kick off had commenced. Ipswitch had gotten the ball and where now running the ball down to the Blades�s side.

 

Boromir saw this and broke into a dead run to catch the Ipswitch�s mid-center, who was running the ball too close to the Blade�s goalie. He caught with number nine and after a bit of footwork, he had managed to kick the goal towards Markssun, who ran it out to the middle of the field, where Faramir and Ipswitch�s players, Di Nicola and Carlyle, struggled to keep him from going anywhere with the ball.

 

�Jones!!� Boromir shouted as he ran towards Ipswtitch�s goal, running past several defenses and wingers to get there. He got shoved and bruised a bit from the Ipswitch players, but he managed to get disentangled from them.

 

Moving ahead and shoving them away, he was clear to receive the ball, which Jones promptly delivered after Faramir made a last ditch effort to keep the game going right before he got shoved.

 

Boromir only spared his brother a quick glance to make sure that he hadn�t splattered all over the field before moving ahead with the ball, his focus centered on either getting the goal or getting the ball close enough for either Faramir, Markssun, Jones or any of the other players to grab it and make their own shot at the goal if things got crowded enough. Three other Ipswitch players came around him, trying to block him from getting any nearer to the goal when he was about ten yards away from the goalie crease.

 

He moved left and right, all the while keeping the ball in his possession, but to no avail. They had him covered all too well and he knew that his hold on the ball was precarious at the very least.

 

�Here!� He heard Markssun call from his left, which felt like it was the most heavily guarded area of him. He had to take a chance though, since he didn�t see anyone on his front or his right and there was no way he was shooting it behind him. That was one mistake he had learned never to do after the disastrous defeat that Sheffield Wednesday had handed them last year over such a miscalculation.

 

Grunting a bit as he shoved his way through the players to make the pass, he was rewarded by Markssun receiving it and pushing it forward, taking the kick and�

 

Having the goalie catch it and make the first safe of the game.

 

Boromir paused and felt his heart plummet. Even though he knew there was going to be more chances to score, he still couldn�t help but to feel let down at that first miss.

 

They ran over to the Blade�s side and watched as the Ipswitch goalie kicked the ball practically at the goal. Luckily Myers caught it and lobbed it over to Faramir, who received it and ran it down to the center of the field before passing it to Jones.

 

Jones and Markssun passed it back and forth before they booked it to Neiville,� who was unceremoneously tackled down into the turf . The referee called the foul and the Blades got a penalty� kick for their troubles..

 

�You gonna be okay to take this Jim?� Faramir asked as they got ready to take the kick. �Cause I can do it for you mate.�

 

Jim Neiville shook his head and wiped his dirty face with the back of his arm, leaving his face mud-streaked, but cleaner than before.

 

�I�ve got it mate. Don�t worry about it. At least if I don�t get the goal, I�ll make him nervous enough to rattle him for you and the others to work him over.�� Jim told Faramir as he clapped him on the shoulder and stepped up to take the shot.

 

�Now get yourself in the position Faramir.� Jim ordered him. Faramir nodded and trotted over to where half of the Blades players were gathered in a loose confederation, intermingled with several Ipswitch players as they all kept their eyes on either Neivile or the goalie, who although was cool and collected; the stiff set of his shoulders revealed his nervousness.

 

Neiville took a deep breath and ran towards the ball.

 

And shot it right into the upper corner of the goal, to the amazement of the Ipswitch players and to even Faramir and Boromir themselves.

 

�Goooooaaaalll! Jim Neville of the Sheffield United Blades scores on a penalty kick with less than ten minutes to go in the first half!!�

 

Faramir, Boromir and the others swarmed a stunned Neiville and knocked him to the ground, much to the delight of the Blades crowd, who was practically going berserk while the Ipswitch crowd booed and hissed, much to the delight of the Blade�s players.

 

�That�ll teach them!� Neiville grinned to Faramir and Boromir as they ran to get into their positions to start the next ten minutes of the game.

 

The Ipswitch goalie kicked the ball and the players moved forward, rushing in like gazelles as they fought for mastery of the ball. Carlyle from Ipswitch got the ball and he plowed through Boromir and Markssun and was successfully fighting off their defense as he cut through the ranks of Jones, Faramir and Nielssen, who were covered too strongly to be much of help.

 

Finally, in desperation, Boromir took the chance and tackled him. Luckily, the gamble paid off and got the ball into Nielssen�s possession.

 

Nielssen ran with the ball, shoving other Ipswitch players out of the way as he did so. He got tackled a few times before he was finally tripped and the ball went out. The referee� caught the trip and blew the whistle, much to the displeasure of Ipswitch and their supporters.

 

�Dad�what does Bollocks to you mean?� Merrick asked Aragorn, who gave Legolas a look.

�Ah,,,Uhm�� Aragorn stumbled over himself, not sure as to what to tell his son. He had gotten an idea of what he was going to say when he felt a tug on his sleeve from Hawksley.

 

�What does shove it up yer arse mean?� Aragorn covered his face with his hands and glared at whoever it was that had given his sons vocabulary filthy new additions.

 

�Dad?� Merrick and Hakwsley chorused at the same time.

 

�It�s not something that you want to repeat to your grandma, okay?� Aragorn told them, hoping that would be enough to stop them from repeating those phrases again.

 

�Why not? Is she going to get angry?� Merrick asked.

 

�Maybe. But they�re not things that little boys should be repeating, allright?� Aragorn told them again. �Promise me that.�

 

Merrick and Hawksley looked at their father and nodded, knowing full well that the matter was closed.

 

�I can see why you�ve gotten so tetchy about what the kids get to see and hear.� Celly muttered to Lee as they turned their attention to the match.

 

�Yeah. I bet you three quid that he�s going to have a hard time training those kids out saying that. So what did I miss?� He asked Celeborn and Galadriel.

 

�Nielssen took a corner kick, they got the ball as far as Ipswitch�s goal before one of their players made off with it.� Celeborn replied coolly as they turned to watch the game again.

 

�Carlyle�passes it to Campbell�Campbell backtracks and passes� it to� Swindon�Swindon�Now it�s Boromir who�s in possession of the ball. Boromir runs it to the center, with Faramir, Jones and Nielssen keeping ahead of Ipswtich.�

 

To this announcement followed a chorus of boos and well chosen swears that prompted Lee and Aragorn to cover their offspring�s ears when the abuse was being poured out at the Blades.

 

�The English sure have a way with words, don�t they?� Aragorn muttered to Celly, who sniggered.

 

�Especially when their team is losing.� Celly whispered back. �I think it�s safe now.�

 

�Thanks.�

�Boromir has broken free! He�s heading to the goal! He�s got a clear shot, Carlyle, and Campbell fighting to keep him away, but He�s breaking away from them! He shoots!! Gooooaaaallll!!�

 

�Jeezus! Christ!� Celly cried, completely stunned at both the play that had taken place and at the language that was pouring out from the Ipswitch side of the stands.

 

�Daaad. Are you going to keep covering our ears for the whole game?� Viggo asked Legolas.

 

�Only until you turn seventeen and then when we come to the games. Yes.� Legolas told his son.

 

�Are you going to do that to me also Aunt Kelly?� Ponyboy asked his aunt, who nodded seriously.

 

�Oh yeah. You�re damned right I am. Or else Viggo and Your Dad will definitely kill me.� Celly replied seriously.

 

�Maybe we should leave them at home next time. Or at least wait until they�re twenty-seven.� Aragorn told Celly in a sotto-voice as he struggled to keep his own two sons from the worst of the insults pouring out from the stands.

 

�I still can�t get over how creative these people are.� Celeborn told his wife, who was placidly watching as Boromir� got smothered by his teammates before he waved to the crowds and trotted off the bench to take a break.

 

�I wonder if they know it *is* bodily possible to do what they just suggested to the referee. Of course, he would need two women and another man and a sling for it to work properly.� Galadriel mused, making Celeborn spit out his beer.

 

Aragorn, Legolas and Celly stared at Galadriel with undisguised horror as she calmly gave her husband serviettes to mop up the spilt beer.

 

�I don�t know what I�m more afraid of, the bastards from Ipswitch or your parents.� Aragon muttered to Celly.

 

�I know. Just don�t think about it too much or else you�ll start getting ideas you don�t even want to have about them.� Celly told him seriously, shuddering after she had spoken. That shudder was enough to deter Aragorn from asking any other questions.

 

�Uhm. So When�s the first half over?� Aragorn asked so that he could change the subject.

 

�I would say about now.�� Lee pointed out as the stands emptied out for the half.

 

�So, is anyone needing the bathroom or something to drink at this point?�

~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

�So they�re winning now?� Danny asked as he waved at Glorfindel to take their daughter and son out of the room so he could hear what sister was telling him about the game.

 

�Yeah�Jussi honey no. Eloise�wait hang on a second, Dan.� The phone was unceremoneously dropped on the floor and Danny nearly pissed himself laughing when he heard Eowyn chasing the kids out of the room with a few choice words before she picked up the phone.

 

�Okay. Sorry. They decided it would be interesting to try and thread yarn into my hair. Oh yeah. They�re winning. Boromir scored the second goal right before the first half ended. It was just totally out of the blue how that happened. I�m not kidding.�

 

�He�s not a bad player though, Eowyn.� Danny pointed out.

 

�Oh. Yeah. I know. It was just that he had like three guys on him and it was like an utter fluke how he managed to get through the defense.�

 

�Okay. Yeah. I can see why you�d say that.�� Danny agreed as he sat down and flipped the television on to check the sports stats to hopefully get some more input on the game.

 

�Yeah. The second half is going to start soon. I�m betting they�re going to win it for sure.� Eowyn enthused as she sat up and went to peek in on Mikel, who was making small noises and giving signs of needing to be fed as soon as possible.

 

�Here�s hoping they do. They need it badly and I�m not talking about the team either.� Danny stated thoughtfully, finally giving up and turning off the television when he didn�t find anything on the Championship league on.

 

�Boy, don�t we know it. It certainly would give them some confidence in what they are doing. Especially Boromir. He�s never really thought he could make it this far anyways.�

 

Danny snorted. �Yeah. I know. That guy�s a fatalist if he is anything. And the past couple of years haven�t really done anything to reverse his point of view any.�

 

�No kidding. You can�t blame him though. It seems that he was just working for some goal that was as unreachable as the moon�I�m actually impressed he�s kept on working to get anywhere.� Eowyn told her brother in law as she cradled the phone in the crook of her neck as she bent down to pick up Mikel, who was squalling demanding to be fed.

 

�The rug-rat�s hungry, I hear. You�ll call later I suppose.�

 

�Of course. I�ll give you the update later. Have a good night then.�

�Indeed. Take care of them.�

 

�Of course! I�m not like you, falling asleep and letting them run wild!�

 

�You�re never going to let me live that one down will you?�

 

�Never. Especially after it took me two whole days of scrubbing to get all the stains out of the cupboards!!�

 

�I said I was sorry!!�

 

*~*~*~*~*~

 

�Is it just me or is this game getting more brutal by the second?� Celly asked as they watched yet another Blades player go down into the much-abused turf.

 

�I guess it makes sense to go all out when you�re down two nil in the second half.�

Aragorn muttered over his sons� heads. The abuse had gotten so colourful and so vile that there wasn�t any point in not keeping their ears uncovered.

 

�Corner kick for the Blades, taken by Markssun. Faramir grabs the ball and makes a run for the goal. Boromir right beside him. Faramir to Boromir. Now Boromir is getting ahead. Campbell is shadowing him, Boromir manages to break through��

 

Boromir ran like it was his last race on earth. His lungs were screaming as he forced himself to go on. He knew that it didn�t matter whether he made the goal or not. He already had proved himself.

 

But still he ran, looking this way and that for either someone to pass it to or a clear shot� He hadn�t anyone to pass it to, so he decided to make a shot.

 

He had just spotted the right corner and made the kick.

 

Right before he was knocked down by an Ipswitch player.

 

He landed hard on the turf and coughed hard as he fought to get air into his lungs.

 

�Boromir! Boromir!� Faramir and Neiville shouted as they rushed over to their fallen tea-mate. Others from Ipswitch and the Blades rushed over, collapsing the game into pandamoneum.

 

�Boromir! Fuck! Boromir!� Faramir cried as he knelt next to Boromir who was now curled up on his side coughing up blood.

 

�Christ! Medic!� Neiville shouted through the crowd.

�What the fuck was that, you fucker!?� Markssun yelled at Byrne, the Ipswitch player that had hit Boromir, who was now walking away with several of his teammates crowding around him.

 

Byrne turned slightly and shook his head, which infuriated Markssun and Neiville. The two men ran up the small group and began shoving and arguing� with the other players surrounding Byrne. Two referees came onto the field and stopped the near fight on the field. Medics surrounded Boromir and Faramir and the rest of the players milled around, wondering how quickly the game would resume again.

 

�They�re dead if he�s not goin� to come back to the game.� Markuss muttered to Neiville as they walked away from Byrne and glumly watched as the field medics took a still coughing Boromir back to the dressing rooms. Neiville only nodded as they both then gave Byrne the evil eye.

 

~*~*~*~*~*

 

�Is he going to be fine?� Faramir asked anxiously as medics examined Boromir, who had stopped coughing, but was now curled up and was barely moving.

 

�In about two weeks or so he should be. His ribs are badly bruised from that hit. If that blood on the field was anything to go with, he may have either popped out a rib and bruised his lungs as well. He�s not going back to the field. At least not today.� One of the medics said as he gently prodded at the large, black looking bruise on Boromir�s body.

 

�Shit.� Their coach muttered as he paced back and forth in the dressing room. �About how long is he gonna be out for?�

 

�A couple of weeks at the most.� One of the medics replied flatly.

 

�Screw that.� Boromir surprised them by speaking out hoarsely as he sat up painfully.

 

�I�m going back in.� He told them, wincing slightly as he got off the stretcher and onto his feet.

 

�Not a chance in hell you are. You�re going to the hospital to get that checked out.� The medic told him quietly.

 

Boromir looked like he was about to snarl at the medic. He hadn�t taken advice to stay off the field well before, even when he had been running in pain and he certainly didn�t want to do it this game. Not when it was this important and when he had finally proven to everyone, most of all, himself that he could make it after years of what felt like fruitless toiling. He was damned if he was going to leave and miss everything and this point.

 

They seemed to be stuck at a stalemate, even Faramir giving his brother a look that conveyed his agreement with the medic failed to move him. He was determined to go out there when the coach broke in.

 

�Don�t try to be heroic, Boromir. I need my squad to be healthy come next season. You did a lot already.� The coach told him, clapping a hand on Boromir�s shoulder before nodding to Faramir and walking out to the field.

 

�I guess I can�t disobey an order like that, can I?� Boromir asked his brother.

 

�No. He�s right. There wouldn�t be any point in making it to the Premier League without you at my back pal.� Faramir told him as he gave his brother a light tap on the head. Boromir grinned and bopped his brother on the shoulder.

 

�Yeah. Get out there man. Play it hard for both of us.� Boromir told him quietly.

 

Faramir smiled at his brother and nodded. �I will man. Get better.�

 

�I will. Now go.� Faramir took a last look at his brother before turning and going out to the field.

 

�We gotta go.� The medics told him.

 

�I know.�

 

~*~*~*~*~*

 

Aragorn sat in the back of the ambulance holding a silent Boromir�s hand while their son�s followed with their aunt in a cab right behind them. They had left the game (Much to his secret relief) the minute that they had been told Boromir was out of the game with rib injuries. He had asked to ride with Boromir to the trauma unit and had gotten Celly to ride with Hawksley and Merrick.

 

The ride had been fairly silent, since the medics weren�t allowed to have radios on when they were working. Aragorn had tried to talk to Boromir, but he had either gotten silence, or monosyllabic replies making conversation null and void. So he had finally given up and had begun to wish the ride would be over soon.

 

He got his wish and they got into the trauma unit quickly. He had been told to stay behind and he hated to admit it, but he was glad that he was staying in the waiting room with Celly and the children. He really didn�t want his boys to see their father sullen and silent. Especially not when they hadn�t seen him in ages and especially when he should have been happy, considering how far the team had gotten in the season.

 

�I hope he isn�t sulking too badly in there.� Celly told Aragorn as they kept an eye on the kids, who had made themselves at home with the worn out toys kept in the hospital waiting rooms for that specific purpose. Aragorn was about to tell his sons not to play with such a dirty set of toys, but thought better of it when he realized he would have to amuse them. He then turned to Celly who was sitting with her eyes closed and thought about what she had just said.

 

�He was kind of bad on the ride over.� He admitted to her as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. �Wouldn�t speak much. You�d think he would be a bit happier, since he practically secured the game for the team and all.�

 

Celly opened her eyes and snorted. �You�d think. But you, of all people know how stubborn that man can be. Even though he�s done so much already, he still feels like he didn�t do enough. That despite everything he�s done, it�s still only half of what he set out to do.�

 

Aragorn nodded grimly and rubbed at his eyes. �I know. I can�t blame him for feeling like that. After all, it�s almost too cruel to have him come� so close to glory only to have it snatched away.�

 

�It�s one thing to not blame him, but it�s another thing to baby him in his moods.� Celly replied with her eyes still closed.

 

Aragorn didn�t reply. He just sat back and closed his eyes and waited for the doctor to call them in to see Boromir.

 

They waited no more than half an hour until the doctor called them into see Boromir.

 

�He�s resting now. We�re just keeping him overnight for observation, due to bruising in the lungs and the ribs. He should rest for a few weeks when he gets home.�� The doctor told them before he let them all into the room.

 

Boromir was lying propped up in bed, his hand fiddling nervously with the blanket as he stared out at the wall.�

 

�I thought you would be asleep by this time.� Celly told her brother as they went into the room. Hawksley and Merrick immediately climbed onto the bed and cuddled up against their father, who gingerly held them due to his injuries.

 

�Nah. Can�t sleep when I don�t know how the game turned out.� Boromir� told them, his voice fairly relaxed, yet with a tense edge as he mentioned the game.

 

�Let it go, Boromir. You did your best.� Celly told him.

 

�You scored two goals. Even if the game is lost, you did more than your share.� Aragorn told him, running his hand through Boromir�s hair in an effort to at least soothe his restlessness for the time being.

 

�I know. I can�t help wanting to be there though.� Boromir told his sister as he leaned into the gentle caress of his husband�s hands.

 

�I know you can�t help it. At least try it for now. There�s no sense in worrying over something that you can�t do anything about.� Celly ordered her brother, who growled in response at his sister, but obeyed.

 

There was nothing to do, but wait.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Faramir wiped down the sweat pouring from his forehead as he surveyed the field. The score was� 3-1. There were only ten minutes left in a game that was getting increasingly delayed due to penalties and abuse by the losing side, but it didn�t matter at that point.

 

They had won the game. That was obvious to everyone. Even the most die hard Ipswitch fan could see defeat was the only thing in the cards for the team.

 

�They�re done for.� Markuss hissed in his ear as they took their positions back onto the field once the game had resumed.

 

�I know. Doesn�t mean we should let our guard down.� Faramir replied as he kicked at the turf and waited for the ball to get thrown into the field again. The ball got thrown in and the players all ran forwards. Byrne grabbed the ball and ran directly to the Blades area, his eyes focused on one thing: To at least lower the gap so that the loss wouldn�t sting so badly.

 

He ran through the field like a hot knife through butter.

 

�He�s gonna score!� Markuss yelled out to Faramir, who nodded and ran right after him. He got in an tried to grab the ball away. For his efforts, he got shoved and pushed away, making him lose his balance and go sprawling. He got up right away, but he was too late. Carlyle had already made his kick. And had shot it right over the crossbar.

 

Although both teams were going through the motions, the spirit had been taken out of Ipswitch with that last miss. Although they were still playing, they simply were going through the motions and waiting for the game to end.�

 

The buzzer sounded and the stands just exploded. Faramir didn�t register what happened until Markssun, Neiville, Meyers and all his other teammates dog-piled him, bringing them all down onto the turf.

 

�It�s over!! The Blades are in the Permiership!! The Blades won!!�

 

Faramir laughed then sobbed when he heard those words. They won! They won!

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

�This is nice. Although I would have picked a nicer location for this.� Boromir told Aragorn, who was gingerly sitting on the edge of the hard hospital bed, close, but not overly so to Boromir lest he aggravate his husband�s injuries.

 

�Yeah�we seem to do this much more often than most people.� Aragorn mused as he thought about the times he and Boromir would do this exact same thing years ago when Boromir had been injured all those years before.

 

�He. Yeah. I seem to spend more time in these places than most people though.�� Boromir replied as he moved slightly to kiss Aragorn softly.

 

�Mmhhhm. Yeah. Kiss me again.� Aragorn murmured as Boromir complied. After he had pulled away, he licked his lips. �You can�t believe how much I missed that.�

 

�I bet I can.� Boromir replied softly. �I�ve missed you madly this past while. Although I�m glad you have a job, I still can�t help being selfish and wanting you here.�

 

Aragorn nodded. �You�re not the only one that feels that way. Believe me, I wish I could get a posting here.� He looked down at Boromir�s tan hand clasped in his and sighed deeply. They had already gone through that more times than Aragorn cared to remember.�

 

�Hmmm. I know. Let�s not worry about it now. It has to come in due time.� Boromir replied, making Aragorn relax, since he was worried that it would cause yet another argument between them over old issues that they were, at that point, unable to change.

 

�Hmmm. Yeah.� Aragorn whispered back as he squeezed Boromir�s hand.

 

�So how are the rugrats?� Boromir asked.

 

�Celly�s watching them in the patient lounge. They�ve got even more old, dirty toys out there for them to play with.�

 

Hearing this made Boromir give out a sharp laugh that made him wince slightly.

 

�How prissy of you, my dear.� Boromir told Aragorn, who only flipped him the bird in response.

 

�That�s coming from you, who only washes his jersey in how long?�

�I see Lee�s been busy spreading malicious gossip.� Boromir replied dryly.

 

�Your brother confirmed it.�� Aragorn shot back, making Boromir scowl.

 

�Oh how wounding that my own brother would speak false of me. He�s going to get it the next time I see him.�

 

Aragorn laughed and was about to tease him again when the door burst open to reveal Faramir, Markssun, Nielssen and Neiville Lee and the rest of their family and sundry entered the room.

 

�We won! Boromir! We won! We�re in the Premiership!� Faramir shouted as he went up to his brother�s bed and gave him a light one-armed hug.

 

�We won?� Boromir asked his brother, who was nodding and laughing as he told him the news.

 

�Yeah. 3-1. We�re a Premier Club now, Sebastien! We made it.�

 

Boromir looked up at his brother, at the wide green eyes so like his own and let out a laugh that sounded oddly like a cry.

 

�We won.�

 

And Finally, after two years. The End.

 

�