Truce
Title: Truce
Rating: T
Pairing: Vegas/Pete
Category: M/M, Three Steps to Win You Universe, Spin-Off
Summary: For the good of their football team, BSFC, Vegas and Pete must strike a truce and put aside their dislike for one another.
AN
This one shot is a spin-off of the main story "Three Steps to Win You" which I decided to turn into a series because I love playing with all the characters in KPTS.
In order to understand the background of this one shot, you have to read the main story, at least until chapter 3, because the moment told in this one-shot happened after the events in said chapter.
Truce
"Pete?"
Pete, who at that time, was crouching and bending on the floor to tie his shoelaces, raised his head in response to Chan, the team skipper, "Cap."
"You know we have to talk about this, right?" said Chan sternly to Pete. "The first match of the season is in three days, and today's incident in the midfield, which is your and Vegas's responsibility, absolutely can not happen on opening day."
"Understood, Cap," Pete replied as he stood up. "What happened earlier was shameful. I let my emotions cloud my better judgment and I let it control me."
At that moment, Pete didn't even dare to look at Cap's face and could only look down. His behavior earlier on the pitch, did not reflect the behavior of a good co-captain, at all. No matter how much Vegas contributed to the fiasco on the field, still, he was the co-captain, while Vegas was the new player who still had to adapt to the BSFC ways. Either way, Pete's mistake was bigger. What a shame!
Cap will retire after this season ended and left big shoes that he had to fill in. The thought of it, frankly, still made Pete break out a cold sweat, but it was a reality he had to face whether he was ready or not. Cap was already 36 years old, the fact that he could still play at this level at that age was a small miracle, it was time for him to hang up his boots. After all, how much longer did he have to babysit Pete? Pete had been a co-captain for five years, ever since he was 21. Cap had to take over captaincy when he was only 23 years old, because the previous BSFC Captain had to retire early due to injury, while Pete was already 26. No excuse, really. He even knew the exact date when he assumed the captaincy, while Cap, at that time, received no warning at all.
"You know why I chose you as a co-captain and at the same time my successor, right?" Cap asked, holding his right shoulder.
"Because I'm the oldest?"
"Pete, please..."
"Because I'm the least insane among the boys?"
Cap chuckled and then answered his own question, "One of the main reasons is because you have the sight, which only a handful of footballers have. You stand on the pitch level like the rest of us, but your eyes have capability to see the pitch as if you are standing on a higher ground, hence, at a glance, you can see everyone's position, teammates and opposing team players."
Pete just nodded in response.
"You are aware of your own strengths, right?"
"I am," said Pete. "I may not be as fast as Tay, or have nearly perfect passing accuracy like Tem, but because of the sight, I almost always move faster than my opponent because I've read their moves beforehand."
"I'm glad you are aware of your own strengths, but you are also aware that in order to fully utilize the sight, you must focus," added Cap.
"Cap, you don't have to tell me. I know I lost focus today," Pete stated, he was sure his face must be a bit red from embarrassment. "I let his taunting get under my skin."
"Your own teammate, not even an opponent."
"I know," Pete said, his face getting redder.
"Pete, you are the most level headed person in this team, you are kind, but can be firm when needed. Bottom line is, you are captain material," continued Cap. "But then Vegas came and in two weeks, I barely knew my co-captain."
Silence. Pete didn't respond to his skipper because everything he said was true. No objection at all from him.
"I realize, since Vegas debuted three years ago, and the fact that he played as attacking midfielder for our arch-enemy, the fierce rivalry in midfield between the two of you, every time BSFC and United met, is well known throughout the league. No one expected United to transfer Vegas, or surprisingly, got transferred to our team."
"I still can't believe it, Cap," said Pete, finally speaking out. "I still can't believe I have to work with the player I hate the most in the league."
"As captain you don't get to choose, you know that, right? You have to look after all the players, regardless of how you feel about each one," Cap said.
"Understood, Cap, believe me, I do."
"And I believe you," affirmed Cap. "I don't ask you two to be besties, but at least you can reach an understanding with Vegas, so you can tolerate each other presence, and most importantly support each other on the pitch for the good of the team."
"I'm working on it."
"Time is ticking and we need a quick solution. How about the three of us talk about this over lunch, hm? I'm there as a buffer between you two, just to avoid unwanted things," offered Cap, who was looking so worried.
"Cap, please, we're not kids anymore. I will handle it, okay?" asked Pete. "I need to do this on my own. You can't keep babysitting me, right? Please, have faith in me."
Cap walked over and then hugged him. "I have faith in you, always. From the first day you served as my co-captain, I knew I had chosen wisely."
"Are you sure your opinion hasn't changed when you saw my behavior on the pitch during the practice match this morning?"
"Even Superman has weakness, Vegas is your kryptonite."
"Kryptonite is better than him."
"Pete," warned Cap.
"I will take care of this matter, Cap. I'll give you my word."
"Good. When I leave this team in your hands at the end of the season, I won't be worried in the slightest. I have so much faith in you."
"I won't let you down, Cap. I promise," Pete swore solemnly.
"Good."
******
Pete decided to meet with Vegas at the Salad Bar not far from the training ground. This place also provides variants of roast chicken and other variants of lean meats. New season was starting soon, so they had to be strict with their diet. Most importantly, this Salad Bar had a private area at the back, so they were safe from BSFC's fanatic fans.
When Pete asked Vegas to meet here, in the locker room earlier, Vegas agreed without any protest, he just nodded his head in affirmation and continued to put on his clothes. Pete decided to head to the Salad Bar first, to secure their table in the private area. To save time, Pete ordered two servings of plain roasted chicken with extra large salad on the side for their lunch. As soon as Vegas arrived, they could immediately talk about the matter.
Speaking of the devil, Vegas, who wore all black, arrived and immediately sat down in the chair opposite Pete silently.
"I already ordered for us," informed Pete.
"Cool," answered Vegas curtly.
Pete felt small talk was of no use to either of them, so he decided to just get on with it.
"I don't think I need to tell you the purpose of this meeting. Everything is already clear from the start. I don't like you, you don't like me. But, we have a responsibility to this team, and we have to find a way to work together, because like Coach said earlier, midfield is our responsibility."
"Agreed. So from now on, I'd really appreciate it, if you just stopped coming into my area and snatching my balls," Vegas said coldly.
What a jerk!
If he had followed his temper, Pete's fists would have hit Vegas's annoying face by now, but what's the point, it won't solve the problem. At the moment, it was only his sense of responsibility as a co-captain and his promise to Cap, less than an hour ago, that made Pete want to hold himself back as hard as he could.
"And where exactly is your area? Coach has made it very clear that both attacking and defending in midfield is our responsibility," said Pete, as calmly as possible. "That means, you have to be willing to read my movements and vice versa, so we can move accordingly."
"Coach asking the impossible," muttered Vegas before he leaned his body slightly forward. "You know what? I think this is actually a simple matter, if only you accept your duty as a defensive midfielder."
Ugh, this little shit!
"From the time I entered the BSFC Academy until I became the pro footballer that I am today, my position has always been attacking midfielder. Why don't you just give in and take the defensive role? Besides, you came in this team late, BSFC already had an attacking midfielder."
Oh, fuck!
As soon as he uttered the last words, Pete knew he had made a misstep. He needed another approach, and he had to think fast, otherwise this matter will only get worse.
"Ever since I found out that I was transferred to BSFC, I knew this was going to happen," Vegas hissed at Pete with an accusing look. "The resentment is too deep between United and BSFC. I knew I would get nothing here but hostility."
"Watch your mouth! That's not fair at all!" yelled Pete.
"OH?" jeered Vegas.
"Fine, maybe I've never-"
"Maybe? Please..." jeered Vegas again, cutting off Pete's words.
"I KNOW I've never been nice to you, but don't you ever say that the boys are hostile to you. They never treat you less than decent," Pete hissed back at Vegas, defending the honor of his teammates.
"Only because they don't feel threatened by my presence. But that's not the case with you, is it, Mr. Attacking Midfielder?" Vegas mocked and provoked Pete's anger at the same time.
Fuck this guy!
Gods have mercy, but Pete wanted so badly to smack the smug face in front of him to pulp.
"Did you just insinuate that I felt threatened by your presence?"
"Just be honest, co-captain, you'll feel much better."
Oh, he wants honesty? I'll give him honesty.
"You know what I think?" retorted Pete. "I think you're scared. Behind that cold facade, you're actually shaking in fear that no team wants you, am I right?
"Shut up!" hissed Vegas, looking very menacing.
"O~h, did I hit a nerve?" asked Pete in a mocking voice. "United took the position of attacking midfielder from you and then replaced you with another player..."
"I said shut up!" said Vegas in a much louder voice.
Pete refused to stop and continued talking.
"... then you come to a new team, but the position is already filled. No wonder you are so desperately trying to keep that position, right?"
"SHUT UP!" shouted Vegas, hit the table loudly.
Pete was grateful that they were currently sitting in a private area. He was also grateful that the loud sound of the table being hit earlier, had made him realize that he had gone too far. After all, he was the co-captain and Vegas was his responsibility. Pete once again let Vegas' taunting get to him.
You better than this, Pete!
"Vegas, I'm out of line, forgive me." Pete decided to be the bigger man.
"You're not sorry at all," Vegas responded fiercely, not believing Pete at all.
"You want to believe me or not, it's your personal business. But, BSFC is my business and yours too. Whether we like it or not, we have to work together, or Coach will have one of us bench for the whole season."
"It's definitely me. You're the co-captain, so it's impossible for you," accused Vegas, blatantly.
"I would say, Don isn't that kind of coach, but you wouldn't believe me either," said Pete. "But, Coach shouldn't have to choose between us. BSFC has two skillful midfielders, why not make the best of them?"
"So now you're admitting that I'm a good midfielder?" asked Vegas, sounding so much calmer now.
"When did I ever say you weren't?" Pete asked back. "I will never consider a bad player as my biggest rival."
This time Vegas kept his mouth shut and didn't answer. Hm, did he just see a hint of smile?
"Can we look at this matter from another point of view?"
"What do you mean?" asked Vegas.
"Let's just say we're both taking the position as attacking midfielders, it's just that we also have additional defensive duties..."
Vegas started to snort.
"Listen to me until the end," coaxed Pete.
"Go on..."
"There are 38 games, surely we can work out a schedule. You take the offensive role for nineteen matches, and I take the other nineteen, or..."
"Or you can take the offensive role in every first half, and I'm in the second half, for all the matches," continued Vegas, finishing Pete's sentence.
"Precisely," affirmed Pete. "So, can we do that?"
Vegas was quiet for a while, before he finally reached out his hand for a handshake. "Truce?"
"Truce."
FIN
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