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brandstifter-sys · 10 months

Text

Coach

For @dukexietyweek Day 8: Kids (Ao3) (login required)

Word Count: 1786

Rating: T

Characters: Virgil, Remus, Roman, Andy (TS Shorts Anxiety), OCs, Pattong (mentioned)

Warnings: mentions of toxic parents, death mention, sex mention

Virgil is one of the best coaches the local Little League has, and the kids love him. And so does one of their older brothers. And why wouldn’t Remus adore the one person more than willing to help him with Roman after losing their parents?

---

"Alright, bring it in!" Virgil shouted to his team. It was almost time for the first game of the season and he wanted to make sure his kids were ready.

About a dozen kids flocked to his dugout from the field, ready for the first huddle of the season. He was already proud of these kids, all between 10 and 11 years old. They had spirit and they trusted him to keep the team in line and in good spirits.

"Great warm up out there. Now we're fielding first. Andy, you think you can pitch this inning?" Virgil said and eyed his cousin.

"No."

"Alright, do you want to pitch at all for this game?"

"No."

"Okay. So you, Mike, and Damian won't go on the mound. That makes this easier. Davis, you're pitching first. Mike, left. Abdul, center. Wayne, right. Carlos, first. Andy, second. Roman, shortstop. Demitri, third. Toshio, catcher—Coach Pat will help you suit up. Damian, Benny, you're on the bench for now."

"I don't want to be left field!" Mike complained. He was the difficult one. He wanted to be the star. The hero.

"Everyone is going to be in every position at least three times. It's important to know how to play in different positions so you know what to expect from your team."

"But we won't win if I'm in the outfield!"

"That's not true, and we don't have to win. Little League is more like training. We're here to play, to learn how to be a team," Virgil said calmly, "it's no fun if you only care about winning."

"My dad is gonna be mad."

"If we don't win, I'll talk to him. And that goes for all of you, if you're scared that your parents will be mad, I'll talk to them. Now, who's ready to play ball?"

The kids cheered, bringing a smile to his face.

"Hands in, on three," he said and held his hand out, palm down. The kids slapped their own hands in with his and counted with him, except for Damian. He was keeping his distance.

"One! Two! Three! Jumpers!"

Virgil smiled at the kids who ran onto the field. Or to the bat box in Toshio's case. Then he eyed Damian and Benny.

"Benny, there's some granola bars and apple slices in this backpack , take it slow so you don't get an upset stomach. And I won't send you out there until you're less dizzy," he said and crouched by the bench to get something out of his bag. It was an oral thermometer. He stepped out of the dugout and approached Damian.

"Stick this under your tongue and have a seat," he told Damian, "I know you want to be out there, or at least watching, but I have to send you home if you have a fever or if you throw up."

"But I wanna be here for my friends," Damian pouted and stuck the thermometer under his tongue without sitting down on the grass or the nearest bench.

"You've got the spirit, Champ. And I don't want to discourage that. I also don't want you to get sicker by being out here. Sometimes the best way to support your team is to take care of yourself."

The thermometer beeped. Virgil slipped it out of the boy's mouth and read it. 103°F.

"Is your mom here?"

Damian nodded.

"You need to go home and rest. You have a high fever," Virgil told him, "I'll make sure you get to her."

Damian was unhappy as he and Virgil headed for the bleachers. The poor kid was such a great team player, he felt bad that he couldn't stay.

The bleachers were intimidating, full of rambunctious family members. Virgil didn't like having to go near them if he could help it. He was glad to see Damian's mother on the lowest bench, chatting with Roman's brother, Remus, a wily man with a mustache, about her hair routine. She always had a way of making her tight coils look incredible.

"Momma," Damian said softly, getting her attention.

"What's wrong, Baby?"

"Coach Virgil said I need to go home," Damian said and pouted, on the verge of tears. His mother turned her gaze on him, ready to fight him for making her baby cry.

"He has a temperature," Virgil admitted and held up the thermometer, "I know he wants to stay for the team, but I can't let him stay like this."

"I want to stay!" Damian sobbed. Virgil knelt by him and rubbed his back.

"You gotta take care of yourself, Champ, even if it makes you a little sad. There'll be other games and we'll be happy to have you feeling better on the field."

Damian nodded and dried his eyes. Virgil offered him an understanding smile and got up.

"Thank you, Virgil. I'm sorry for the mess."

"There's no mess, don't worry. It's great to have someone this dedicated on the team," Virgil said shyly, "But I'll let you get going. Drive safe."

After a quick goodbye, Virgil went back to the dugout to douse his hands in hand sanitizer and to make sure Benny wasn't shaking anymore. He didn't realize that someone was watching him like a hawk from the bleachers.

"Look alive out there!" he called to the outfielders as the next batter came up. He knew the kid, Phil, was actually really good at hitting the ball.

"Thanks, coach," Benny said when Virgil sat down next to him.

"I can't let anyone on my team go hungry," Virgil said and grabbed his clipboard, "Which is why I want you to put this in your bat bag and give it to your mom." He pulled an envelope from the clipboard and handed it to the kid.

"What is it?"

"A gift card for the grocery store. Let's keep it a secret between us," he said and started writing things down. Benny hugged him and hurried to hide his present.

Virgil smiled to himself and watched the game. These kids made the extra work worthwhile.

The game itself was pretty standard without too many incidents. Virgil was so glad he didn't have to fight with angry parents over the ump's calls. Even if they didn't win, his team played well.

"You guys did great out there today," Virgil said in the team's last huddle, "You're really coming together as a team and I'm proud of all of you. Now go get some rest and relax, you earned it. I'll see you on Tuesday for practice."

He broke the huddle and his team scattered, except for Andy and Roman.

"Hey, Squirt, can you get the bases and bring them to Coach Pat?" Virgil asked and started packing up. Andy rolled his eyes and trudged onto the field.

"What can I do, Coach Virgil?" Roman asked brightly.

"You don't have to do anything, I know your brother is here and probably wants to go home."

"He says he needs to talk to you," Roman pouted, "And he doesn't shut up. I don't wanna be bored."

Virgil's eyebrows rose slightly. Remus needed to talk to him? What could that feral babe need from him? Roman seemed to love being on his team and he was doing good. It wasn't like he had any reason to need to talk with a boring baseball coach. He could understand Remus might want to talk to him, they were best friends and they acted like boyfriends, and they spent a lot of time watching Roman. But need set off alarm bells.

"You can check the field for any balls. You don't have to go far, or you can see if Coach Pat wants help," Virgil said, "I'll try to make this quick."

Roman beamed at him and ran off to help. Virgil took a moment to finish packing and lean against the fence to calm his nerves. Remus probably wasn't going to yell at him for anything. He was probably just going to talk about Roman. It would be fine.

"Hey there, Coach" an imp purred by his ear, "wanna show me your bat and balls?"

Virgil yelped and spun around. Remus was leaning forward, holding the fence and arching his back coyly. He was grinning and taunting Virgil with his sparkling eyes.

"Jeez, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Virgil huffed and tried not to stare. Remus looked good in his low rise jeans, neon green shredded crop-top, and spiked leather jacket.

"Nope!" Remus giggled, "You're just so cute when you're startled!"

"Ro said you need to talk to me?"

"Yeah! Are you busy tonight?"

"Why?" Virgil asked and picked up Andy's bat bag and his own.

"Do you want to get dinner and watch old horror movies at my place? Roman is sleeping over with Phil and it won't smell like formaldehyde or anything!" Remus grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. If he weren't an embalmer, Virgil would have questions for Remus.

"Depends. Is there more to it than cuddles?"

"Only if you're my boyfriend," Remus hummed, "Because I was planning on asking you anyway."

Virgil blushed and rubbed his neck.

"If you're sure."

"Yeah! Do you want to make things official?" Remus asked with a little shimmy.

"We don't have to kiss, do we?"

"Only if you want to!"

Virgil stepped out of the dugout and coaxed Remus away from the fence. The little imp was grinning and bouncing on his heels. He was so cute. Virgil couldn't resist kissing his forehead.

"I'll stop by after work and I'll bring Chinese food," he said with a smirk.

"Tease!" Remus huffed and grabbed his shirt. He dragged Virgil into a surprisingly chaste smooch.

"Gross!" Andy complained as he and Roman trudged over to them, both eager to leave.

"It could be grosser!" Remus teased, "I could accidentally sneeze on him too!"

"That's way grosser," Virgil agreed and rolled his eyes.

"Can we go home now?" Roman asked, glancing between the pair.

"Sure! Don't want to stop and say hi to mom and dad?" Remus asked. Roman shook his head. He didn't want to go to the cemetery. He wanted to shower and then spend the night with Phil and play video games. Remus was more than okay with that.

"Alright, then let's go!"

"See you tonight," Virgil said as Remus left with Roman. Then he turned his attention to Andy, who was picking up the backpack.

"Ready, Squirt?"

"Yeah. Are you and Remus dating?"

"We are now."

"Mom owes me 10 bucks. she said you wouldn't get together before I turn 11," Andy said mostly to himself. Virgil sighed and shook his head. He would have to have a talk with his aunt later.

#dukexiety #remus sanders #virgil sanders #sanders sides #roman sanders #andy sanders #dukexietyweek2023 #day 8 #death mention tw #sex mention tw

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anxiouslyfred · 10 months

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A Shop of Both

for @dukexietyweek day 1, Tattoo shop

Summary: Virgil needs flowers for a meet up with family and notices the florist he goes to also does tattoos and piercings. He's confused over the safety of that.

/\/\

Virgil had come into the shop for flowers but now all he was registering was 'he has plants through his ear.'

Most people probably wouldn't have focused on that when meeting the shop owner but it was everything that Virgil had the capacity to understand now.

“Welcome to my shop, I'd ask what you're here for, but given your staring, I want to know what;s shocked you about my look today?” The shopkeeper asked after a few minutes of waiting for him to stop staring.

“Is that a real holly branch going through your ear? How is that safe on any level?” Virgil exclaimed, shock colouring his words, just as much as embarrassment as he realised just how he'd reacted in public.

Laughter was his reply, as well as the branch being pulled out to reveal a stretched lobe with a ring stretcher in. “It's female holly, the only spikes on the leaves are at the ends and yeah, it's safe, as much as you might think it's dangerous.”

“Is that how you describe this store, also? Pretty sure combining flowers and pots of mud with things that should be kept sterile like piercings and tattoos is a bad combination.” Virgil asked, looking away from the holly branch now held out to him and around the store now, unable to see any sign of the tattoo studio he knew was included somewhere in the store.

“Guess you're here for flowers then.” The shop keeper grinned, and jumped over the counter he'd been stood behind. “Come and tell me what you need them for. I'm Remus and will not share secrets over my businesses success until at least the first fuck.”

The last sentence made Virgil hesitate, frowning slightly. “Wasn't trying to flirt or get secrets from you, just find out how safe you actually are. You are right though that I'm here for flowers. Been ordered to visit family for lunch and just know if I don't take flowers of some kind the criticism I'm already expecting will be worse.”

“Skip it!” Remus near yelled, but started hurrying off among the rows regardless. “Family shitty enough you expect criticism should never be listened to when asking you to meet them.”

“They really aren't that bad. I'm just pessimistic about well, everything.” Virgil shrugged, “Including the amount of diseases being risked by anyone getting a tattoo from a flower shop.”

Remus laughed at that comment again. “Living is to constantly risk illness, injury and death, why not go to the people open about the chances of it rather than the people who make places so sterile only the worst diseases can remain while all the healthy or helpful bacteria are removed?”

“Just cause an axe throwing place states there's danger does not mean I'd let them make me wait behind the targets while people are throwing axes.” Virgil countered. “Honesty doesn't include safety. What are you even gathering flowers for? I haven't said anything about what I was looking for yet.”

“Haven't even said your name.” Remus grinned as well. “I'm just getting the fucking dull bouquet together. It's the generic shit all relatives can swoon over without worrying that it's not been thought out.”

They carried on walking past the flowers as Remus grabbed a few more type and Virgil tried to remember what the types were. “I'm Virgil and you seriously have a set bouquet for that?”

“You'd be surprised how often people need it. Also Fuck you bouquets, but I think that's because they looked at the website and just wanted to see if that one actually exists.” Remus shrugged, “Besides, I'd assume if you wanted to insult or offend these relatives while still going along with their invite you'd be getting a tattoo at the same time.”

“Would that get me proof that you actually sanitise and keep the area for tattooing and piercing clean?” Virgil blinked after he spoke, wondering why that sounded like he was flirting.

It got him shoulder nudge, “Not sure if you're flirting or turning me down on that offer for fucking.”

“Let's go with the second option.” Virgil nods, lips pressing tightly together to try and suppress whatever reaction he'd have.

“Damn, come back later if you need a tat done. JJ isn't here to cover the store while I tattoo someone currently.” Remus clicked his fingers, shoulders drooping in exaggerated disappointment.

Back at the counter now, Virgil just nodded, letting Remus put together the bouquet while he waiting and fished his wallet out.

“I've added my number to the card so you might want to remove that before any controlling mothers, interfering aunts, nosey uncles and projecting fathers find it.” Remus called after Virgil had paid and was heading out of the store.

His laughter could be heard when Virgil immediately stopped to dig the card out of the flowers and pocket it just outside the shop.

/\/\

This was a bad idea. Honestly, it was also a nice change from all the worries, dangers and concerns over destroying his livelihood that usually flowed through Virgil's mind, but it was still a bad idea.

He'd literally filled 3 A4 pages over all the dangers and concerns he has around getting a tattoo, and still was about to walk back into the florist, piercing and tattoo studio that was 'The Wild Side'.

“Good Afternoon, Welcome to the Wild Side. Which of our services are you here to request?” Someone unknown was sat behind the counter and spoke disinterestedly, only glancing up from their book to Virgil for a second.

“Maybe a tattoo?” Virgil asked, even more uncertain about going through with this thought now Remus wasn't there being whatever level of enthusiastic and teasing he seemed to naturally be.

The person sighed, leaning back from the counter to tap their book against the door. “Someone's thinking about making a horrible decision. Come talk to them.” They called, which had Virgil jolting and putting his hand to the pocket his pages of reasons why he shouldn't do this were stashed. At least, wanting it removed later wasn't actually one of those concerns.

“What type of bad decision can I- VIRGIL!” Remus was cooing as he hurried through the door before bouncing in excitement that definitely wasn't deserved when they'd only met once. “Tattoo or piercing and do you have ideas over what or where?”

Virgil blinked a little, stepping back. “Um – a tattoo, on my neck maybe, since you suggested getting one to annoy my relatives and that'd be visible.”

“You seem nervous about the placement.” Remus stated, but reached out to touch his neck. “You're not one for standing out, are you?”

“Invisibility would be my preferred state 80% of the time. If it weren't for all the smiling, I'd want to be the Cheshire Cat, able to evaporate constantly.” He didn't deny that having a tattoo that's visible had been on his list of reasons not to get one at all.

Remus's hand moved slowly to the front of his shoulder, just beside where a collar might reveal with a couple buttons undone. “How about here then? Close enough that it might be glimpsed but you can easily keep it covered without changing your hoodie for turtle-neck sweaters.”

“Are you going to just stand in the florist section for this consultation or are you actually going to show our customer the studio?” Janus's voice interrupted whatever reply Virgil could have given and thankfully got the hand on him to instead grab his wrist to tug him around the counter and through the door Remus had emerged from.

“Sorry for distracting you from your take down of whichever politician, JJ.” Remus cackled. “Just actually doing my job.”

The door shut but Virgil could swear he heard a comeback about flirting not being part of Remus's job. That seemed like a crazy thought though.

“So about the placement, or whatever you want putting on you? I am an option for things that can go on you.” Remus immediately put doubt to Virgil's doubt about him flirting already pushing him into a seat more likely used when tattooing was in progress than for a normal consultation.

For all the concerns and comments Virgil had made on his first visit to the store the tattoo studio was clearly cleaned and maintained well. The biggest consideration to the store-front was the plants and flowers painted all over the walls and a few small potted plants like aloe vera kept on top of cabinets clearly marked for paperwork.

Focusing back on what had been asked Virgil shrugged a little. “Can it be a frowning vanishing cat? Just- just not the meme one, maybe more like the Cheshire cat original illustrations except frowning? And yeah, there like you suggested.” He tapped where Remus had held his hand too moments before.”

“Still not letting me be on you. A man could be hurt by this rejection but keep doing it. Means you're more comfy around me.” Remus leered a little, grabbing a sketchbook and pushing a chair from a desk over to be next to Virgil.

“Pretty weird that you're set on hooking up with customers at your job. Maybe try inviting me on a date somewhere other than here.” Virgil snarks back, getting the closest he'd dare to outright rejecting or accepting Remus's flirting. He wasn't sure if it was good or bad, but hell, it'd already got him to do something he wouldn't have expected to ever do and that was far less like flirting than Remus had done today.

Remus hummed, pencil moving quickly over the page for a few minutes. “Other than trying to convince JJ to hook up just so I can say I've fucked everywhere I own and failing, you're the only person who've walked in those doors I've flirted with. And they were harsh in their rejection so I spent a month swapping any eggs they brought with spoiled ones since I have keys to their apartment in case of emergencies. Is this a good design for your tat? What colours do you want the cat?”

“Purple and black, do we need to book in a time to do it or-” Virgil's answer for that was easy, using the two colours he was most comfortable wearing.

“I can do it now. No other bookings and JJ knows not to send multiple customers through at once.” Remus span his chair back to the desk grabbing a pot of pencils from one of the drawers. “Pick a purple or two for me to use. I can match the inks we've got to these.”

Virgil looked through the pencils for a moment before deciding Remus wouldn't mention things if he didn't want him to question them. “How harsh would I have to be to face a similar response?”

“Planning your script already?” Remus grinned at him, as if even that could be flirting. “They left me to man both parts of the store alone for a week. Do you how annoying it is to be tattooing someone and have to stop because the bell to the store has gone off? I had to threaten them with letting Picani help out to get them back. Picani is a therapist we know who sometimes asks to use the upstairs space as his office and can't keep any plant alive for a week. Can't remember what they actually said when turning me down, but they have a sharp tongue unless they're trying to charm you so that doesn't matter.”

It was Virgil's turn to smirk, handing his chosen pencils over, “Why would I need a script? I've already told you to ask me on a date at a time neither of us is working that's outside of the store before anything'll happen which you haven't done. Guess you aren't actually into me.”

“This should take until closing time, if you're happy with it.” Remus hummed, scribbling the pencils over his drawing a few times including a black pencil too. “Let's get dinner and I can show you how to look after this after that. Does that cover a date outside of work?”

Virgil froze in the process of taking his hoodie off. “Yup, guess so, and yeah, that looks good.”

“Plus dates get a discount on tattoos.” Remus stated. “So get that t-shirt off and I'll to a test line so you can know how much pain to expect.”

“Sure, I guess.”

#virgil sanders #remus sanders #dukexiety #dukexietyweek2023 #tattoo/florist au

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