We are One

[ROUX]

Team USA is back in the game, looking to redeem themselves for previous sucky years on the field. It's Brazil this time, and anything can happen...Including a romance between the team's captain and an ambitious rookie.


How will the world react to the relationship between the two on the underdog team?


Calma Calma, my friend.


We are one.


-Rio-

-The Stadiums-

-The Hotel-

 

[ROUX]

Friday\\Jun 5th\\12:55am\\ 20 Minutes Till Takeoff


Red polo, blue trousers, and white trainers.


The clothes themselves kind of psyched him out...everyone knew the World Cup teams traveled in style, and the branding colors of Team USA were extremely obvious against the white wall behind him. The matching uniforms were far from tacky, as they were a loud representation of the expectations he'd have to live up to. He adjusted the collar, staring at himself in the mirror, and the symbol on the left side of his chest. He always imagined himself in this moment...and now it was here. Unbelievable. He actually gave himself the thumbs up in the mirror, trying not to let the butterflies in his stomach bother him as he imagined the millions of cheering faces that would greet him on that field, how he would finally live up to his dream and promise. He remembered looking at himself in this same manner as a child, with a drawn on symbol on the front of his t-shirt, away from the bragging of his older brother of how he'd made head prefect. He remembered vowing to himself that he'd get here, somehow, no matter what it took. And now...he was here, and there was no way in hell he was going to loose it.


Well...no backing out now...Até o fim.


---





Noatak had only met the team twice before, first at the draft, and then at the meeting after. Strange for a new player, as they were usually integrated into training sessions before playing in a game - but because of his skills, and the fact that this was no regular tournament, there was an exception. Both meetings were brief, and he'd felt like a piece of meat the entire time with all of them staring at him. No doubt they'd read his file, and scoped out his skills. Noah had tried to remember all their names, and failed miserably - at the time anyway. In his defense, the team he knew best was Portugal...he hailed from that country after all. No luck getting rid of his accent either. At times he felt as if it branded him as an outsider, and no doubt it'd be strange playing against his brother's team. As for the American team, it shouldn't be too hard to impress them - after all, that was what Noah was good at - impressing the shit out of people.


Today...today was the day to make a good first impression. Besides, it wasn't as if he'd have a choice, since he'd be stuck in a plane with them for hours on end on their way to Brazil.


He entered the airport through the back, duffle bag over his shoulder as he made his way to the jet. His brown eyes seemed to glow brighter as he walked across the pavement in the sun, enjoying his last few moments on American soil.


"Morales!"


He looked across, seeing a man in a suit calling his name, and he made his way over. "You're in seat 5B, we can take your bag if you'd like," he offered, holding out his hand and taking the bag when Noah handed it over after pulling out a pair of white beat's headphones from a pocket on the side.


"Obrigado," he responded in Portuguese out of habit, before shaking his head and laughing. "I mean, thank you." His nerves were definitely starting to get to him. Calling him anxious would be a gigantic understatement.


Doce....Window seat, he thought as he squinted, looking up at the plane with a hand above his eyes. He recognized one of them entering the door on the side - Clint Dempsey of course...the only one out of all of them to attend three World Cups before this one with team USA. The dude was the stuff of legend. His gaze flicked over to two other players that were chatting under the wing - Beasley and Bradley, each of them known for commanding their defensive sectors of the field with undeniable ease. He couldn't help but grin like an idiot...he was standing in the presence of greats! And he was going to make sure this was the year that they all got their hands on that golden trophy...one way or another. He made his way toward the stairs, adjusting the sunglasses in his dark styled hair as he did so, and entered the plane.


"Hey rookie," Dempsey looked back, offering the young man a smile, and it was heartily returned. "It's Noah right?" He added, holding out a hand. Noah nodded, shaking it firmly, visibly trying to hold in his excitement.


"Ah...yeah, yeah it is. And you're Clint Dempsey?" he asked, and the older man nodded. "Call me Clint," he said, before looking past Noah and to the door again after sitting in his seat. Beasley had poked his head through the doorway, inquiring about something.


"Yo...where is the Iceman?" the man said, directing the question at Clint while nodding in greeting to Noah.


"Dunno. He's usually here early," Clint answered, and Bradley walked in behind DaMarcus, shaking his head.


"Overachiever. In case you're confused, rookie, Marc here was referring to our fearless leader, Lucian Oliver," the midfielder explained, invoking a short laugh from Marc.


"Michael here doesn't approve of the nickname. Says its rude...but the truth hurts. Though I guess we can't complain, cause the guy's methods work," scoffed Marc.


"Well if he finds out about the nickname, Iceman is gonna kick your ass," Micheal shot back, putting items on the shelf above his chair. "And when it happens, I want no part in it. I'm sick of doing extra suicide runs for you just cause you cant help being annoying."


"All I know is that whatever's keeping him is going to make him even more on edge than usual," Clint put in, leaning his chair back and putting his hands behind his head as Marc sat beside him. Noah pursed his lips thoughtfully as he mentally filed away the exchange, looking at the numbers above the seats to find his own as more and more of the team began to trickle in. He too took his seat, across the isle from Marc and Clint and in front of Michael, who was seated next to the team's starting keeper. The seat beside himself hadn't been taken yet.


He looked around as everyone was doing their own thing, some of them sneaking glances at him when they thought he couldn't see. it was strange, him being the newcomer. He was almost always the well known one on his other teams, either because of abilities, experience, title, or just the fact that he was known be a huge flirt around campus.


He sighed, crossing his legs under the seat in front of him and slipping his headphones over his ears. Nothing like a good Pitbull song to de-stress you and get you pumped up for the events to come...hopefully whoever sat next to him would be willing to have a good chat during the long flight. They were already being offered coffee, and Noah tended to be extra hyper with caffeine in his system.

 

[WrittenHollowness]

"Shit."


This was not a good day. Not in the least bit for Lucian, but he kept the straight face, as if everything was okay. He boarded the private jet after being poked and prodded coming through the LAX security, leaving the man a little more than abrasive. Looking down at his ticket, he found the assigned seat's neighbor to be an unfamiliar face--the rookie. He sighed in disarray, running a stress shaken hand through his hair as he put away the carry-on. First, his car got totaled, which almost left him a wrecked mess. After all...that's how everything he cared for was taken away. And now, he was to sit next to the new shit on the block. "Classic." He mumbled, sliding into his seat. Their elbows touched and it bothered him to no end. Luc bristled and glared at the man sitting next to him. So smug, so confident was the look on his face. "So. Noah, is it?" The Frenchman asked, a not-so-subtle layer of venom in the words.

 

[ROUX]

Noah blinked as the man sat next to him, his eyes studying his features. "Yeah...your soon-to-be leading goal scorer," he said, grinning and holding out a hand to the other man, although he looked pretty ticked off. Iceman huh...I see.


He really couldn't believe his luck. He was sitting next to the team captain - the one man that could recommend him to the coach, maybe help him make starter...permanently. And he HAD to make starter. "I've heard about you," he added, moving his headphones to hang around his neck.

 

[WrittenHollowness]

"I'm not surprised," Luc sighed, "I haven't heard anything about you. No surprise there either." He shifted, resting his chin on his hand. "Now, if you don't mind, quit acting like a meercat dunked in an epresso and quiet down."

 

[ROUX]

"A what...? Never mind," he said, shaking his head. This guy was a tough nut to crack., he realized, as he returned his hand to his lap. Though...his face had much more appeal than his attitude...


Noah looked the guy over again, shamelessly deciding that he liked what he was seeing.


"So. Err...what do I call you?" Noah asked, knowing very well what the man's name was but was opting to use the chance to make conversation as the plane started to move. Besides, Lucian was basically the only one Noah could talk to, thanks to the seating situation.

 

[WrittenHollowness]

"You call me whatever you feel...at your own expense." Luc took out his well worn copy of the Taming of the Shrew and flipped through its bent pages. At this point, the newbie reminded him of Bianca, the diva of the story. He had another thing coming for him. This was not to be his time to shine--Luc had promised himself that he would make decisions to make them a better team overall. And this new guy, Noah, seemed more like he wanted all glory and no guts. "So, what makes you think we are goning to be all 'buddy buddy'?" he asked his seated neighbor, using air quotes and a tangible layer of sarcasm to relay his feelings toward the subject.

 

[ROUX]

"I think I'll just call you Lucian...important to know who's going I be passing the ball to me."


Noah peered over his shoulder at the book Lucian had pulled out, not recognizing the title. "And I never said that. But, we are stuck next to each other on a 13 hour flight to Brazil...you might as well get to know me," he said, looking at the Frenchman pointedly. "What kept you this morning? I hear you're usually rather punctual," he asked, tapping his fingers on the armrest and hoping he'd be dignified with an answer.

 

[WrittenHollowness]

"Don't even begin to think you know my habits." Luc turned another page briskly, glaring at the smaller mn out of the corners of his eyes. He sighed, slumping just a little. It was a very stressful day and he did not want to play 21 questions with the newbie. "I totalled my car," he replied in a dejected manner, "Happy?"

 

[ROUX]

"No," Noah replied, noticing that their arms were touching and purposely moving his own closer, though noticing his Captain's dejected appearance. "But I'm sorry about your car. Maybe when I'm rich and famous, I'll buy you another," He said with a grin, trying to lighten the mood. "What are you reading?" He asked after a few more minutes, looking over Lucian's shoulder again.

 

[ROUX]

((-pokes @RedInkKid in the face- ))

 

[WrittenHollowness]

"Look kid," Luc started, his accent slipping a bit in his anger, "I do not owe you anything. You want something on this team, you have to earn it like everyone else. I don't need to know your life story to know you can kick a ball."


Luc turned back to his book, with an almost visible emission of steam rolling off him. The frenchman was immediately sorry for his outburst, but the newbie seemed unable to understand the extent of his anger toward the World at the moment.

 

[ROUX]

"I'm only four years younger than you," he muttered, crossing his arms.


Not exactly happy about being blown off, Noah took the hint and stared out the window solemnly. He made it about five minutes before he glanced over again, unable to help himself, before poking Lucian in the arm again. "...you still haven't told me what you're reading...."

-TIMESKIP-

​

Noah opened an eye as he felt the jolt of the plane landing, peeking around groggily. He reached for the flap covering the tiny window, pulling it open and staring out over the bright city of Rio, beautifly outlined by the dark sky. He opened his other eye, shifting as he realized his head was leaned against something firm and warm, turning his cheek to look up into the face of his 'pillow'.

 

[WrittenHollowness]

Lucian mumbled incoherent pleasantries while he was asleep,tossing his arm over the warm lump near him. As a smile threatened to cross his lips, his eyes opened to the light flowing through the now open window. He hummed and stretched out his arms-- and felt a head bump his right forearm. "Were you just...were we...huh?" He asked, still slightly disoriented from the plane nap.

 

[ROUX]

"Well don't you two look cozy..."


Noah had been about to apologize for falling asleep on the other man, then the voice above interrupted him. As he would soon learn, there were few horrors greater than DaMarcus Beasley with a camera, and the American grinned down at them toothily.


"Come on lovebirds, we're in RIO! Brazilian ladies are living legends...and games don't start for another five days....which leaves about one night of clubbing till that one makes us train," he added, pointing at Lucian. As the speaker disappeared back into his own seat, Noah removed himself from the Frenchman and pretended to check the time to hide his blush. Sure enough, most of the plane's residents were already awake and filing out, and the sounds of cameras came from the door as the team went down the stairs.

 

[WrittenHollowness]

Lucian frowned, then looked back at his teammate who looked just as groggy as he did. He caught sight of the man's eyes and stopped for a moment. The beauty he found in Noah's face was nearly breathtaking...nearly.


"That meant nothing." He said flatly as he stepped out into the aisle to retrieve his carry-on. When it was in tow, he gave the guy a glare before turning and walking away.

 

[ROUX]

Noah wasted no time in grabbing his own bag and following him, scoffing at the man's comment.


If it meant nothing, why mention it, he thought smugly to himself before stepping down the stairs.


He wasn't here to flirt, especially with a guy. If anything could end his pro career in record time it was being outed. He shuddered at the thought of the tabloid headlines before smiling for the cameras, pushing his glasses down over his eyes in spite of the time of night. He also prided himself on being naturally photogenic...though the vanity helped.


They were ushered to a lavish looking bus - or as lavish as busses could get - and he sunk into the seat. Noah pulled out his cellphone, texting his mother that he'd arrived, and that he was fine. She was both ecstatic and anxious when he'd told her the news. Having both of her sons competing against eachother in a World Cup would prove to be stressful for sure, and he tried to reassure her as the bus drove toward the hotel.

 

[WrittenHollowness]

Luc didn't need another "mishap". It only happened once, but he slipped up and almost got caught snogging with another man. A man. The one thing that could make him a pariah among the leauge. And he was drunk then.


But this was different. While he found himself loathing the new guy, a small part of him liked his face. His charm. His inability to stay in one spot. Luc shrugged off the ludicrous thoughts as the shuttle bus arrived at the hotel.


"Copacabana" gleamed on its moniker, with the brilliant flare of Rio surrounding its enterance. Lucian was the first off the bus--and first to notice the other team's out front.


"Shoot." He muttered, forgetting that they'd be sharing the hotel with their opponents.

 

[ROUX]

Noah was in a pretty good mood when he stepped off the bus. The hotel looked amazing, like the rest of the city so far, and their luggage was ready and waiting for them inside. Everything had been planned out for them of course, right down to the last detail. So why the hell was there another team standing out front?!


Noah's thoughts were echoed around them as both teams became aware of one another, and wary stares were exchanged. As he got closer, Noah's pulse quickened as he recognized their rivals - none other than his native country's national team...and his brother. He tensed up, his expression quickly going from neutral to aggressive as he resisted the urge to storm over and ask whatever the hell was going on - after giving Alejandro a well deserved kick between the legs of corse.


He jerked his bag over his shoulder and headed inside, trying to ignore the eyes of his shared blood staring at him, probably mocking him already. He hated his brother for a few very good reasons, and he was definitely going to be looking forward to kicking his ass in the Cup this year...ought to be a sufficient enough punishment for the hell Alejandro put him through.

 

[WrittenHollowness]

...

 

[WrittenHollowness]

Luc pushed past the paparazzi and through the hotel doors. The team was greeted by a young, prim woman. Her dark hair was pulled back in an elegant bun. "Welcome, my name is Loria and I will be escorting you during your stay." She chimed in a light voice. Luck gave her his rare trademark smile and walked with her to the front desk, to get their lot checked in.

 

[ROUX]

Noah watched with astonishment - and maybe a little bit of jealously - as he surveyed the foreign expression on his Captain's face. Strange to him, yes, since the man's demeanor seemed to be fairly stiff most of the time, but then again, how do you not smile when a hot girl starts talking to you?


He was still evaluating this, winking at Loria for the brief moment they made eye contact, when he felt the painful hands squeezing his shoulders, demolishing his concentration and making him stiffen immediately.


"Didn't expect to see you here, irmãozinho. Wrong team, eh? Though I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't good enough to make it..." Ale laughed at Noah's reaction to the nickname, moving out of the way quickly as his brother spun around with an elbow aimed for his face.


"Touch me again, and you'll leave this hotel in a stretcher. And for your information, I didn't want to play for Portugal," Noah snapped, extremely disappointed that his arm had missed it's mark. The two men faced off, Noah having to look up a bit as the other was a few inches taller. Though he eyed the man fiercely, there was a trace of wariness in Noah's eyes as his muscles tensed even more, hoping a punch would be thrown to give him an excuse to fight back, noticing the way both Alejandro's and his own teammates were beginning to become aware of the standoff.

 

[ROUX]

((-sigh- and here's the other part. @RedInkKid ))

 

[WrittenHollowness]

Luc stepped between the two men with the air of coldness, proving his namesake. "I don't know who you are mate, but whether you like it or not we are playing a professional sport. That means you both act like professionals." He whipped his head at Noah, a pang of disapproval in his eyes. "I at least thought you were above petty squabbling. No matter if he is your kin or not, we do not do this here. And, I will not tolerate this kind of behavior, are we clear?" he asked the new player, a stern tone clipping his sentences.


Luc stepped back and allowed both of the men some room. "Now, I want you to shake hands and get out of each other's sight. Noah, you'll be bunking with me, so we will discuss this in the room." A moment of silence passed before his eyes widened and he glared at the men in question. "Well, shake your friggin hands before I cut them off and make cutlery out of your finger-bones." he threatened harshly.

 

[ROUX]

Both brothers gave Lucian the same incredulous expression- Noah because he couldn't believe he was being treated like a two year old, and Ale was just shocked that this Frenchman had dared to insult him in such a manner. Though because the man had upset his brother also, he let it go, clasping hands with Noah and leaning in towards his ear.


"The pact still stands, Noatak. Whether you like it or not," he muttered lowly before slinking back to his own team, content with pretending the I tire incedent had never even taken place, leaving Noah there fuming in his spot.


"I am not a first grader, dammit! Can't you just go back to not caring?" Noah snarled, pushing past Luc, ticked off beyond belief at both his brother and his Captain, and even at himself. And now they were roommates too? Fantastic. Off to a real great start aren't we Morales...