#diamant reminds him of xander. and they both represent a path not lived/the type of man that on his most self-deprecating days

[laslow]

🏈 Our muses playing an autumn sport

Autumn Prompts!

Over the past spring term, he'd managed to befriend the football team's captain. (The quarterback, in football language.) Commiserating over an awful professor forms an unshakable bond, cemented over puzzling out extremely vague assignments and even more vague feedback.

Inigo follows after Diamant, waving at the few players he knows in passing. They dot the grassy field in various states of warm-ups--some are stretching, while others throw a football back and forth. Now, Inigo's never been one for traditional sports. They looked fun, but held no appeal when it came to pursuing them. Dancing holds his heart in an iron grip and always will; he's enjoyed fencing, yet he thinks he'll sheath his sabre for a final time after college.

Still, college is all about trying something new, right? Diamant had asked Laslow to join a practice, just for a change of pace. Laslow can't say no, especially since he's grown to truly admire Diamant. The least Laslow can do is spend an afternoon doing what his new friend loves. How hard can it be, catching a ball, then running it across a field?

As it turns out, very hard. Laslow keeps looking at the uneven ground, terrified he'll trip and twist an ankle. The others tease him for not keeping his eyes up. Diamant offers words of encouragement, and Laslow does feel bad he's not giving it his all.

One play. He can survive one more play, then gracefully bow out. He squints through his helmet. A breeze kicks up, offering a pleasant chill against his heated skin. Diamant makes to throw the ball, and this time, Laslow leaps for it without a second thought.

It's a rather impressive leap, if does say so himself. Toes pointed, back straight, arms outstretched, the ball sails directly into his chest. "Oof," he exhales, instinctively closing his biceps around the oblong shape.

He lands awkwardly, once more wary of where he places his feet. But he remains upright! Well, look at that. Laslow glances at the ball, suitably impressed. Maybe team sports aren't all that bad--

--oh, right, he needs to run. Laslow makes it two steps before another player slams into him, sending him directly into the grass. Dazed, he sits up, grinning at Diamant. "How'd I do?"