Page 56 of Jockstraps & Newspapers
"Wounds healed, but his body hurts, I can see it in the way he's standing and walking."Renner spared Elliot a smile, "When you're coach, you'll be able to spot the pain in your players and others.I've stitched together my fair share of players."
The minotaur furrowed his brow, "Stabbings?"
"You didn't think I always taught the rich and famous, did you?"Renner snorted, "You and I are more alike than you think, we both ran with the beer league before getting our shot out in the lights.It's why I picked you, Bonesaw, you understand and empathize and don't judge.It'll get you far."
Elliot smiled at the bald-headed elf, "Thanks, Coach."
Renner flashed him a finger gun before sauntering over to other members on the field.Elliot dried the fluff around his horns and his face as he jogged across the field to his brothers.Rex and Jessie leaned back against the fence, both in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt.He stopped a foot from them as he realized his face was on their chests with the words 'Bonesaw?More like Bone me!'circling the cut out of his face.
"You got my merch?"Elliot tossed his arms out to his side.
"You don't like it?"Rex whined, glancing down at his chest.
"They were bogo."Jessie popped the fabric with a shit-eating smirk.
"Who sold you that?"Elliot huffed, stomping forward.They giggled evilly, skirting away from him as he lunged for them.
"Don't stain the threads!"Rex shrieked as he flew out of Elliot's reach.Jessie wasn't as fast.Elliot whirled him into a head lock.
"Ow!Ow!Ow!"Jessie wailed, slapping at his brother's arm.
"Say it!"Elliot cackled, rubbing his knuckles mercilessly against Jessie's floppy hair.
"Uncle!Uncle!"Jessie stomped his hooves.
"Wrong, but I'll accept it."Elliot twirled his brother out of his arms."The code word was 'wumpus'."
Jessie swung at Elliot without much weight behind it.The brothers sharing cheap and playful blows as Rex tackled them to the asphalt flying squirrel style.They tumbled and broke out of the knot of limbs, all three cackling.Jessie groaned, clutching his side, but didn't stop laughing.Rex climbed to his hands and feet, wheezing for air.
"Who names the safe word 'wumpus'!"Jessie roared, stomping his hooves recklessly against the track.
"His knotty girl, duh!"Rex teased, wiggling his horns at Elliot.
"She's not my knotty girl," Elliot swatted at his brother’s horns with a huff."You need a buff, your horns are dull."
"Yes,moooom!" Rex scuttled out of reach of Elliot before he could swat his youngest brother again.
"So, what is she?You didn't propose yet, right?"Jessie sat up with much grunting and grimacing.
"What if I did?"Elliot raised a brow.
"Ma's gonna bepissedif you asked her before telling her you were thinking about it," Jessie snorted, rubbing his side."Ow, fuck, I know the wounds gone but my everything hurts like a bitch."
Elliot sobered his laughter, sitting up on the track.Jessie stilled, eyeing his older brother with confusion as Elliot's face fell.Rex sat back on his calves, head cocked to the side."What's wrong?"
"I uh—don't think Ma's gonna care if I propose or not."Elliot climbed to his feet, dusting off his palms on his mesh shorts.He offered a hand to Jessie.His brother locked eyes with him, his face falling as he took the hand.
"Uh, yeah she is!She's been berating us since we were calves about getting her grandbabies, why wouldn't she want to know?"Jessie crossed his arms over his chest.
Elliot offered a hand to Rex, hoisting his baby brother to his hooves.
"Pops kicked me out when you got stabbed…because I blamed him for why you got stabbed," Elliot picked up his towel and water bottle from the ground.
"That's bull, Elle, I didn't—"
"Who stabbed you?"Elliot whirled to face him, stoney faced.
"Elle," Jessie warned.
