Destiny Fanart by Tayyphernelia <3

The first week of school passes by in a blur, and Monday comes swiftly.

Dean heads to gym with his bag on his shoulder. Asher walks a little behind him, looking nervous.

"Ash? You're looking a little green," the older boy comments.

Asher shoots him a glare. "Haha, because I'm a turtle." He rolls his mismatched eyes. "I'm just freaked about gym. I actually did research on shooting a basketball correctly, just in case."

"Dude, we're ninjas. We're gonna rock gym."

"If we play dodgeball."

Dean laughs, socking his cousin in the arm softly. "Come on, you nerd. Lighten up."

Asher chuckles. "Fine."

They head into the class, and Dean catches sight of Elisabeth already out on the floor. She volleys a ball to herself against the wall half-heartedly, and the disguised wolf-raven boy smiles lightly as he watches her. She's wearing a slimming black athletic shirt and short shorts, his eyes wandering downwards. He shakes his head and looks away instantly, scolding himself.

They head into the change room, getting changed at a leisurely pace. The other guys talk about football tryouts, classes starting up, and sometimes, girls. From what the two mutants catch from the conversation about football, there's a smaller team for grade nines and tens that prepares them for grade eleven and twelve. You have to be pretty good to make it at their age though.

"Hey."

Dean and Asher look over at a tall, built guy. He's tanned and has bronzed hair paired with deep brown eyes, a curious grin resting on his lips.

"Dean and Asher, right?" he asks.

"Uh, yeah. That's us," Dean says.

The guy smirks. "You two trying out for football? You look pretty strong."

Asher glances down at his abs, which aren't super defined, but still there. Dean looks to his own for a fleeting second, subconsciously tightening them and making them look better.

"Do you guys work out for fun or something?" the guy asks.

"Ninjutsu classes, actually," Asher says, his gap showing through his strained smile.

"I'm Chase." The guy holds out his hand, and Dean takes the initiative and shakes it. "So? You gonna try out?"

"I don't know if I'm any good. Haven't really played," Dean admits.

"You've got to start at one point, right?" Chase smirks.

"I'm more of an academic kind of guy," Asher admits, scratching the back of his neck.

Chase shrugs. "Hey, whatever you do. I was just wondering. My dad's the coach, he wants me to drum up some new recruits. That's all."

He turns and leaves the locker room. Dean crosses his arms over his bare chest, watching the door as Asher pulls on his shirt.

"Are you really thinking of doing it?" the secret turtle boy asks.

"Maybe..." He shrugs, getting his royal blue athletic shirt on.

They both make sure the patches are still hidden from view of their classmates. They head out, where everyone is warming up with stretches or various sports equipment. Elisabeth still sets the volleyball against the wall, looking bored.

Asher jerks his head in her direction, winking. Dean heads her way without a second thought.

"Hey Liz," he says casually, leaning against the wall beside her.

She jumps, but relaxes when she sees who it is. "Hey Dean."

"What's up? You seem...bored."

She shrugs and tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her high ponytail swings lightly.

"I'm just...not very athletic."

"That's alright." He smiles.

She smiles too, her eyes skipping over his defined chest momentarily before her cheeks become slightly pink and she drops her gaze.

"Uh, you look like you work out though," she mutters awkwardly.

He chuckles. "I do a bit of ninjutsu. It's a...hobby."

She smirks. "I tried taking karate when I was five. It ended badly."

They laugh.

Asher bounces a basketball to himself, lining up a shot. He shoots, and the orange ball makes a perfect arc before it swishes into the net easily. He smiles triumphantly and retrieves it.

It's then when he notices Kelly, Dakota's friend, leaning against the wall. She adjusts her glasses and fiddles with her low hanging ponytail before crossing her arms over her chest. She's wearing a marathon t-shirt, one that fights for a cancer cure. He highly doubts she actually runs marathons, but hey, it must mean something to her.

"Hey Kells," he says.

She looks up, her face nervous. "Hey Asher."

"I like your shirt. Did you run a marathon?" he asks.

She shakes her head. "No...my dad did. I went with him in a stroller when I was...two?"

"Aww, that's cute." She blushes a little, and he tilts his head to the side. "Why are you standing here all alone?"

"Dakota isn't in this class...so I'm kind of alone." She smiles lightly. "I'm really glad to have your sister. I finally have someone who's as nerdy as me."

He laughs. "Well, I'm not my sister, but if you want to talk nerdy, I'm right here."

"Really?"

"Yeah!" He tosses the ball to himself. "But for now, how about I show you how to shoot a basketball?"

"Oh...I don't know."

"Come on, Kelly. How do you know you can't if you don't even try?"

She sighs. "One shot. Cool?"

"Cool."

He stands behind her, and she holds the ball awkwardly in her slender fingers. He positions her hands correctly and lifts her arms.

"Alright. Lift the arms, keep your form straight. Your elbow should be positioned comfortably under the ball. The ball stays in front of you and should not go behind your head," he murmurs.

"Where'd you learn this? Aren't you a fellow nerd?" She smiles lightly.

"I may or may not have researched it, just in case," he admits. She laughs. "Uncoil your body with your legs, core, and arm power all coordinated. Your elbow and wrist should extend in a straight line to the basket. Release the ball on the way up, just before the top of your jump. Your wrists should be floppy and your fingers should be pointed at the target. Finish high. Hold your follow through position until the ball hits the rim."

She listens, and the ball sails into the air. It bounces off the rim and hurtles towards them, but Asher catches it easily and spins it on his finger briefly.

Kelly blushes with embarrassment. "Whoops."

"Hey, you did great for a first try." He smirks.

The coach blows the whistle, and everyone gathers around to start.

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By the end of class, both Dean and Asher feel a substantial pair of eyes on them. They kicked off the week with a game of dodgeball, much to the ninjas' delight, and now the two cousins are on opposite teams, two foam balls in their hands.

"Well Ash? We can do this easy way or the hard way." Dean grins.

"Hard way is more fun," Asher retorts.

Dean spins and whips the ball, but Asher dodges it easily. He throws one, but he also misses. The whole class sits on the edge of their seats, watching the dodgeball dance to the end.

Spin, throw, dodge, pick up, repeat. The cycle continues, and Asher picks up a ball and hoofs it towards his older cousin. Dean drops the one ball he's holding and leaps into the air, catching the ball in one hand and landing lightly on the soles of his runners. The next second, the ball smacks Asher in the gut and he goes down.

"OH!" the whole class gasps.

"YEAH DEAN AND ASHER!" Chase whoops, clapping enthusiastically.

Everyone cheers for both boys, and Dean walks to Asher's side, helping him up. They fist bump, and the coach dismisses the class to get changed.

Chase watches them closely, specifically, Dean. With an arm like his, he's a shoe-in for the team. Asher would be too, but he already said he wasn't interested. The boy nods to himself, thinking of football and how they'll need to be scoping out the younger grades for future quarterbacks.

Something tells Chase that Dean has that title within his grasp.