Lifelong Affair, Eyeshield 21

[derwent_f]

Title: Lifelong Affair

Fandom: Eyeshield 21

Characters: Himuro "Maria" Maruko

Rating: G

Summary: How Maruko's love for amefuto begins.

Notes: Fill for the prompt 'Extraordinary' on my gen prompt bingo round 20 card.

When Maruko was five, her aunt and uncle went on a holiday to New York. They returned with a suitcase full of souvenirs – the ubiquitous key chains and fridge magnets and I❤NY t-shirts that covered half of their small living-room.

“And this one’s for Maruko-chan!” Her aunt handed her a plushie. It was oddly-shaped, and on one side there was a series of short white stripes that she could slip her finger into.

“What’s that?” Her mother peered at the toy.

“It’s an American football plush toy. We went to see a game, and someone sold it outside the stadium.”

“Football?” Her father frowned, perplexed at the difference with the ball he grew up playing with.

“American football.” His uncle explained. “You don’t kick the ball, you carry it in your hands.”

Despite the shape, it proved to be perfect for cuddling. “Thank you!” She gave them her best smile, showing off one missing tooth.

*

Years later, when Maruko finally got to hold the real thing, she marvelled at how familiar the foreign object felt in her hands.