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Chapter Text

Andrew sighed and circled another answer on his test before he looked up and locked eyes with Aaron. Although everyone who knew the twins often referred to Aaron as the smarter twin, Andrew was the only reason his look-alike was passing chemistry. Aaron mouthed thirteen and motioned to his own test. Andrew leaned back in his chair and flipped his test back a page, mouthing the answer back to Aaron.

Andrew tapped his booted foot on the floor, impatiently waiting for someone else to turn in their test before turning in his own. After a quick nod at the teacher, Andrew shrugged his backpack higher on his back and pushed into the hallway. 

Aaron was the next person to leave the room, his attention already on his phone. Andrew snapped his fingers in front of his twin’s face before turning and heading for the bathroom. 

Andrew heard his twin sigh as he slipped his phone into one of his pockets and followed Andrew through the mostly empty hallways. As the pair entered the bathroom, Aaron immediately got to work on the closed ventilation window as Andrew worked the lock closed on the main door. 

Andrew slung his bag onto one of the sinks and dug around until he unearthed a crumpled pack of cigarettes. The branding had long ago worn off, but Andrew wasn’t too concerned. Aaron just shook his head, having already exhausted the talk on lung health, pulled out a can of body spray, and promptly returned to his phone. 

Andrew stared at his twin until he finally looked up. 

“What?”

Andrew shrugged, “Nothing.”

–

Andrew had been sitting in the locker room for five minutes before anyone else came in. He used this time to his advantage and began to devise a plan on what to do about Aaron.

Andrew didn’t have the energy to waste on asking Aaron who exactly he was texting so the next best thing was to steal his phone. The plan was simple: wait for Aaron to change out and leave the locker room at the beginning of practice, take a quick look, and put it back. No harm, no foul. 

The only problem that Andrew foresaw with his plan was that Aaron was never off the damn thing and Coach would have Andrew run if he was late to the court. Something that had happened one too many times for Andrew’s liking already. 

Andrew waited in the locker room anyway. He watched his teammates leave as the time drew closer to warm-ups. Andrew got to his feet as Aaron finally left the bench and began heading for the door. Just as Aaron reached the door Coach Wymack pushed from the other side. He was followed by Dan Wilds and Allison Reynolds, the team’s only female players.

Andrew immediately sat back down and slumped into the bench. Plan A, as he had thoughtfully named his latest scheme, would have to wait until he had met the new kid. 

“I’d like to introduce our newest trainee.” Coach motioned to the scrawny boy. “He is pretty much already on the team but he insisted on a try out.” 

“What’s your name?” One of Andrew’s teammates asked. 

The new kid was looking around the room, darting from person to person before focusing in on the guy who asked a question. “Neil Josten.” 

“He’s trying out to be a striker. Now please no initiation bullshit. I’m looking at you two.” Coach Wymack motioned towards Matt Boyd and Seth Gordon, both wearing different expressions on their faces. 

Seth crossed his arms and muttered something under his breath about never having any fun at this school. Andrew guessed that at the high school he had previously attended, before being suspended, he was allowed to do whatever he liked. Andrew rolled his eyes and looked at Aaron, who was giving the new kid an odd look.

“Anyways, he's a transfer from Raven Academy.” Wymack was met with a room full of boos at the name of Palmetto’s rival school. “He can tell you the rest if he wishes, after practice. Now get going.”

When Wymack left the locker room, Allison stopped at the door and turned towards the rest of the team. “Party at my place Friday, the new guy’s invited too.” She said with a coy wink towards Neil’s neutral face.

“Are the cheerleaders going to be there?” Aaron asked, his eyes quickly slipping to Andrew before back to Allison. 

“Cheer, soccer, track,” Allison smirked. “Everyone.”

“I don’t really-” Neil began before Allison left without another word, kicking the door closed behind her. Andrew couldn’t help the small huff that came from his mouth and Neil frowned.

“There’s extra gear in this closet,” Matt explained as he finally made his way toward Neil. He started pulling out different sizes until he found a chest piece that would fit Neil’s small frame. “I’m Matt Boyd, by the way.” Neil nodded at his introduction and stayed behind him, glancing up and catching Andrew’s eyes every few seconds.

Even though Neil knew Andrew was looking at him, this didn’t faze Andrew. He continued to look and watch Neil’s mannerisms. For instance, how he kept his hand from touching Matt’s when grabbing the gear from the taller boy. Or when he turned his head towards the door each time someone left for the court. 

After the newbie was finally dressed and had entered the court, practice could finally begin. Andrew leaned against his racket, only making an effort when Neil got close to the goal. It was a game, Andrew thought in his head as he smashed another ball towards the striker's ankles. 

“What’s your problem man?” Neil sneered as he drew close to Andrew. The anger blossoming high on his cheekbones instead of the neutral stare was a welcoming sight to Andrew. Andrew thought it made Neil’s blue eyes even more entrancing. 

Andrew simply shrugged and went back to resting his chin on the end of his racket. His eyes never left Neil’s icy glare. He looked the boy over as he ran towards the other end of the court. Despite not having a practice uniform yet, the borrowed gear didn’t seem so bad on his lithe runner’s body. Andrew couldn’t help but appreciate the way his auburn hair stuck to his forehead with sweat when the players finally got a break or the way his waist twisted to send a throw towards Seth.

Andrew’s thoughts came to a stop as soon enough, Wymack was calling an end to the practice. Dan instructed them to circle up so they could do a quick cool-down stretch. Andrew took his time stretching his calves, keeping an eye on how Neil easily bent in half to reach his toes.

Andrew looked away, not happening , he told himself despite the hot feeling in his chest. Aaron caught his eye and raised an eyebrow. Andrew shook his head as he got up and started making his way to the locker room with the rest of the team.

–

Andrew parked in the driveway and waited for Aaron to get out before getting out himself. The ride back had been silent although Aaron kept sending Andrew weird glances. Andrew chose to ignore them and turn the radio up instead.

Now that they had finally arrived home, all Andrew wanted to do was make it to his bed. Aaron had other ideas as he stopped him in the entrance. “What did the new kid say to you?”

“Nothing.” Andrew deadpanned, aiming to push past Aaron to get into the kitchen. 

“Don’t give me that. Come on, you know the deal.” Aaron sighed, reaching for Andrew but dropping his hand at the last minute.

Andrew sighed, “He asked me what my problem was.”

“That’s all?”

“Did it look like anymore was said?” Andrew asked, finally making it into the kitchen where Bee was cooking something. That something turned out to be grilled cheeses. 

“Home so soon, boys?” Bee asked cheerfully. 

“Practice ended early.” Andrew shrugged, sitting down at the table next to Aaron.

“How’d it go?” 

Andrew shrugged again, but Aaron gave him a look and sighed. “There’s a new kid. Andrew is-” He paused, “ interested. ”

“That’s wonderful Andrew.” Bee beamed as she set the platter of grilled cheeses on the table. “Maybe a new friend?”

“Maybe,” Andrew grunted, glaring at Aaron. Interesting was one word to describe Neil. Andrew didn’t know how Neil had managed to pique his interest, but he had. Even worst was later that night, as Andrew lay in the darkness of his bedroom, he couldn’t get the striker’s piercing eyes out of his head. He also tried to stop himself from thinking about the way Neil’s eyes tracked everyone and every exit. Paranoid was the only word for it. 

Andrew sighed to himself as his phone lit up in the dark. The caller ID showed a picture of Nicky that he had set up in Andrew’s contacts himself. 

“Hello?” Andrew grunted into the receiver.

“Andrew, hey.” Nicky sounded worried, “so, my parents kinda kicked me out and I was wondering-”

“Yes, Nicky. You can stay.”

“Will Bee care?” Nicky asked, sniffling a bit.

“She puts up with me and Aaron.” Andrew sighed, rolling on his side and stretching out.

“True, but are you sure?” Nicky whined.

“Yes, just come inside when you get here. Bee will probably be asleep.” 

“Thanks, And-” Andrew hung up. 

–

While in Juvie, Andrew had many different therapists, who all agreed on the same thing; Andrew was a danger to society. This led to the use of a mood-altering drug while serving eight months. Andrew had met Bee as a part of his court-mandated therapy when he had gotten out.

The first thing Bee did for him was get him off the awful medicine, promising the court that he would complete extra community service hours instead. Andrew continued seeing Bee, even when Tilda had confused him for Aaron a few too many times. Bee had suggested Andrew bring Aaron in, but in his state, Andrew knew that Aaron would never even consider entering a therapist's office.

Fast forward a few months, a funeral, a custody battle won by Bee over the Hemmicks, and Andrew and Aaron now had a safe place to live. Andrew had been out of juvie for a little over two years now, and Aaron had been clean for about a year. Although the two had been living at Bee’s house for only a year now, Andrew never felt uncomfortable.

Bee never pushed for the twins to call her mom or see her as any sort of mother figure. She understood Andrew’s boundaries and Aaron’s past, never teasing or pushing them past their limits. 

Living with Bee was simple and easy. She let Nicky come over and stay a few nights out of the week when his parents said something to upset him. She even accepted him when Nicky had told the cousins he was gay. 

So to put it simply, Andrew was content with where he lived. He was content with Aaron, who still held onto their deal like a lifeline. He was content with Bee accepting his weird habits and respecting his privacy. 

–

Nicky had turned up sometime after Andrew had gone to bed, but when he went downstairs in the morning Nicky was already awake. 

“Good morning Andrew, why don’t you go wake your brother?” Bee greeted him.

Andrew shrugged and lumbered back up the stairs to Aaron’s bedroom door. Andrew knocked. “What?”

“Bee wants us to come downstairs for breakfast,” Andrew replied, turning back around and heading back downstairs now that his piece was said. 

It turns out the God-fearing Hemmicks’ finding out their only child was gay was indeed the cherry on top of Andrew’s week. Nicky had explained at breakfast what exactly had happened while Aaron awkwardly patted the older boy’s back. Bee had understood just as Andrew had predicted.

“If Aaron doesn’t mind you could share his room, or sleep in the living room. It’s up to you, honey.” Bee stated, sliding the crying Nicky a mug full of hot chocolate.

Andrew gave Bee a look when she declined to mention his room. Bee simply shrugged and sipped on her mug with a secretive smile. 

–

Nicky had graduated the year before from Palmetto, so Andrew and Aaron left the house without him. Aaron stayed on his phone for the entirety of the ride to school. This wouldn’t have bothered Andrew were it not for the small smile on his brother’s face. Andrew decided to ignore him until the party at Allison’s on Friday.

“Andrew!” Renee smiled as she walked across the parking lot. “Are you going to the party?”

“Yes,” Andrew replied, shutting the door to the Honda Civic Bee had gifted him and his brother on their sixteenth birthday. 

Aaron had already walked into the school building. “Okay, Allison is trying to get a headcount so she knows how much stuff to buy. Is Aaron coming?”

Andrew shrugged. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

“Funny.” Renee shook her head, giggling, running her thumb over the rhinestone-encrusted cross necklace that sat on her chest. She waved to Andrew, her bubblegum pink hair swishing over her shoulder as she tried to catch up with Aaron.

Andrew was walking toward his locker when a shock of red hair caught his attention. Neil was leaning with his back against the lockers and laughing at something Allison said. She ran a hand down his cheek before turning his head this way and that. Andrew shook his head and pushed down the feeling growing in his stomach. He was not even slightly interested in what was going on between the two.

But , if Neil had transferred from Raven Academy, more likely than not Allison and Neil may have known each other. Allison had transferred schools last year from Raven Academy. No one knew why, but there was a rumor that Allison’s parents disowned her and took away her inheritance. Andrew didn’t know for sure and didn’t care to find out.

Turning away, Andrew made it to his locker. He meticulously placed everything he would need for the day into his backpack and left for class.

–

On Friday the exy team was forced to let the cheer team use half the court for practice. Normally this wouldn’t bother Andrew, but today he couldn’t help noticing that his brother’s eyes wouldn't stay on a certain strawberry blonde girl. 

“Still talking to her?” Seth Gordon laughed, shoving Aaron’s shoulder. “I told you she’ll get with anyone.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s not like that-” Aaron mumbled. “She doesn’t get with just anyone.”

“Who are we talking about?” Matt asked, stepping up to Aaron’s other side and clapping him on the back.

“No one,” Aaron made an aborted motion towards Andrew before realizing that his twin was listening.

“No, go on,” Andrew stated, setting his cup of water on the bench. “I want to know as well.”

Aaron shook his head. “It’s nothing that violates the deal.”

“What deal?” Gordon asked.

“Nothing.” Aaron stated at that same time that Andrew said “None of your concern.”

Andrew sat motionless before getting up and walking back towards the court. “Wait, Andrew. I swear-”

“I trust you, dear brother, for now.” Andrew pushed the court door open, “Don’t make our deal void.”

“What was that about?” Neil asked Matt as Andrew walked past.

“No clue. You going to the party tonight?” Matt asked eagerly.

“I don’t want to, but Allison is making me.” Neil shrugged.

“Just leave early, you don’t have to stay the whole time,” Matt suggested as Dan yelled for them to get back into formation.

“You know Allison.” Neil sighed, heading for the door to the court. “I’m sure I’ll be there all night.”

Andrew took a few steps until he was back in his position, resting his chin on his racket and sighing. Andrew couldn’t stop the warm feeling in his stomach as the scrimmage game continued. He didn’t bother to move, only using a little effort when Wyamck began yelling at him. Neil ran towards his goal, having been picked for the opposite team. Andrew’s stance widened, his knees bending just a bit in case he would have to dive for Neil’s ball. Only, Neil didn’t have the ball. In the split-second Andrew looked away to search for who did have the ball, the goal was already lighting up behind him.

“Just as we discussed!” Dan yelled from center court, letting out a little squeal as Matt came up to give her a side hug. “Good job Neil. With your speed and accuracy, we have a better chance at this season!”

Neil nodded his head, facing away from Andrew now that the goal had been made. Andrew bent over to scoop up the ball from where it had rolled out of the goal beside him. Although his gloves were thick, he had enough movement to settle the ball in the net of his racket before sending the ball towards the middle of the court. 

–

Later that night, Aaron lay on his bed grinning up at his phone screen. Her name was Katelyn and she had the most perfect blue eyes, offsetting her strawberry blonde hair in just the right hue. Aaron couldn’t wait to see what she would wear to the party tonight. He couldn’t wait to see her and talk to her- away from his brother of course.

Andrew couldn’t and wouldn’t find out what Aaron had been up to these past weeks. Aaron told himself that it was for Andrew’s own good- his protection. These thoughts made Aaron conclude that this little secret, did not break the promise his brother had made to him so long ago. 

If it hadn’t been for Andrew staying true to his word- no other friends, no girlfriends- Aaron probably wouldn’t have bothered to keep it. He couldn’t deny that the promise was made when he was in the first stages of something Andrew likes to call detox. In other words, locking him in Tilda’s shitty bathroom and only bringing him food and water for what felt like weeks. 

Aaron sighed and sat his phone down on his bed, getting up to look through his closet for what he was going to wear tonight. His phone pinged but he didn’t bother to check it as he looked through his floor for a clean pair of jeans. A knock on the door made him set the pair of jeans he had deemed clean enough on the bed and get the door.

“What are you wearing tonight?” Aaron asked as Andrew stepped into his room. Andrew didn’t answer, giving him the look instead. Aaron sighed. “Whatever.”

“What are you going to wear?” Andrew asked, plopping down on the edge of his brother’s bed. 

Aaron shrugged, “Jeans, T-shirt. The usual.”

Andrew nodded, getting up and walking across the hallway to his bedroom. Andrew’s door was located at the end of the hallway opposite Aaron’s, with a bathroom separating the two rooms. When Andrew reached the threshold of his doorway he turned and looked at Aaron standing in his own.

“I know about Katelyn. I’m giving you a warning before I get involved myself.” Andrew stated, holding Aaron’s phone up as he slammed his bedroom door. Aaron scrambled back into his bedroom, picking up the pair of jeans that were concealing his phone. Angry, Aaron stormed across the hall and pounded on Andrew’s door.

“Give me my phone back Andrew.” He said, accentuating each word with a pound on the door. There was no answer.

“Come on Andrew,” Aaron took to pleading. “Look, listen. Only tonight, please-”

The door swung up under Aaron’s fist, and Andrew stood on the other side. Aaron couldn’t see his phone anywhere, but Andrew interrupted his searching. “Did you forget what I said about that word?”

“Andrew, I just need my phone. I’m sorry.” Aaron said, trying to look around Andrew’s bed from where he stood blocking his door.

“No, this is your punishment,” Andrew said, closing the door again. 

“For what?” Aaron asked through the door. “I’m not breaking the promise.”

“Like hell,” Andrew dryly laughed through the doorway before calling out, “The first rule was that it would only be you and me.”

“Then what about Neil?”

“The new kid? What about him?” 

“You heard what Bee said-” Aaron shrugged even though he knew Andrew couldn’t see him. 

“Yes, what Bee said. I didn’t start that conversation. If I recall correctly, that was you- dear brother.” Andrew said as a small squeak came from his room, no doubt his twin was wiggling the window open. 

“Better not be smoking in the house,” Aaron called before leaving for his bedroom to continue picking his clothes out. He could hear Andrew chuckle as he finally closed the bedroom to his room.

Chapter Text

Allison was curling her eyelashes in her pink vanity mirror when Neil opened the door to her bedroom. 

“Here so soon?” Allison greeted him, setting down all the makeup in her hands to turn towards the shorter boy. She had on a white robe and only half a face of makeup done, her long blonde hair twisted up in rollers. Neil smiled, she looked like one of those ridiculous stereotypical blonde girls from some of the movies Allison and Dan had made him watch. 

“You did tell me to come early.” Neil shrugged sitting his backpack down on her bed. 

“Did you bring the clothes I told you to?” Allison asked, her eyes narrowing in on the discarded backpack.

Neil nodded, opening the zipper and pulling out a pair of black ripped jeans, a jumper, and heavy boots. “All here.”

“Good, wait a few minutes while I finish my makeup then we can work on touching yours up.” The blonde girl smiled, picking up a palette of makeup and a brush.

Neil subconsciously rubbed at his cheek. The makeup wasn’t necessary to hide the scarring left by his father’s men, but more so to keep people from prying into his business. The only reason Allison had known was that she had been there at Raven Academy when the Moriyamas and his father had disowned him. 

His father’s cold smile loomed into view as a hand jerked his face backward by his hair. Nathaniel’s mother had always been on him about letting it grow out. Lola laughed over his father’s broad shoulder, bringing a knife to her cheek and making a cutting gesture. 

“In case you forget where this is going to end.” She purred, resting her chin on Nathan’s shoulder. Nathan shrugged her off and walked to a table that had an assortment of things to torture Nathaniel with. 

“What to start with.” Nathan hummed, running his broad fingers across multiple knives before landing on one. 

“You don’t have to do this.” Nathaniel pleaded, his voice shaking. He hated himself for that, even in his last moments he couldn’t find the courage to stand up to his father.

“Yes, I do, son. This is what happens when you disgrace the family name. This is what happens when you help your bitch of a mother not only steal money from me but in turn also from the Moriyama's.” His father laughed as if his mother hadn’t just been shot down not even an hour after they had attempted to run. “These are the consequences, boyo.”

Romero had stayed lounged against the entrance, and only exit, of the basement in his family’s manor. A gun loosely clutched in his hand, the very same gun that had put three bullet wounds into Mary Hatford's stomach. 

Nathaniel cringed as the memory replayed. He could only hope that his mom had a backup plan, that someone would save him from this hell. Or maybe this would be the end of it all. He could vanish into nothing and forget about pleasing Lola in knife lessons. Forget about making Riko and Kevin, but more importantly the Moriyama’s, proud. Nathaniel sighed.

Lola crept closer as his father brought the knife he had selected over to Nathaniel. His arms and cheek ached from the dashboard lighter Lola delighted in pressing against his skin over and over. 

“Looks like Lola took care of the hard part.” Nathan grinned as he gripped Nathaniel’s face, inspecting his cheek where the number 3 used to be. Nathaniel only rilled up spit in his mouth and spat it at his father’s face. Nathan hissed, wiping his face and motioning Lola over.

“Do as you wish.” His father grimaced, “He’s not worth the trouble of staining my hands.”

Nathaniel let out a small sound of relief. Lola was bad but nowhere near as skilled as his father. Neatly, Lola began with his arms, drawing spiral patterns between the ringlets of dashboard lighter wounds before moving to his face. 

Nathaniel panted, trying but ultimately failing to let any whimpers come out as she sliced long and hard on his face. Warmth gathered along his brow bone all the way diagonally to his jawline. He made a hissing noise as Lola quickly swiped the knife down two more times.

This was agony and hell. Nathaniel had grown up into this, but the way the burns stung with a white-hot clarity every time he shifted or jerked away from Lola was almost too much. He saw his vision begin to go dark on the sides.

“Don’t give up now, Junior. I was only getting started.” Lola giggled, holding the knife at his throat. “Unless you want me to end it now?”

Nathaniel was about to beg when the door to the basement banged open, his vision began to get darker as he heard gunshots. This is it he thought before his head lolled to the side and he heard Lola’s shrieking voice. 

His father was dead now, he reminded himself as Allison began removing the makeup she had applied for him that morning. “I don’t think it would be such a bad thing.”

“Hmm?” Neil asked, his lips pressed together as Allison dusted some kind of powder on his face.

“Not you know- hiding.” Allison shrugged.

“It’s not hiding,” Neil said quickly in order to avoid getting anything in his mouth. 

Allison just shrugged and began dotting something else on his face before taking a step back and proclaiming she was done. 

–

“Get dressed, the girls will be here soon.” Allison threw Neil a look and motioned towards the bathroom.

Sure enough, as soon as Neil had entered the bathroom to begin changing, he heard Dan and Renee’s voices. Followed by that of Matt’s. Neil finished getting ready before returning to Allison’s room, taking a moment to look in the mirror before quickly looking away.

“Neil, my son!” Dan exclaimed, rushing over to him. Neil backed away a step, looked up at the other guests. Although Allison had told him all about her friends, Neil still wasn’t very close to them. Dan poked her bottom lip out when it was obvious that he wasn’t going to return her hug.

Matt shrugged, “She may have pre-gamed a bit too hard.”

“Pre-gamed?” Neil questioned.

“Private schools, am I right?” Allison laughed jokingly. Neil just shook his head, not bothered by no one really answering his question. 

“You went to a private school though.” Matt accused, bringing Dan to sit on the ground beside him. 

“It was only a year!” Allison giggled. “I hadn’t even met Neil before he dropped out.”

“Wait, so you dropped out?” Dan asked, looking up at Neil. Neil took a step towards the unoccupied bed and shrugged. His hands were getting clammy so he rubbed them together, talking to other people like this wasn’t something Neil was used to.

“Not exactly.” Neil shrugged and quickly thought of another topic. “So what are your guy’s favorite exy teams?”

That was a sure hit, Matt and Dan decided they couldn’t choose just one and even Renee looked happy at the change in topic. Neil couldn’t be sure how much Allison had let slip about his past to Renee considering how close they were, but something in the other girl’s gaze set Neil on edge.

It was the flint in her eyes, he finally decided as he watched the group talk. It wasn’t as soft as the small smile she kept on her face, nodding along to what Allison said. Neil kept studying her side profile until she looked over at him, Neil didn’t look away. Renee offered him a warmer smile and nodded her head as if in acknowledgment.

“I’m going to get some water from the kitchen,” Neil said immediately, already up and heading for the door.

“Okay babes, when Seth gets here just tell him to come in up,” Allison called over her shoulder. Neil nodded to himself and headed downstairs. 

After making himself a cup of water, he turned to find Seth Gordon waiting in the living room. 

“So Newbie, how was practice this week?” Seth asked, rubbing a finger along with the marble countertops as he cornered Neil in. 

“Uh,” Neil looked for an exit and smoothly slipped around Seth, “Can’t complain.”

“I heard Coach talking with Dan about moving you up to a starting position.” Seth tsked, “We are short of a striker after that dumbass tried to off herself.”

Neil shrugged, not knowing what he was referring to. Seth tried to stop him again by reaching for Neil’s arm but the shorter boy moved out of reach and hurried for the staircase. 

With Allison nearby Gordon would be on his best behavior, meaning he wouldn’t pick fights or say stupid shit to Neil. He entered Allison’s room to find the girls giggling on the couch and Matt sprawled out on Allison’s bed.

“Gordon should be up in a sec,” Neil said, starting towards the bed but stopping short, he rubbed his palms together anxiously and took a second to check his options.

Matt saved him but sat up and scooting over. “You can sit here.”

Neil nodded gratefully and sat at the edge of the bed. It turned out the girls were choosing the best playlist to blast across Allison’s property. 

—

Soon enough more people began to arrive and Allison shooed them all out of her room, locking it behind her so that “no one could fuck on her bed except her” that earned a drunken cheer from Dan, but Neil just shrugged and followed the group downstairs.

The first people to arrive were some cheerleaders, all blonde except one who had a slightly red hue to her hair. A girl whose name Neil couldn’t remember had immediately thrown herself onto Allison and squealed. 

“It’s been too long, girl.” She smiled, Allison explained that she was from Raven Academy, which earned a loud boo in return from Dan.

“I’m not there by choice, Hunny.” The girl just giggled and pulled her friends towards the kitchen. 

“I love your hair!” One of the other blonde girls said, passing by Renee with a small wave. Renee smiled and dipped her head down. 

As more and more people poured into Allison’s “bachelorette pad” the louder the music got. Neil was beginning to think he would lose hearing before he got a chance to fall into panic at the sheer amount of people now packed into Allison’s house. 

Neil looked out across the house, searching for Allison when he locked eyes with a different blonde. Andrew stared back at him, as though he were waiting for Neil to look at him all along.

Neil made his way towards the bathroom, positive that avoiding the Minyard twin would be better than interacting. 

As Neil pushed through bodies to get to the bathroom, he had an itching feeling on the back of his neck which told him that Andrew had indeed followed him. 

The bathroom was locked and when Neil knocked he didn’t get a response. Probably someone throwing up or worst-

With nowhere else to go Neil turned around and faced Andrew. 

“Hello, Josten.” Andrew waved a hand a bit too close to Neil’s face. “Where were you running off to?” He questioned with a pointed look to the bathroom.

“Had to use the bathroom,” Neil said, casually leaning against the wall of the hallway. 

“I don’t like liars,” Andrew replied, his fingers fiddling with a loose string from his hoodie. “Don’t do it again.”

Neil just shrugged and tried to push past Andrew back into the more populated area. Even if he hated crowds, anything beat standing in a dead-end hallway with someone you didn’t trust.

It was hard to turn his back to Andrew as the boy let him easily slip by as if Andrew had grown bored of the conversation and had let him escape. 

Whatever the case, Neil was feeling slightly better as he found Renee in the kitchen, passing out water bottles to those who looked like they needed them. 

“Hello, Neil!” She smiled, offering him a water bottle. “Have you happened to come across Andrew? He said he would be here but that was ten minutes ago.” 

“Yeah, sure. He was in the hallway towards the bathroom.” Neil replied, taking a water bottle and opening it. Renee just nodded and set the bottles onto the kitchen counter before going off in search of Andrew. 

“Neilll.” Matt came up behind him. Neil immediately tensed and grazed a hand against his waist where he used to keep a switchblade. “Woah, woah didn’t mean to scare you.” 

“It’s fine,” Neil said, forcing his shoulders to loosen so that he could take a sip of water without his hands shaking. The bodies pushing the two boys closer together were starting to make Neil edge with panic. He needed to get outside and fast.

Saying bye to Matt and shoving his way through people to the back doors, Neil swung the glass door open and stepped outside into the cool night air. Smoke covered the corner of the porch where Andrew sat. 

He was perched on one of Allison’s lawn chairs, a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a cigarette in the other. 

“Hello, again Rabbit.” Andrew chuckled. “Couldn’t keep away from me?”

“What are you doing out here?”

Andrew simply raised both his hands. Neil took the point and let out a right breath. 

“Aaron stumbled out here a few minutes ago. I'm waiting for him to return.” Andrew shrugged, taking another drag from the cigarette. Neil nodded, content to sit on the opposite side of the porch from Andrew. 

“I take it you don’t like crowds.” Andrew tilted his head towards the pounding beats inside. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Neil let out a cold chuckle.

“I told you a truth, it’s only fair.” Andrew shrugged, flicking his cigarette out onto the lawn. 

Neil didn’t say anything. Neither did Andrew, not for a while at least until Aaron appeared. The strawberry blonde girl from earlier was with him, Neil dared to glance at Andrew. 

“Oh dear, Aaron, who is this?” Andrew asked, standing up and sitting the whiskey on a table. 

“Andrew it’s not-“

“I don’t like liars,” Andrew repeated the same thing from earlier. “Let this serve as your final warning, brother.” 

Neil loosed a breath as Andrew went inside, pulling his hand away from the spot it had immediately gone to on his side. Aaron sneered at him.

“You tell him I was out here?” 

Neil held his hands up in mock defense although the smile on his face couldn’t be interpreted as anything other than cruel. Let Aaron think that he had told Andrew, Neil didn’t care.

The other, worse, Minyard twin now trudged inside, a tear-streaked cheerleader following behind him. Neil sat back down on the porch and stayed there for a long while yet. 

Andrew had said that he didn’t like liars, but Neil’s entire background, hell even his current name was a lie. Maybe one day Neil would be able to call others out on their lies, but that couldn’t happen while he was still settling down into this foreign school. 

Back at Raven Academy, Neil had grown up around the boys. He was a predator, a shadow to Riko Moriyama's fame and glamor. Neil shook his thought away, not wanting to think about any of the Perfect Court that he had once been a part of.

Chapter Text

Andrew woke up, although he still felt like he was on the cusps of a dream. There was a knot in his chest that wouldn’t go away no matter how many times he pressed his hand there. Andrew’s hands shook as he dragged the covers away from his body, but when he was at the door of his bedroom he willed himself to stop. 

Aaron waited in the kitchen, talking with Bee over a bowl of cereal. The nagging feeling was slowly turning into something cavernous, something that sucked all his emotions deep inside of him. 

Andrew didn’t say good morning to Bee as he usually did. He simply dragged the cereal box Aaron was using and dumped a pile onto the table. Aaron frowned at him, but Andrew didn’t make eye contact with his twin.

“How has your morning been, dear?” Bee asked, sliding a paper towel towards Andrew’s pile of dry cereal. He began picking through until he found the colorful marshmallows and dropped them onto the paper towel Bee had provided. Once this was done, he popped one in his mouth and looked at Bee.

He shrugged. Bee gave him a small knowing smile before casting her eyes towards Aaron. He was back on his phone, but Andrew didn’t have the energy to act out towards his twin today. He debated leaving the kitchen and going right back up to bed, but the thought of Nicky waking up from the couch in a few hours kept him on his way. 

Andrew made his way back up to his bedroom to change into school-appropriate clothes. Although it was October in South Carolina, the air was still thick and muggy. Despite this Andrew felt exposed as if his skin were too tight, so he pulled on a black sweatshirt with the name of some local exy team. Nicky had gotten it for him as a present last year. Finished tying his shoes, Andrew trudged back downstairs with Aaron close behind him. 

“It really does feel like a Monday.” Bee joked, dropping two paper lunch sacks in front of the twins and herding them towards the door. Andrew shrugged once again. Aaron chuckled, giving Bee a side hug before stepping outside of the house.

“What’s up with you?” Aaron asked as they got into the twin’s car. Andrew shrugged, his throat felt thick as if he would have to swallow several times in order to get a word out. Maybe this was the beginning of a panic attack. Bee had always told him that not everyone had the short bursts that were depicted on TV. All the panic attacks Andrew had ever experienced had started off with something small, a hair-trigger on a land mine. 

Only this time, Andrew couldn’t exactly pinpoint where this was all coming from. As he drove to school, he debated the topic within his own mind. There had been the party and the hundreds of people packed into a considerably small space, but Andrew hadn’t been inside all that long. Then there was talking to Neil on the porch. Finding Aaron breaking their deal. 

As they pulled into the parking lot, Andrew decided it was probably a multitude of things, nothing that small, that unbeknownst would cause this to happen. Getting out of the car and finding Renee waiting at her car, Andrew decided that it was just a bad day. He had gone off on Aaron several times for breaking their deal and Andrew refused to believe that a certain red-haired boy had anything to do with it. Refused as a nip of something broke through that tight feeling in his chest.

–

Neil hadn’t had enough time to stop by Allison’s that morning and he didn’t want to fuck his face up with a bunch of products that he knew nothing about, so here he was. The second week of school and everyone knew about the dashboard lighter scars on his cheek and the three vertical cuts down the other side of his face. 

Neil could feel the stares of people as he pulled the Yankees hat Stuart had bought for him further down over his unruly hair. When everyone’s eyes stayed on him, Neil peeled away from the main hallway and into a bathroom. His hands seemed to itch, so he rubbed them together a few times before pulling his hood over his hat.

Neil’s skin felt too tight, the hoodie was sticking to his skin as he slid down the bathroom wall. Neil cursed himself as he jumped up at the noise from the other side of the bathroom, not having enough sense to check if anyone was here before having a breakdown. He gripped his hair and pulled, fighting down the overwhelming panic bubbling up. 

Suddenly there was a figure above him, something about this seemed to snap Neil out of his panic as he sucked in a deep breath and jerked his head back to look up at the other boy. Andrew looked at Neil’s face, unmoving and unspeaking. Neil pushed himself up to his feet.

“What’s your problem?” Neil almost growled, motioning to his face, “Is this it?”

Andrew just shrugged and fished something out of his pocket. Neil looked at his outstretched hand where a lit cigarette lay between his pale fingers. Neil’s body slowly unclenched and relaxed as he inhaled the smoke pouring off the end of the stick. 

“You owe me a truth,” Andrew said, finally speaking.

“Like hell I do.” Neil laughed, that horrible smile edging on one of his father’s. The smile had always been a defense mechanism, nailed into him since he was chosen to take the title of Butcher if anything ever happened to Nathan. 

“Give it to me or don’t, I don’t care Rabbit.” Andrew exhaled smoke plumbing out of his lips.

Neil let out a huff, pulling his phone out of his pocket and opening the text thread between himself and Allison. 

Neil: i feel like everyone’s staring at me.

Neil didn’t get a reply before Andrew drew his attention again. “What’re you doing here?”

Neil didn’t reply, looking back down at his phone when it finally pinged. 

Allison: omw, woke up late

“Allison usually covers this,” Neil motions to his face with the hand not holding his phone. “With makeup. Makes people less interested, makes them not look at me.” 

“Is that your truth?”

“Yes.”

Andrew hummed, “Have you studied for history?” 

Neil shook his head, picking at a fraying string from his jeans. “Have you?”

Andrew gave him a look, his eyes so dark and intent on Neil’s face that he shuddered a bit and looked away. “Let’s study tonight.”

Neil laughs, “You’re funny. You think I’m going to go anywhere with you?”

Just like that, the moment was over the walls that Neil had somehow let drop raised right back up. The red-haired boy pulled his knees to his chest and waited for Allison to arrive at this bathroom while Andrew finished off his cigarette as the door clanged open and Allison strolled in.

“What’s the monster doing here?” She raised an eyebrow pointedly towards Andrew.

Andrew didn’t bother to respond, just passed her on the way to the door. He gave Neil a knowing look and a two-fingered salute before slipping through the door. 

Allison locked the door behind the boy and got a pouch out of her purse. 

“Okay, let’s do this.”

–

Andrew dragged a hand through his hair as he scrolled through notifications on his phone. Why had he asked Neil to study of all things? Andrew had an eidetic memory, he never studied so why would his brain had come up with such a thing? He brushed the thought aside, at least the awful feeling in his chest and throat had subsided a little bit after the exchange with Neil.

Andrew got up as the bell rang for the end of class, everyone rushed to the door having already packed their bags ten minutes before. Andrew sighed and began tucking his binder into his backpack. There were only a few notes written on the page from earlier in the class period when he had actually been paying attention.

He left, walking across campus to the exy locker room. Aaron caught up to him on the way. 

“Hey, I need to talk to you.” He looked at Andrew quickly before looking at the ground. Aaron’s shoulders drew up in the way they did moments before Tilda had laid a hand on him, but that was before Andrew had to intervene. There could only be one thing on Aaron’s mind that concerned Andrew.

“What?”

“It’s about our deal.” Andrew stopped walking and debated leaving Aaron where he was standing, avoiding the problem altogether. He decides to be the better person though and waited for Aaron to continue. “I don’t need your protection anymore.”

Andrew paused before speaking, anger didn’t clench his stomach instead that awful hole of unfeeling did. When he didn’t speak Aaron continued. 

“I mean, come on Andrew, we only made that when there was-”

“When you were getting something out of the deal? When you stood something to gain from me? Go ahead Aaron, walk away if you want to.” Andrew didn’t attack with fists, instead, he used his words in hopes that the feeling in his chest would leave him, stop making him feel so raw and exposed.

“That’s not what this is about Andrew. I’m always going to be there-” Aaron finally looked him in the face. “For fucks sake Andrew, I’m your twin. You don’t have a deal with Nicky but he still comes over.”

“Nicky is nothing but a pest with nowhere else to go.”

“You know that’s not true.”

“I’m not arguing with you, either leave or don’t. See if I care.”

Aaron scowled, continuing their walk towards the locker room. “It’s over Andrew.”

“Don’t come crying to me when that pretty cheerleader breaks your heart.”

Aaron paused his walking for a second before beginning up again and walking quicker.

Chapter Text

Neil awoke with an airy feeling in his chest. This was the first time since leaving Raven Academy that Neil is able to finally play a real exy game again. Stuart notices his sudden mood change since last night, yesterday’s practice was horrible with everyone stressing out over the game today

Neil opened his eyes and stretched. His head and body felt lighter than they had since he was enrolled at Palmetto. As he walks downstairs, Stuart greets him as he bounds past the kitchen. His uncle is lounging at the dinner table, a newspaper open in front of his face.

“Why the sudden mood change?” Stuart asks, lowering the newspaper with suspicious eyes. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Neil scrunches his nose and shakes his head. “No, it’s game day.”

Stuart nods and motions for Neil to sit down. “Cereal or pancakes?”

“Cereal,” Neil replies, remembering the last time Stuart had cooked, the neighbors almost called the fire department. Stuart grumbles as if he can read Neil’s thoughts and pulls out his nephew’s “cereal”, which was really just a mixture of oats.

“Good luck, I have to work late so I won’t be able to make it.” Neil shrugs, looking up at his uncle as he tightened the necktie looped around the neck of his suit. Neil hated the look of guilt in Stuart’s eyes, Neil thought that he had enough on his plate without having to take in his dead sister’s child. Not to mention said child also looked exactly like the man who killed Neil’s mother.

“Your mom would be proud of you, kiddo,” Stuart replies, opening the door and closing it silently behind him. Neil didn’t think that Mary Hatford would be all the proud that her son was playing the exact sport that inevitably got her killed trying to pull him away from it. Neil pushed his thoughts aside and finished his cereal. 

There were still 30 minutes until school started, so Neil bypassed the grey BMW Stuart had bought him when he first adopted him and began a light jog. 

By the time Neil made it to school, he had only broken a little sweat. He still had 15 minutes until school started so he looked around for Allison’s obnoxiously pink convertible. He finds it quickly and begins to walk over.

Seth slams the passenger side door as Neil approaches, Allison is screaming something at him as he storms away bumping Neil’s shoulder before he looks up. 

“Are you the dumbass that’s sleeping with her now?” Seth grins, taking a step towards Neil. 

“Don’t even start that bullshit, Seth,” Allison yells from her open window.

Neil grins back, flickering a look over to Allison as she gets out of her car. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Seth pulled a fist back before shaking his head and storming off. 

“Is that an invitation Neil?” Allison asks, slapping him on the shoulder. “I think the dick head was so angry he didn’t even notice the scars.”

Neil shrugged, running his fingers over the sharp lines of scars marring his face. The middle of them, where the cut had been deeper was still sore and tender. That was not to mention the burn scars which ached so badly at times it had brought tears to Neil’s eyes.

Allison invited Neil into her car and began their routine on Neil’s face.

–

School passed rather quickly when you zoned out in every class, not quite asleep but still awake enough for his brain to memorize important information from each class. Aaron had come home last night in an ill mood. Practice had gone horrible, not that Andrew had really done anything. 

Dan and Seth argued about what the best drill for the strikers was, while Matt and Aaron butted heads on the backline. Andrew had stopped paying attention after Wymack had entered the court and began shouting orders.

This morning Aaron hadn’t talked to Andrew either, which was fine by him. He talked to Nicky and Bee at breakfast as best he could at six in the morning, but Aaron hadn’t even tried to join in the conversation. His phone lit up with notifications every so often, but Andrew reminded himself that it wasn’t his problem now. 

Now, Andrew sat against the rows of lockers. His gear was already on, along with his jersey. Andrew watched as Neil grabbed up his gear and headed to the back of the locker room where the stalled bathrooms were. When the red-haired boy gets back, the girls and Wymack are entering the room. Wymack ends his speech with a threat towards Andrew about participation but Andrew just shrugs.

Neil looks upset at Andrew’s lack of effort, but when Andrew catches the boy looking on his way out of the locker room he throws back a two-fingered salute. Andrew takes his position for warm-ups and stands until the warning buzzer goes off and everyone exits the court, only the captains staying for the coin toss.

Wilds calls head and the coin is flipped. The other team starts out with the ball, but Neil doesn’t let them keep possession long. Andrew’s heart speeds up at the way Neil maneuvers around the opposing team, scoring a point within the first two minutes. Matt cheers the loudest, making Neil shake his head.

In the end, the score ends up in the foxes' favor, 8-9. Seth had been the one to make the last goal before the foxes defense had to shut down the goal, avoiding a tie. Andrew would never admit it, but maybe he had exerted himself just a bit, but it definitely wasn’t to see a certain red-haired junkie's soft smile after Allison announced the party at her place tonight. 

After Andrew and Aaron change, they leave the locker room only to be greeted by Bee and Nicky. The latter is already hugging Aaron, stopping short of doing the same to Andrew with a fist bump. Andrew obliges him as Bee congratulates the boys. As the group stays next to the locker room doors, Andrew doesn't miss Neil leaving and heading the opposite way of the parking lot.

“Neil,” Andrew calls, he watched the boy’s shoulders tense.

“What do you want?” Neil asks, surveying Andrew’s family.

“You need a ride?” Andrew asks, his tone bored.

Neil shrugs, “I can walk.”

Andrew sighs, “As you wish.”

“See you at the party.”

“Party?” Nicky asks, looking towards the twins expectantly.

–

Neil miraculously makes it to the party, having to assure Stuart that there would be no drinks or drugs entering his system. Stuart had given him a knowing smile but waved him out of the door anyways, keys to the BMW in hand. 

–

Nicky ended up annoying Aaron until he finally gave in and informed the nuisance about the party at Allison’s place. Andrew turned the music up over the sound of his voice in the back seat talking animatedly to someone on the phone. Aaron grumbled something from the front seat, but Andrew refused to think about what his twin might have said.

Instead, Andrew’s thoughts wandered to the red-haired boy and the intense look in his eyes when he had denied the ride home from Andrew and his family. He was a pest and Andrew would have to do something about him, fast. The lithe runner's body had begun plaguing his dreams, and even with Aaron ending their deal, Andrew would be damned if he dropped his protective streak because he was distracted. 

When the trio finally pulled to a stop in front of Allison’s over-the-top house, Nicky was the first to hop out of the car and run towards the door. Aaron followed not soon after, typing a quick message on his phone. Andrew ignored the feeling in his chest and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. A grey BMW pulled up beside him and Andrew expected some private kid school to jump out and head inside.

Instead, Andrew was pleasantly surprised when Neil was the one who emerged from the driver’s side of the car. Andrew lifted an eyebrow as Neil narrowed his gaze to the slightly shorter blonde boy. He really wasn’t that far along from a private school kid. 

“Nice car,” Andrew mumbled, motioning with his cigarette. “Daddy’s money?”

Neil stuttered a step as he walked up to Andrew and pinched the cigarette out of his hand, their fingers just shy of touching when Andrew pulled his hand away. Neil inhaled one breath off the cigarette before letting it burn in front of his face. He held his other hand against his side, slowly releasing the fist he had made at the implication in Andrew’s statement.

“More like uncle’s,” Neil replied after letting the cigarette burn to the filter. The boy was in a green shirt that offset his auburn hair and wore tight jeans. Andrew appreciated the view as Neil turned back towards the car and opened the driver’s side door. “Want to go somewhere?”

Andrew couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised at the questions. Normally the junkie was standoffish towards Andrew. Andrew just shrugged.

“Can I drive?” 

Neil shrugged back and tossed him the keys. “Don’t wreck, my Uncle will not be happy with me.”

Andrew looked over as a crooked smile settled on Neil’s face. Despite the scars Andrew had caught a glimpse of the other day, Neil’s face was very angular . His nose would have been straight being it not for a small misalignment, probably from a broken nose if those scars were anything to go by. Andrew also couldn’t help but notice that one of Neil’s canine teeth was slightly crooked, the rest of his teeth were perfectly straight. 

Neil looked over and drew his dark eyebrows together. 

“Why are you being nice to me?’’ Andrew asked, motioning around the car. “If I remember correctly, you were the one who basically bit my head off for asking if you wanted a ride home.”

Neil sighs, tugging his bottom lip between his teeth before he answers, “People make me anxious.”

“Do I?” Andrew asks curiously.

“Sometimes, in the beginning, yes-” Neil pulled his hands apart and set them onto his lap. “But no, I don’t think so anymore. You’re just annoying as hell.”

Andrew hummed, revving the BMW’s engine as they got onto the highway. Andrew didn’t know where they were going and Neil didn’t seem to care as he kept stealing glances towards the driver’s seat of the car. 

Andrew turned the radio up and got comfortable in his- Neil’s seat, Neil leaned his head against the window, content to let the music wash over him as he closed his eyes.

–

When Neil awoke, the car was parked. He slowly opened his eyes and took inventory of his surroundings. Andrew was still in the car, his phone light illuminating his features as he turned to look at Neil. 

“I drove us back to Allison’s. Aaron took the key to our car, so looks like you're stuck dropping me off at home.” Andrew stated, looking back at his phone.

“Time?” Neil asked, remembering the curfew Stuart had put into place during the first few weeks of living together. 

“Remember kiddo, no later than three am,” Stuart called as Neil rushed outside of the house, heading towards Allison’s awaiting car.

“What would I even be doing out that late?” Neil shrugged, “Allison only lives like three blocks away.”

“Just for future reference when you make new friends at school this semester.” Stuart chuckled, putting a hand on Neil’s shoulder as he passed.

“Friends.” Neil scoffed and closed the door behind him. He bypassed the gleaming grey BMW his uncle had gifted him as a “welcome gift” when they moved. Neil had yet to drive it other than the brief trip when Stuart insisted he test out the new car. 

Since then, Neil preferred to walk along the sidewalk until he reached Allison’s house. As he walked along he worried about school starting, and when that got to be too much, he pulled out his earbuds and blasted music until he reached Allison’s.

He thought back to his and Stuart’s earlier conversation. Friends, other than Allison, were a foreign concept to him. Neil had only ever had and relied on his mother for support and guidance. Mary Hatford always knew what was best for Nathaniel.

Maybe it was possible to be friends with Andrew, even though he knew Allison had already warned him about Andrew’s tendencies. He had already been filled in on the conspiracy that Andrew had killed the twin’s mother in a car accident, as well as the fact that when asked Andrew didn’t deny them. Not that Andrew really spoke to anyone besides his family and Renee.

Despite all of this, Neil let Andrew drive his car to god-knows-where. 

“2:45” Andrew answered. Neil felt panic start to rise in his chest. He had never been late for curfew or even gotten close to it. A firm grip at the back of his neck had the panic lifting as easily as it had begun. “Stop that, Rabbit.”

“I have a curfew at three.” Neil explained, “I won’t have time to drop you off unless you live on the way?”

Andrew shook his head, “I live that way,” and pointed in the opposite direction of Neil’s house. Neil sighed through his nose and dragged his hands through his hair. It was cold outside, and even if Neil found Andrew annoying as hell, he wouldn’t let the bastard suffer in the cold.

“Okay, just stay the night then. Stuart will be asleep so I doubt he’ll care if I don’t ask him.” Neil nodded to himself, “but if I come in after three the doorbell camera will send him a notification.”

“Works for me.” Andrew shrugged, brushing off the burning feeling in his chest. He wondered how he would be able to sleep in a room with other people, Neil, and his Uncle, who was probably old enough to vaguely remind Andrew of his days spent in foster care. He wondered if he would be able to cut out this annoying attraction to the boy and just shut down his thoughts until the morning. 

Andrew climbed out of the drivers' side, smoking a cigarette before switching places with Neil and allowing the junkie to drive them back to his Uncle's house. 

“You can sleep on the couch, or take my room and I can sleep on the couch,” Neil said as he waved Andrew inside the door. As expected, Stuart was already asleep and maybe Neil could wake up early to drop Andrew back by his place. 

Andrew looked at the open space of the living room, the closed doors attached to the room. He decided that the space was too big, but he also didn’t want to leave Neil on the couch. “I’ll sleep in your room on the ground.”

“Oh- okay.” Neil nodded, more to himself than anything. “Let me grab some extra blankets.”

When Andrew entered Neil’s bedroom, it was wholly different than what he had come to expect. Andrew did a sweep of the room. The light grey walls and dark blue accents looked as though they had come straight from a magazine. A very expensive one at that.

The only piece of Neil that Andrew could pick out from his room was the horrible orange pile of uniform in the corner of the room, along with Neil’s duffle.

Neil dumped Andrew’s blankets on the ground and sat on the edge of his bed, a soft mewing sound came from under Neil’s bed. Andrew raised an eyebrow at Neil. 

“King.” Neil shrugged, plugging his phone in with a frown at the dead signal flashing on his screen. A second later Neil rubbed his fingers together at the edge of the bed, next to the floor and a black and brown cat slowly appeared. Andrew bent down and held out a hand.

“So, the asshole likes cats?” Andrew chuckled to himself, scratching behind King’s ears as she purred.

“It was recommended by my therapist. A way to stop my panic attacks.” Neil explained, rubbing his hands together as he watched Andrew pet King. Andrew yearned to pull Neil’s hands away from one another and- 

Andrew shook his head, clearing away his derailed line of thoughts. To further distract himself, Andrew began laying his blankets flat on the ground, situating himself in between them before huffing.

“What?” Neil asked from where he lay on his own bed.

“Pillow.”

A second later a pillow was thrown at Andrew’s head. Andrew snatched it out of the air.

“Why don’t you use those skills during the game?” Neil quipped, giving Andrew a look .

Andrew huffed again, turning over to get comfortable on the ground. “Is that why you’ve been such an asshole?”

“No, I just couldn’t figure you out,” Neil said, immediately burrowing his head deeper into his blankets.

Andrew didn’t reply.

–

Neil couldn’t sleep. Not with someone laying in his space. In his room. 

Not even Stuart had stepped past the threshold without asking Neil if he was allowed in. The thing was Neil wasn’t panicking. The odd thing was that he felt calm with this tiny blonde sound asleep on his floor. Neil couldn’t stop thinking about what this implication meant. 

The sun was already beginning to come up when Neil noticed Andrew was now staring right back up at him. Andrew’s hair was sticking up in an array of directions as he sat up and rubbed his face. 

“What time is it?” His voice was deep, having just woken up, and something about this sent a flash straight through Neil’s stomach. 

Neil fumbled for his phone to check the time a few moments later when Andrew finally gave him a weird look.

“5 am,” Neil replied, finally getting a chance to look through the messages that had arrived last night while his phone had been dead.

Allison: 

hey bb 1:25 am

renee wants to go out to eat.

but she wants to bring the monster );

Neil sighed, usually, he would have ignored Allison’s nickname for Andrew. Looking at the boy now, who was still on the ground, was doing weird things to Neil’s stomach.

Allison:

5:12 am              When?

Like tonight?

Neil didn’t think Allison would respond until later so he put his phone back on the nightstand. “So uh-”

Andrew cracked one of his eyes open, King was curled up on his pillow leaving him only a small amount to lay his head. “Your cat is an asshole as well.”

“Like calls to like.” Neil grinned as he surveyed Andrew. “Do you want me to take you home, or do you want breakfast-”

“I don’t care.”

“I’ve never done this before, the whole sleepover thing,” Neil tried explaining, “but if you stay for breakfast you will have to meet my uncle.”

“Leave now?” Andrew asked, picking up his makeshift bed and tossing it on Neil’s. Neil nodded and followed Andrew downstairs into the living room and kitchen aspect of the house. Neil grabbed his keys and let Andrew out first before locking the door behind him.

–

Chapter Text

Neil lounged on the cream sofa that had already been installed in the house when Uncle Stuart had bought the place. Neil idly moved his hand back and forth on King as she purred on his chest. 

Neil wasn’t sure why but the small weight on his chest was a comfort as he scrolled on his phone, his mind wondering to Andrew. He thought about how the idea of getting closer to the boy didn’t make him panic or think back to how his mom had scolded him for getting too close. 

A warm feeling began twisting the inside of Neil’s stomach but was interrupted when Stuart plopped down on the opposite end of the couch. Neil’s face heated as he buried it in King’s soft fur. 

“What’s up, kiddo?” Stuart asked as King shook herself off and jumped down from Neil’s chest. Neil gave the long haired cat a glare as she sauntered off into the kitchen. 

“Nothing.” Neil shrugged, pushing himself into a sitting position and grabbing the remote to the tv. “We’re not watching another drama.”

“You enjoy when I record them.” Stuart chuckled, much to Neil’s demise. 

“I do not and you know it.” Neil huffed, keeping the remote beside him without turning the tv on and looking back to his phone.

After a few moments in silence, as if he was working up the nerve, “New friend?” Stuart asked, pointing to Neil’s phone. “You spend hours on that thing now. I miss the days when it was just you, me, and King.”

Neil shook his head, “Allison made plans for us to go out to dinner tonight. She’s trying to make sure everyone is still good with that.”

“Everyone? Who else is going?” 

“Renee and Andrew.” Neil replied, typing away on his phone before tossing it onto the couch beside the remote. 

“Is that the boy who was over last night?” Stuart grinned. Neil whipped his head towards his uncle but caught his outburst. 

“What are you talking about?” He asked, his face toned down to exactly how his mother had taught him to hide emotions. 

“The boy that came over last night, then left before I woke up.” Stuart grinned, “Midget, blonde.” 

Although Stuart wasn’t considered tall for a man, he was still taller than Neil by a few inches. This meant that he had more than a few inches on Andrew. 

“Are you mad?”

Stuart shook his head and laughed, “No, Boyo, why would I be mad?” He stood up, “I’m just happy you’re making friends. You should invite him over for dinner sometime.” 

“Maybe when you learn how to cook.” Neil said, standing as well and heading for his room. “I don’t think we need a repeat of the first night.”

The first night that Stuart had gotten custody of Neil, he had attempted cooking some macaroni. The food ended up being burned so badly that it was inedible, even for Neil who been conditioned to eat anything while living within Raven Academy and the confines of the Nest. 

Neil finally reached his room and began changing for the night. Per usual, Allison had sent over recommendations on what to wear for the night. Neil took her advice and ended up with a cream sweater over black jeans. He checked his phone when Allison sent the address and requested that he pick Andrew up. 

—

Andrew was in an unusual mood as Neil drove towards the restaurant they were eating at. The girls had already arrived, so it wouldn’t be too long before Andrew and Neil did. Andrew wore his usual all black but for some reason that Neil didn’t quite understand, he looked better than usual. 

Andrew stayed quiet, the only words he said this far was a subdued “hey.” when he first entered the car. Neil didn’t mind the silence, turning the radio up a little bit to make it not so awkward. 

Maybe Neil had done something wrong last night to make Andrew distant again. The thought crossed his mind more than once before he thought about saying something. 

By the time they parked, Neil turned to face Andrew. “Stuart knows you were there last night.” 

Andrew seemed to stiffen and finally looked at Neil. “Is he mad at you?”

“No, he’s just happy that I’m making friends.” Neil shrugged smiling at but when Andrew just nodded and began getting out of the car. 

As the two boys walked in, a server directed them towards the table that Allison and Renee had claimed. Renee was still an enigma to Neil, but for Allison he had agreed to come out tonight. Renee offered the red head a kind smile from the other side of Allison. Neil nodded and sat in front of Allison, leaving the empty seat in front of Renee for Andrew. 

Neil had seen Andrew talk to Renee before and figured that they were close enough friends to both get an invite from Allison to dinner. 

“Hello, boys.” Allison smiled, her lips were painted a nude color that looked good with the red dress she wore. Renee had dressed more modestly in a skirt and heels. 

“How was your Sunday?” Renee smiled, taking a sip of her water as the waiter interrupted their conversation. Everyone ordered before Renee turned back expectantly on the two boys. 

Neil shrugged, not expecting Andrew to talk. 

“Fine, how was church?” Andrew asked, rolling his eyes at the word church. 

“The service was great, Allison came with me since she stayed at mine last night.” Renee explained as Allison turned her head away from the others to hide the light blush on her cheeks. When Renee noticed her cheeks turned pink as well but she kept talking. “Did you enjoy it, Ali?”

“It was okay.” The blonde girl shrugged, looking up at Neil.

“Are you done wearing makeup to cover-“ Allison gestures to the scarred mess that was Neil’s face. Andrew’s hands drifted closely to the black armbands that Neil had yet to see him without. 

“The scars?” Neil asked, running a finger along the longest cut. “I think so.” 

After the last week of school, Neil was tired of hiding what had happened to his face. This didn’t mean that he was going to announce it to everyone, but he was just so tired of hiding. Allison changed the subject soon after that and kept a conversation going between herself and Renee. 

When the food was brought out and gone, Andrew stood and nodded vaguely towards the bathroom. He gave Neil an intent look before wandering off. Neil got up a minute later, excusing himself to the bathroom.

The girls giggled as he turned his back and headed off to where Andrew had disappeared. When he pushed open the door, Andrew was sitting on the counter of the sink. A cigarette propped against his lips, Neil noticed he was staring and tore his eyes away from the blonde boy. 

“You’re truly not going to hide your face at school anymore?” Andrew asked. Neil couldn’t tell if he was mocking him or actually asking him from the tone in his voice. 

Neil shrugged, “I don’t really care what others think. I’m going to get made fun of for something.” 

“Why?” 

“Why what?” Neil asked, propping himself against the wall opposite from Andrew. 

“Why hide your face at all, there’s nothing you should be ashamed of.” Andrew explained, taking a drag from his cigarette before blowing the smoke out in tiny o’s.

Neil’s face heated and he looked towards the empty bathroom. He didn’t look back, although he heard Andrew get up from the counter and move towards Neil. Neil shuddered at the thought that he actually trusted the guy. 

When Neil looked back, his eyes locked onto Andrew’s. There was a small space between the two boys, so small that if Neil took a deep enough breath, his chest might brush Andrew’s. Andrew didn’t back away and Neil had no choice but to keep looking at Andrew. 

Finally Andrew asked, “Yes or no, Neil?” 

Neil let out a quick breath, he didn’t know Andrew’s intent. “To what?” 

“I want to kiss you, Junkie.” Andrew said, the emotion in his voice didn’t change. Neil held himself steady against the wall, he had only kissed one other person but for some reason the thought of kissing Andrew made his knees weak. 

“Yes.” Neil sighed. 

Right as Andrew leaned in, a pounding on the door stopped the blonde just short of Neil’s lips. Neil heaved out a ragged sigh as Andrew stepped away. 

“Come on you two! Come out!” Allison called. “I paid, let’s go back to mine.”

Neil looked as Andrew shrugged and pushed the door open to reveal Allison and Renee standing on the other side. “Let’s go.”

Andrew looked back at Neil one last time before following the girls out of the restaurant and back into their respective vehicles. Neil was surprised that Andrew’s mind wasn’t running as quickly as his was, or at least the blonde didn’t show it on his face. 

Andrew was back to his stoic quiet self the whole drive until Neil pulled into Allison’s driveway. Finally Andrew looked towards Neil.

“Truth for a truth?”

Neil nodded, putting the car in park and turning towards Andrew so they were facing each other. 

“Is your uncle really not mad?” Andrew asked. 

“He isn’t, he even invited you to come over one night for dinner.” Neil smiled. Andrew’s lip tugged up at the corner, but he stopped short and just nodded to himself. 

“Your turn.”

“Why have you been quiet today?” 

Andrew shrugged, turning away from Neil.

“That’s not an answer, weren’t you the one who came up with this game.” 

“Yes, meaning I can end it.” Andrew furrowed his brows as he looked at Neil, but answered despite his warning. “There’s this feeling, like everything is coming down around me and I am stuck in the debris. I can’t do anything to stop it or help myself.” 

“Oh.” Neil said softly. 

Andrew clenched his fists before opening the door and slamming it behind him. He waiting for Neil to join his side before walking to the door of Allison’s house. 

—

Chapter Text

Andrew’s alarm blares throughout his room as he struggles to find his phone from where it fell off the bed. Finally reaching it and silencing the alarm, Andrew rubs the sleep from his eyes and trudges towards the bathroom. The light is on, but the bathroom door is closed. The only other person in the house that used this bathroom was Aaron, and occasionally Nicky but the pest had gone home after Allison’s party. 

Andrew waited in the hallway, running his hands through his hair until he was sure the bed head was gone. This conversation between him and his brother would have to come to heed at some point, and Andrew would rather it be on his own terms. So, what better way to do that then when Aaron was already pissy from waking up and taking up Andrew’s time in the bathroom?

The light turns off right as Andrew made himself comfortable against the wall. Aaron comes out a moment later, phone held to his ear. He raises his eyebrows at Andrew and motions that the bathroom is all his. Andrew shakes his head.

“I’ll call you back.” Aaron says to the person on the phone, and then a bit quieter says, “Yeah, I love you too.”

Andrew chuckles, “You love her now?”

“What do you care, Andrew?” Aaron is really pissed now. Andrew finds it funny but doesn’t convey another laugh.

“I just want to know how long you plan on staying with her. Is this a for-life thing? Or maybe just your mommy issues acting up again?” 

Aaron takes a step towards Andrew. “You want to talk about our mom?”

“Your mother.” Andrew seeths. “That bitch is no mother of mine.”

“You’re pathetic, Andrew.” Aaron laughs, “Would it kill you to let me live my life without knowing every little detail?”

“That’s funny, I do recall you clinging onto me when I first arrived. Wanting to follow me around like a lost puppy.” Andrew replies, not backing down from the step Aaron took towards him. 

“Whatever Andrew. I said our deal was over, not that we aren’t family anymore.” 

“Whatever.” Andrew mocks. 

“Just listen, okay?” Aaron says, pointing a finger towards Andrew’s face. Neither of them would ever know who was born first, but Andrew had a slight height advantage on Aaron. Not to mention that Andrew knew how to knock down opponents twice his size. “I’m sorry for ending our deal, but it was for a different time and different place. Bee is our guardian now and more of a mom than Tilda, or any of those foster parents you had.”

Andrew doesn’t say anything.

“I’m not sorry for dating Katelyn. She’s really nice and I’d like for you to meet her.” Aaron explains, finally calming down a bit. “Only not when you’re all-”

Aaron motions to Andrew. “All what Aaron?”

“Nothing, you know what I mean.”

“This is always how I am, so when exactly would you like for us to meet?”

“When I know you’re not going to kill or hurt her, Andrew.” The like you did to our mom, part wasn’t said but Andrew understood what Aaron meant. 

Andrew laughed this time. A tight knot in his chest formed as he walked into the bathroom, away from Aaron, and slammed the door. 

Aaron didn’t want Andrew to meet someone in his life because he was afraid that Andrew would hurt her? Aaron didn’t understand Andrew’s demeanor at all. He had hurt Tilda because she had hurt Aaron, he had killed Tilda because she didn’t listen to Andrew’s warning about hurting Aaron. What did meeting Katelyn have to do with any of that? Was his brother truly afraid of him?

****STOP****

Andrew didn’t stop thinking about how his twin didn’t quite understand him, how Aaron thought of him as the monster that he saw in himself. Andrew fumbled with the curtains to the small bathroom window, closing them efficiently and turning on the faucet.

He dug around in his drawer until he came up with a tin box and slowly opened it. As the school day grew closer, all Andrew could see was red. He couldn’t look past the anger that threatened to boil over or the red covering his arms, his black armbands sitting forgotten on the toilet lid.

–

After what felt like an eternity a knock sounded on the door. “Andrew, are you okay? It’s almost time for school. Aaron’s waiting on you.”

Andrew didn’t get up from the ground but replied, “I’m not going today, Aaron can drive himself.”

After that black void had been inside his chest and destroyed what little part of him he deemed human for the past few days, Andrew didn’t think he could bear it. His actions grated on his nerves from Sunday, but at least thinking about that problem was efficient in taking away from the Aaron problem. 

“What’s wrong, Hunny?” Bee was still at the door, shit.

Andrew quickly pulled his armbands back on and slid his hoodie sleeves back down his arms, he ignored the staging of fresh cuts over old scars and cleaned up his mess. He turned the faucet off and opened the door for Bee.

“I just don’t feel good,” Andrew replied, stepping past Bee and returning to his room. Andrew locked the door behind himself and sat in silence in the dark. 

****START****

–

Not for the first time, Neil wished that he had somehow asked Andrew for his number. He couldn’t get the almost kiss out of his head, this was nothing like the time he had kissed that girl on the Raven’s campus. He felt nothing then and in the end, it hadn’t been worth it, the beatings from both his mother and the Master hadn’t been worth it.

Neil told himself that it was because he was safe now. He was allowed to feel things that he once couldn’t, even if his mother was currently rolling in her grave. Neil went back and forth in his own head as the school day rolled by, debating whether he liked Andrew because he was Andrew , or it was just a side effect of having a fucked up childhood. 

As the last bell rang, Neil hadn’t seen Andrew all day and still had no idea how to solve the problem circling in his head. He had come to the realization that he liked having Andrew around him. He enjoyed hanging out with him and exchanging truths, no matter how badly they stung.

As Neil walked home, he had the sudden idea to go to Andrew’s house. The blonde hadn’t ever said that he couldn’t so maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea. As he turned around to walk the opposite direction towards Andrew’s house his phone rang and got a few messages at the same time.

He didn’t bother with the messages, instead answering the call from Stuart.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Kid. Where are you?”

“Uhm, walking back from school. I was gonna go to a friends-”

“Stop walking and wait for me. I’m almost at the school now.”

Worry laced Stuart's voice enough that it put Neil on edge. He thought about one of his father’s people getting out of prison. Or maybe the Master had called Stuart or even worst Ichirou Moriyama.

“I see you,” Stuart says quietly after Neil doesn’t answer. The phone call ends and Neil’s hand drops to his side.

Stuart parks his car on the side of the road and hops out of the car, rushing over to Neil. “Listen, Neil, I need you to get in the car so I can tell you what happened.”

Neil nods mutely, his heart is racing and he is on the edge of a panic attack. Only his mother’s voice in his head, urging him to move , keeps him on his feet. He slides into the car and Stuart gets in alongside him.

“Kevin Day is no longer an official player of the Ravens,” Stuart explains. Neil nods, his brain catalogs the facts. Kevin Day, son of exy and number two in Riko Moriyama’s perfect court is no longer a player. He was supposed to go to college in New York on a full athletic scholarship next year. The exy world was happy for him, but Neil knew the truth. Kevin Day would never escape the Moriyama Empire. New York was just as bought out by the mafia as it was here. 

Stuart continues, “He broke his hand on a skiing trip, apparently. He’s out for the rest of the season, but the Ravens have been kind , offering him an assistant coaching staff job.” 

Neil laughs a heartless chuckle. This can’t be real. The bastard .

“I’m guessing Riko had something to do with it?” Neil says, rubbing subconsciously at some of the newer fading scars on his torso. 

Stuart doesn’t answer, just gives him a pointed look as they arrive in the driveway. 

“What now?” Neil asks as they enter the house. King comes padding along the tiled floor, wrapping herself around Neil’s legs almost immediately. Neil felt stretched out and thin, weak. The news really shouldn’t matter to him anymore, not after Uncle Stuart took him in, but Riko’s leash was getting looser.

“With the recent handover in power to Ichirou all the moving parts has his eyes turned away from Evermore,” Stuart explained. “This means you are not to leave this house unless I or one of my people are spotting you. Got it?”

Neil had never seen his uncle act like this, he had never set rules this strict for Neil to follow. Neil supposed he should listen, and he would but first, he needed to know that Andrew was okay. 

“Can you do me a favor?” Neil asked as Stuart sat down at the kitchen table. Sometimes Neil forgot that his Uncle was truly a crime boss, not like his father who was just an underling, but one of the main heads of the Hatford family. Stuart nodded and Neil continued, “I need you to get me Andrew Minyard’s number.”

“Must be pretty important if you want our databases looking for your friend.” Stuart chuckled.

“I don’t want to see his file.” Neil would respect Andrew’s privacy in any way he could. “Just send me his number.”

“You got it, Kiddo,” Stuart replied, looking down at his phone and typing for a second. “My men are on it.”

Chapter Text

The following morning, Neil held tightly to a piece of paper in his pocket as he walked to school. If Andrew didn’t show up to class, he was going to call him. Or maybe he would see Aaron and ask after his brother, but that might cause problems with the rocky relationship the twins already had. Neil sighed as he walked through the parking lot. 

“Neil!” Dan called from across the parking lot. She was leaning against Matt’s truck. Allison and Matt both turned toward Neil at Dan’s excitement. Renee smiled shyly from under Allison’s arm as Neil approached the group. “Are you coming to practice this afternoon?”

Neil nodded and looked toward Renee. Although he still didn’t completely trust the dark-eyed girl, he was beginning to worry about Andrew. Out of this group, Renee was probably the closest to the blonde that had Neil’s stomach turning over. 

“Is Andrew going to be there? I was hoping to shoot on him a bit before practice.” Neil asked the group. He doubted that Andrew would want anyone to know about the almost kiss. Neil was still reeling and trying to process the newfound feelings when Renee answered.

“He hasn’t been to school. I think Bee is given him the week off.” 

“Have you been keeping tabs on the monster?” Allison chuckled, pulling on a loose piece of Renee’s hair playfully.

“Come on, Ally. You know our parents are close. We ate together the other night, Andrew seemed to be fine.” Renee smiled and shrugged Allison’s arm off her shoulder.

“I better get to class.” Renee waved to the group, Neil found himself waving back.

“Let’s skip, babe.” Matt was whispering to Dan, as the girl hugged the much taller boy. Neil looked away quickly as the bell for the first period rang. 

“Oh, shit. I have a math test.” Matt exclaimed a second later, hugging Dan tightly and taking off in a jog towards the front doors. 

Neil walked in beside the girls and prepared himself for the math test he would have directly after Matt’s class, thanks to the two having the same class but different periods.

–

As soon as Neil was given his math test, he breezed through it. The math they taught here was nowhere near as advanced as what he had learned at Raven Academy, not to mention that Neil genuinely enjoyed math. 

As the clock ticked, Neil became restless and finally pulled his phone out of his pocket, along with the piece of paper from this morning. It contained Andrew’s full name, address, and phone number; nothing else, just as Neil had requested. 

Neil 10:23am

Hey, this is Neil.

Andrew 10:24am

hello rabbit

how’d you get my number?

Neil 10:24am

Allison gave it to me. Sorry I was just 

worried when you didn’t come to school.

Andrew 10:24am

dont worry about me

bee gave me the week off from school

why shouldnt i take her up on her offer?

Neil 10:25am

So you’re not coming to practice or 

the game tomorrow night?

Andrew 10:25am

always so concerned for my wellbeing

no 

im not coming to practice

ill be at the game

Neil jerked his head from his phone as the bell rang. Andrew’s last messages played in his head as he went through the rest of the school day. Even if the blonde boy didn’t want him to worry about him, Neil couldn’t help it. After lunch ended and Neil’s free period started he took his phone back out. 

Neil 1:12pm

Can I come over tonight? We need to study for the 

history test tomorrow.

Andrew 2:45pm

i wont be there at school..

sure 

Neil walked towards Andrew’s house as the others waved goodbye to him. The practice had been the usual, Seth trying to start arguments, Wymack threatening them with marathons, and so on. The only thing unusual was the fact that no one brought up the tragic Kevin Day.

Neil began to wonder if the story had even made it to the news yet, considering the connections his uncle had. Neil decided to be quiet about the whole ordeal until news reached the student body of Palmetto. 

When Neil reached Andrew’s block he sent out a quick almost there text and waited for Andrew by the door. The door opened and Andrew stood on the threshold wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants. His blonde hair was mostly shielded by the hood except for the front tuft that sat over Andrew’s forehead. 

Neil had the sudden urge to brush the stray hairs away from Andrew’s golden eyes but refrained as he nodded towards Andrew. He didn’t push about why Andrew wasn’t at school and Andrew didn’t tell him either. 

A woman with greying brown hair was working on something in the kitchen as Andrew and Neil walked by to get to the stairs. Andrew stopped in the doorway and motioned from Neil to Bee. “Bee, Neil. Neil, Bee.”

“Uh, it’s nice to meet you.” Neil nodded towards the older woman who gave him a warm smile. 

“It’s nice to meet you too Neil! I was just making some hot chocolate for Andrew. Would you like some?” Neil went to shake his head but a quick tug on his sleeve from Andrew had him looking towards the boy. 

Andrew’s face didn’t change, but Neil nodded his head anyway. “Yes, please.”

As the boys left the kitchen and went up to Andrew’s bedroom, Neil took in his surroundings. Andrew’s room was painted a cream color and despite how Andrew was perceived at school, the walls weren’t covered in graffiti or posters. There were simple white pieces of bedroom furniture and a large bookshelf piled with books. 

Andrew’s laptop sat open on his bed, Neil pulled his history notes out of his backpack and dumped the notes next to it. Andrew grunted but motioned for Neil to climb onto the bed after him.

“What do you need help with?” Andrew asked, ticking off the different sections they had covered in this chapter on his fingers. 

Neil sighed. “All of them.”

“You’re hopeless.”

“Well, I just cheated off of Kevin at Raven Academy.” Andrew frowned but took Neil’s notes from him, careful to avoid touching his hand. Andrew carded through the notes, scanning each page of Neil’s sloppy handwriting before nodding.

“When was the American Revolution?” 

“17-” Neil paused, chewing on his lip as he tried to remember bad to class. “-65”

Andrew nodded, “Who participated in the American Revolution?”

The boys continued like this, Andrew nodding if Neil was correct and shaking his head if he was wrong. They were interrupted by Bee who brought them two cups of hot chocolate. Aaron stood behind her with an open scowl on his face as he looked from Andrew to Neil, eventually leaving for what Neil guessed was his own room. 

After they had been through the notes twice, Neil began to really focus on Andrew and a knot tied itself up in his stomach. They had Andrew’s laptop between them and a movie playing on Netflix. Andrew was silently watching, making small comments sparingly. Neil kept stealing glances at Andrew’s form. His hair still hung on his face and finally, Neil moved his hand between them.

“Yes or no?” Neil whispered.

“To what?”

“I want to hold your hand.”

Andrew fidgeted under the blanket he had wrapped around him before placing his hand in Neil’s. “Yes.”

Neil didn’t dare breathe or move his hand as Andrew’s fingers wrapped between his own. When Andrew was finally settled Neil smiled and looked from their joined hands to Andrew. 

“I like this,” Neil whispered again. “Whatever this is.”

“There is no this, Rabbit,” Andrew replied, giving Neil’s hand a small experimental squeeze. 

Chapter Text

When Neil opened his eyes the morning after Andrew’s house, King was already awake and nuzzling into Neil’s hand. Neil sighed and got up twenty minutes earlier than he normally would for school. Today was the day of the history test, but more importantly the second to last game of the season. Since the last game was an away game, that meant that this playoff would be senior night for all of Neil’s friends.

The thought that went along with being left all alone in Palmetto didn’t stop Neil from rumbling around in the kitchen pantry until he pulled out a can of cat food and fed King. The thought did have Neil wondering what he was going to do with himself when Andrew and Allison left, and more importantly what he was going to do when he, himself graduated. 

Neil wondered if he would still talk to Andrew, who would no doubt get signed on by any college team of his choice. Neil would be a senior while Andrew would be a freshman in college, if he didn’t decide that he wasn’t going. 

Neil got ready for the day and started walking toward the school. As the end of the school year drew nearer, the days were beginning to warm up again, which Neil didn’t mind. When Neil arrived in the parking lot, he immediately spotted the twins standing beside their car, only someone else was driving it. 

Neil walked up beside Andrew and gave him a little wave as Andrew motioned him closer to the car. 

“Neil this is Nicky, my cousin. Nicky meet Neil.” Andrew introduced the pair as Aaron scowled at the party before marching away towards the school. A strawberry blonde cheerleader strode up beside him as he entered the doorway of the school and Neil turned back to Nicky.

“It’s nice to meet you, Neil! Are you Andrew’s friend?” Nicky asked enthusiastically as Neil nodded. 

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“I was just telling the twins about my overseas boyfriend, Aaron wasn’t as excited, so he’ll be a pain today I’m sure.” Nicky laughed. Neil nodded and looked at Andrew.

“The bell is about to ring.” 

Andrew nodded and waved goodbye to Nicky as the older boy pulled the twin’s car out of the school parking lot. As Neil and Andrew wander towards history class together, they came across Aaron and the same cheerleader from before, the two seemed to be talking but Andrew looked as though he was going to ignore Aaron, so Neil played along.

“So Nicky,” Neil trails off, prompting Andrew to explain more about his cousin. 

“His parents kicked him out of the house for being gay. He stays at our house sometimes.” Andrew shrugs.

“That must suck,” Neil says, not knowing exactly how to react to Nicky’s situation. 

Andrew turns towards Neil as they make it to the outside of his classroom, “He’s set to leave for Germany soon.”

“Are you upset?” Neil asks, flicking his eyes from the slight twitch on Andrew’s lips back to his golden eyes. 

“I’ve already lost Aaron, what’s one more?” Andrew huffs, turning back towards the classroom.

“I won’t.” Neil began before the final bell for class rang. 

Andrew turned back and glared at Neil but said nothing more. Neil couldn’t help but think back to the fact that in less than a few months, he would no longer have Andrew at his side.

The two successfully make it to history without talking to Aaron, which Andrew seemed to enjoy. Neil didn’t know exactly what was going on between the twins, maybe the next time they played the question game Neil would ask. Andrew sat back in his chair and leaned on two legs, Neil couldn’t help but look over at the way Andrew’s forearm muscles held his body from falling. 

When Andrew looked up at Neil, the tests are beginning to be passed out and Neil looks towards where the teacher is giving a stapled paper bundle to him. Andrew huffs, but Neil doesn’t respond. The longer the day wears on the tighter Neil’s chest feels as he tries to avoid the inevitable thoughts swirling in his head.

–

Uncle Stuart had promised that he would be there to watch Neil’s final home game, so Neil is surprised when he doesn't see his Uncle in the crowd of parents surrounding the home bench. Neil does spot Bee though, who gives him a small smile and a thumbs up. Neil waves back and turns to tap Andrew on the shoulder. 

“Bee is here.”

Andrew nods and waves at Bee as well before scanning the crowd. “Did your uncle not make it?”

Neil shrugs, “Guess not. He gets busy sometimes, it’s probably just work.”

Andrew nods, Neil scans the crowd one more time before ducking into the locker room to finish putting his equipment on. He waves to Dan and Renee before Allison throws him one of those confetti pop guns. 

“Here’s to senior year baby!” She shouts and pulls her own confetti gun, Neil does the same even as the feeling in his chest pulls tighter. He doesn’t know what he’s going to do without Allison, Andrew, or any of the other seniors who he had started to see as friends. 

“What are we going to do about our poor baby Neil?” Dan coos as she wraps an arm around Neil’s shoulders. Neil ducks his head and pulls away from the taller girl. 

Allison shrugs, “We’ll come to all your home games, or away games depending on where we end up.”

Most of the team already had offers to continue on to a college team, Neil didn’t know if Andrew did or not. Andrew had never mentioned it, so maybe it was possible that he would have another or many more years with Andrew. 

“Thanks.” Neil smiles at his team. A speaker has been brought in by one of the boys and is bumping loud music as everyone finished putting court shoes on. Neil lets the moment sink in and realizes it is one of the last he will have with his team. He brushes off the girl's offers of going to the court early and goes to the bathroom. 

– 

When Andrew makes his way back to the bathroom where Neil had disappeared, Neil has his hands clutched behind his neck. His breathing is increased and Andrew recognizes his symptoms as a panic attack. 

“Neil?” Andrew calls out slowly, luckily the junkie had chosen the handicap stall to have a breakdown in. “The game is going to start soon. Don’t you want to get out there early so we can look for your Uncle in the crowd?”

Andrew doesn’t know what to do, Neil still has his fingers clutched around his neck, his fingers white with the force. 

“Neil,” Andrew tries again, “I’m going to touch you, yes or no?”

“Yes.” A ragged sigh escapes Neil after another second. Andrew gently pries Neil’s hands apart and places his own hand on the nape of Neil’s neck. He notices the warmth radiating from the spot his hand meets Neil but focuses on Neil’s breathing instead. He lightly squeezes with his own breathing, hoping Neil catches on and decides to follow his motions. 

Eventually, the locker room clears out. Allison had walked to the back to check on Neil a few minutes after Andrew arrived, but at the sight of Andrew, she only smiled and backed away with her hands held up. 

Neil’s breathing was finally settling, and the junkie could talk again without breaking out into fits of coughing, trying to reorder his lungs to breathe normally. Andrew sat and waited through it all. Now that the locker room was empty, Renee’s doing no doubt, Neil had crept back into the main part of the room. Andrew sat in front of his own locker as Neil finished getting ready. 

“Sorry, I think the thought of you guys leaving scares me,” Neil explains as he finishes putting his gear on. “I’ve never been quite this close with anyone so it scares me.”

Andrew nods, not offering any words of comfort that would interrupt Neil’s rambling apologies. The fact that Neil was freaking out, in part because of Andrew leaving, was enough to make Andrew’s heart pound a little bit harder in his chest. The blonde chose to ignore that though and instead stare at Neil.

“Staring.” Neil laughs, sticking his tongue out after a few seconds when he catches Andrew.

“Yes or no?” Andrew asks, they still have a few minutes until they have to be out on the court for warm-ups. Andrew hadn’t had an off day since the beginning of the week, and something about Neil made him feel at peace with himself. 

Neil doesn’t ask for what Andrew is implying, “Yes.”

Andrew stands up and takes all of two strides before he and Neil meet with very little space separating them. Andrew looks from Neil’s slightly crooked nose, down to his full lips before tilting his head to the side. The blonde can feel the redness of blush reaching the tops of his ears and cheeks, but the fact that Neil is sporting the same look makes him feel sure of himself.

Andrew reaches up and with a slight nod from Neil, places his hand back on Neil’s neck. This time his skin is hot and electric to the touch, Neil lets out a small breath before Andrew makes the last move and presses his lips to Neil’s.

The kiss is short but leaves Andrew’s stomach doing flips. When he pulls away slightly for the first time, Neil is smiling with his eyes closed. Andrew lets out a huff and angles his head to kiss Neil again. Neil groans and Andrew is lost, he pulls away and stares into Neil’s face until the redhead finally opens his eyes. 

Neil jumps away from Andrew as the buzzer goes off and Wymack barges into the room. The other foxes are protesting behind him, “I don’t care what they’re doing-”

“Wymack.” Andrew salutes the older man, looking back towards Neil as the two walk towards the court, past the team. Allison gives Neil a grin but doesn’t say anything else, everyone else on the team looks clueless even though Andrew can feel the warmth radiating of the blush still marring his cheeks. 

–

The seniors all walk out when introduced over the intercom. As Andrew walks towards the middle of the court, Neil sucks in a hard breath. He still doesn’t know what Andrew plans to do after he graduates, and when he thinks about the prospect- all Neil can think about are Andrew’s lips. 

Compared to the girl who Neil had kissed briefly before he was caught, the kiss was something else. It felt different, good- better than Neil could’ve imagined. The way Andrew angled his slightly chapped lips to press against Neil’s had the redhead’s face heating all over again as he sat on the bench with the rest of the underclassmen. 

Neil didn’t know where that left the two of them, considering Andrew was the one who made the first move. Neil didn’t know if this was just some fling for Andrew until he left for college, or if it felt as real to the blonde as it did to Neil. 

Neil had never been with someone who had made his head stop racing and thought shut off, but something about Andrew calmed him. Neil wasn’t ready to admit to any romantic feeling for the boy just yet- not until he had more information on Andrew’s part. 

As the seniors finally made it back to the bench, Wymack brought a clipboard over and began explaining plays for the game. Neil shoved all his thoughts about Andrew to the back of his mind as he began to devote his attention fully to Wymack and Exy.

–

Chapter Text

Neil jumped off the bench as the final buzzer rang to indicate the end of the exy game. Andrew stood alone in the goal, ball in his racket from the save he had made seconds ago, as the rest of his teammates hugged each other. The players from the bench, Neil included, raced towards the center of the court as the door was unlocked for them. 

Instead of joining his teammates, Neil directed his attention towards Andrew and began walking towards him. Andrew took his helmet off, discarding his stick on the ground, as Neil finally stopped in front of the shorter boy. 

“Good game.” Neil said as a smile crept onto his face. He couldn’t help it, the last save from Andrew had been nothing short of amazing. Neil acknowledged the fact that even for his lack of effort during practice, Andrew could still shut the goal down during a game. Which he had done, only Renee had let two shots pass her leaving the score at 5-2 foxes favor. 

Andrew only nodded and directed his attention over Neil’s shoulder to where Wymack was approaching the two. 

“There’s someone here for you,” He directed the statement at Andrew. Neil tensed, before he lived with Stuart that sentence was never a good sign for him. “A coach from a college team.”

Neil relaxed a bit but was still worried. The thoughts from before swirled in Neil’s head. Would Andrew leave and go to college in some far away state? Neil shut down the thoughts quickly and tried to look excited for his friend. 

The coach in question approached the two and Neil decided it was time to go find Allison, leaving Andrew to talk about his future alone. When Andrew reached out and linked his finger through the sleeve of Neil’s jersey, Neil only shook his head and pulled away. Andrew turned back to the two coaches without another glance at Neil. 

Allison was all too happy to give Neil a huge hug, followed by half the team afterwards.

“Holy shit, dude. I can’t believe that we won!” Matt exclaimed as he pulled away from Neil. 

“I have to give the little monster credit.” Allison smirked as Renee scolded her for using the nickname for Andrew. Neil shrugged.

“It was amazing.” Dan replied, pulling Neil into a side hug as they walked towards the locker room. Aaron and Seth sulked at the back of the group, Allison finally ending the relationship between her and Seth for good. As the group neared the locker room, Nicky clapped Aaron on the shoulder and shook him a little too enthusiastically. 

They talked more as Neil finally made it through the door of the locker room and sat himself in front of his locker. As the others got ready for showers or to drive home, Neil was content to wait for Andrew and wonder about whether he would leave next year.

–

The room was mostly empty, except for Aaron, when Andrew finally entered. Instead of walking over to his brother, Andrew sank onto the bench next to Neil.

“Nicky and Bee are waiting for you.” He directed at his twin.

“Not coming?” Aaron asked, raising an eyebrow towards Neil. 

Andrew shrugged. “Ride back with them.”

Aaron huffed and left, presumably to ride home with Nicky and Bee. Andrew turned towards Neil as the door swung shut. Sweat slicked Andrew’s hair back from his forehead, but he didn’t seem to mind. 

“Taking me home?” Neil hummed to his friend.

“That coach offered me a college contract.” Neil’s stomach plummeted at the thought. Andrew looked to the floor and continued. “I only agreed if they would sign you next year.”

Neil’s breath stuttered, “You what?”

Andrew shrugged and began taking his shoes off. 

“You want me to come with you?” Neil tried again. 

“Yes or no, Junkie?” Andrew asked, sitting back up and looking into Neil’s eyes. Neil looked away and pulled his knees to his chest. 

“Yes.” Neil’s answer was barely a whisper as he turned fully towards Andrew.

Andrew scooted his hand closer to Neil’s on the bench and waited for a nod before wrapping his pinky around Neil’s. Neil didn’t know how to feel. Moments ago, he was worried what he was going to do with all his friends gone and Andrew hours away.

Neil didn’t know what this meant for them but he was delighted to still be apart of Andrew’s life, even if he had to wait a whole year for that to happen. 

–

When Neil closed the door to his house, he was still buzzing from the win and the offer from Andrew. The house was quiet and all the lights were off except for the kitchen and dining room. Neil flicked the light switches as he made his way towards the stairs, but stopped short at the bottom of them. 

The back of a dark head sat on one side of the table and Stuart at the other. Bandages and other medical supplies littered the table. When Stuart noticed Neil he stood up and plastered a tired smile on his face. 

“Hey, kiddo. How was the game?”

“Good, who is that?”

“Let me explain-”

“Nathaniel?” Stuart was cut off by the figure standing up and turning towards the two. 

Kevin Day stood in the dining room of Neil’s kitchen. His hand was layered with bandages, red staining the pieces closer to his fingers. Neil looked away, he had to be dreaming. 

“Why is Kevin Day standing in our kitchen?” Neil asked, backing up a step towards the stairs. 

“Let me explain.” Stuart started, “Kevin, sit down.”

Kevin did as he was told, cowering his head between his shoulders and pressing his injured hand into his chest. 

Chapter Text

Andrew was sweating under his gown as the long sleeve black dress shirt soaked up all the heat of the day. Whoever decided that their graduation ceremony needed to be held outside was an absolute idiot . Andrew could imagine many different places he would want to be right now, preferably with Neil. 

Andrew sighed and looked at Aaron in the seat next to him. His twin looked just as pathetic in the heat as Andrew imagined he did. Aaron smiled at the crowd and waved out of sight of the teacher’s view. Bee was waving and laughing at something Nicky had said in the crowds of parents. Andrew looked for a few more moments, searching for a familiar redhead before it was time for their row to stand and get their diplomas. 

Thinking of Neil put a damper on Andrew’s already sour mood. Lately, he seemed as though he wanted to say something to Andrew, but he never spoke up. Andrew had given him plenty of time to get the words out but, nevertheless, he was keeping something important from Andrew. 

The distance between them all started after the game, when Neil had spent the day in Andrew’s bed, wrapped in his blankets, with his pillow layered under red curls. Andrew squeezed his hand into a fist and looked up to the podium. Aaron was getting his diploma now, a photographer snapping his picture as he shook hands with their principal. 

Andrew sighed. The only reason he was doing this stupid ceremony was for Neil, otherwise, he would have been content to wait for his diploma to come in the mail. Andrew loosened his fists and walked up the stairs as his name was called. 

Andrew Joseph Minyard.

–

The papers that certified Kevin as a high school graduate finally arrived in the summer. Neil was more than happy to shove them into the older boy’s chest as he passed by him in the living room. Stuart had yet to say anything about the hostile attitude that Neil carried towards Kevin and at the moment the man was sitting on the sofa sipping tea. 

“Graduation certificate. Maybe now you can finish your college application?” Neil asked, plopping down on the couch opposite of his uncle. Kevin huffed and flexed his injured hand. Stuart had eventually taken Kevin to a trusted doctor and had almost gained full movement in his hand. He had begged Neil to practice with him as soon as school was out for the summer, but Neil had yet to accept.

“Yeah.” Kevin stated, switching to a different tab as the exy game he was watching went on break for halftime. 

Neil sighed and pulled his phone out of his pocket, refreshing the notification bar a few times before shutting his phone off. He didn’t know why he kept expecting a call or text from Andrew when he hadn’t even been at the graduation ceremony. Kevin had gotten in the way of that with one of his special doctor visits that he needed to attend. Usually Stuart took him and Neil didn’t have to deal with the annoying ex-striker , but that day Uncle Stuart had some business to attend to out of town.

He had lied to Andrew about the whole Kevin thing, per Uncle Stuart’s (and indirectly the Moriyama’s) instruction. This had severed the bond between the two boys days before Andrew’s graduation. The usual calm silence had suddenly turned tense and Neil was to blame for that. At this point, he just wished that Andrew would reply to just one of his messages. 

He had even tried going to Andrew’s house the day before the big ceremony to give him his graduation gift, but Bee had answered the door. Andrew apparently wasn’t home. Neil didn’t like to think about the rejected feeling in his chest or the tightness of his breathing that occurred for the rest of that day. Neil had pretty much tried everything, short of asking Stuart to put one of his people on him, to talk to Andrew. 

“Still not talking to Andrew?” Stuart asked after Neil checked his phone for the fifth time. Neil shrugged and stood up, heading upstairs.

“The blonde? Isn’t he leaving in a few weeks for university?” Kevin asked, rubbing a hand through his dark hair, “I think he’s going to one of the colleges that offered me a scholarship. Maybe we’ll be on the same team?”

“Maybe.” Neil added stiffly before heading up to his room and shutting the door. He would barely make out the voices of Uncle Stuart and Kevin through the closed door. The two had come to some sort of understanding, or maybe it was gratitude on Kevin’s part and obligation on Stuart. Whatever it was, Neil felt like more of an outsider now than he had in a long time. 

Neil huffed and put his phone on charge, something he was doing now that he hadn’t gotten a single message from Andrew in over a month, and tried to close his eyes. 

–

When the day finally came for Kevin to move out, almost a month later, Neil wouldn’t be happier to see his expensive sports car peel out from the driveway. He had gotten accepted into the same college as Andrew, which meant that the two would probably meet properly. 

To Neil’s knowledge, he had done a pretty good job of keeping the whole Kevin thing a secret from his friend. Maybe if Andrew decided to speak to him again he could come up with a reason as to why he wasn’t at his graduation and then they could go on like they were.

Neil pressed his palms into his eyes and headed back into the house with Uncle Stuart in tow. Stuart headed towards the kitchen, whistling.

“I was starting to think he would never leave.” Neil stated, sitting at the kitchen table. The living room felt quiet with no exy game playing on the flat screen tv or Kevin’s laptop. 

“Sorry, kiddo. I know that’s not exactly how you wanted your summer to go.” Stuart apologized, sitting a cup of tea in front of Neil. “Can’t help but feel guilty for your friendship as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s because I asked you not to tell, right?” Stuart asked, sitting across from Neil. 

Neil shrugged and picked up his mug. “I don’t know.”

“The best way to solve whatever is going on is to talk it out,” Stuart advised.

“Not violence? I thought that was always the answer when it came to you.” Neil stated, grinning softly. He had missed the quiet times that he got to spend with Stuart in their own house.

“I’m serious.”

Neil sighed into his mug, “I know. I’ve tried.”

“Well, I’m sure you'll figure it out,” Stuart said as he got up and headed for his office. 

–

The next day, Neil was enjoying the last few days of freedom he had until he had to go back to school when his phone pinged. He immediately grabbed the device from the charger and turned it on. 

Andrew 10:25 am

park

11

Neil didn't reply as he let out a breath he was aware he was holding. Andrew replied to him, which meant that he had probably read all the desperate messages that Neil had sent over the past weeks. Neil jumped from the bed and got ready, if he jogged to the park maybe his anxiety would wear off a bit and his chest would feel normal before this meeting. 

Kevin had only left yesterday, Neil wondered for a second why Andrew hadn’t left yet as well before clearing his thoughts. Andrew wanted to meet with him before school started. 

Neil smiled as he slipped his running shoes on at the door and waved goodbye to Stuart. “I’m going to talk to him.”

“Be safe, kiddo.” Stuart chuckled and gave him a look as he opened the front door and left. Neil needed to come up with something to tell Andrew now that Kevin was gone. He could tell him the truth, despite what Stuart had warned him of, or he could tell him parts of the truth; parts of the truth would mean that Andrew never got involved. Neil continued to think as he jogged towards the park that Andrew had mentioned. 

When he finally cut across the courtyard that Andrew sat at the opposite end of and stopped short. As he locked eyes with Andrew, even though it had barely been three months since he had last seen his friend, Neil’s breath still left his chest. The jog over had nothing to do with the way Neil’s body was responding to the mere presence of Andrew. 

The blonde looked up from his phone and waved the screen towards Neil, “You’re late.”

–