Home - Andreil FF

Back Home > 1 <

The drive back to Fox Tower was silent between Andrew's group. The Foxes victory against the Ravens left the team rattled with happiness. Matt and the others chatted away cheerfully on the ride back. Neil sat behind Andrew. He still felt the push of Andrew's lips against his. Neil brought hand up to his face and ran his thumb over his bottom lip, his heartbeat quickened as he thought about it.

All his life he had been running, but the Foxes gave him a home. They refused to give him up, even though they now all knew who he was, where he had come from.
But his past did not define him, he carried it with him, but it couldn't weight the Exy-player down anymore. Only the now counted, the present.

The Foxes knew that something was between him and Andrew. They were right about that. Kissing Andrew and taking him to the side during and after classes were all-day-life actions by now. But neither of them could call it dating. Neil was happy in having what he needed, and he needed Andrew more than anything. He trusted Andrew, but it was a foreign feeling to give in.

Their teammates brought up the topic a few times, but nor Neil or Andrew let them in.

They arrived at the Foxhole Court parking lot and the Foxes got out of the bus. Matt hauled his bag over his shoulder and as usual Neil and Andrew's lot got out last. Coach David Wymack locked the bus, Abby was at his heels as they made it to the car. A proud grin of victory on his face gave away that he was still in celebration-mode. He waved at the Foxes in dismissal and got them the permission to do as they liked and get wasted. Abby threw in that they should drive safely and not do anything stupid and gave them a content nod as a goodbye.

Dan, Allison, and Renee took the back of Matt's truck. Andrew started for his Maserati and got into the driver's seat. Nicky opened the passenger seat but didn't get in.
It took a moment for Neil to realize he was holding it open for Neil. He got in without another word and shut the door closed. No one commented. Kevin sat between Nicky and Aaron, looking slightly less annoyed after their victory. His new tattoo, the Queen, had somehow given him strength, he was more confident now. Aaron was content leaning against the window.

All the way to campus Nicky talked about how great Erik of a boyfriend was and how pumped up for the game he had been after seeing him and how proud he was to win against the Edgar Allen Ravens. He was so cheerful, and nobody could take it away from him. A smile tucked at Neil's lips, but he remembered he left out a significant detail.

Neil hadn't spoken to them yet about Riko's death and Tetsuji Moriyama's retreat as a coach. He let it slide and settled for listening to Nicky's rambling.

They pulled into the lot right after Matt did. They got out after Andrew killed the engine and it hummed to a halt.

Happy Foxes covered the parking lot soon after. Nicky was still at it, waving his hand in the air and jumping like a five-year old. Neil watched as Aaron, Kevin and Nicky caught up to Matt and the girls. They went into the building cheering.

Neil watched them disappear. Some of the Vixens made it to campus and went after them. Katelyn caught up to Aaron at last and leaned against him. It was not every day the Foxes were so content and cheerful. It was over.

Andrew leaned casually against the car as Neil returned his stare back at him. Andrew had his usual bored expression on his face, a cigarette between his fingers. Neil dropped his duffel on the asphalt and stepped in front of Andrew, who responded with blowing the smoke in his face.

Neil took the cigarette as soon as Andrew brought it to his mouth again. He stuck it between his own lips. Andrew stared at Neil. He took a step closer, Neil assumed he wanted to take it back and took a step back. But he walked around Neil and Neil turned with him. Andrew again took a step closer.