One-Shots // Book Compilation

• Andrew x Neil •

TITLE: Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
WORDS: 4,019
COMPLETED: 7/3/21
UNIVERSE: All For The Game // Nora Sakavic

Neil Josten slammed the door shut behind him, the sound echoing throughout the entirety of the court that he was standing on. When he looked up, Andrew Minyard was standing on the other side, eyes narrowed down while staring off towards the other end of the room. The stands were empty, only four individuals occupying the stadium; two of which were on the court and two in the stands. If Andrew had gotten his way, no one would be here. But Neil was stubborn and always found a way to get himself into unpleasant situations.

"Surprised Day showed up," A voice barked from the opposite end of the court; this had been the individual that Andrew was glaring at. Standing there with a grin on his lips, fully dressed out in his Edgar Allan Ravens jersey, was Riko Moriyama.

"That makes two of us," Neil retorted, twirling his orange and white Exy racquet; it was the only item that he was told to bring. Well, the racquet and Kevin, but Andrew came with the set of boys.

"Will he not be joining us?" Riko questioned, arching an eyebrow as Neil glanced up and down the court.

Neil had been to this court before; more than once, in fact. However, he never had time to actually admire it. His first experience on this court had been anything but pleasant; after all, playing Exy at Evermore over his Christmas break was one of the most painful things he'd ever willingly put his body through. Then there was when the Foxes had defeated the Ravens in the finals, completely ruining Edgar Allan's perfect winning streak. Now, standing on the Ravens' court with only the King of Exy, something cold shook Neil to the core. He didn't even bring his uniform or padding, meanwhile Riko looked ready to begin.

"I'm afraid not. He didn't even want to come in here. You can thank Andrew for his presence," Neil explained, gesturing back to the two boys who were standing at the doorway to the court.

Andrew Minyard looked ready to kick down the court door if he had to. He could take Riko Moriyama in a fight, even without a weapon. Meanwhile, Kevin Day looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else in the world than on Riko's court; he definitely had the right to want that. Kevin stood at Andrew's side, arms folded across his chest. The two Foxes seemed so out of place here, and Neil knew that they were. None of them wanted to be here.

"Ah, yes. I forgot about the little psycho. Send him my thanks," Riko muttered with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"I won't," Neil explained as Riko arched an eyebrow, looking Neil up and down; sizing him up.

"Well, we had this made up for you. Consider it a gift from my family," Riko mumbled with a twisted grin, handing Neil a black and red jersey. In bold red letters, the last name 'WESNINSKI' was printed on the back along with a crimson '04'. Neil knew better than to complain about it. He knew that Nathaniel Wesninski would always haunt him.

"Go get dressed out. There's padding waiting for you in the locker room, Nathaniel," Riko muttered with a smirk as Neil nodded, turning his heel and keeping a tight grip on the jersey.

"Oh! And in case Day and the psycho decide they want in, these are for them," Riko added, throwing Neil two more jerseys. It wasn't an invitation; it was a demand. They were going to play with Riko. They had to.

Neil held the bundle of Raven jerseys close to him, pushing the court door open and staring at Andrew's intense expression. Without speaking, Neil passed out the jerseys. Kevin looked ready to pass out when he read his last name and number on the back of a Raven's jersey. Meanwhile, Andrew didn't even look at his. In fact, he was yet to look away from Neil.