an unkindness of ravens

vingt-deux

— vingt-deux ; twenty two —

HENRI COULDN'T FOCUS ON practice the day his identity was revealed to the public.

With every pass he made and each time he scooped up the ball into his net, he was aware the ERC was releasing his name to the press and articles were probably already popping up all over the internet. Whenever he made a shot on goal or someone checked him, he thought about Jean waking up this morning to learn he had a brother who transferred to the team he used to play for the moment he left. The next time he left Evermore, reporters would be swamping him. Henri couldn't believe a time was coming where he'd come to find the claustrophobic black hole of the Nest a safe haven.

"Moreau!"

Henri jolted back to the scrimmage but it was too late. KJ had already checked him and stolen possession of the ball by the time Henri had come to his senses, and by the time he'd run to catch up, KJ had already passed off to Jude. Henri gritted his teeth and ignored the harsh warning Alixis gave him when she passed. He forced all thoughts of the outside world from his head and focused on the game for the rest of practice as best as he could. He was expecting Soren to chew him out when they all piled into inner court for break, but all he received was the usual criticisms regarding his playing ability. Henri suspected the more personal feedback would come later.

There was a free spot on the bench next to Loren, but Henri stayed standing with the excuse of stretching out while the Master gave them a rundown. Nothing in her expression said she noticed but he still felt a little uncomfortable. It wasn't that they were avoiding each other, it was just that they'd come to a silent agreement to give the other some space. Henri didn't know if their friendship could ever return to what it had been and was surprised at how much that bothered him. It was only now he realised how much he actually relied on her as a friend.

"Where's Jude?" Benjamin asked.

"Picking the other Ravens up from the airport," Soren answered. "I know it's not ideal that anyone leaves now that the freshmen's details are out, but they need to come back in time for the school year tomorrow."

"Let's hope the reporters don't get their first opinion of Moreau Junior from Jude," Aria said, although she looked practically gleeful at the thought. "He'll have anything but nice comments to say about his newest teammate."

"Good thing we share the same opinion regarding each other," Henri said flatly. "Only difference is, the media already know much of a cu — "

"Enough," Soren said, flicking him a look.

Henri shrugged. "It's the truth."

When they were finally released from practice, Henri lingered for longer than usual under the water and was the last one to leave the showers. He didn't realise Soren was waiting for him until he caught Henri by the shoulder and threw him back against the cold tile wall, not hard enough to hurt but hard enough that he couldn't push away if he wanted to. Henri wasn't sure he wanted to. Soren had never touched him outside their room, and even though he knew this wasn't sexual, his skin still heated up in response.

"What did I say about playing like that?" he demanded. "You don't step on my court with baggage. You leave it at the door before taking position."

Henri tipped his chin defiantly up. "Oh, is that what you do?"

"Get your head in the game."

"It is," Henri said, glaring at him.

Soren glared back. "Don't lie to me."