Pipe Dreams

Nothings Gonna Hurt You Baby

Andrew and Neil had stayed standing in the bathroom, holding each other for what felt like hours. It probably was. When Andrew finally got Neil to calm down a bit, they ended up tangled together in bed; after Neil decided to steal Andrew's team hoodie, presumably for the added comfort. Andrew read poetry to his sleepy mate, running his free hand up and down Neil's side. Andrew waited for Neil to fall asleep before slipping out of bed to call Abby. It showed just how exhausted his rabbit was, Neil didn't even stir when Andrew untangled their limbs and slipped away. Before leaving their bedroom he bent down, gently pressing a kiss to Neil's temple. After that he grabbed his phone off his desk and went out the back door, sitting on the porch. Andrew unlocked his phone, bringing up his contacts, and clicking on Abby's. She took a little longer to answer than Bee had. "Andrew? How's Neil?" Andrew had to bite his tongue, as to not make any snide remarks out of habit. "Abby, we're stopping by tonight. I need you to run some tests." Abby replied immediately, concern clear as day in her voice. "What kind of tests? Is Neil okay!?" Andrew was honestly surprised she didn't already know what kind of tests since she knew what they were doing. "Neil might be pregnant. See you tonight." "Andrew wai-" He hung up.

When Andrew returned to their bedroom to start packing, Neil was sitting up. "Hey. I'm putting our stuff together. You can wait in the car if you want." Andrew informed, putting their bags on the desk to start putting things away. Neil didn't bother to respond, but he did get up and start grabbing their things, handing them to Andrew to pack. The alpha was going to tell him to just go wait in the car, that he's got it, but decided against it. Instead he accepted the help which got them out of there faster. Neil locked up while Andrew unceremoniously threw their bags in the back. He reached into his jacket pocket to make sure Neil's pregnancy tests were still where he put them. They were. Neil glanced at him, but didn't say anything. He just got into the passenger side of the slick black car. Andrew rounded the Maserati, slipping into the driver's seat. After starting the car and pulling out of the driveway, he reached over the center console, turning his palm up as an offering. Neil accepted it without hesitation. Andrew brought their joined hands up to his mouth, kissing the back of Neil's hand, before resting them back onto the console, giving a gentle squeeze. Most of the hour long drive was spent in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable, per se. It wasn't calm either. Neil was radiating an anxious scent, filling the car with the sour smell. Andrew crinkled his nose before breaking the silence about twenty minutes from Abby's house. He could hear Neil's ragged breathing. "Breathe, Rabbit." Neil didn't look away from the window, but he did squeeze Andrew's hand. "I am breathing..." Andrew rolled his eyes. "Neil, I smell your anxiety. You reek of it. I can also hear your breathing, it's a mess. So I repeat, breathe." Neil let out a shuddering breath, nodding. This time it was Neil that brought their intertwined hands to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of Andrew's pale hand. Andrew did not smile.

Neil's leg started bouncing when they pulled up into Abby's driveway. Andrew let go of his hand to squeeze Neil's knee, stilling him. "Breathe, Neil." Neil took in a deep inhale, followed by a heavy exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.  "Good." Andrew carded his fingers through auburn curls. Neil graced Andrew with a small smile, that absolutely did not cause Andrew's chest to ache. "Yes or no, Drew?" The omega whispered. "Yes, Rabbit." The alpha whispered back. Neil leaned over the console, slotting their lips together. It was chaste compared to most of their kisses, but it still left them breathless. When they pulled apart, Andrew reached for the car door, opening it. "C'mon, Junkie." Neil laughed quietly as he reluctantly got out of the car. Andrew rounded the Maserati to Neil, intertwining their hands once more. He led his mate up the front porch, keeping his finger on the doorbell until Abby opened the door. The team nurse reached for Neil immediately, Andrew growled at her efforts. Neil squeezed his hand to quiet him. "Oh, sweetie...Come in. Let's get you checked out." Neil just nodded, gaze on the ground. Abby led them into her home office and gestured for them to sit on the small gray couch, opposite of her desk. They sat thigh-to-thigh, still holding hands. With Andrew's other hand, he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out the bag of pregnancy tests. He held it up for Abby to take. She did. Abby studied them for a moment before humming to herself. "Would you like to take some of the pregnancy tests I have here, Neil? Or we could do a blood test, if you'd prefer that." Neil didn't look up from the floor. "Can we do both? I- I need to make sure.." "Of course. Would you prefer me or Andrew to help with the pregnancy tests?" Neil didn't hesitate with his answer. "Andrew." Abby handed Andrew the box and a paper cup she pulled out of a desk drawer. He stood and squeezed Neil's hand for what seems like the hundredth time, leading him into the first floor bathroom. Andrew took post on the bathroom counter the third time that day, opening the box while Neil pissed in the cup. Neil did the same thing as before, setting the cup on the counter and looking at the wall. "Yes or no?" Neil turned to him at the sound of his voice. "Yes." He breathed out. Andrew grabbed Neil's hand and pulled him to stand in between his legs. "Stay." Neil sighed and rested his head on Andrew's shoulder, clutching the front of his leather jacket. This position made Andrew's task a bit difficult, but he managed. "Ready?" He whispered into his rabbit's ear. Neil nodded against his shoulder. Andrew kissed Neil's temple, then spoke. "Positive.." He heard Neil's breath hitch. Andrew placed his free hand on the nape of Neil's neck; grounding him. "Breathe. I'm here, Rabbit." Neil let out a shuddering breath whispering 'I know' and 'you and me' into Andrew's jacket. Andrew pulled Neil's face away and cradled it in his hand. Neil glanced at the stick, before shifting his gaze back to Andrew.. "Hey," Andrew paused, pressing a song kiss to Neil's forehead, then his temple, the freckled bridge of his nose, his cheek, his lips. "We still have the blood test, so don't start freaking out yet, hmm?" Neil laughed softly. "Okay." He whispered. Andrew kissed him again. "Good. Now, get out my face. I need to wash my hands." That earned him a louder laugh as Neil backed away so he could get down; a more Neil laugh. It 100% did not cause Andrew to smile. He didn't. Andrew washed and dried his hands. After he cleaned up, he led Neil back to Abby's office, pregnancy test in hand. He unceremoniously handed it to her, sitting with Neil again. Abby looked at it, then smiled softly. Neil played with  Andrew's fingers instead of looking at her. Andrew allowed it because it was comforting his mate, not  because it sparked that pesky something in his chest. Abby broke the silence. "Neil, would you still like a blood test?" Neil nodded. "Alright." Abby said with a soft smile. She got out the butterfly needle and a few viles, setting them down on her desk so she could adjust the latex gloves she must have put on when they were gone. "Neil, sweetheart, can you pull up your sleeve and extend your arm against the arm of the couch for me?" Her voice was so sweet. Neil did as he was asked, grabbing Andrew's hand again with his free one. Andrew squeezed it before bringing the back of it to his lips, kissing it twice. Andrew's been kissing Neil quite a lot as of late; maybe it's the instincts. He thought he saw Neil smile, but it was replaced with a slight grimace as Abby drew his blood. After she was done, she replaced the needle with a fox paw band-aid. Andrew rolled his eyes. "The results won't be in 'til morning, so if y'all want, you can stay in one of the guests rooms tonight." Neil turned to look at Andrew, silently asking what he wanted. Andrew nodded. "I'll get our bags." He gave Neil's hand one last squeeze before letting go. He walked out the front door, spinning his car keys around his fingers as he received their bags. When he returned to the house, Neil was walking up the stairs to the spare bedroom. Andrew followed. It didn't take long for either of them to fall asleep that night.