Chapter Text
For some, ten years was a long time. For others, it was short. And for the rest time was hard to grasp. Passing fast in a blur or moving so slow the hours and minutes felt as if they’d taken years.
Over time, things changed. People changed. Surroundings changed. And other parts were constant. The rush of the game. The name on the jersey. The person across the bed every morning.
Neil Josten had permanently been Neil Josten for, give or take a few weeks, ten years. They day wasn’t remembered, but the time of year always brought him peace. Another year of everything being just the way he wanted it to be. A career in the game he loved. Andrew with him every step of the way. And no running. No need to run. Not even thoughts of running anymore.
In the past ten years, his fifth year was the hardest. His family was spread out achieving their goals and dreams while he had to continue to climb. Andrew was signed to a professional team after graduation. Same with Kevin who also made Court. And spending the summer in the stands watching them play had nearly driven Neil off a cliff. He was chomping at the bit to be out there. College wasn’t cutting it anymore.
The media was a constant swirl of could the Foxes bring home a fifth championship title now that there was only one original member left? The question irritated Neil in a way he didn’t expect to be bothered. A lot of it rode on Kevin and Andrew leaving as if the Foxes were now weaker. They were, but they weren’t out of the running yet.
His fifth year had been rough, so was the season, but they won the championship. USC’s coach had pulled Neil off to the side after the game to tell him he was going to miss everything he’d done as captain and jokingly said that he hoped Neil graduating would mean USC could win once again. Neil had thanked him, but told him the Foxes were going to keep at it with everything they had.
Most of Neil’s family had made it. Neil had only counted on Andrew being there, but for once the friends and family section was bursting with Neil’s family. Dan and Matt cheered with enough enthusiasm for the entire stadium. Matt had their six month old strapped to his chest wearing the largest pair of orange headphones Neil had ever seen.
Katelyn gladly accepted Nicky’s invitation to join them so she could cheer on her Vixen’s while Aaron sat contently next to her. Both were so married to their jobs that it shocked everyone that they’d came. They all knew Allison was coming since she bragged about it in various interviews, which shocked half the fashion industry as they were unaware that she’d played such a violent game and liked it.
Renee couldn’t make it, but she sent Neil a sweet letter wishing him good luck and if they won she wanted him to send her a copy of the game.
Kevin showed up with Nicky and Andrew in the locker room before the game. Nicky gushed about how he wished he was out there, but was also glad he didn’t have to go against USC again. Kevin said Thea was in the crowd already and he had only show up to tell Neil not to blow it because a lot of coaches were there to observe. Andrew said nothing, just sat in his old spot on the couch until it was time for them to leave and Neil to get ready.
The hard fought game was won by one point scored by Neil in the last three minutes.
After graduation, it should have been easier, but it wasn’t. Neil and Andrew were on different professional teams, and Neil had made Court. Coaches were getting annoyed with Andrew, so he was bouncing from team to team. Neil had to return to Castle Evermore which brought about months of nightmares and panic attacks.
It subsided as time went on. His love of the game was able to push out the worst of the memories and day after day he was shown that it was different now. That he was free now. That it was where he wanted to be now.
Eight years after Neil Josten became Neil Josten, his coach took a risk and signed Andrew to his professional team. He was too good a goalie to pass up, and he hoped being on a team with Neil would help.
It did.
And it helped enough that Court wanted Andrew to play with them in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
It had been announced that Exy would debut in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, after the conclusion of the Rio Summer Games. Neil had been overwhelmed by the announcement for various reasons. Part of it brought excitement, but with the announcement brought a resurgence of Riko and by proxy, Neil and Kevin’s pasts. The media and new fans were all over the dark times many had tried to forget.
Being in Tokyo was crazy. If Neil didn’t have Andrew there, he wasn’t sure he’d have made it through alive. The stress alone was unlike anything Neil had ever dealt with. The city was alive with an energy that vaguely reminded Neil of Nicky.
The first Court match against Japan, before the Olympics, had Neil worried they’d been too similar to the Raven’s since the Raven’s once famed coach was Japanese and a creator of Exy. Neil was pleasantly surprised that they weren’t. They reminded Neil more of USC. It was Australia’s team that was a little too similar to the old Raven’s.
But the Olympics. Before the trip, Neil and Andrew had worked their way through learning basic Japanese which made their entire trip better. Kevin tagged along with them when they went out to crazy bars and clubs. Exy players from other teams flocked to Kevin though and sometimes it was a bit overwhelming.
Andrew didn’t go to the opening ceremony which surprised no one. And the USA Exy team clawed their way into the finals. Wymack had made it to Japan just in time for the last two games. Everyone else bombarded Neil with texts and phone calls and demands for pictures and souvenirs.
Dan and Matt were committed to watching each game live and then again later with their kids when it was broadcast in the United States. Nicky and Erik were partying it up hard in Germany with tons of other Exy fans even after Germany was eliminated in the third game. Allison told Neil where he should go shopping. She also said not to come back without a gold medal. Neil asked her if she really thought Kevin would allow that.
Renee had written weeks before they left and included a private letter for Andrew. Aaron said he had staff update him on the score while he worked. He was on his way to being a neurosurgeon. Abby sent her wishes with Wymack.
All of it made Neil happier than he ever thought he could be. Standing in Andrew’s room the night before the final game had been quiet. Andrew stood looking out the window at the nights’ sky smoking and Neil lay on his back on the bed. The suite was set up similar to their dorm room years ago. The door opened to a small kitchenette, there was a bathroom and sitting area, and a bedroom. The difference was it was about ten times smaller. For once Neil was grateful neither him nor Andrew was that big or they’d be struggling.
The sex that night was great and everything in Neil seemed to settle. His nerves were gone and his mind at peace. At 27 this was only the beginning. It was still the beginning of all the adventures to come. All the places he’d go with Andrew right behind him.
“I’m excited to get back on the court when we get home,” Neil whispered, starring into Andrew’s eyes. Andrew stared back for a long moment before muttering junkie and turning off the light so they could sleep.
After winning gold thanks to Kevin’s last minute goal against Canada, Kevin’s title as Best Exy Player in the World only solidified. Neil was happy for him. From watching Kevin struggle to relearn playing with his left hand, to watching him now switch between left and right effortlessly wasn’t anything less than inspiring.
They celebrated harder than they had in years.
After the Olympics, everything stopped feeling so rushed. It was spring, meaning everything was gearing up for the next seasons of professional and international Exy, but time no longer felt like it was rushing past Neil. He’d never had so much time, but he also wasn’t used to it going so quickly. He liked the quiet days him and Andrew would spend in their home. Or going for rides to who knew where. Most of their life still revolved around Exy, but there were other aspects too. Like their cats. And their vacations. And their friends and their children.
And change.
It was before the Olympics when Andrew told Neil he wanted him to come with during his Skype session with Betsy. They still talked often. Neil left the house during those times to give Andrew some privacy. Even after five years of mandatory sessions with Bee, Neil and her weren’t close. He’d opened up minimally, and she listened intently, never pushing him further.
But Neil wasn’t sure how he was supposed to react to Andrew wanting him there. He figured there was something important to discuss, but he for the life of him couldn’t figure out what it could be.
There was no time to be anxious or worry though because the session started the moment Neil said yes.
Betsy greeted them both and explained she was there to help Andrew put things into words. Andrew silently took Neil’s hand and laced their fingers together. That was the only sign Neil got that this was difficult for Andrew.
“I wanted to ask you, Neil, if you ever considered adopting or fostering children?” Betsy asked completely blindsiding Neil. He hadn’t ever thought about children. He loved all his friends’ children, but that was about the extent of his children thoughts.
He turned to Andrew who looked bored. He’d rested his chin in the palm of his free hand.
“Andrew and I have discussed it at length over the years,” Betsy went on as Neil tried to find his words. “Recently we’ve been discussing that he’d be open to try fostering a child.”
“A child,” Neil repeated. His mind was going a mile a minute from replaying his childhood to going through what he knew about Andrew’s to the realization that they weren’t any of those people.
“Well it’s a lot to think about,” Neil started, voice a little shaky, “but…” he trailed off glancing at Andrew briefly. “If Andrew wants to then I want to,” Neil said firmly. Betsy smiled.
“I’d like you to think it over and perhaps discuss it with each other. I’m always here to discuss it more and would get you in touch with people I know to help you through the process. I’ve told Andrew that while your pasts are a bit rough, there’s nothing about your current situation that would raise any flags. I’ve discussed, at length, the mental toll and how it could bring up bad thoughts or memories, but I and others would always be here to help,” Betsy explained.
Neil looked at Andrew again. His expression hadn’t changed, but his eyes were on Betsy. “I guess I honestly don’t know what fostering a kid would even be like?” Neil said at last. He had no parenting skills that he knew of and didn’t exactly have the best role models. He was pretty sure he knew how to keep a kid alive but that was about it.
Betsy walked them through the steps. Through a lot of steps. She talked while they listened for a good half hour.
“I know with your focus on the Olympics and the start of the professional season coming up, it’s a lot to stop and think about, but Andrew has expressed to me that it is something he would like to discuss with you if you’re open to it,” Betsy finished. Neil nodded. He turned to Andrew, who was now looking at him.
“I guess let’s talk about it then,” Neil said and hoped they wouldn’t have to do it in front of Betsy. While he was thankful for her help, he’d rather do their discussions privately. He wanted to hear what Andrew thought and it was always easier for Neil to open up when it was just Andrew.
“Thanks Bee,” Andrew said and shut off the laptop. He stood up, pulling his hand from Neil’s, but motioned for Neil to follow. Neil followed him onto the deck where Andrew lit two cigarettes and handed one to Neil.
“Do you think we could do this?” Neil asked. In his mind, they were pretty fucked up and even though every day they moved further from the most fucked up time in their lives, they were still pretty damaged.
“Yes,” Andrew said. Neil nodded. Andrew’s yes was probably the most solid and consistent thing in their lives. He didn’t throw the word around carelessly.
“So, you’ll marry me?” Neil asked. Betsy had said they’d have to get legally married to even start the process.
“Get that stupid smile off your face,” Andrew told him. Neil hadn’t even realized he’d been smiling.
“Yes or no, Andrew,” Neil asked dropping his cigarette to the ground and grinding it out with the toe of his shoe.
“Yes,” he said.
They were married before they left for Tokyo. Dan and Matt were their witnesses. Nicky wanted to be there, but work didn’t allow it. Neil could tell Andrew was glad Nicky wasn’t there to make it into some kind of spectacle.
Dan and Matt were respectful of the pair. They were quiet during the short legal proceedings. Neil didn’t even have to explain why they decided to do it. The finished the day with drinks at Neil and Andrew’s house. Andrew sat quietly while the three talked about the upcoming Olympics and how the professional Exy season was panning out.
Neil and Andrew talked about a kid a few more times and Neil sat in with Andrew and Betsy twice more before the Olympics.
But then they didn’t discuss it again until late in the fall.
“It won’t be just us anymore,” Neil pointed out one night.
“It’ll always be just us,” Andrew told him. Neil rolled his eyes.
“You know what I mean,” Neil said laying back. “Sex is going to take a back seat.”
“It’s called a lock,” Andrew said. Neil said nothing. Andrew pushed up on his elbow and leaned over Neil. Neil stared up at him.
“I’m anxious,” Neil said quietly and lay his hand over Andrew’s heart. He leaned down to press a kiss to Neil’s lips. He knew Andrew wouldn’t admit he was afraid too, but Betsy had made it apparent that he was at least nervous.
Neil hummed happily as he kissed Andrew back. They were survivors. The years had worn away a lot of their rough edges, but there was underlying fear that never seemed to leave either of them alone.
He carded his fingers through Andrew’s hair, pulling his face closer. He’d call the case worker in the morning. She was a friend of Bee’s and had agreed to help them if they chose to go ahead with everything. Neil had thought it’d take them longer to discuss, but the high of the Olympics had made them feel invincible. Their forward trajectory was up. Up and up and beyond any dreams Neil had ever dreamed.
A kid would be placed in their care for nine months. They’d agreed that they could handle that even during their busy Exy summer. The school was near their house and Matt and Dan lived close enough that they could help in an emergency.
Not that any of the Foxes knew what they were doing yet. Neil said he’d tell everyone when it was for sure happening. Besides, everyone was preoccupied by Kevin’s daughter who was set to be born at the end of December.
At the end of May, they were matched with a kid. Ten years of being Neil Josten lead Neil Josten to winning numerous championships, a gold medal from the Olympics, several vacations, the love of his life, two cats, and now a kid.
Their case worker, Mrs. Maria Fuentes, brought them into her office to go over the child. Andrew was a shadow at Neil’s side, but held Neil’s hand as Mrs. Fuentes went through the file.
“We’ve chosen Lily Armor age 6 to be placed in your care,” she started. “She handed them a photo of a light skinned girl with the biggest brown eyes Neil had ever seen. Her curly brown hair was tied in a bun on top of her head and she wasn’t smiling at the camera. “She was removed from her home at age 3 after her mother poured a pot of boiling water on her. Her mother, Kelly Armor, white, age 24, was bi polar and died two years ago. Father, is Puerto Rican, but his name was removed from the birth certificate and her mother never provided a name.”
It was a lot to take in. When Mrs. Fuentes mentioned the water, Andrew’s grip on Neil’s hand had tightened. The thought made Neil nauseous. Neil rubbed his thumb over Andrew’s knuckles to soothe both Andrew and himself.
“Lily is finishing up kindergarten. She is very good at reading and math. Her favorite color is red and she really likes cats,” Mrs. Fuentes smiled. “As far as medical history, she’s up to date on shots. There are healed burns on about 60% of her lower body. She currently sees a therapist for adjusting and selective mutism. She talks to her current foster family, but they’ve had a lot of trouble getting her to speak at school. The only times she has cried while with her current foster family was during a bad thunderstorm.”
Neil desperately wanted to lighten the mood by saying she’d fit right in, but decided against it.
“When can we meet her?” Andrew asked, nearly shocking Neil out of his seat.
“We can do tomorrow or Sunday if you want to meet her before Wednesday,” Mrs. Fuentes said.
“Tomorrow,” Andrew said flatly. She nodded typing something on her computer.
“Monday I’ll be over for a final assessment of your house if that is still okay?” she asked. Neil nodded. The season officially started on Monday for professional Exy, but the house visit was in the morning. Neither of them wanted to announce that they were fostering a kid, but Neil had explained the situation to both his coaches. Both said it was no problem for them to bring a kid with as plenty of other players did.
“Well then, there’s some paper work, but then we are ready to go,” Mrs. Fuentes said with a large smile.
As they drove home, Neil sent a mass text to everyone. Even Wymack and Abby. The responses came flooding in making Neil grin.
“Hey,” he said softly. Andrew grunted at him. “I’m proud of us,” he said, Andrew shot him an uninterested look that made Neil laugh. “And I can’t wait to teach her Exy.”
“Junkie,” Andrew muttered.