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The crisp morning air cut through Neil’s t-shirt in a pleasant way, refreshing following his run to the stadium’s gym. It was the first day of practice after the week-long break that preceded the semifinals, and he was as excited as ever to do anything Exy-related. If he was with a bit more energy due to the recent events, nobody had to know.
Neil walked into the gym and was immediately greeted by his teammates. Since the beginning of the school year, he hadn’t gotten too close with them, keeping the conversations superficial and cutting them off whenever the topics got more personal. So, when one of them eventually noticed the band in white gold on his finger, he didn’t bother with details.
“WHAT?” Kristen shouted next to him, loud enough Neil had to cover his ear, unintentionally putting the ring on full display. She was one of the few he least tolerated since joining the Denver Outlaws, always sticking her nose in other people’s lives. “What the fuck is that, Josten?! Did you get married or what?!”
Neil spared her a scowl, not appreciating having his hearing compromised and the attention of all his teammates on him. “Yes,” he said flatly and went to the treadmill to continue his workout.
Truth is he had gotten married to Andrew during the break. They didn’t make anything big of it, not throwing a party nor having a celebration. The Foxes were there, as well as Bee, because it seemed logical, but they only got a few drinks together at a local bar afterwards. Neil was ecstatic, one of the best moments of his life, even if it wasn’t marked by any huge ceremony. It had been just him and Andrew, consolidating what was already perpetuated, that they belong with and to each other.
“You’re married?! To whom?!” Thomas asked incredulously, coming right beside him on the second treadmill. He sometimes reminded Neil of Matt, if not for the lack of boundary respect.
In answer to the questions being thrown at him endlessly and mercilessly, Neil put on his earbuds and kept running, eyes fixed ahead at the floor-to-ceiling windows.
* * * * *
That Thursday, Neil’s team won their game easily, like they knew they would. They were part of the “Big Three” of pro teams. The actual surprise, for everyone but Neil, was Andrew’s, the Boston Cannons, winning against Kevin’s, the New York Lizards. Both of their teams were the other components of the “Big Three”, but the Lizards often held the advantage.
He had to bite back a laugh at Andrew’s text he received shortly after the end of the game, saying he had only locked the goal to see Kevin getting pissed off. Andrew could deny all he wanted, but it was clear he did like Exy, and was just too stubborn to admit it.
A push to his shoulder brought back his awareness, as Santiago, another one of his annoying teammates, tried to get his attention. “We’re playing against your rival next week, Josten! That Minyard guy.” The words came out with metaphorical venom.
The world had the impression Neil and his now husband were mortal enemies, probably from the discrepancy in the love they showed for the sport, maybe because they were both really good at it. Most likely, people just didn’t like Andrew due to his reputation. Well, it was nonsense, but none of them ever bothered to deny the accusations. It was none of their business, whether they were rivals, friends, or lovers. And to be truly honest, it was kind of amusing sometimes, to hear and read the absurdity of the comments about the couple.
“I swear, I can’t stand that minion,” Kristen spits with displeasure from behind him. “I don’t know how you managed to be on the same team as him for four years, Jos.”
“Don’t call me that,” Neil says only, choosing to ignore everything else in favor of packing his things and leaving the locker room.
It was going to be a long week.
* * * * *
The days passed in a blur of quiet calls with Andrew and unrequested opinions of him and Neil coming from everywhere. Neil was getting pretty irked, so he thought of something to shut their mouths.
He took one last look at the mirror, nodded to himself, satisfied, and left his apartment.
The finals game would be at the Outlaws’ stadium and it had sold out practically the moment the teams were announced, which meant its front was completely crowded by waves of black and orange, and blue and white when Neil arrived with his teammates, having all gathered at a restaurant so they could have an early dinner and arrive together.
They began walking down the path that was kept open for them by security as Neil took notice of the reporters and paparazzis on its sides. It was the perfect time.
With a deliberate motion, Neil reached for the hem of his hoodie and lifted, taking it off. The collective gasp was as loud as the shouts and questions that followed as everyone saw what he was wearing. Andrew’s home jersey was of a dark blue color with details in red and white, with MINYARD 13 on the back written in the latter. Neil tried to hide the smug smirk on his face by forcing a yawn, eternally grateful for having stolen the jersey two weeks ago while he was visiting and marrying Andrew.
“Neil Josten! Is that an open instigation to your rival, Andrew Minyard?” The question came from his right.
“Are you trying to coach a reaction from the Boston Cannons’ goalkeeper? Maybe a distraction tactic?” From his other side. It would distract Andrew, Neil hoped, but not for the reasons they believed.
Then came his teammates’ reaction, who pushed him around with excited and devilish laughs.
“You sure know how to provoke that asshole!” Thomas said wickedly, throwing an arm over Neil’s shoulders that he quickly shrugged off.
“Let’s fucking ruin that tiny bastard,” Kristen stated with all her confidence.
Neil kept quiet all the way to the locker room, but pulled out his phone with a hasty move when it buzzed in his pocket with a text from Andrew.
stupid rabbit
He only smiled at the screen and focused on putting on his gear. He was eager for this game.
* * * * *
The timer showed there were thirty seconds left, the score a tie. Neil was exhausted and vibrating with energy at the same time. Andrew hadn’t left the court since the second quarter and still hadn’t let in a single goal. Neil was thirsty.
A shout calling him and the ball was coming fast in his direction in a perfect curve. Last chance. He catched it effortlessly, turned on his heel and sprinted down the court. Before his backliner mark could check him furiously, Neil aimed his racquet at the side wall and swerved to the opposite side, not once losing his momentum. The ball ricocheted and he snatched it back with a quick swipe after he was securely past his opponent and he ran. One, two, three steps. Andrew was there, in position, body turned towards Neil. Four, five, six, seven. He heard people coming after him, but they had no chance. Eight, nine, ten. Neil jumped, his body arched and he put all his strength behind his swing. Andrew moved, but he wasn’t fast enough this time.
BANG.
The goal lit red and the buzzer sounded twice in quick succession, signaling the scored point and the end of the game. 5 - 4, Denver Outlaws favor. They won the championship.
The crowd erupted in cheers, his teammates yelling and celebrating behind him, but Neil couldn’t look away from Andrew, who was staring at the goal and his racquet, as if it had failed him.
Neil crossed the distance towards him, already taking off his helmet and dropping his own racquet. The stadium went silent in anticipation, waiting for a fight to initiate between the so called rivals. Andrew looked up when he noticed Neil’s approach, bored expression on his face as he as well removed his gear. They stood in front of each other, only inches away.
“We won,” Neil whispered, his breath fanning over Andrew’s mouth.
“You did? I hadn’t noticed,” the smaller man replied sarcastically.
Neil stepped impossibly closer and he could muster his name being called down the court in an almost worried tone, but he couldn’t care less. His gaze dropped to the goalie’s lips before returning to his beautiful hazel eyes.
“Did you like the surprise?” He asked in a quiet breath, earning a scowl.
“Stupid rabbit,” came the reply, but there was no bite to the words.
“Yes or no, Drew?”
Andrew didn’t deign to answer, instead fisting the front of Neil’s jersey and pulling him into a hard kiss. The adrenaline from the game still coursed through their veins and made itself known in the feverish crash of their mouths. Neil’s fingers tangled in his husband’s blond strands on the back of his neck, deepening the kiss with an urgency that wasn’t suitable for an audience this massive.
As quick as it started, Andrew was pushing him away with a scoff. “Stupid rabbit,” he repeated before striding towards the court doors.
Neil smiled but took after him, completely ignoring his teammates as usual. The reports, in opposition, were hard to deflect, since they were blocking the exit to the locker rooms, and the questions came in an unending flow.
“Josten! Minyard! Are you in a relationship? Since when?”
“Weren’t you two rivals?”
“What’s with the ring, Josten? Are you married to Minyard?”
He sighed, exhausted already from it, but his eyes went wide when Andrew interlaced their fingers and lifted their hands with a murderous glare, exposing their wedding bands and swiftly cutting through the crowd. He didn’t say a word, but he didn’t have to.
The shouts got louder, more insistent, and only quieted down when they managed to arrive at the lounge room and close the heavy metal doors behind them.
Neil didn’t have the time to catch his breath before Andrew was pinning him to the wall, their bodies pressed together, merging, if it were possible.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Neil said with a cocky smirk and got rewarded with another hard push.
“Shut up,” Andrew muttered as he once again brought their lips together, much slower and more passionate this time.
It couldn´t be helped. Neil loved his husband.