Chapter Text
Aaron is looking at his teammates on the court. They are absolutely crushing the opposite team of which Aaron hadn’t bothered to learn the name.
It isn’t like he is playing anyway.
A couple of days before he had joined a night practice to make up for storming off during regular practice after a fight with Kevin (in his defense Kevin really was being a dick). Of course, the one (1) night practice he joins he has to injure himself. He is benched for at least 3 weeks for his sprained wrists, which sucks.
Contrary to popular belief, Aaron does really enjoy playing exy. It is a way to blow of steam and forget all his problems, even if two of them are standing on the court with him.
The final buzzer goes off and the Foxes win the game with a score of 8-2. Kevin smiles brightly as he runs to the goal to pat Andrew on the shoulder. Shortly the rest of the team joins him, including the ones who had been watching from the side-line.
“Aren’t you coming too?” Renee asks, waiting in front of the open door to the court.
Aaron waves his bandaged wrist at her and says: “I think I’ll pass.”
Renee smiles apologetic and continues her way to their teammates.
Finally, after what felt like forever, all the Foxes are showered and ready to go home. Kevin is particularly happy with the Foxes’ performance tonight, Aaron knows that because he can’t shut up about it.
“I really have to say, this game went better than expected. Especially since the Bearcats are so …” Kevin starts, but Aaron isn’t listening anymore.
Maybe if he could’ve contributed to their win in some way, he wouldn’t be so salty. Andrew shoots him a knowing look from the front seat of the car.
They had made a lot of progress since last year when they had started their weekly sessions with Bee. Aaron learned to look at things through Andrew’s perspective, which wasn’t always easy, but it did make him understand Andrew. Well, in the way Andrew can be understood.
Kevin is still practically glowing in the front seat. “We really should celebrate. I stole some booze from David if you’re up for a party?”
Nicky hums in agreement, Andrew and Neil just shrug, not really answering. Aaron just wants to go to his room and drown in his blanket. He doesn’t know why not being able to play affects him so much.
Maybe it is because it’s the first game of the season and his teammates seem to work so much better on the court without him.
“Aaron?’
Aaron shrugs out of his thoughts and looks up to find Kevin staring at him expectantly.
“What?” He asks dumbly.
Kevin rolls his eyes. “Of course, you’re not listening. Did you even pay attention when I was walking through the game? I’m sure you didn’t. Just because you can’t play right now, doesn’t mean you can slack behind, you know.”
“Fuck you, too.” Aaron says and he turns towards the window.
He hears Kevin sigh, but he does not try to ask Aaron anything else.
When they arrive at Fox Tower Aaron immediately heads towards his room, but Andrew grabs his sleeve to hold him back.
“Don’t mind Kevin.” He says.
“I don’t.”
Andrew just gives him a blank look.
“We decided to go to Columbia tonight. Kevin was asking if you were coming, but judging the mood you’re in right now I’m not leaving you here. Be ready in 10.”
With that, he lets go of Aaron’s shirt and walks inside.
Aaron really is not in the mood to go to Columbia, but it’s probably better than staying behind in the dorms. Matt and Dan are surely inviting the freshmen over to celebrate and he would rather deal with his family (plus Kevin and Neil) than hang out with the freshmen.
He’s changed and ready to go within 5 minutes, so he decides to head to the car already. Taking a breath of fresh air, before being stuffed in a club for the remainder of the night.
Kevin is also waiting at the car, at which Aaron scoffs. Kevin has been getting on his nerves a lot lately and he wishes the ‘Son of exy’ could just leave him alone.
Kevin looks at him as he approaches, but he doesn’t say anything for which Aaron is thankful. Then Aaron sees the packet of cigarettes sticking out of the other boy’s pocket.
“I thought you believed smoking is bad for you?” He comments.
“I didn’t know you cared.” Comes the replay, while Kevin nonchalantly leans against the car door.
“I don’t,” Aaron shots back. “you’re just a hypocrite.”
Kevin rolls his eyes at him for the second time that evening, but he doesn’t retort.
Aaron counts it as a win.
The others join them and soon enough they are on the road to Columbia. They hadn’t been back in the summer, because Aaron, Andrew, and Nicky had spent it in Germany at Nicky’s boyfriend’s house.
Kevin and Neill had stayed at Abby’s. At first, Andrew was not satisfied with that arrangement, but they were able to convince him that they were untouchable now, and eventually, Andrew gave in.
Now that they are on the road, Aaron is kind of excited to go back again. He wonders how Roland and the other bartenders are doing, not forgetting their support in the Drake case.
After getting their ice cream fix at Sweetie’s and Andrew has parked the car, they enter Eden’s twilight. It’s very crowded inside, which is not unusual for a Friday night, but right now Aaron finds it unsettling.
As soon as they spot a free table they claim it and Neil and Andrew head to the bar to collect their drinks. When the drinks arrive at the table, Kevin takes a few shots and then disappears to the dancefloor. Aaron watches him leave.
Nicky shakes his head at him. “When are you going to tell him?”
Aaron is confused. “Tell him what?”
“That your madly in love with him and want to have his babies, of course!” Nicky laughs.
Aaron spits out his drink and almost chokes on what shoots back into his throat. Nicky pats him on his back.
After he is calmed down and he can breathe properly again Aaron gives Nicky a stink eye.
“That’s not true.”
Nicky rolls his eyes at him.
“Oh darling, everyone sees the way you look at him.”
Aaron scoffs. He doesn’t look at Kevin. He hopelessly looks at Andrew for back up, but he and Neil pretend not to hear the conversation that going on beside them.
He shakes his head.
“I’m going to dance.”
And with that, he leaves the table and disappears into the mass of dancing bodies.