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When Neil Josten walked into his chemistry class he was shocked to see the same person he had just passed in the hallway. Tousled blonde hair and hazel eyes, short but- no that’s wrong. The one from the hallway was much more muscular around the shoulders and arms. Twins?
The seat next to the blonde was the only one left in the class so he plopped himself down and began watching the side of the blondes face.
The blonde turned to him with a deep scowl, “There a problem?”
His tone was harsh and venomous, it reminded Neil of the flamboyant cuddle fish; tiny, and flashing colors to make its poison known. Neil smirked, “You’re a twin.”
The blonde rolled his eyes, “We’re not even that similar.” He sounded like he had said this same line a million times.
To most people, Neil would guess they would feel the opposite. But really, looking back on the stranger in the hallway, there were clear differences. This one had a more square jaw and his face was more of a set glare than a face of clear boredom like his brothers.
“I guess not,” Neil responded, still carefully taking in Aaron’s face, noticing even more differences between the twins.
“Aaron,” he said with less of a sneer. Like this he looked more like his brother; no more venom, just a blankness covering his face.
“Neil.”
Being lab partners thawed whatever issues from their personalities that had made them originally wary of one another, the two began to talk about lacrosse, video games, movies, anatomy. Neil had never had a friend before; but it was nice to have Aaron.
The only problem: Andrew. Neil still passed him in the hall, only now, Andrew never met his gaze. Something in him had sparked from seeing Andrew. His set face of apathy, the line of freckles across his nose. It was strange for Neil to be so endeared by someone. But he was. Neil wanted to know Andrew, wanted to see why his eye brows were always scrunched in the hallways, but never in math class? Why he never let Aaron drive the car, why he only sat with one dark haired guy at lunch, why he refused to look at Neil?
—
The first time Neil went over to the Dobson house, he was stunned at the pure and unlimited love Betsy clearly had for the twins. Sure, living with his Uncle was much better than his father, but it had never been like the warmth he saw and felt in Aaron’s home.
When Andrew opened the door on that first day, all Neil could think of to say was, “Did you know that The Duke of Plantangent drowned in a barrel of wine after hearing he was going to be executed.” Was he embarrassed? Not really. Did the look on Andrew face make his face burn bright pink? Absolutely.
Andrews expression had stayed blank, but his eyes narrowed and he had cocked his head a little.
“No,” he said and opened the door wider for Neil to come in, but right after he fled up the stairs and was exchanged for Aaron who flew down right as Andrew slid from view.
—
In the locker room, two of the lacrosse players where swatting each other with towels as Kevin gave a speech about the importance in blocking. Aaron half heartedly listened to Kevin speak as he packed his bag, while Neil’s attention was directly on Kevin, taking in every word he said so he could become better.
Once Kevin was done he walked over to where Neil and Aaron were sitting and smacked Aaron on the back as he slid in next to him, “Good practice today, Dobson.”
Aaron shrugged, but his ears where glowing bright pink as Kevins hand began to move up and down on Aaron’s upper back, seemingly oblivious to his hand making Aaron’s whole body go tense.
“Thanks, Kev,” Aaron replied, after gulping down whatever unease had rushed into his body when Kevin touched him.
Neil watched this interaction with narrowed eyes; he’s seen the two interact before, I mean they were friends before Neil showed up, but he’d never seen (noticed) the way Aaron’s eyes bulged when Kevin touched him, or the way Kevins eyes always softened when they were on Aaron. He supposed they were just really close friends.
Aaron was practically shivering at Kevins hand, still moving up and down, when Andrew of all people came sauntering in. All black clothes and pale skin, his eyes narrowed on Kevin.
Neil felt something hot spark in his stomach as Andrew went over to Kevin, “Let’s go,” he said impatiently.
Kevin rolled his eyes but stood from the bench; Aaron let his shoulders slump as Kevin’s hand left his shoulder.
Kevin grabbed his bag and left with a wave to Neil and Aaron. Neil watched as the two disappeared, Andrew trailing behind Kevin. Neil’s body buzzed as Andrew looked back, just for a second, but their eyes met and Neil felt himself flush as Andrew turned back to follow Kevin.
—
It wasn’t long after that Neil’s suspicions were confirmed, a tall blonde in his English class was droning on and on about the “Top 10 hottest” at Palmetto High School when she mentioned Kevin.
“I know Kevin,” Neil said abruptly.
Allison rolled her eyes and batted him playfully, “Yea… everyone does. He’s like, hot as fuck.”
Neil thought for a minute. He supposed Kevin was attractive. Tall, broad, emerald eyes. He nodded as he understood what she meant and she continued, “Too bad the monster snatched him up. Don’t know what Kevin wants with him.”
Neil paused mentally, once again. The monster?
“Who?”
Allison said casually, “Andrew, the psycho twin. He and Kevin have been together for like… ever.”
Neil felt something coil in his chest. He wasn’t sure what it was though. Sure he liked Andrew, thought he was interesting and seemed like he’s be fun to talk with… but why would he and Kevin being together make Neil feel… oddly sick. Like his whole stomach had suddenly gone hallow.
“How do you know?” Neil asked, faking nonchalance.
Allison began inspecting her nails as she twisted her hair and replied, “Well he’s the only one who can touch Andrew, plus just look at them,” she said with an airy laugh.
“Oh,” Neil replied, trying not to sound too disappointed.
—
But he was. He was disappointed. It’s not like he and Andrew had spoken much at all, or we’re friends; but something about him made Neil feel warm when they made eye contact. He’d never felt that about anyone. Never any warmth, or want.
But he felt a want for Andrew, he had discovered after several months.
At first he would just look for Andrew in the halls, hope to catch a glimpse of him when he and Aaron were hanging out. But then he started to feel like he had been gutted every time Andrew smirked at Kevin. A part of him wondered if Aaron felt the same.
—
“You ready?” Aaron asked Neil as they put all their gear on for the game.
Neil felt exhilarated, as he always did when they had a game. His body buzzed as he anticipated the game. The team they were playing wasn’t bad nor good, plus it was Friday, so if they won Wymack was letting Kevin have a “small” party.
Neil nodded at Aaron as a grin slid onto his face, “Make sure not to let your mark slip, you know Kevin will get on you for that,” Neil said as they began to head out onto the field. Aaron nodded, “And your mark is big so use your speed, but don’t rush your passes,” he replied.
Before game practice was filled with a light jog and a few simple drills to get them started. By the looks of the other team all they had was muscle, not much skill.
In the huddle, Kevin gave a pep talk, as he always did; he reminded them of the small things, then the larger ones. Packing in a light threat of sprints for a week if they let a team like this get the upper hand.
As soon as the whistle blew, everything else in the world was gone from Neil’s mind. Everything narrowed down to the ball, the field, the other team, and his racket. He ran down the field as he made eye contact with Dan from across the field, she called his name and threw the ball in front of him as a lead. He raced for it, before snatching it with his racket. A few more steps, the other teams goalie squared and bent their knees in position. Neil put all his weight behind the shot as he whipped the ball into the upper right corner. The whistle blew and Dan wrapped her arms around him as they jogged back into place. Kevin knocked sticks and flashed a grin at him as he joined the jog back to the center.
A slight turn of his head to the crowd made his eyes connect with hazel ones. They watched him get into position and Neil felt his chest flutter as his lips began to curl upwards before he forced his mind back on the game.
—
They won and the party was not small.
Neil was never much of a party guy; sure he’s been to like two but each time he and Aaron end up leaving like an hour in because Neil gets overwhelmed. Neil always insists on Aaron staying, but he says he’d rather be with Neil.
The house is charged with an electric energy. Allison is dancing in the middle of the room, she’s spinning a shorter girl with pastel dyed hair tips. Neil watches them dance a bit, wonders if she is on Allison’s top 10, then makes his way to where Kevin is pouring a solo cup of vodka. Did Wymack know? Probably not. He probably thought Kevin was still having a small get together.
Next to Kevin is Aaron who had made his way to Kevin minutes after they get in the door while Neil was pulled to the side by an energetic Matt from the team who said how well he did today.
Aaron is watching Kevin mumble something as he sips his drink with a look on his face only described as admiration, Neil would roll his eyes, but it is kind of sweet to see his best friend stating like Kevin fucking Day is a ball of sunshine.
Aaron soon detaches his eyes from Kevin and his face lights up when he sees Neil.
“Neil!” He shouts as he pushes through several people to get to Neil, Kevin watches with distain as Aaron leaves him to talk to himself and his drink.
“Did you see Andrew? Kevin said he might show but he never mentioned anything.”
Neil fought against the blush rising to his face as he shook his head, “No I haven’t,” he said.
Aaron sighs and walks to the counter where he grabs a solo cup and fills it with some red drink from a pitcher. He drinks it, scowls, then drinks some more.
“He’s taking years from my life.”
Neil snorts, “I think he’ll be fine.”
Aaron rolls his eyes, “Yea until some asshole starts harassing him.”
Neil feels hot anger flare in his stomach, “Do people do that?” He demands.
Aaron nods his head as if its obvious.
“Everyone calls him a monster just cause his apathy of whatever but… I mean he’s not…” Aaron looks pained, “He’s not a fucking monster Neil.”
Neil nods, “I know.”
Aaron takes another, longer drink, then toss’s it to the floor before starting to the back door. Neil follows and doesn’t fail to notice Kevins eyes watching them as they step outside. Weird.
—
“You know… sharks aren’t that bad. Its fucking dolphins you gotta worry about. Those fuckers care about absolutely no one,” Kevin slurs as he talks to the few people sitting around the fire. After one broken lamp, and the house nearly catching on fire from a blunt, Kevin had the team usher everyone else out.
By now its nearly 3am and Aaron is watching Kevin spew about sea animals like its a religion. Neil barely conceals his giggles as Kevin blushes as he catches Aaron’s gaze. Its funny how easily Kevin gets embarrassed.
Its only, Dan, Matt, Aaron, Kevin, Renee, Allison, and Andrew left. Allison because everyone loves Renee and if Renee says Allison is staying… Allison is staying.
Andrew because… well Neil isn’t sure why Andrew stayed but his eyes flick from Aaron, to Kevin, to Neil throughout the night with a hungry gaze that lingers far too long and leaves Neil dizzy in his chair.
“Ok Kevin we get it. But get this-“
“No Allison let him speak,” Aaron says angrily.
Allison turns her head to where Aaron sits and balks at him, “Be quite, short stack, no ones attacking your boyfriend.”
Aaron flushes and stutteres, “What- no, hes not… shut up.” Before sinking into his seat. Kevins face is pale and he looks perhaps sadder than Neil had ever seen him. Neil narrows his eyes. What exactly was going on here?
Renee says calmly, “That was not very nice, Allison. Kevin, please continue. I for one love sharks.”
And so Kevin talked about sea creatures as the rest if them sat there, pretending not to be listening, even though they all were.
Neil let his eyes slip to Andrew and saw him watching Kevin with a warmth in his gaze. Neil felt his chest cave just a little, what did Kevin do to deserve that look?
—
The following Monday at school everyone was talking about the party. How they all had to flee because they almost got the cops called for starting a wildfire, dramatic shit that had Neil and Allison giggling through English. Even Kevin spared a few chuckles as some random guy apologized for nearly getting them all killed.
The whole week was filled with talk of this crazy party that “you just had to be there to understand.” Kevin began getting sick of hearing about his house having to be detoxed because of the chemical toxins the “fire” creates. Because now there was a rumor that the fire did actually happen.
After far too long, the hype died down and people moved on to the next best thing: Allison’s Top 10 and her new girlfriend, Renee being at the top in bold.
Allison made some declaration at lunch that her and Renee decided to make it “official.” Everyone cheered as Allison bowed and continued by saying, “Yes, I know. How could I, the second hottest person at this school, pull the finest, most goddamn perfectly sexy-“
“Ok babe, thank you,” Renee interrupted kindly as blush spread through her face.
—
It had gotten hard. Watching Kevin and Andrew talk privately after practice or in the hallways. Seeing Andrew look at Kevin with such protectiveness and care. Neil wanted Andrew to see him like that. To look at him and have his eyes soften, to look back and smile at Andrew; knowing he had something great. But nooooo, Kevin Day got that. Neil bet that fucker didn’t even see how truly amazing Andrew really was. Didn’t see the way his jaw clenches every time someone checks Aaron during a game or practice, how he narrows his eyes just slightly because he forgets to wear his contacts, how he always has this slight shock cross his face when you meet his gaze that he wasn’t expecting.
Neil was also becoming increasingly suspicious to the way Kevin kept looking at Aaron in a way Neil didn’t question before. He used to think it was sweet; all the ways Kevin cared about Aaron that showed his softer side. But then he noticed all the smiling at him when Aaron wasn’t looking or making jokes just to hear Aaron laugh. What was he doing if he was with Andrew? Yea Aaron’s great, but fuck man you cant just hop twins whenever you feel like it.
So Neil decided to go over to the Dobson house and finally, finally, confess to Andrew… and maybe share his suspicion about Kevin.
—
“Did you know that a man died trying to hug the moon, but fell off his boat and drowned.”
Andrew slammed the door in Neil’s face and Neil let his mouth be pulled into a painful smile. He swore he saw Andrews ears go pink before he shut the door.
Not long after, Aaron was at the door and beaming.
“Hey man!”
“Hey,” Neil replied as he walks into the house. Aaron led the way to where the kitchen smelt of delicious home made breakfast.
Even at home Andrew didn’t look at Neil, just tore apart a pancake as Neil stole glances at Andrew. One time he caught Andrews eyes and grined, thrilled when Andrews eyes went wide and he flushed pink.
Neil was quietly upset when Andrew raced up and locked himself in his room not 5 minutes after Neil showed up. He needed to find a way to talk to Andrew. He was dying to finally say all the things he had wanted to say for months.
Instead, he and Aaron just put on a movie Bee suggested and wrapped up in blankets.
Neil could watch movies with his best friend for hours, but right now, he was just eager to talk to Andrew; that was until he came down the stairs. He grabbed Aaron a blanket at his request then ran off with Kevin. Probably to Sweetie’s. Apparently that was their thing. Neil wanted to gag.
Neil was suffering. Sweating and anxious as he looked from Aaron to the screen.
Before long Aaron got annoyed at the fidgeting, “What, Neil?”
Neil shook his head, “Oh… no its-“
“Spit it out.”
“Um. Well… you know Andrew and Kevin?”
Aaron scowled then nodded.
“Well- I think. I think Kevin might be cheating.” God he wanted to vomit. Especially since the one Neil was talking about was none other than Aaron himself.
Aaron’s eyes narrowed, “Why?” He demanded.
“Well, thats not it,” he said nervously. His whole body felt fizzy, like he might explode.
Aaron’s eyes suddenly went softer and he sat up straighter as he turned to Neil, “Its ok. Seriously, its ok.”
“No, its not.”
God how could he have fallen for his best friends brother? He didn’t want to hurt Aaron, make him feel like he was only jere for Andrew. Didnt want Aaron to hate him, betray him.
“Andrew. I… I like him. Like…like him,” Neil choked out.
The silence was choking Neil. He didnt dare try and meet Aaron’s eyes.
“Thats it?”
Neil looked to his friend who… was smiling.
“You’re not-“
“Angry? Fuck no. I mean… I wish you’d told me but… well Neil, you’re not exactly very secretive about it.”
Neil felt his face go red.
“What?”
Aaron snickered, “Neil, I love you, but, youre always… looking at him. I didn’t want to make assumptions because I know you dont swing but- well I wondered,” he finished.
Neil inhaled and felt his worries begin to fizzle, but then Aaron continued, “Doesn’t mean the first half isn’t bad though. Kevin can not treat Andrew like that. I wont let him.”
“Me neither.”
So Aaron ran upstairs when Kevins car pulled into the driveway.
First, Neil would confess his feelings. Then Aaron would come down to talk about Kevins cheating.
Neil felt his palms sweat as he waited for Andrew to walk through the door; when he didn’t, Neil began to text Aaron.
N: He’s not coming
A: give it a minute.
When the door flew open, Neils eyes snapped up in surprise.
Andrews fists where balled up and his eyes brows pulled together. He looked uncomfortable and very nearly angry.
Fucking Kevin.
Did Andrew know that Kevin liked Aaron? Or did he do something else? Neil was going to find out.
He was up from the couch before Andrew was even through the door.
Hey,” Neil says breathlessly.
“Hey,” Andrew replies. His eyes are trained on the floor. Neil feels his heart pound faster.
Andrew keeps shifting around, growing more and more uncomfortable. Neil wants to wrap him up and tell him its ok. But he cant.
“You look-“ he breathes in. “Are you ok?”
Of course he isn’t ok, look at him.
“Im ok,” Andrew responds. Liar.
But still Neil replies, “good.” He wants to smack himself for saying it.
“Are you ok?” Andrew then asks, and Neil tries to contain his emotions. What the fuck did Kevin do? When he got his hands on that fucker, he was gonna-
“Bye Neil.”
Shit.
He texts Aaron to say the mission failed. He also says he wants to go home.
After that, he thinks its would be better to just keep his feelings and instead let Andrew decide what to do about what Aaron would be telling Andrew at some poing.
When Aaron meets Neil by the door his eyes are scrutinizing. Questioning.
“Kevin did something. I know it.”
Aaron glares up at the steps to where Andrews room is.
“Then lets go talk to him.”
Neil shakes his head, “No i dont- i dont think thats a good idea.”
Aaron takes in Neil, his slumped shoulders and sad eyes, and drives him home.
—
Neil slumps onto the couch and squeezes his eyes shut as he replays the look on Andrew face, how his body was tense, over and over in his mind.
Neil is in the middle of imagining telling Kevin off when theres loud banging coming from the door.
He assumes its Aaron, “Calm the fuck down, Jesus.”
But when he opens the door he finds a breathless, and attractive looking Andrew on his door step.
Neil feels his whole body awaken im that one moment as his eyes focus in on Andrews heaving body.
Then Neil realizes Andrew looks almost…angry. Shit. Does he know Neil has been pining?
“You,” his voice is drenched in venom.
“I-“
“You think im fucking Kevin Day,” he spits, his face twisting.
Neil shifts and feels his face flush, “Uhhh… look its none of my-“
“And you like me.”
Neil feels his whole world suddenly fall around him. His whole body has gone ablaze and he stutters for some response. Andrews eyes are soft and they glow that beautiful hazel as the sun makes his hair shine.
“I- yes,” he confesses.
He is completely, happily caught by sunrise when Andrews mouth suddenly is on his. His mind goes blank as soon as Andrews warm, soft lips press against his. He can feel Andrews whole body, his hands cupping his face as their lips slide together. Andrew quickly rearranges them so he is inside the house and the door is shut. Andrew pushes Neil against the door and Neil hears himself groan. His knees have gone week and jelly like as Andrews tongue slides against Neils. His mouth tingles and his heart feels ready to explode. He is kissing Andrew Minyard. Fuck. Neil pulls Andrew impossibly closer as Andrews fingers grasp at Neils hair in a way that makes his whole body shiver. God he must have died. Or be dreaming. It just cant be real.
But it is.
“So you- you’re not with Kevin?” Neils says as a grin envelopes his face.
“Idiot.” Neil feels his heart melt as Andrews lips meet his again.