Archive of Our Own ^beta

“And you want to go to Palmetto? The University with the shittiest Exy Team?” Nathan says, taking a sip at his wine glass, rubbing his temple. Mary was at the other side of the long table cutting up her steak, and choosing to not join their conversation.

“You said I could choose where I wanted to go.” Neil states.

“Well, yes, but I figured you’d choose a decent school. Or at least a school that wouldn’t come with too much attention.” Nathan says calmly, “Who am I kidding though, I think you were born to make my life harder.” He states. “Mary? What do you think?”

“It’s nothing a pack of hair dye and some eye contacts can change. Though, Palmetto? Why not one of the bigger schools. You’re more than capable.” Mary questions.

Neil smiles what people would call the Weninski grin.

“What do you want?” Mary asks, exasperated.

“I was thinking about bringing them together.” Neil explains, “I’ve been watching the games, they’re all so talented it’s insane, but their team work is appalling. Give me a year to fix it, I’ve been bored.”

“What? Cutting up people not enough?” Nathan asks, eyebrow lifted, and wine glass at his lips once again. Neil shrugs and sits down at his own seat, right in the middle of the table between both his parents. Cutting up people and killing them wasn’t necessarily fun, it was quite traumatic, but it was what he had been trained to do, something that once gave him nightmares wasn’t that big of deal to him anymore. He was a killer. He was born to be a killer, and he’d die a killer. For once he’d want to be someone else. Killing was necessary in his family, his dad taught his mother when they’d married and had cut off any ties to other crime empires before building his own. Knowing that his family did sketchy shit, killed people, and were known to be ruthless wasn’t necessarily good for his ego either but what could he do? Killing came easy to him and he was the heir to the empire. He respected his dad for creating such a powerful empire no matter the drugs they dealt, the empires they took down, the horrible people they killed.

  Though, being someone else sounded magical.

For once he didn’t want to be the boy that attended meetings, the boy that had to listen to the drugs they trafficked, the guns and weapons they created or stole or sold. He didn’t want to hear about the corrupted leaders that worked under them of all people. Neil had seen enough important people making deals with his own father to kill off people running against them. How pathetic.

Being a Fox could be freedom for a year. Just that alone was good enough for him.

  “The Foxes have requirements. Your spoiled self doesn’t reach them.” Someone says as they walk into the dining room. He strode over to kiss Mary in the forehead and sends a nod over to Nathan.

“Jeremy! Just the person I was looking for!” Neil grinned, “How do you feel about the Foxes?”

“The ones that overdose or kill themselves once a week?” He asks, sitting down as one of their maids rushes to serve him a plate of food. Jeremy chooses to sit right in front of him on the other side of the table, the same distance between Nathan and Mary.

Nathan looks at Neil appalled. Neil shrugs.

“I’m going there next year, want to come with me?”

“Hard pass.”

“What? Why?”

“Neil, why would I concern myself with Exy when I have shit to do here?”

Nathan nods and tips his wine glass to Jeremy, “My true son.” He deadpans. Neil rolls his eyes at Jeremy puts a hand on his chest and gives Nathan a dramatic awed and sentimental look.

“Okay, well keep things straight here for me until I get back yea?” Neil smiles, but it drops when Jeremy sends him a questioning look, “What?”

“Don’t they have requirements?” Jeremy asks, “To be an orphan or something?”

“What? I can’t just pay them off?” Neil asks, eyebrows furrowed.

“Apparently Wymack, their coach is real specific on who joins their team. You have to have a missing limb or be in the system or be on drugs or something. Not just anyone can—”

“I’ll figure it out.” Neil says with a wave of his hand, “So, can I dad? Can I?” He throws his puppy dog eyes for good measures and sees about everyone looking away from him. They worked on them no matter what they said.

“Just one year.”

“Just one year.” Neil nods.

  *

“Coach Hernandez said you still haven't chosen a school for fall. Works out perfectly, doesn't it? I need a striker sub, and you need a team. All you have to do is sign the dotted line and you're mine for five years.” (Excerpt From The Foxhole Court)

Neil stares at Wymack, pleased. It hadn’t been that hard. People will do anything for money, he’s never stepped a foot in school, having been homeschooled his entire life because of his family name but a little bit of money and Coach Hernandez had been more than willing to send Wymack footage of Neil playing, telling him a little sob story, and getting him here. Nathaniel Weninski was now Neil Josten a brown haired and brown eyed boy with some abusive parents that never made time for their son.

“You can’t be serious.” Neil acts, it’d be too weird to say yes so fast. Even if he’s been waiting for this moment for months.

“Very serious, and very out of time.” The coach says.

“Please go away.” Neil sighs, and sends Hernandez a look when he gives him a questioning glance.

“I need an answer by tonight.” The coach grunts.

Neil sighs and looks and the papers before grabbing one of their pens, “If I sign this will you leave me the fuck alone?”

Wymack mutters a, “Great, another one with an attitude problem.”

Neil lifts a brow and motions, “Well?”

“You become my business the moment you sign those papers. I don’t know what kind of shit you went through but I assure you it won’t happen anymore. I can guarantee a place to sleep and a comfortable life while you’re with me but I can’t guarantee you’ll be left the fuck alone.” Wymack states. Neil shrugs, close enough, and signs the papers.

  *

The moment he gets to Palmetto he feels a racquet to the stomach.

“Whoops, didn’t see you there.” Someone deadpans. And it takes Neil all his might not to body slam the 5 foot blonde who has a blank look on his face.

“Sorry, Andrew doesn’t have any manners. No one told me how good looking you were, I’m Nicky but you are more important—”

“Sorry, Nicky doesn’t have any manners either. Did he break anything?”

Neil is still trying to catch his breathe as his coach looms over him. Eventually he stands and sets off to the dorms, everyone hot on his trail. Though, a brown haired boy struggling with a Couch over him stops him.

Neil helps him.

His name is Matt.

Everyone stares as he helps.

“They usually aren’t this nice. We got lucky.” Someone whispers

“Trust me, he’ll be a fucking problem before we know it.” Someone else hisses.

*

“You’re Kevin Day.” Neil hums, knowing the things the Moriyamas are up to and what they have done to him. Kevin looks like a coward. What a shame.

Kevin looks at him and then looks away not uttering a word.

Rude.

“Aren’t you the one that signed me? Why do you have your mouth shut?” Neil says getting closer to Kevin, his finger shoving into Kevin’s face. He doesn’t fail to see how everyone’s head snaps at him, and then at the blonde who almost broke his ribs.

Suddenly there’s a hand around his neck and he’s being shoved against a wall. He doesn’t panic, why would he? There’s fingertips shoved at his throat and he feels something sharp prick his stomach. Maybe he’d be surprised if he wasn’t The Butchers son, if he wasn’t known as The Slaughterer. He has knives in almost every section of his body, ones in his arms that he can grab in less then a second.

The blonde notices. He blinks, the blank look leaving only for a millisecond before it comes back.

“You’re going with us to Eden’s this week.”

*

Neil wasn’t stupid, he knew what this meant, he was seen as a threat. He’d be given drinks and drugs to get loose and spill all his dirty secrets.

He didn’t like drinking.

Much less getting drugged.

“I’m not drinking that. You drugged it.”

The boys look at him, all of them except Andrew dropping their jaws and glancing at Andrew who only rolled his eyes and sent Nicky to throw the drink away. Nicky was back in a matter of minutes.

“Who the fuck are you? This is the first time—” Aaron starts.

“I’m not fucking stupid.” Neil states, looking at them bored, “You just have to ask me whatever you want to know. I’ll answer to the best of my ability. There’s things you cannot know.” He rolls his eyes and takes a drink of his bottled water.

“Who are you?”

Neil stares, “Neil Josten. Who the hell else?”

Nicky slaps a hand to his forehead.

Andrew smiles, “A little resistant hm? A little birdie told me you come from well off parents. Who’s son are you?”

“That I can’t say, though, what I can say is that it won’t affect any of you who my father is.” Neil deadpans.

“You didn’t answer my question” Andrew states.

“I don’t have to. You know what you need to know. What I am won’t affect any of you, neither good nor bad.” Neil explains, “You need to know if I’ll bring what’s yours in harms way, right? I’m telling you right now, who am I will not put anyone of you in danger.” He states, nodding over to Kevin who went silent.

  They left the place early, and got home for bed. Neil didn’t fail to realize the shocked looks he received.

*

  Neil knew Kevin was in some shit, he didn’t necessarily know to what extent— but his father used to be tied to the Moriyamas, Jean had once been under him too before his father had taken him as one of his. Neil knew Riko and who he was associated with were dicks. He knew how dangerous they were.

  So, when he finds Kevin panicking over them and spiraling about the Moriyamas to Wymack he isn’t surprised.

“Can you wait outside?” Wymack grunts.

Neil shakes his head no and shoves Kevin down on the couch and then shoves Kevin’s face in between his own knees. “Breathe.”

Kevin gasps big breathes in and finally seems to calm Dow after a while of harsh shudders and breathing.

Neil leaves before either can say something.

*

Neil notices the shitty relationship between the twins.

He also notices the fact that Aaron somehow found himself a girlfriend— or well, a soon to be girlfriend. A secret. He notices with the small glances in between games, meetings in places Andrew would rather die then be in— the Library. He soft barely noticeable touches.

It’s nauseating.

He grabs Katelyn one day by surprise and asks her for her number. She looks surprised and then mutters a, “I’m not interested.”

“I don’t swing.” Neil says, “I need you to get Aaron in a meeting with Andrew. They’re fucked up relationship is costing me some peace. They must have made a deal or something right? That’s why you’re hiding it, because Aaron isn’t supposed to be with anyone?”

Katelyn nods mutely and hands him his number.

The twins get a meeting together.

Neil hopes this small push is all he’ll have to do, he hopes to no longer intervene with the twins. They are too annoying for him to handle.

*

Riko is here.

Neil stares.

Neil seethes.

“You know,” Neil starts, “I get it.”

The night ends with Kevin chugging a bottle of Vodka and Neil being yelled at for being irresponsible. Neil can’t help but laugh, God is this what people do when they fear someone? When they do when someone has power over them?

How pathetic.

Neil feels bad and his urge to fix this team just grows stronger. They could be so much more if it weren’t for what got them here. Though, if they got what they deserved they wouldn’t be the same people. They’re strong, Neil will give them that.

*

  Seth is dead.

Andrew thinks it’s because of what Neil told Riko back at the party. Neil agrees, and though he feels guilty for opening his mouth he finds himself not regretting it. Though, meeting Allison’s eyes has become a challenge as the days pass by.

One night he finds her on a curb, crying and he takes a seat next to her.

“It wasn’t your fault.” He states, “Seth was a dick and a druggie but Riko got to him before I could.” Neil explains, “I’m sorry for not protecting him as well as I should have.”

Allison looks at him, “We told him not to go out after you said those things to Riko. He ignored us. It isn’t your fault.”

Neil sighed and nodded, “Allison?”

Allison looks at the stars but nods to let Neil know she’s listening.

“You’re more then what people expect you to be. Don’t think Seth’s death is on you either, he was idiotic. Promise me you’ll live your life how you want to without these things weighing you down?”

Allison gives him a shocked looks, “How did you—”

“Please, the pink convertible? The last name Reynolds? The blonde hair? It was gossip among the people when you suddenly stopped showing up at meetings.”

“People? You’re parents were acquainted with mine?”

Neil snorts, “Allison, my parents are aquatinted with everyone.”

Allison smiles, “You the heir to some big business too? You understand me then.” She whispers

“More then you could fathom.” He nods, “That’s why I want you to know that you need to get through this team, Allison. I need you to put aside the differences between the team and the monsters.”

Allison scrunches her nose, “Why the hell should I—"

“Allison, you can make Court. Don’t let your talents go to waste because a team that’s all over the place can’t secure a right relationship.”

Allison sighs, “Are you majoring in fucking psych or something?”

Neil shrugs, “I’m more of a math person.”

“I will never understand you.” Allison says, “I’ll stop with the comments, I’ll make sure to get the others on board. I haven’t missed the fact you got the twins into sessions Neil. You here to fix the team or what?”

“Something like that.”

*

“I’ll protect Kevin. You deserve to not be completely high on drugs all day everyday.” Neil says from the couch in the locker room as he inspects his nails. When was the last time he and his mother had gotten pedicures done? When was the last time he and Jean had hung out?

Andrew looked at him with a blank expression but a crazy smile was sewn across his face.

“And how do I know you’ll do that properly?”

“I promise you I’ll keep him safe.” Neil flashes him a look and Andrew nods. They had come to an understanding, Neil knew things but didn’t impose and left Kevin to Andrew, Neil was down to fight for what was Andrews without a deal with Andrew of his own, Neil was the one that got Aaron to have therapy sessions with Andrew.

“Hm? Promise? How do I know you won’t break it?”

Neil flashes him a grin, “You know better then to not trust me, Andrew.”

Andrew nods.

The rest of the team enters the locker room, Matt chatting away with Nicky and Aaron nodding along.

Allison looks pleased. Neil notices she’s kept her promise.

“Oh look, the rest of the misfits.” Andrew states.

“Missed us, Andrew?” Allison responds, eye twitching. Neil would have to thank her endlessly before he left for dealing with them.

Andrew looks over at her with a blank expression, “Don’t die over break, I’m tired of cleaning up messes.”

Neil can tell Allison takes that as a win.

“Speaking of! Neil where are you going?” Matt asks, concerned, “You can always come to my place too Aaron and Nicky are coming with me.”

Neil waves him off, “I’m fine.”

Renee looks him over.

“Actually.” Neil nods, “I’m taking over Andrew’s babysitting while he’s getting his shit sorted out. Kevins going with me to one of my parents houses in Europe.”

“One of my parents houses in Europe he says” Nicky mutters, “What’s it like being rich you bastard?”

“Incredibly liberating.” Neil states with a shrug.

*

“Dude, how loaded are you?” Kevins asks, “This is a fucking mansion.”

“You should see our actual home.” Neil says, “They’re busy with work so no one will be here the entire time.”

“You don’t celebrate thanksgiving with your family?” Kevin questions, “I would have stayed with Wymack and Abby is Andrew wasn’t so adamant with sending me over with you.”

Neil waves a hand over, “Don’t give me that sad pitying look my family just doesn’t do holidays. Always thought it was a waste of time.”

Kevin looks at him, eyebrow raised.

“We bond over different things.”

“Like?”

Neil thinks, “Pedicures.”

“You’re joking.”

“Have you seen my nails? My mother is the strongest person I know but even then she insists to get a pedicure done every week, insists in me going and gossiping with her.”

“She sounds kind.”

Neil thinks for second the house is silent, “She isn’t.” He mutters, “Though she could be so much worse.”

Kevin nods, “And your dad?”

Neil shakes his head, “That’s enough.”

“Okay.”

They spend the break watching ridiculous movies in the theater , swimming in the indoor pool, playing games in the gaming room, and practicing in the court Neil’s parents had built in. Kevin found himself having the best time of his life without ever leaving the mansion, he found himself for once feeling safe.

*

“He’s loaded.” Kevin says to his team as they get ready for the first time after practice. Andrew would come back in two weeks.

“Okay from like CEO type level rich to Reynolds rich, how rich is he?” Nicky asks.

“Nicky.” Kevin says, shaking his head.

“He’s richer then Allison?” Dan asks, jaw dropping. Kevin nods.

“Why is life so unfair?” Aaron mutters.

Renee pats his shoulder, “Tell me about it.”

“Kevin, you have to tell us about it.” Allison says, “What was his family like?”

“His family didn’t come over at all, it was just us two the entire time. Besides the servants and stuff.”

“Servants?” Matt questions.

“People came and cooked for us and like cleaned our messes. Neil said he didn’t like it but that his parents always sent people to do it anyway.” Kevin says shrugging, “They called Neil “Sir”, can you believe that?”

  The team jumped as the doors opened.

“What?” Neil asks, coming from the bathroom where he always changed.

“We’re just talking about how loaded you are.” Aaron states.

“Bonding over his insane my parents are for still sending servants? Kevin was absolutely floored.”

“Yea actually.” Allison states at the bonding comment and she motions for Dan to talk, “Guys, remember our team sessions with Bee are being switched to afternoon now that are practices are going to be in the morning.”

The team groaned but nodded nonetheless.

Neil failed to hide his grin.

Their teamwork was improving.

*

Andrew was back. His crazed smile was no longer there and his eyes though clear were still emotionless. He gave a once-over Kevin and nodded towards Neil who nodded back.

“You kept your word.” Andrew states.

“I keep my word. More so if it’s for you.”

Andrew stares.

Neil stares back.

*

“You should invite the team for the party at Eden’s.”

“The Christmas Party.” Andrew states. “No.”

Neil sighs, “There was a Halloween party and you didn’t invite them then. Why not take the entire team to Edens? One big Party before our second break?”

“Edens is for what’s mine.” Andrew states.

“And I’m yours?” Neil snorts, “Why do I go?”

Andrew stays silent.

Neil stares.

Andrew stares.

“You like me.” Neil states.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Andrew chooses to stay silent.

“I don’t swing.” Neil reminds Andrew to who nods. “I can’t fathom being with someone.” Neil explains, “Doesn’t that bother you?”

“A lot of things about you bother me. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t blow you.”

Neil nods, and stares.

Andrew breaks the eye contact first.

*

  “Want to go to Eden’s with us tomorrow night?” Andrews asking in his monotone voice. Eyes showing no emotion.

The team’s jaws would be on the floor if it wasn’t for their hard work to keep their faces as natural as possible.

“Can we?” Renee asks, head tilting to the side.

“I would be asking if you couldn’t.” Andrew states.

Alison nods, “Shopping spree on me!”

*

The night ends with all of them stumbling into Wymacks apartment, feet blistered from dancing all night, words slurred from the endless supply of alcohol, and smiles bright from what seemed to be the first ever night where they were all together and happy.

Neil, the only one who hadn’t drunk was smiling as he directed everyone into the couches. Andrew himself had been tipsier then usual, Neil had promised him a quiet reassurance to keep him safe and get him home, that Andrew could drink all he wanted with him around.

Wymack stared at them. Abby and Betsy sat on the couch as Neil stuffed them all in a room, Andrew being taken into another one alone from them all.

“If people didn’t know better they’d think you were their coach.”

“Just making sure they got home in one piece. I would take them to their dorms but that’s so much more work then just stuffing them all in here.” Neil explains.

“You sure a big sleepover isn’t another way to get them to be closer?” Betsy commented. Neil disliked her, but he nodded regardless. “Thank you, for taking such good care of them.”

“I just need them to win.” Neil states.

The adults stared at him and he smiled before walking towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Wymack asked

“The dorm?”

“The teams here. You stay here.”

Neil tilted his head and nodded, going to Andrews room where he laid a blanket in front of the locked door and slept.

The following morning he’s poked away. He flinches hard and launches for a weapon that isn’t there.

“Sorry.” Andrew eyes him, “When you said you’d keep me safe I didn’t know you would also sleep at my door.”

Neil shrugs, “I keep my word. Nobody touches you if you’re with me. If I’m here.”

Andrew tilts his head and eyes him carefully. “Can I kiss you?”

Neil looks at his eyes and then his lips.

He nods.

“Yes or no, Neil? I need a verbal response.”

“Yes.” Neil nods.

Andrew kisses him and Neil thinks back to the girls and guys that he’s kissed, and how much they sucked compared to this.

*

  “We need you home, Jean got himself into a bad situation and Lola got him out but he’s in bad shape.” His mom says through the phone.

They had a game against the Trojans, one of the tops schools and this win had been a hard fight. Neil wished he could celebrate it with them as they slammed their lockers and screamed and celebrated amongst each other. Andrew himself had been dragged in the cheering by Aaron, though he wasn’t doing much else besides standing there silently in the middle of the huddle.

Matt’s eyes widen and scan the locker room, his sweat dripping everywhere and he opens his mouth to scream for Neil to join but Neil holds up a finger and Matt notices Neil’s fear-stricken face. Matt stands from his huddled position and goes silent, the rest of the foxes notice, standing and falling silent as Neil paces slightly.

“Is he okay?” Neil asks, suddenly insecure at the thought of the foxes hearing this conversation. He switches to French, a language he knew they all didn’t know. “What happened?” He asks

“Your father sent him on a mission to get the people working against the Prince, they got him for a few days—”

“Days? Why didn’t you call me?!” Neil screams, his fathers lacking temper making an appearance. He sees Allison flinch.

“Neil it was under control. Sending you would have just made things worse if you were both taken by them. Lola got him, he’s safe now.” His mother reassured, her voice calming him. Neil sighed.

“I’ll be there by tomorrow, mom.”

“Okay, Abram.”

Neil hangs up and grabs his things.

“Neil, what’s wrong?” Nicky asks quickly.

“Something happened to my brother. Need to be home tomorrow, I’m booking a flight for tonight so don’t wait up for me.” Neil says quickly, gathering all his things.

“Neil do you want us to—”

Neil’s temper was getting harder to control but he sighed and repressed to urge to yell.

“Just—just leave me alone for a bit, yea?” Neil smiles tightly, “I just need to make sure he’s alive and then it’ll all be good. I’ll be back soon.” And with that he leaves, the team looking at him with pitying stares, but before he leaves he hears Nicky.

“Wait, brother? He has a brother?”

Neil represses the urge to snort.

*

“You’re fucking insane.” Is the first thing Neil says to Jean who’s laid in his room, being checked by their family doctor.

“It was just a mission that went south. It’s happened before why are you so surprised this time?” Jean asks as Neil sits on Jeans bed. The doctor gives them a curt nod and leaves the room.

Neil sighs, “I haven’t seen you in a while.”

 “Yea, I forgot to dyed your hair and put contacts in I almost didn’t recognize you.” Jean jokes but Neil stays silent.

“Neil you’re always welcomed home, you know that right?” Jean asks quietly, motioning for Neil to lay with him.  Neil scoots closer to the male who starts running his fingers through Neil’s hair.

“I thought I lost you after months of not seeing you.” Neil explains, “All for what? For a stupid sport? Jean, tell me if you need help I’ll stop and come back—”

“Neil, you deserve a break after constantly having to deal with this. I’m fine. I can tell you’re happy.” Jean smiles, “found yourself someone?”

“Oh shut up.” Neil says not being able to stop the blush that spread across his face and neck, “Are you really okay?” He asks

Jean nods, “Just got slashed and burned across the back a bit, nothing too bad.”

Neil nods.

Jean looks away, “And they gave me a concussion, broke my leg in two different places, and stabbed me.”

Neil looks at Jean, his eyes glimmering with tears he only ever let Jean see.

“Abram, I’m safe. That’s all that matters.” He smiles, wiping away Neil’s tears.

“Go back to your foxes tonight, okay? Let them know you’re good.”

Neil wipes away his tears, “yea, okay.”

*

The following day he’s back at the fox tower sporting red eyes and dark bags under them.

“Jesus Christ” Nicky, “Neil are you okay? What happened? You ran off and didn’t text anyone—”

Neil nods, “sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry for that.” Matt says, “Are you okay? What happened?”

Neil sighs, the whole team was in the Monsters suite hanging out. He’d been hoping they were all out so he could be alone, but he guessed he hasn’t been having the best of luck recently.

“My brother got into an accident, got hurt.” Neil explains and doesn’t miss the glances the twins give each other. They must understand better than anyone.

“Is he okay?” Allison asks

Neil looks away from them and drops his bag, “He will be, eventually. I’m just angry I wasn’t there to stop it.”

“You wouldn’t have been able to.” Andrew pipes up, “We never are.”

Neil shrugs and throws himself on the couch, “I’m exhausted.”

“Everyone out! Let’s leave Neil to rest!” Nicky yells, and Neil doesn’t get a word out before his eyes slump closed.

*

“I get angry when I think about what Aaron’s been through.” Andrew speaks.

Neil looks at him and Andrew sits on the couch where Neil lays awake now after a five hour nap.

“But you should know not everything that happened to your brother is on you. Bee says so.”

Neil looks at him with a raised brow.

“Just because you’re terrified of psychologists doesn’t mean I am.”

“Andrew, Fuck off.”

“Neil, yes or no?”

“Yes, Andrew it’s always Yes.”

*

   The Winter Banquet comes and apparently the people now knew better then to sit the Ravens with the Foxes.

Kevin was beyond nervous and Neil pitied him, though a small pinch at Neil’s side by Andrew reminded him to stay put in his seat and not get into any trouble.

  So,

Neil ended up punching Riko in the face.

Riko cornered Neil until he got a good look at face to which he promptly shoved himself off him. His face was pale and Neil couldn’t help by grin.

“You’re the Butchers son.”

“Yes.” Neil nods, “And you are Riko. What would your father say if he knew what you were doing right now? If he knew you dared touched The Butchers son?”

Riko falls on his knees. “Forgive me, had I known it was you—”

“But you didn’t.” Neil starts, “Riko, leave now while I give you the chance. My looks is not all I got from my father. I resemble him I’m many more ways the just my appearance, I promise you.”

Riko gulps and takes quick strides to the door where he told all the Ravens to get up and leave.

“What the hell was that? The Butchers Son?” Kevin questions, “I thought he was just a myth—”

“Looks like the cats out of the bag.” Neil shrugs, “Let’s go the party’s a bust.”

Kevin nods and finds himself back by Andrew who’s in a mostly one sided conversation with Allison. Neil nods over and Kevin whispers an explanation to Wymack.

*

“You’re the who?”

Neil rolls his eyes, “I would have rather not told you all anything because the plan was to get you all to work together and stop being a shit team—”

“Hey!” Nicky yells.

“And my business and family have nothing to do with you all so it really didn’t matter, but Kevin knows now and I figured it wouldn’t be fair to him to be forced to keep it a secret. Though you’ll all have to unless you want to be dead.”

  Wymack eyes him.

“My dads a famous Mobster, he’s known as The Butcher.“

“That literally means nothing to us.” Aaron states, his voice as grading as ever.

“Riko touched me and got on his knees the moment he realized who I was. I knew what was up between Kevin and The Moriyamas but I didn’t know the full extent of it until Seth died. I should have let you all know,

Maybe it would have been stopped.”

Allison shakes her head no, “He was stubborn. He would have died some way or another.”

“So, you’re telling me.” Wymack starts, “Riko is afraid of you?” He grins.

Neil sighs, “He’s afraid of what my father could do.”

“And what can your father do?” Wymack asks.

“He can do a lot.” Neil states, “The Moriyamas are their own empire but in terms of status my father goes far beyond them.”

“Would it be possible to ask your dad to kill Riko?” Allison asks. The entire team looks at her. “What?” She asks, “He’s literally a Mobster? Can’t you rile up your dad by telling him Riko touched you or something.”

Neil sighs, “I’m not sure how that would go in the terms or my father’s negotiations with them. I can talk with him over Christmas I suppose.”

“How about we all go?” Nicky asks, “Neil please! I’ve never been in a mansion before!”

Neil eyes him, “You would voluntarily go into a Mobsters house? You know we’ve all got blood on our hands, right? I think the carpet is still stained with blood actually.” Neil starts.

“He wouldn’t kill us with you there, right?” Nicky asks

“I guess not, but—”

“Christmas at Neil’s!”

Everyone cheered before Neil could say much else.

*

“Kevin this is a castle.” Wymack pans.

“Oh my god.” Allison gushes.

“Dude you’re so going to be my Sugar Daddy, I’ll give you anything.” Matt promises.

“Dude you didn’t tell us you live in a fucking castle.” Aaron states.

Neil sighs heavily and made them all follow him where maids gathered up their luggage and coats and ushered them in.

“Okay remember don’t mention anything before I get to—”

“ABRAM!” Someone yells before snatching Neil up from the floor and body slamming them on the floor. Andrew was over Jean immediately, knife at his throat.

“Woah there blondie. No harm done.”

“Andrew get off him he’s my brother.”

Andrew tsks and pats the dust off Neil and he helps Neil stand up.

“Glad to see you all made it, the rides must have been long.” Jean smiles. “I’m Jean, Neil’s brother.” He shakes Wymacks hand, “You must be their coach, I’m so thankful you gave him an opportunity to play for your school he gushed about you all for hours upon hours upon days and months.”

“Yea about how bad y’all were.” Neil informs, kicking Jean in the stomach and sending his brother a glare as he wheezed out a laugh. “Where’s mom and dad?”

“They’re busy, in the meanwhile why don’t I get you all settled into your rooms? I was told hon were all spending the entire Christmas break here?”

“Yea” Kevin nods, as the team follows suit.

 They walk around the house and suddenly Nicky screeches, “Neil is that you! You’re a fucking red head?”

 Neil sighs and mentally prepares himself for an explanation.

*

Eventually they all sat at the long table and chatted away and eventually both Mary and Nathan made their way to their designated chairs.

“I apologize, we had to deal with something regarding work.” Nathan explains.

“It’s all fine.” Wymack nods.

“So care to explain why you brought your entire damn team home for Christmas, Nathaniel?” Mary asks, blunt as ever.

Neil flinches slightly, “Uh, I had a favor to ask for.”

“You haven’t been home in months and stopped working in the family business to go pursue your silly dream to come and ask for a favor?” Nathan laughs, “Nathaniel, had I known you’d turn out this way I would have already made Jean take over the business instead of waiting around stupidly for you.”

  Neil gulps, “You’ll have me back in a few more months.”

“I’m well aware.” Nathan nods, cutting up his steak, “And your favor?”

“What would it take for you to kill the Moriyamas, Riko specifically.”

Nathan stops and stares at his son, “Did he touch you?”

Neil nods, “We argued, I through the first punch, he pushed me up against a wall until he noticed who I was.”

“And he apologized on his knees?” Nathan asks.

“Yes, sir.”

“I could have him killed as soon as possible. The  Moriyamas work for us, I could have him killed by merely looking at either of you.” He looks at Neil and Jean, “with any sort of malice.”

“So can—” Neil starts.

I

“Under one condition.”

Neil groans, “I’ll do it.”

Nathan nods, “It’ll be arranged then.”

“What what?” Wymack states, “What’s the deal?”

Nathan and Neil stare at each other and Jean opens his mouth, “My brother has to finally stop with his shenanigans and finally lead this empire like he’s always supposed to have been.”

“What?” Allison asks, “But he wants to play Exy.”

Nathan looks at her questioningly, “You of all people should know better Mrs. Reynolds. Certain people have more expectations then others.”

Allison shakes her head, “But what’s life if you’re not doing what you desire to do?”

“Yea! You’re son has a real talent for Exy, he’s bound to be recruited for professional Exy.” Nicky pipes in.

“Nathaniel please don’t tell me you’re teammates have taught you differently then what I have.” Nathan says gruffly.

“No father, they just weren’t aware of my circumstances nor my responsibilities as your son.” Neil explained through gritted teeth.

“Good.”

“Can someone pass me the green beans?” Someone mutters with a mouthful of chicken and vegetables. Neil looks to realize it was Aaron that broke the silence.

“So, you’ll kill them?”

“Yes.”

*

“Are you really going through with this?” Jean asks him in quiet French.

“What other choice do I have? This team is quite literally being tormented by him.”

“So what? You’d ruin your life just to make theirs easier?”

“Exactly.”

“Neil. You know what the plan was.”

“Dad wouldn’t want me to not carry on the family name, Jean. You know that.”

“What if you didn’t?”

“What do you mean?”

“Neil.” Jean whispers.

“Oh.”

*

  Neil would like to say that being a murderer wasn’t ever exactly his Dream career course . That among the things his father has expected of him at a young age was that he would inherit the empire and not only keep it going, but strengthen it, make it bigger and better. Make the family name proud.

  Neil and his family had always been what Neil would say mediocre. They weren’t a happy regular family, it wasn’t possible to be one when his father was the leader of a Mobster Empire and his mother was a trained assassin that’s been by his fathers side since they were married off to each other.

Jean, his brother, has always been respectful of the family name despite him really being a Moreau. Nathan had rescued him from being a lap dog for the Ravens and Riko, his father has never explained why. He has never explained why of all the people he saved Jean or why he didn’t save Kevin or any other person that were getting their lives ruined in the nest.

Jean has been officially adopted shortly after Nathan had grabbed him from the nest, and Jean had met Neil when they were little and didn’t hit it off whatsoever.

Nathan has told them both before that they were both rowdy and didn’t get along, that Neil wasn’t used to someone so timid and annoying all at once. That they constantly clashed among themselves, that was until Jean have him a piggy back ride back to the house after Neil had climbed a tree and fallen off it. Jean had been whispering at Neil that he would be okay, that he shouldn’t worry, that he would get him back to his mommy.

  Neil doesn’t remember it, but Jean makes sure to remind him.

Neil had never been interested in continuing the empire, Jean was not only interested but felt indebted to the Weninski name. Felt proud of being a Weninski, and wanted to carry it on and make it the most powerful name out there.

  His family loved about that about Jean, love as much as they could for being a Mobster family.

His family was beyond normal, they used to slaughter animals in their free time to help Jean and Neil practice. They’d throw them both into missions they weren’t either ready for and tell them to fend for themselves and to kill the target. They grew and became stronger but at what cost?

His family could be worse, Neil agreed. Neil knew it could be so much worse considering the things his teammates have told him. Neil not once felt unsafe with his parents, and although scars littered his body they were at the hands of his targets and never his parents.

His mom and him liked going to get pedicures. His dad and him talked strategy. Jean and him threw goddamn baseballs and footballs at each other sometimes.

Jean was strong but Neil had sometimes wished he’d been adopted by another family. The scars that littered his brothers body made him freeze sometimes, though they were the same as Neil’s he felt incredibly uncomfortable when looking at them. He’d wanted Jean out of this, even if Jean didn’t necessarily want out. Jean though, Jean was stronger than Neil ever would be.

The family meeting was called.

Their guest would be sleeping in their room and his entire family was gathering upstairs in their family meeting room where the overlooked the snowy mountains.

  “What are we discussing?” Mary says.

“I knew it was too easy to be true. What do you two want now?” Nathan asks going over to the vodka and whiskey. “Want a glass, Mary?”

“Yes, please.”

Nathan grabs two glasses and pours, and goes to sit in his respective seat before crossing his leg over the other.

“We came to talk to you about the heir to the empire, Sir.” Jean says, “What would it take to give me the empire instead of your son?”

“You both are my sons, Jean.” Nathan states. “There was never a specific person that was going to be the heir instead you both were going to lead together. Are you saying you don’t want that be the case?”

“Sir, I want to play Exy professionally.” Neil states, his voice stern.

“Oh?”

“I was thinking, of making Jean inherit the empire, and giving you a percentage of my earnings as a player. As a token of respect I want to help in a different way. My earnings would go into the empires cause.” Neil explains.

“Neil, you never told us you didn’t want to inherit the empire.” Mary states.

“I thought it was a given. But now, I don’t want it to be.”

“Neil,” Mary laughs, “If you don’t want to work for the family you don’t have to. Keep your money for all we care.”

“You don’t care?” Neil asks, surprised.

“Of course we care.” Nathan says, “It’s a shame, but why would I want someone that doesn’t want to carry on our family name to inherit the empire. You’d probably make it crumble because of your utter disinterest.” Nathan rolls his eyes.

“So,….I can play Exy?”

“Yes, Junior.” Nathan sighs, “Jean you want to inherit, yes? This isn’t just because this excuse of a son doesn’t want to?”

“I’ve always wanted to, Father.” Jean smiles.

“Then that’s that.”

“Wait what?” Neil asks.

“What? I have to get up early and go kill a person that dared touch my child. Do you have something else to say or are you just wasting my time now?”

“No that’s all!” Neil exclaims and runs back to Andrews room.

Andrew tilts his head, “How’d it go?”

“Andrew, I think it couldn’t have gone better.” Neil smiles, “Yes or no?”

“Yes” Andrew hums and Neil drapes himself over Andrews lap, kissing him endlessly.

  *

“Can you please tell me why Neil’s trending on Twitter?”

“He bad mouthed a dead person.” Wymack groans, “even in the afterlife Riko makes sure we’re utterly fucked.”

“Oh SHIT! IS THAT MY CAR? WHAT IS HE DOING WITH THAT BRICK? NO-NO- SOMEONE CALL 911!” Matt yells as he stops looking through his window and sprints out the door.

The team gets up from their places on the floor from doing each others nails and looks through the window.

“There goes the Maserati.” Andrew winces, “Aaaand they’re putting a dead fox in there. Great.” Nicky gags.

The turn to Neil who’s painting his toenails, “what?”

“My cars fucked because of you! Can’t you close your mouth for one second?” Aaron seethes.

Neil waves him off, “Just get another one?”

“Neil do you know how much cars cost?”

Neil thinks and then shrugs, “Not sure. They sometimes just appear around the house.”

“This whole mess made me forget Neil’s fucking loaded.” Nicky groaned, “Neil us common folk can’t just buy another car!”

“Then I’ll give you all one, we have more then enough.”

The team shuts up at that one.

*

“I apologize my good for nothing brother got all your cars ruined. You can choose from any of these.” Jean exhales and sends a dirty look at Neil.

“It was one comment about Riko probably playing chicken with demons! Let me live!” Neil yells.

“Is that a fucking Lamborghini Veneno?”

“I call dibs on the Bugatti.” Andrew says while pointing at the Bugatti La Voiture Noire.

*

  Andrew sighs and touches the interior of his new car as Neil climbs in the passenger seat.

“You haven’t even eaten dinner yet. Do you seriously like this car that much to not want to leave it?” Neil huffs out a laugh.

“Shut up.”

“Yes or no?” Neil asks

“Yes” Andrew answers, dragging Neil onto his lap and kissing him senselessly.

*

  Dan stands at the table, wine glass in hand with a fork tapping on it.

“So, We’re Champions.” Dan smiles, and the team cheers and whoops. “Firstly, I want to thank Wymack who’s stuck with us for this long without having an aneurism.”

“I’m pretty fucking close.” Wymack grunts, but a smile is planted on his face.

“Secondly, I want to thank Abby and Beaty who have dealt with all our scars and problems.” She smiles, “We might not say it often but we’re all incredibly grateful for you two.”

The ladies smiled, wiping their tears away.

“And Lastly, I want to thank Neil, who came to us this year and set off a storm.” Dan says and the team laughs, “Neil, I don’t know how you did it but you got the twins to be civil, you got Allison to play nice, you got everyone to get along. And you dealt with our enemies.” Dan says, “This is Neil’s championship just as much as ours despite him being a freshmen. I’m excited to see how we’ll be next year with you, and I can’t wait until your and upperclassmen and see what you do for the Foxes. Thank you.”

The team cheers and pat Neil, sending him smiles and grins.

Neil couldn’t have felt prouder.