Work Text:
Ship:Neil/Andrew/Kevin
Tags: after-university AU, demisexual Neil; traumatized Andrew; mentioned Kevin
Word count: 1258
Warnings: no warnings
Prompt: Negotiations
The two Exy players sat in the cozy living room, staring at each other relentlessly. A heavy question hung in the air, both of them determined to wait until the other started talking first. At last, after annoyingly long minutes, Andrew broke the silence.
“Don’t you want to explain?”
“No.” Neil said plainly. “Don’t you want to answer me?”
“No.”
They continued the silent treatment, seemingly hell bent on spending the day glued to their spots if needed.
“I won't answer until you give me some details.” Andrew drawled as he reclined in his armchair, arms crossed over his chest defiantly.
“And I won't give you any more details until you give me an answer!” Neil smiled mockingly, and combed his fingers through his auburn locks.
“What if I say no?” The inquiry came.
“Then we don’t ever have to talk about it again. Fuck, Andrew, you know I wouldn’t make you justify your decisions.” The redhead huffed in frustration. He waited for a few moments. “Are you saying no?”
“No.”
“Andrew…” Neil said, clearly exasperated now. The man shook his head.
“No detail, no answer.” The blond man raised his eyebrows.
“Fine! Fine. But you will have to hear me out all the way through.” When the other didn’t respond, Neil heaved out a heavy sigh, before trying to gather his thoughts. “So, you know how I have been spending more time with Kevin lately? We never really got along, since we don’t have much in common besides Exy and a traumatic childhood.” He paused for a second when his partner scoffed, but since no actual interruption came, he continued. “Then one time after a late night practice, you disappeared without taking us home from the stadium. And it seemed like a great idea, to go out and have a few drinks. Maybe piss you off, wandering away without consulting you first.”
“When was this?”
“I thought we agreed to no interruptions?”
“You just assumed, Neil. I wonder, when will you learn the difference?” The man mocked.
“Three weeks ago. Thursday.” Neil admitted after he rolled his eyes, not stupid enough to fall into this obvious trap. Arguing with Andrew usually ended in stony silence or heated kisses. Sometimes fistfights.
“Naughty, naughty little boys, Kevin and you. Keeping secrets, conspiring behind my back.'' Andrew's eyes hardened and he clicked his tongue in a condescending manner, but then pressed his lips together and didn't spew any threats, nor did he stand up and walk away. Neil took that as a win.
“We discovered we have another shared interest – you .” If the goalie was taken aback, his face sure didn't show it. “Kevin was drunk and then I had a cocktail-”
“What could have possibly driven The Neil Josten to abandon his trusty waters and mocktails?” Andrew cut in again, gasping as if in horror, but his face and tone stayed comically passive.
“He told me he was interested in you.” That worked pretty damn well to shut the other up. “Has been, for a while now. He isn't just attracted to you, he has feelings, the romantic kind, for you .” The striker emphasized. He was starting to feel like he was talking to a toddler. “Still nothing to add?” The silence stretched uncomfortably.
“I’m waiting for the moral of this little story of yours.”
“You are fucking unbelievable. And an asshole.” Neil groaned, head thrown back so he could rest it against the back of his chair and didn't have to look at the idiot sitting across from him. “I promised Kevin that night that I would not hold this against him, so I’m not. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about it either.” He stood up abruptly to start pacing in front of their small coffee table. He could feel Andrew’s eyes burning into the side of his head, while the gears turned in his head rapidly, trying to figure out the best way to serve his genius idea. This was absolutely not how he planned to do this, damn it! “Listen, it’s the perfect solution!”
“To what problem?”
“To us!” The redhead whirled around, hands thrown wide at his sides. His lover was sitting up straight now, his whole body tense as they held intensive eye contact.
“I don't know about any problems with us .”
“That’s bullshit and we both know it. I… Andrew, I adore how understanding and patient you are. That you don’t get mad when I tell you no. But I can tell how frustrated you get when I’m not in the mood for weeks. I can see it in your eyes when you pull back without hesitation, because there is this sadness and hunger and need in your eyes, and I can’t help you with that. Not as much as you need me.”
“You know that is not an issue for me. I still hate you. More and more every day, in fact.” The man rose to his feet as well, stalking closer.
“I know you won’t force me, Andrew. Here is something you don’t seem to understand though – putting my needs before yours all the damn time will make you despise me in a short while. Hell, I would rather throw myself off a building than tie you to me like that.” He tried to explain, to get it through his partner's thick head. “I won’t let you be miserable in this relationship, Andrew.”
“For your little stories sake, I will entertain your rambling and see if you actually have a point to make. You better make it real good, bunny.”
“I know you find him attractive. Do not interrupt me!” Hissed, when he saw the other open his mouth, most likely ready to argue. “You think he is attractive, you think he is interesting and you know him, Andrew. You trust Kevin.”
“Trust seems like a rather significant exaggeration, but I will let it slide, do go on. Entertain me.”
“Cut the fucking bullshit, and listen to me, you moron.” Neil stepped closer, staring right into the face of the man who saved him, who taught him how to live and love. It was time to return all the favors. “You know Kevin. You trust Kevin. In your book that means you would be open to fucking him, but are holding yourself back because you are loyal to me. And I can't describe how much that means to me, Drew.” His hands lifted of their own accord, but only hovered near the blonde's face, not touching until he got explicit permission. After he got a barely noticeable nod, he gently traced his fingertips along that strong jaw, narrow, straight nose, then those lips pressed into a strict line. “I don’t mind Kevin. I know him, I trust him and I already know his intentions. Now shut up for a bit, think this through rationally, and answer me, Andrew Minyard – would you consider negotiating a polyamorous relationship with me and Kevin?” Silence engulfed them as they stood there, a hair's breadth away, only the barest touch linking them together, keeping them tethered in the moment.
“Why would you do this for me, Neil Josten? Why don’t you just run, like you used to from all your problems before?” Andrew asked quietly, his eyes clear and focused. Neil felt heat rise inside him, his hackles raised in response to the attention diverted his way. He cradled Andrew’s face gently between both of his hands, before responding,
“Because I hate you too, Andrew Minyard. More than anyone or anything I have in my life.”