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Neil Josten had been at Palmetto State University for a year and a half, and if someone had told him at the beginning that he’d end up as roommates with Andrew Minyard, he would’ve laughed in their face. Now, as he sat on the couch in their shared apartment, he found it ironic how much things had changed. Andrew was in the kitchen, preparing their dinner, and Neil couldn’t help but watch him. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the bubbling sound of a pot simmering on the stove were strangely comforting.
"You're staring," Andrew said without looking up from his task. His voice was flat, devoid of any emotion, but Neil had learned to recognize the nuances in Andrew’s tones over time.
Neil blinked, realizing he had indeed been staring. "Just wondering when the food will be ready," he lied.
Andrew snorted. "Liar."
Neil's lips twitched into a small smile. Andrew had a way of seeing through him, cutting through his defenses with an ease that was both terrifying and thrilling. It had been that way since the beginning, but lately, Neil found himself caring less about hiding and more about just being around Andrew.
"Do you need any help?" Neil offered, shifting on the couch.
Andrew shot him a glance, his gold eyes narrowing slightly. "Since when do you help in the kitchen?"
"Since now," Neil replied, standing up and walking over to the counter. He grabbed a knife and started slicing a bell pepper, trying to mimic Andrew's precise movements.
For a few minutes, they worked in silence, the only sounds being the chopping and sizzling of food. Neil found the silence comfortable, a stark contrast to the awkwardness he usually felt around people. With Andrew, he didn't need to fill the void with meaningless chatter.
"You suck at this," Andrew commented, watching Neil's uneven cuts.
Neil shrugged. "I'm better at cutting through defenses."
Andrew's lips quirked up in the slightest of smiles, and Neil felt a warmth spread through his chest at the sight. It was rare to see Andrew smile, and even rarer to be the cause of it.
Dinner was ready soon enough, and they sat down at the small table in their apartment. Neil took a bite of the stir-fry and let out a contented sigh. "This is good."
Andrew didn't respond, but Neil saw the faint hint of satisfaction in his eyes. They ate in silence, but it was a companionable silence, the kind that spoke of an understanding between them.
After dinner, they settled back on the couch, Neil flipping through channels on the TV while Andrew read a book. Neil found his attention drifting away from the screen and back to Andrew. The way Andrew's brow furrowed in concentration, the way he absentmindedly chewed on his bottom lip—it was all so mesmerizing.
"Why do you keep staring at me?" Andrew asked without looking up.
Neil felt a flush creep up his neck. "Just... thinking."
"About?"
Neil hesitated. He had always been good at keeping his thoughts to himself, at building walls around his emotions. But with Andrew, those walls seemed to crumble so easily. "About us," he finally admitted.
Andrew closed his book, setting it down on the coffee table. He turned to face Neil, his expression unreadable. "What about us?"
Neil took a deep breath. This was it. "I think... I think I like you."
Andrew's eyes narrowed. "Like me how?"
"Like, more than a friend," Neil said, his heart pounding in his chest. "More than a teammate."
For a moment, Andrew just stared at him, and Neil braced himself for the rejection he was sure would come. But then Andrew leaned closer, his gaze intense. "You're an idiot," he said, but there was no malice in his voice.
Neil's brow furrowed. "What?"
Andrew sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've known for a while," he said quietly. "I was just waiting for you to figure it out."
Neil's eyes widened. "You knew?"
Andrew nodded. "You're not as good at hiding your feelings as you think."
Neil let out a breathless laugh, relief flooding through him. "So... what now?"
Andrew reached out, his fingers brushing against Neil's. It was a small gesture, but it sent a jolt of electricity through Neil. "Now," Andrew said, his voice soft, "we see where this goes."
Neil smiled, intertwining his fingers with Andrew's. "Yeah," he said. "I'd like that."
The days that followed were a whirlwind of confusion and clarity for Neil. Living with Andrew had always been an exercise in patience and understanding, but now there was an added layer of complexity. Neil found himself hyper-aware of Andrew's presence, his touches, and the way he spoke. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a new dimension to their relationship that Neil hadn't fully comprehended before.
One evening, after a particularly grueling practice, Neil collapsed onto the couch, groaning as he stretched out his sore muscles. Andrew followed suit, sitting beside him and handing him a cold bottle of water.
"Thanks," Neil muttered, taking a grateful sip.
Andrew just nodded, his gaze fixed on the TV. They watched in silence for a while, the only sound being the low hum of the program playing in the background. Neil found his attention drifting from the screen to Andrew once again. He watched the way Andrew's eyes flickered with interest at certain scenes, the way his lips pressed into a thin line during tense moments. It was all so fascinating to Neil.
Without thinking, Neil reached out and took Andrew's hand in his. Andrew glanced at him, raising an eyebrow but didn't pull away. Instead, he laced their fingers together, a small but significant gesture that made Neil's heart skip a beat.
"You're being clingy," Andrew remarked, though there was no bite to his words.
"Is that a problem?" Neil asked, his voice softer than usual.
Andrew shook his head. "No. Just... different."
Neil smiled, leaning his head against Andrew's shoulder. "Different can be good."
Andrew didn't respond, but Neil felt him relax slightly, a subtle shift that spoke volumes. They stayed like that for a while, finding comfort in each other's presence.
As the days turned into weeks, Neil and Andrew settled into a new routine. They still bickered and argued, still pushed each other to their limits on the court, but there was an underlying current of affection that hadn't been there before. It was in the way Andrew would make sure Neil ate enough, in the way Neil would check on Andrew after a nightmare. It was in the small, seemingly insignificant moments that made Neil realize just how much he cared for Andrew.
One night, as they were getting ready for bed, Neil couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the way things had turned out. He glanced over at Andrew, who was brushing his teeth with his usual intensity, and felt a warm swell in his chest.
"Hey, Andrew?" Neil called out.
Andrew spat out his toothpaste and looked at Neil, his expression questioning. "What?"
Neil walked over to him, wrapping his arms around Andrew's waist and pulling him close. Andrew stiffened for a moment before relaxing into the embrace.
"I just... I wanted to say thank you," Neil said softly.
Andrew frowned. "For what?"
"For everything," Neil replied. "For being here. For putting up with me. For... caring."
Andrew's eyes softened, and he rested his forehead against Neil's. "You're an idiot," he said, but his tone was gentle.
Neil chuckled. "Yeah, I know."
They stood like that for a while, wrapped up in each other. For once, Neil felt like he didn't have to run, didn't have to hide. He had found something worth staying for, someone worth fighting for.
"Andrew?" Neil whispered.
"Hmm?"
"I think I love you."
Andrew pulled back slightly, looking into Neil's eyes. For a moment, Neil feared he had said too much, but then Andrew's lips curled into the smallest of smiles.
"Took you long enough," Andrew said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Neil's heart soared. He leaned in, pressing his lips to Andrew's in a gentle, tentative kiss. It was soft and sweet, a promise of more to come. When they finally pulled away, Neil rested his forehead against Andrew's once more, a contented sigh escaping his lips.
"I love you too, Neil," Andrew murmured.
Neil's smile widened, and he tightened his hold on Andrew. For the first time in a long time, he felt at peace. He had found his home, and it was right here in Andrew's arms.
As the months passed, Neil and Andrew's relationship continued to grow. They learned to navigate the complexities of being more than just teammates, more than just friends. There were still challenges, still moments of doubt and insecurity, but they faced them together.
One evening, they found themselves at the beach, the sun setting in a blaze of orange and pink. They walked along the shore, the waves lapping at their feet. Neil glanced over at Andrew, who was gazing out at the horizon with a thoughtful expression.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Neil asked, nudging Andrew gently.
Andrew shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Just thinking."
"About?"
Andrew turned to look at Neil, his eyes soft and warm. "About how far we've come. How much has changed."
Neil nodded, understanding exactly what Andrew meant. They had both come from dark places, both had their share of scars and wounds. But they had found each other, and that had made all the difference.
"I'm glad we ended up here," Neil said quietly.
Andrew reached out, taking Neil's hand in his. "Me too
They continued to walk, hand in hand, the world around them fading into the background. In that moment, it was just the two of them, two broken souls who had found solace in each other.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Neil felt a sense of contentment wash over him. He had spent so long running, so long hiding from his past. But now, with Andrew by his side, he felt like he could finally stop. He had found something worth staying for, someone worth fighting for.
"Andrew?" Neil said softly.
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
Andrew squeezed his hand, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I love you too, Neil."
And for the first time in a long time, Neil believed it. He had found his home, and it was right here, with Andrew.
One day, after an exhausting game, Neil and Andrew sat on the rooftop of their apartment building, a place they often retreated to for some peace and quiet. The night was cool, a gentle breeze rustling through their hair as they gazed up at the stars.
Neil leaned back, propping himself up on his elbows as he looked over at Andrew. "Do you ever think about the future?"
Andrew tilted his head, considering the question. "Sometimes."
"What do you see?" Neil asked, genuinely curious.
Andrew was silent for a moment, his eyes focused on the night sky. "I see us," he said finally. "Together. Whatever that looks like."
Neil smiled, a warm feeling spreading through his chest. "Yeah," he said softly. "Me too."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the stars twinkling above them. Neil felt a sense of peace he hadn't known he was capable of feeling. He had spent so much of his life running, so much time looking over his shoulder. But now, with Andrew by his side, he felt like he could finally breathe.
"Neil?" Andrew's voice broke the silence.
"Hmm?"
"Promise me something."
Neil turned to look at Andrew, his expression serious. "Anything."
Andrew reached out, taking Neil's hand in his. "Promise me you'll stay. No more running."
Neil squeezed Andrew's hand, his heart swelling with emotion. "I promise."
And in that moment, Neil knew it was a promise he could keep. He had found something worth staying for, someone worth fighting for. And as long as he had Andrew by his side, he knew he could face whatever the future held.
They stayed on the rooftop long into the night, talking about everything and nothing, their hands intertwined. And for the first time in a long time, Neil felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
He had found his home, and it was right here, with Andrew. Who would've thought?