Work Text:
Andrew’s out of town with Kevin and Coach talking to some new potential recruits, so Matt dubs that weekend some well needed “bro time”. Neil’s happy, because ever since the room change he’s still seen Matt, but it’s different. They still see each other every day, and they have a standing Saturday brunch date, but it’s not the same as sharing a space. A day with his best friend sounds fun, even if abandoning the Court for that long leaves him a little dizzy.
Whatever he was expecting to walk into though, it wasn’t this. Matt is on the floor, with the sheets to his bed over him held up by the dresser, with his comforter underneath him. His laptop is on a pillow in front of him and Matt’s legs are too long for his feet to be able to stay within the confines of his makeshift shelter.
Neil has to lean against the door as he laughs, trying to keep quiet, but unable to stop himself. Matt looks up then, a hilariously pouty look on his face that looks out of place on such a tall, intimidating looking person and says “If you’re going to be mean, you don’t get to come in my blanket fort.”
Neil lets out one last snort and apologizes, toeing his shoes off and leaving them at the door. “Can I come in?”
Matt scoots over and gestures for Neil to lay down next to him. He does and notices the pile of movies Matt has next to it.
“You’re still so behind on pop culture and it’s really sad. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t catch you up on everything you’ve missed living under a rock?”
“A bad one?”
“Exactly!” Matt grins and holds up two movies, one with a car that for some reason has a face, and one with a man in a racing costume. “Which one?”
“You pick.”
They watch the live action one first, which has Matt laughing out loud and quoting it. The animated one takes a bit for Neil to get into, and he keeps asking questions about the logistics of talking cars before Matt finally shushes him and says “Just this once can you suspend your disbelief, Josten.” Neil shuts up and enjoys the movie more after that. He’s happy the red car gets to stay in the town and gets a family.
After that, they sit up and Matt pulls out an animated racing game. It takes Neil a second to get used to the controls, as he’s only used to the shooting games the cousins play, but soon enough Neil is pushing Matt off the road, to his great fury. Neil’s laughing raucously once he figures out that he can keep Matt off his trail by dropping little turtle shells behind him. Eventually, Matt throws down the controller and determines that he’s hungry and is going to order a pizza. They eat and talk about how practice has been going and even though Neil knows the can of worms he’s opening, he asks how Dan and Matt are doing. Matt answers that they’re still going strong and that he’s proud of her for all the offers she’s getting for jobs after college.
“And how are you and your boy?”
“We’re fine.”
“Forgive me for asking you to use a different word.”
“We’re good.”
“How good?”
Neil pauses before quietly saying. “I think I love him?”
Matt pauses. “Whoa.”
“I’m not gonna tell him. He knows. And I know. We don’t have to say it to each other to get it.”
Matt breaks into a wide grin. “Maybe you’re not so emotionally stunted after all.”
Neil shoves Matt’s arm. “Shut up.”
They finish their food and Matt puts on another movie, which Neil falls asleep during. Neither one of them shut the door after getting their food, so when Andrew gets back that night, he’s able to walk up to the door and lean against it silently.
Without looking up, Matt says, “You can wake him if you want, but I’m not going to.”
“Let him sleep. I’m too tired to put up with his snoring tonight anyway.”
After a moment, Matt says, “I’m not stupid enough to think that I can beat you in a fight, but if you hurt him, don’t think I won’t try.”
Andrew nods and says, “Noted.”
Matt nods curtly and says, “I’ll return him in the morning.”
Andrew makes a noise in his throat. “Good. He’d probably get lost without your help.” With that, he turns and leaves for his room.
From then on, Matt and Andrew don’t speak if they have a choice, but Neil notices that they don’t completely ignore each other either. He’s just happy to have his best friend and his Andrew on good terms.