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The year after Neil’s freshman year was not as eventful as the last but it couldn’t be described as anticlimactic. Aside from Neil indulging in some light murder, he still shared cigarettes and traded secrets with Andrew on the roof of Foxhole Tower.
It wasn’t until later that year after the Ravens attacked Andrew, Kevin, and Neil that Andrew quit bringing smokes to the roof. In fact, Andrew quit smoking entirely. Through the nicotine withdrawals Neil let Andrew trace the scars on his torso.
Neil didn’t think to regret the distraction until Andrew discovered the meticulous horizontal scars under Neil’s armpits. It was one of the rare warm spring nights in Palmetto and Neil had discarded his sweater when Andrew’s fingers started fidgeting with the edges of his black armbands.
Andrew blinked at the scars under Neil’s arms and traced them with more delicacy that any other. At that moment, Neil knew Andrew understood the answer to his usual question after tracing a scar.
Neil stared out at the horizon. He felt Andrew’s eyes on his profile. Neil snagged his sweater and hazardously threw it over his head. His eyes subtly darted to the roof door.
“Rabbit…” Andrew’s voice sounded as if it had been through the shredder.
Neil’s skin felt too tight. He hugged his shoulders and slumped in on himself.
“Neil” Andrew gritted out.
Neil knew how Andrew felt about repeating himself.
So he threw the other man a bone.
“Mum would’ve beat me senseless if she found out”
Andrew waited Neil out with judgeless silence.
Neil's chest cracked and he exhaled shakily.
“It was an accident at first,” Neil sobbed dryly.
A grounding hand clamped down on the back of Neil’s neck. Neil wanted to yell with all the energy he had right now. He wanted to run.
Instead, Neil leaned back and Andrew’s grip tightened.
“Would it be an accident if it happened now?” Andrew asked without tone.
Neil sucked in a breath.
“Drew…” Neil tucked himself into Andrew’s side without touching.
Andrew was silent as he digested Neil’s non-answer answer.
Then, the blonde man gave a brief nod. Neil collapsed further into Andrew’s side. He sucked in a deep breath of the shorter man's masculine yet calming scent.
“You’ll talk to Bee about this,” Andrew said flatly.
Neil made a noise of protest.
“You’ll talk to Bee or we’re done” Andrew ribcage was shaking with restrained emotion as his voice came out strained.
Neil buried his nose into Andrew’s side, where the scars were on his own body.
“Will you come with me?” Neil asked wobbly.
He peered up into Andrew’s sharp, golden eyes. Eyes that softened as they stared at Neil.
Andrew cleared his throat and looked away from Neil.
“151% junkie,” Andrew’s hand caressed Neil’s thigh like he was petting a cat.
Neil bit his lip to contain his smile.