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Chapter Text

Aaron Minyard sometimes hated his twin. Andrew was always the cool one, the shiny mystery to all of their peers because he never gave anyone the time of day and that made him intriguing. Aaron was always the one overlooked, the background character, the other one. For fuck’s sake, they had the same face yet Andrew was the hot one?

Especially to his boyfriend, Neil, that Andrew wouldn’t even admit was his boyfriend. But that was another story.  

There were only four people who saw Aaron and Andrew as individuals. 

The first was their biological cousin, Nicky Hemmick, who fought for custody of them when he turned 18 and got himself emancipated from his own shithead, emotionally abusive, homophobic parents. He practically rescued them from their biological mom who couldn’t keep her hands to herself and it was around this time that Aaron was ready to kill himself and Andrew was ready to kill their mom so it was a good thing Nicky stepped in. Now they were an odd little family, all three of them working their own jobs to pay the bills and no need for real parents whatsoever. Nicky was probably the first person who took the time to get to know both twins as individuals unlike their  mother who’d just smack around whichever one was closer. He learned their likes and dislikes, allergies, put them into therapy and it wasn’t perfect but he was trying which was more than anyone else had ever done for them. 

The second was Andrew’s not-boyfriend Neil Josten who’d attached himself like a leech to Andrew their first day of high school and wouldn’t let go. The worst part was that Andrew let him. Andrew, who never had any friends, never let anyone sit near him, was never nice to anybody except for occasionally Aaron, Nicky, and surprisingly their therapist Bee. But that was only when he’d taken one too many of his forced medication that you’re only supposed to take one a day of Andrew, godammit. Neil was a fungus that wouldn’t go away. He thought the world of Andrew and hated Aaron and Aaron hated him right back. Though Aaron had a desperate plea that Andrew would put them all out of their misery and admit what they were to each other. Fuck buddies. Just friends. Person I tolerate. Andrew said anything besides boyfriend and it was sad. Aaron was loath to admit it but he pitied Neil a bit because he was clearly infatuated with his emotionally unavailable twin and would take whatever he could get. That kid had way too much childhood trauma for him to think that what they had was healthy. 

The third and final that made Aaron’s head spin the most was Kevin Day, star of their high school’s Exy team. He and Neil both joined as Freshman and instantly became popular on the team, having unfairly had a history of playing as children and something about their parents being famous, Aaron never really paid attention. Kevin wasn’t even the captain yet everyone came to the games to watch him specifically. He came with Neil as a dual package, two sides of the same coin both obsessed with a made up sport and Andrew by default. Aaron had been forced to take notice of  Kevin when he was dragged to every practice by his twin, something he hated doing but Andrew was his ride so he had no choice. While Andrew basically salivated, Aaron did homework until Neil would come bounding over to them like a dog wagging his tail and they could finally go home. 

And Aaron had not expected the rush that would go through him when Kevin Day said his name for the first time. 

Something you should know about how stupid everyone is in their lives is that the one key detail to tell Andrew and Aaron a part is that Andrew has perfect vision and Aaron was forced to wear glasses when he turned 10. He could barely see a foot in front of his face without them so it was rare anyone saw him not wearing his thick black frames Nicky saved up and purchased for him. So yeah, everyone was a fucking moron when they called him Andrew and when did you get glasses, Andy? Andrew hated being called Andy. 

Aaron had seen Kevin hanging around Neil and became Andrew’s second leech over time, another person who he let hang around him. Andrew’s limit was apparently three as he’d also become very friendly with Renee Walker who was his biology partner and also on the team with Neil and Kevin and just never stopped talking to him. Aaron caught them smoking under the bleachers a few times and figured she was alright since she was always nice to him while it seemed like the rest of the school ignored him every chance they got. Often, the three of them studied at the Minyard house together until Andrew got annoyed pretending he was reading the material and dragged Neil upstairs to make out while Aaron was forced to entertain the downstairs guests who Andrew couldn’t be bothered to tell to just get out. 

It was one of these instances that Aaron met Kevin officially for the very first time. He usually hid out in his room when Andrew had company over, his hatred of Neil trumping his need to be social. So when he heard a door shut, he’d assumed everyone had left and it was safe to make his way downstairs for a quick drink from the kitchen. 

 Aaron had carefully made his way down the steps and to the fridge, crouching down and reaching inside for a can of soda. 

“Andrew?” A voice called out, startling him and causing him to bump his head on the lip of the fridge. 

“Ow, fuck!” Aaron cried out and sat up straight to glare at the person who scared him. His glasses had been knocked askew and he adjusted them on his nose to see clearer, breath catching at the sight of Kevin Day in all his glory. Aaron hated how everyone fawned all over him but looking at him up close, he could see the appeal. Kevin was tall for a Freshman and extremely good looking with a perfect jawline and dark hair that looked perfectly messy. Aaron’s breath caught the moment they locked eyes. 

Kevin looked very annoyed and it was almost endearing. “Are you and Neil finally ready to watch the video? Or were you just fucking with me again?” 

Aaron blinked, the pain on his forehead subsiding as he stared dumbstruck at the jock. “Uh what?” 

Kevin sighed. “You know, you could just ask me to leave like a normal person. You don’t have to waste my time by…you are not Andrew.” His eyes widened slightly when he came closer to the wrong twin. 

 “No, I’m not.” Aaron confirmed, trying to look like he wasn’t having a bi crisis in his own home. 

“Aaron, right?” Kevin asked. “Sorry, I was expecting Andrew.” 

“I get that a lot,” Aaron replied bitterly. “Sorry to disappoint.” 

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Kevin protested quickly. “I just meant…” when he couldn’t think of anything as Aaron stared at him, he shook his head. “Let me start over. I’m Kevin. Andrew’s friend?” He held his hand out in greeting. 

Aaron looked down at it, nails lightly tapping the soda can he still had. “I know.” He made no move to shake his hand. 

Kevin looked embarrassed. He took his hand back and wiped it on his jeans. “Right. Uh…I heard the front door shut. Neil and I were going to show Andrew some of our game tapes from middle school but um…” 

Aaron cracked the can open and took a sip, letting the sweet liquid soothe his dry mouth. “Yeah, I don’t think they’re coming back. My brother is kind of a dick in case you haven’t noticed.” Andrew always did this. He could be so mean to people sometimes. He’d clearly invited Kevin over to mess with him and the poor kid had no idea. 

Kevin rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve noticed. Neil is the same way. I guess I should’ve figured Andrew would distract him from showing off his old Exy skills.” 

Aaron took another sip from his can and leaned his back against the counter. “I didn’t know they made game tapes of middle schoolers.” 

Kevin perked up at the inquiry. “They don't but I like to record myself to watch later. It helps me get better at the game.” 

Aaron nodded and he didn’t know what came over him, maybe he felt bad for Kevin or something, another victim of Andrew’s cruelty, but he found himself saying, “Well if you don’t mind the switch, I’ll watch those tapes with you.” 

And you would’ve thought Aaron handed Kevin a million dollars with how his eyes lit up. “Really?” 

Aaron shrugged. “Yeah. I’ve been wondering why you guys are so obsessed with this weird sport. Andrew says it’s dumb and I agree  but I’d like to see you change my mind.” 

Kevin grinned at him. “I’ll take that challenge.” 

Andrew and Neil found them still there hours later, the tv long since turned off and the two just sitting next to each other talking. Neither provided an explanation for where they’d been and Kevin and Aaron didn’t ask. Kevin thanked Aaron for his time and went home with Neil who could be heard asking what the hell they’d been up to. Andrew just stared at Aaron who merely shrugged and claimed his brother should be nicer to his friends.

And it might’ve been a one time thing but Aaron found Kevin in his house a few more times after that until it became routine. Neil had apparently promised to not leave him alone like that again as the first time was just a mere prank but Kevin didn’t even seem like he cared. Every so often, Aaron would make his way downstairs and Kevin would immediately invite him to come hang out with him, something Aaron only agreed to once or twice since being around Neil too long gave him hives. 

Not once did Kevin confuse him and Andrew and Aaron couldn’t help asking him about it as he didn’t see him as all that perceptive. 

“Well, I mean it shouldn’t be that hard even without the glasses.” Kevin said easily. “Andrew has a scar on his lip and you don’t. Plus your eyes are much more hazel than his in the light.” It came out sounding like Kevin was just stating facts. Like it was no big deal. But it meant everything to Aaron Minyard. 

Kevin noticed Andrew’s lip scar that happened when he beat up a kid in sixth grade for shoving Aaron into a locker. He noticed how his eyes looked in the light. Right then, Aaron was a goner. 

All it took was, “Hey, since Andrew and Neil are, ahem, busy at the moment, would you mind watching these tapes with me? I need a second opinion.” And then, “You take all those medical electives, right? I broke my wrist last summer, think you could look it over for me?” And then, “Hey, Aaron. You look nice today.” And Aaron’s brain broke in half and suddenly he was staring at the field as Kevin lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow and pretend he gave a shit about stick ball every time Kevin was around.  

Next thing he knew, it’d been three years of them forming a small friendship. Kevin would come over to hang out with Andrew and Neil until Andrew got bored and left him there alone to which Aaron would step in and the two of them would talk and continue whatever they’d been doing before. He felt like a stand-in for Andrew yet he found himself not really minding and somewhere along the way, it began to seem like Kevin came over just to see Aaron. Sometimes when Andrew wasn’t even around. The idea of it made his heart flutter. 

 Aaron learned things about Kevin in that time and saved them like a lock box in his mind. He knew he lived with his dad who was the coach of his team but didn’t give him special treatment. He knew he had a stepmom named Abby who was also the school nurse. He learned about his terrorist cousin, Riko that stayed with them over the summers who made Aaron unsure if the story Kevin told about breaking his wrist on a family skiing trip was real. He knew that Kevin wanted to play Exy for the rest of his life and that Neil was basically his best friend. He knew he missed his biological mom terribly but that Abby was a close second and she loved him like he was her own. He knew that Kevin was bi like him and that his sexual awakening had been an old camp friend who lived in France and was just as obsessed with Exy as him. Aaron learned everything he could about Kevin Day like he was taking notes on a test he knew he’d pass with flying colors. 

The only person who knew about his crush was his only real friend, Katelyn, and Nicky who figured it out on his own and thought it was adorable. All he’d ever gotten from either of them was Don’t be a pussy from Katelyn and Aww my baby cousin has a crush from Nicky and neither of those were helpful. 

But it didn’t take long for Andrew to notice and that was a problem. 

“If you think he’s hot, ask him out.” He said on the morning of their junior year, standing in Aaron’s bedroom doorway while he tried to make his hair look naturally messy. 

“Who?” Aaron replied nonchalantly. 

Andrew looked at him pointedly. “Don’t play dumb, you’re not built for it.” That was almost a compliment. 

“Why don’t you just mind your own business?” Aaron retorted. 

“Oh trust me, if I could, I would.” Andrew’s voice almost had a hint of despair. Drama queen. “But Neil and Kevin are close and he won’t shut up about you two.” 

Aaron wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Neil talks about me when you two are fucking? Might want to talk to your boyfriend about twin fantasies he might be having.” 

 Andrew’s eyes turned murderous. “Say that again and I’ll kill you.” 

“You can’t, Nicky will cry.” Aaron barely acknowledged the empty threat. “And what do you even care if I like Kevin or not?” 

Andrew leaned against the doorhinge. “I don’t but if I have to take the two of you staring at each other for one more day, I’m going to gouge my eyes out.” 

Aaron rolled his eyes as he buttoned the cuffs of his flannel so they’d stay in place rolled up his thin arms. “He doesn’t stare at me.” 

 “You wear glasses, yet you are still so blind.” Andrew turned to walk down the hall and ended their conversation with a “Hurry up or I’m leaving without you.” A threat that he’d only ever made good on one time when Aaron couldn’t find his jacket and it cut into Andrew’s staring at Neil time. 

Aaron thought about what his twin had said and knew there was absolutely no way in hell he could do it. Kevin could do so much better than him. Anyone could really. Aaron was insignificant, the boring twin. Kevin was…everything. Too good for Aaron Minyard for sure. Aaron wasn’t even sure if he’d make it as a doctor one day because medical school was expensive and he could never ask Nicky to dip into his savings for him even though he knew he would. But Kevin already had scouts looking at him as a junior so he was going places while Aaron would be left on the sidelines. 

“You’re pathetic,” Neil was saying as Aaron turned the corner and stopped in his tracks. He hated walking by Neil because they always had to say something snarky to each other like a reflex and Aaron really wasn’t up for battling him that day. 

“Shut up,” Kevin said, slamming his locker shut. Aaron peeked around the corner to get a good look at him. Both were dressed in their Exy uniforms, most likely about to go to practice. Kevin looked so good in his, strong thighs and even stronger arms with the cotton clinging to him like it’d snap any second. Aaron briefly wondered how often he washed it or if he just let it sit soaking up all his sweat and axe body spray. If he leaned a little bit closer, maybe he could smell him from here. 

Good god, Aaron was the pathetic one not Kevin. 

“No, I’m serious,” Neil continued without preamble. “Andrew is never going to give you the time of…day.” Aaron could see his shit eating smirk at his own pun. What a loser. 

But why were they talking about Andrew giving Kevin attention? 

“Hardy har, you’re a comedian.” Kevin replied sarcastically. He threw his bag over his shoulder and leaned his back casually against the locker. “He’s got a great physique. He’s perfect. If I just talked to him, maybe he’d give me a chance.” 

Perfect? 

A chance? 

“No way in hell,” Neil countered seriously. “I’ve tried with Andrew, he does whatever he wants.” 

“Well you’ve had your chance. Now it’s my turn.” Kevin shoved Neil back to get out of his way.

 Neil glowered after him for a minute before following, shouting after him, “You’re wasting your time!” 

And Aaron never thought he and Neil would agree on something. 

Aaron slipped from his hiding place and leaned his back against the wall. He knew it. He’d known all this time. All those days spent waiting on him, running after Andrew just to catch up for only a minute of his time. The wistful looks Aaron had caught on more than one occasion when he’d made his way downstairs, walking right past Andrew. Why else did Kevin only know the difference when he looked close? 

Because of course he had a crush on Andrew. Everyone did. Aaron was so fucking naive to think he had this one thing for himself. 

Aaron removed his frames to rub at his eyes. He would not cry over this. That would push him way past pathetic. 

“You ready or what?” The last person Aaron wanted to see came up beside him. Andrew paused, staring at him. “What happened to you?” Aaron hated how easily known he was by his twin. 

“Nothing.” Aaron finished rubbing the wetness from his eyes, blinking rapidly to look presentable. “Just had something in my eye.” 

Andrew stared like he didn’t believe him. “Kevin’s supposed to come over later. He wants to show me one of his stupid game tapes so we’re giving him a ride home. Just so you know. Wouldn’t want you to faint having him so close.” There was amusement in his voice, light teasing from his twin who had no idea that he was Aaron’s crush’s crush. If he left them alone together, what would happen? 

“Is Neil coming too?” Aaron asked almost hopefully. Andrew was practically obsessed with that ginger-headed kid so there was no way he ever would give Kevin the chance he was hoping for. 

Andrew merely shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet. He’s been getting on my nerves lately.” 

Aaron’s stomach dropped. Neil was getting on Andrew’s nerves. Kevin was coming over maybe without him. Kevin wanted Andrew to give him a chance. Fuck. This was bad. 

Except Andrew wouldn’t tease Aaron about his crush if he felt the same way about Kevin. Andrew would never be that cruel. 

Right?

Aaron tried not to start hyperventilating. “Um, I don’t think I’m going to stay after today. I’m kind of tired.” He could not take sitting in a cramped car with Kevin right now knowing what he knew. 

“Are you sick?” Andrew questioned. Ever the protective brother no matter how often he dismissed Aaron. 

“I’m fine.” Aaron lied. “Think I’m just gonna go lay down. Katelyn said she’d give me a ride home.” 

Andrew didn’t hide his disgusted face at her name. He’d disliked Katelyn for reasons Aaron couldn’t decipher. Maybe it had something to do with her being a cheerleader or maybe the fact that she and Aaron dated sophomore year before she broke up with him because she thought they were better off as friends. Aaron had barely mourned the break up for a day but Andrew held grudges for the rest of his life. 

“Fine, see you at home then.” Andrew left him standing there to fall a part on his own. 

***

Later, Neil did not end up coming over and Aaron wanted to die because of it. He never thought he’d find himself praying for Neil to drop by. Andrew and Kevin were downstairs.

Alone. 

Together. 

Andrew wouldn’t steal Aaron’s crush would he? Aaron didn’t know what his brother would do anymore. 

He lay in bed with his music turned all the way up on his earbuds, staring at the ceiling and contemplating how to kill Andrew in his sleep. No, that wasn’t the move. It wasn’t Andrew’s fault everyone liked him best. And he tried to be less likeable, Aaron had seen it but most people wanted what they couldn’t have. Anyone could have Aaron if they just asked. Well, not anyone he supposed. Not the one he wanted most. 

His phone buzzed beside him on the bed. He picked it up to see Kevin’s name flash across the screen. His heart beat out of his chest. 

Kevin: Are you coming down? Think Andrew’s starting to get annoyed with me lol

Andrew was always annoyed. 

Aaron: Not today. Have a lot of hw 

It hurt to lie to him. It hurt even more knowing he’d imagined all of the stolen glances and smiles his way. It hurt to think that all the years they’d spent getting to know each other, Kevin might’ve just been using him. Maybe he thought if he got close with Andrew’s nerd brother, Andrew would like him more. How could he have been so stupid? It couldn’t all have been a lie, could it? 

An hour or so later and Kevin was finally gone. It didn’t take long for Andrew to knock on his door to bother him. The door opened when Aaron tried to ignore him. Aaron paused his musical wallowing when Andrew spoke.

“Kevin’s gone,” he said. “Those tapes were boring as shit. I should have had you pretend to be me to get out of it. Bet you would’ve enjoyed that.” 

Aaron only stared at him. “Get out.” The two of them always had an attitude with each other but it was never genuinely malicious like the way Aaron was feeling.

Andrew raised a brow. “What’s your problem? What did I do now?” It sounded pitiful. Like he didn’t even care. 

Aaron wondered if he’d care when he told him the truth. He sat up, ripping out his earbuds. “Kevin has a crush on you.” 

Andrew snorted. “Don’t be stupid.” 

“No, I’m serious. I heard him telling Neil about it.” Aaron felt the lump in his throat and tried to keep his voice from breaking 

Andrew crossed his arms and leaned casually against the doorway like he always did, a consistent invasion of Aaron’s space. “Neil?” 

“Yes. Neil. They were talking about how Neil lost his chance with you so it was Kevin’s turn. So congratulations, you win.” 

Andrew looked uncomfortable. Good. “I win? Shitty prize if it’s Kevin I’ve won.”

“Don’t be an asshole,” Aaron seethed. “If you don’t like him, tell him that.” It wouldn’t solve everything but it would make Aaron feel at least a little bit better if Andrew rejected Kevin outright instead of letting him keep mooning after him like he did Neil. 

Andrew scoffed. “Kevin is just obsessed with Exy and will talk to anyone who listens.” 

“I heard what I heard,” Aaron pointed out.

Andrew shook his head. “No, you think you heard what you did. I’ve had it with the insecurity act, Aaron. Go after what you want for fucking once.” 

“Kinda hard to when the thing I want wants you.” Aaron was seething. They hadn’t argued like this in years. “Can’t you just reject him so he can move on? For me?” He couldn’t believe he was pleading with him right now. How absolutely pathetic could he get? 

Andrew looked for a moment like he was genuinely thinking about it. Until he flatly said, “No.” 

“What?” Aaron raged. “Why the fuck not? You’re totally in love with Neil anyway, can’t you just make it official so Kevin can forget about you?” 

“My relationship with Neil is none of your business just like your relationships are none of mine.” 

“Oh that’s rich.” Aaron huffed. “You’re always in my business.” 

“When it suits me.” Andrew shrugged, always the apathetic hypocritical asshole. “But I’m not getting involved in this. It’s beneath me. So if you want Kevin to stop having pretend feelings for me, deal with it your fucking self.” With that, he left Aaron alone again to ruminate on his parting words. 

Andrew was such a fucking dickhead. He hated him sometimes. 

Go after what you want. 

How could he? Kevin didn’t want him back. 

Deal with it your fucking self. 

How would that be possible? What would he even say? 

I should have had you pretend to be me. 

That. 

That wasn’t a bad idea. 

Andrew would hate him for it and there would be dire consequences but that was a risk Aaron was willing to take. Andrew would help him whether he liked it or not. 

It just wouldn’t be Andrew doing it. 

***

Aaron could count how many times he and Andrew had switched places seriously on one hand. As many hijinks as they could pull, both brothers grew out of that nonsense before they hit puberty. Typically it’d be to take a test that was Andrew’s worst subject or break up with a girl Aaron was too nice to tell he just wasn’t feeling it. They’d taken the blame to protect one another but felt the need to do so less and less as they got older and realized they were no longer in any danger. The only difference between now and back then is Aaron didn’t ask or inform Andrew of his brilliant idea. One, because Andrew would’ve thought it incredibly stupid and shut it down and two, Aaron was pissed with him at the moment.

So when Andrew was in the shower, Aaron stole his phone. One pro of being an identical twin was that he didn’t need to learn Andrew’s passcode. Face id worked perfectly and he was in. He scrolled quickly to Kevin’s name, careful to leave anything from Neil or Renee unread. 

He quickly typed out his message, proofreading it so it sounded nothing like him. Come over later. We need to talk. Quick. Simple. Aaron impatiently waited Kevin’s response, knee shaking and heart rate picking up because Andrew would be out of the shower any minute. He said he was going to Neil’s after so hopefully he’d take extra long. Aaron felt a buzz in his hand and looked down to see Kevin’s response, thankful that he was a quick texter. 

I’m having dinner with my parents right now but I’ll be there after. 

Perfect. Andrew would be out of the house by then. Aaron typed out an apathetic reply. K.  After deleting the messages so Andrew wouldn’t know about them, he quickly returned the phone right where it had been, in the exact position and spot. Andrew was a particular sort of guy and he would notice if even the slightest thing was out of place. Aaron had studied his behavior for years to get him just right. 

Carefully and meticulously, Aaron rifled through Andrew’s drawers finding cargo jeans and a black t-shirt. He paired them with an old sweatshirt that would cover his arms because Andrew only owned one pair of black arm bands that hid his self inflicted scars from years ago. Aaron took his stolen items and hid them in his room, waiting patiently for Andrew to head out. 

Andrew knocked on his door and actually waited for a response, his version of an olive branch of politeness. 

“Come in,” Aaron called, pretending he was reading a book. 

Andrew entered, tightening his arm bands around his wrists to make sure they were straight. “I’m headed out. Tell Nicky I’ll be back late.” 

“Whatever,” Aaron mumbled. 

Andrew narrowed his eyes. “Are you still pissed at me? Grow up.” 

“You grow up,” Aaron countered.  

“Great comeback,” Andrew replied sarcastically. “Try not to wallow in self pity for too long.” 

“Take your pills before you go,” Aaron spit harshly. 

Andrew didn’t even care. “Maybe I’ll double dose, I could use the high to forget this lousy conversation.” 

“Dickhead.” 

“Loser. Maybe we should ask Bee to schedule you more than every other week.” 

Aaron sat up. “Fuck you.” 

“Right back at ya.” Andrew did his signature two-finger salute and slammed Aaron’s door behind him. 

Aaron waited until he heard the sound of Andrew’s car pulling out of the driveway before he got up and changed. It took effort to pretend to be Andrew. To make his expression stoic and calm and unlike Aaron’s who had his emotions written across his face all the time. He parted his hair the way Andrew did, pulled his jeans down slightly so they hung low on his hips the way that made Neil salivate. Thank god Andrew was waiting until he turned 18 to get that lip piercing he’d been wanting because that would cause a whole flux of problems and some things just weren’t worth it. Should he spray Andrew’s cologne too? Would that be too much? That might give Kevin the wrong idea, he decided. 

A few hours went by of him staring at himself in the mirror and just when Aaron was starting to wonder if he should back out, the doorbell rang. 

He gave himself one last once over. As soon as he lost the glasses, he’d look exactly like Andrew. It was almost scary how identical they were, right down to the shape of their eyes  and the tips of their fingers. Except for that pesky scar right by the side of Andrew’s lip. No matter, all Aaron would have to do was keep Kevin at a distance. Kevin could only tell them a part when he looked closer. 

Aaron was so stupid to think he was looking closely at him. 

He made his way down the stairs to get the door and almost opened it when he adjusted his frames and realized. Quickly, he made his way to the kitchen and ripped his glasses off, tossing them on the counter. And in Aaron’s crazy plan, he seemed to have forgotten one key detail: without the glasses, he would not be able to see very well and Andrew stumbling around like he was blind was a dead giveaway. For the first time, he regretted the no when the doctor asked if he wanted to try out contacts. Touching his own eye was just too gross for him. 

He could do this. All he had to do was make it from the kitchen to the door. It was just a straight line. 

Somehow, with the best muscle memory he could muster, Aaron made it to the door without falling over. He was getting better at this. 

He took one last deep breath to ground himself and shifted his expression into stoicism as he finally opened the door. Kevin Day stood there in all his glory, looking like a damn dream Aaron now knew he could never obtain. But Kevin was still his friend even if he didn’t want him in the same way. He had to let him down gently if Andrew was going to have mercy. Aaron swallowed his pride. “Hey,” he greeted in an almost perfect rendition of Andrew’s deadpan voice. 

Aaron could barely make out the blurred smile Kevin gave him. It took everything in him not to squint. “Hey,” Kevin responded. “You wanted to talk?” 

Aaron felt anxiety pooling in his gut. He really should have rehearsed more. “That is what I said, Day. You gonna come in or what?” Aaron never called him Day, it felt wrong on his tongue. But he wasn’t supposed to be Aaron right now. 

“Right.” Kevin seemed nervous. Did Andrew make him nervous? 

Aaron stepped to the side so Kevin could move around him then shut the door. Crap. He really hadn’t thought through how he was supposed to get around without Kevin seeing him stumble. Aaron leaned his back against the door and took another deep breath. “Let’s talk in the living room.” He made a gesture like Kevin should go first. 

Kevin nodded and Aaron waited until he was out of sight before feeling his hand along the wall to guide himself. He somehow made it to the living room where Kevin stood staring out the window, lost in thought. 

When Aaron entered the room, Kevin turned and looked at him. “Hey by the way is Aaron around?” 

Aaron tried not to choke. “Uh why would you care?” 

Kevin shrugged. “He’s just been acting weird lately. I thought I might be able to talk to him since I’m here.” 

So Kevin noticed his avoidant behavior? Why did he even care if he was just using him to get to Andrew? Aaron crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway the way Andrew always did. “Well, too bad. Aaron’s at his cheerleader’s house.” Andrew was always calling Katelyn anything other than her name. So far he was nailing this. 

“Oh.” Was that disappointment in Kevin’s voice? Kevin shook his head. “Sorry, what did you want to talk about?” 

Aaron came a little closer, not too close lest Kevin figure it out too soon. Just close enough to where he could at least see the expressions on Kevin’s face. 

“Right,” Aaron cleared his throat. “I’ve begun to notice some…odd things whenever you come here. And I think I need to put a stop to it.” Aaron wasn’t trying to be vague. He just wasn’t quite sure how to get the message across without being too mean in the way Andrew was. Even if it was supposed to be Andrew doing the talking. 

Kevin tilted his head cutely like a confused puppy. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean?” 

“Oh come on,” Aaron made himself sound annoyed. “The lingering looks, the clear pining. It’s written all over your face.” 

“Oh…” Kevin looked a little bit embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “You noticed that?” 

“You’d have to be blind and dumb not to,” Aaron scoffed. This was going about as well as he’d hoped. Now to let Kevin know Andrew didn’t feel that way and the healing process could begin for them both. 

“I guess I was being a bit obvious,” Kevin chuckled nervously. Then looked at him with curious eyes. “You want to put a stop to it. Why?”  

“Because it’s getting hard to watch and you have to know that you won’t win, right?” Because Andrew was clearly into Neil and Kevin had no chance of winning. Poor guy. 

Kevin’s shoulders slumped.  “Did Aaron tell you that himself?” 

Why was he mentioning Aaron? Did he know Aaron had heard him? Should he deny it? 

No, maybe it was better to lean into it. “He told me enough,” he said calmly, crossing his arms. “And I thought I should tell you you have no chance to your face. You deserve that much.” The tiniest bit of Aaron’s kindness slipped in by accident. He just couldn’t take Kevin’s defeated expression. Did he really like Andrew that much?

Kevin laughed bitterly. “Oh do I?” Aaron opened his mouth to comfort him the best way he knew Andrew would but Kevin shook his head. “Sorry, you’re right. Thank you for letting me down gently.” 

“Sure.” Aaron said even though he wanted to hug Kevin. Maybe he could later as himself. Tell him Andrew was an idiot for rejecting him. “So are we good? You gonna live?” He didn’t want to sound dismissive but he also didn’t want this conversation to last longer than it needed to. 

Kevin laughed again, coming out a little bit sad. Aaron’s heart broke for him. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I just probably shouldn’t be here for a little bit, right?” 

Aaron agreed that was probably for the best. He needed the time to get over his own pathetic crush so they could just go back to being friends.  “Probably not,” he said gently. “I’ll tell Aaron it’s not his fault.” 

Kevin looked like wanted to say more, but he shook his head again. “Right. Thanks again for talking to me. You’re a good friend and a good brother.” 

“I..am?” Aaron questioned under his breath. “We don’t have to talk about it. When you’re ready to come back, we can just forget this conversation ever happened.” It was selfish but maybe he could be in the clear with Andrew not finding out. Kevin would avoid him for a while but eventually, hopefully, things would go back to normal. 

“Right,” Kevin easily agreed. “If that’s all, I think I’m going to head out.” 

Aaron turned without thinking, ready to walk him out. “Okay, I’ll—shit!” He greatly miscalculated where he’d been standing and promptly slammed his knee into the coffee table and fell to the floor like an idiot. 

“Andrew!” Kevin cried out in concern. “Are you okay?” 

Aaron could feel his knee throbbing but other than that he was fine. Even if he’d twisted his ankle, he’d have to pretend nothing happened because that’s what Andrew would do. God, he was already tired and couldn’t wait to be back in his own clothes. Being Andrew was exhausting. “I’m fine,” he said, trying not to throw up from the anxiety of both the conversation he just had and the fact his crush just saw him take a nasty fall. Even though he didn’t know it was really him, it was still embarrassing. 

“Here.” Kevin held out his hand to help him up and Aaron took it without realizing it was a bad idea, allowing himself to be pulled to standing. And as soon as they locked eyes, everything fell apart. Kevin’s eyes widened and he immediately snatched his hand away. “Are you fucking kidding me?” 

“Kevin, listen—” Aaron as himself began.

“No.” Kevin put up his hand. “All that talk about what I deserve and you couldn’t even tell me as yourself? How much of a coward are you?” 

“Andrew wouldn’t do it,” Aaron tried to explain. “So I thought I’d step in and tell you myself. You deserve to be let down gently.” 

“Let down gently?!” Kevin repeated in anger. Then he gestured to Aaron’s whole body. “And this was your great plan? At least if Andrew was going to reject me, he’d have the decency to do it himself as himself.” 

That made no sense. Isn’t that why Aaron was doing this? Because Andrew wouldn’t do it himself? “You don’t understand—” 

“I don’t understand?” Kevin threw his hands up. “Then explain to me, Aaron. If you apparently didn’t like me, why couldn’t you just tell me that? Why did you have to pretend to be your twin to fuck with me?” 

“Wait…what?” Okay, now Aaron really was confused. 

“You’re a fucking coward,” Kevin said again. “If you didn’t want to go out with me, you could have just told me, you know. I could’ve handled it. But this,” he gestured to Aaron again, “this is pushing it.” 

Aaron understood now. Andrew was right. He had it all wrong from the beginning. 

God, he fucked up. 

“Kevin, wait—” 

Kevin shook his head and began walking towards the door. “I need some space. This is fucking with my head. You and Andrew have some serious issues to work out but you’re not going to use me to do it. I don’t want to be part of your game.” With that, Kevin left Aaron standing there with a throbbing knee and a broken heart. 

***

 Nicky found him still there an hour later. Aaron had sunk into the couch, barely able to breathe. He’d fucked up so bad. He hurt Kevin. Andrew was gonna kill him when he saw him and that was the least of his problems. 

“Hey, Andrew.” Nicky’s voice broke through his wallowing. “You’re back early. I brought pizza.” 

It took Aaron a second to realize why he’d suddenly confused them for the first time since they met years ago. He had his arm resting over his eyes as he lay in his self pity. “Not Andrew,” he mumbled into the fabric of his twin’s sweater. 

“Oh,” Nicky said in surprise. “That explains why I found these in the kitchen.” Aaron took his arm away from his face and squinted at him, faintly seeing his glasses hanging carefully from his fingers in offering. 

He sat up, bones aching and took them from him. Everything was suddenly clear again as he placed them back on his face. He must’ve looked ridiculous to his cousin wearing clothes that were clearly not his. 

“Why are you wearing Andrew’s clothes?” Nicky questioned. 

“Fuck off,” Aaron said but his heart wasn’t in it. Would Kevin tell Andrew what he’d done? Were he and Neil talking about how pathetic he was right now? Aaron let out a shaky breath. “Just leave me alone,” It came out snappy and he immediately felt bad. It wasn’t Nicky’s fault he was a dumbass and had ruined his own life. “Sorry,” he mumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’ve just had a bad day.” 

“It’s okay,” his cousin replied kindly. He was too used to his and Andrew’s teenage angst and bad attitudes. He had too much patience for someone who was barely an adult. 

Nicky walked fully into the living room and sat gingerly near Aaron on the couch, giving him a respectful amount of space. 

“So…” Nicky started, tapping his fingers on his knees. “Does Andrew know you did a Twinyard switch without him?” Aaron couldn’t believe he’d expected him not to ask. 

He gave him a disgusted look. “No and don’t call it that.” Twinyard was a dumb nickname that Nicky had come up with a long time ago and both twins hated it. 

Nicky raised his hands in defense. “Sorry, sorry.” He chuckled goodnaturedly. “Do you want to talk about it?” 

Aaron shrugged. He didn’t know if he wanted to get into it or not. Would Nicky make fun of him? Maybe not. He was better at these things than Andrew. More attentive and always wanting to talk about feelings. 

And Aaron was closer to Nicky than Andrew was, almost like his best friend after Katelyn. Nicky would never judge him and Aaron knew that. Nicky was the first person Aaron told about thinking he might like guys as well as girls and his cousin listened quietly and didn’t make a dick joke for once in his life. His cousin had a long distance boyfriend he’d met in Germany and while Andrew and Aaron didn’t technically trust him because they’d never met him in person, he made Nicky happy and that had to be enough. The two were even discussing moving in together someday when the twins were old enough to take care of themselves. Aaron still couldn’t believe how much his cousin had sacrificed just for them, his own happiness didn’t come first and Aaron hated how mean he and Andrew could be to him sometimes. Aside from his therapist and Katelyn, Nicky was easily the person Aaron felt most comfortable telling all his emotional turmoils to. He told him things he couldn’t even go to  Andrew about. 

But was it wrong that Aaron kind of wished he could talk to Andrew about these things sometimes? 

“Is this about Kevin?” Nicky prompted. How the hell was he so good at this? 

Aaron decided it was now or never and Nicky was the best person to confide his screwed up feelings in. He took a shaky breath. “I fucked up.” His voice came out sounding broken and wet and he tried not to cry. 

Nicky scooted closer on the couch, still keeping his distance like Aaron was a wounded animal. “Okay…walk me through it.” 

Aaron did. He told him about his feelings for Kevin that Nicky already knew about. He told him about overhearing Neil and Kevin talking about Andrew. He told him about his fight with Andrew all leading up to his plan and Kevin yelling at him. By the end of it, Nicky had placed a careful hand on Aaron’s arm, rubbing back and forth on the fabric of his borrowed sweatshirt in comfort. 

“And now he’s never going to speak to me again and when Andrew finds out, he’s gonna kill me. Which is probably for the best because I’d rather die than face Kevin again.” Aaron put his head in his hands, gripping his hair in frustration. 

“Take a breath,” Nicky soothed, running his hand up Aaron’s back. Aaron did, trying to calm himself to no avail. “I’m sorry, Aaron,” Nicky continued. “But that really was the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard in my life. I thought you were the smart one.”

Aaron pulled away from his cousin’s calming ministrations to glare at him. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean? You’re meant to be on my side!” He’d never felt more betrayed. 

“And I am.” Nicky raised his hands in defense. “But what did you think was going to happen? You could have just told Kevin that Andrew didn’t like him like that and he would’ve believed you. Or better yet, told you that he actually liked you and this whole thing could have been avoided. You nutcase.” The last part was unnecessary. God, he hated it when Nicky was logical and had common sense. 

“I was blinded by love.” Aaron said with gritted teeth.

“Who are you?” Nicky shook him. “You sound so out of character right now. Is this a prank? Are you actually Andrew and messing with me?” 

“Shut up, Nicky.” Though he did have a point. 

Nicky groaned and held his head. Drama queen. “I don’t know anymore!” 

“Stop it.” 

Nicky chuckled at his own dramatics. “No but seriously. It’s not like you to be this dumb. You really like him, don’t you?” 

Aaron picked at the skin on his thumbnail. “I really do.” His face flushed at the admission. He liked Kevin. A lot. So much so that he made a fool of himself because he was too scared to face even the slightest possibility that Kevin might not like him back. 

Nicky smiled brightly. “Then use your words and tell him that. As you, I should say. Just to be more specific. Don’t go dressing up as Andrew to try to guage the situation. That will not go well for you. Actually, both of you need to stop dressing up as each other. It doesn’t go well when we all find out and frankly it’s a little bit awkward.” 

“Okay, I get it.” Aaron finally cracked a smile at his cousin’s antics. “I’ll talk to him.” If Kevin even let him. 

“Good.” Nicky patted him on the shoulder. “Now change out of Andrew’s clothes. You’re creeping me out.” 

*** 

It was no secret that Aaron was bad at taking advice. He didn’t tell Kevin he liked him when Andrew told him to and avoid this whole thing and he wasn’t going to talk to Kevin after Nicky told him he should. It was just too terrifying. Kevin wouldn’t even look at him no matter how many times Aaron tried to catch his eye. 

“What’s with you?” Andrew asked when Aaron had skipped staying after school for the third day in a row. “This little temper tantrum is getting old.” 

“I’m not still mad, asshole.” Aaron snapped. “I just have a lot of homework.” He pulled his backpack strap higher on his shoulder. “I’ll see you at home, okay?” 

Andrew narrowed his eyes. “You’re such a bad liar.” He had no idea. “I’ll drag it out of you yet.” 

Part of Aaron wanted to tell his twin what happened, but there were a multitude of reasons why he couldn’t. Andrew needed to stay out of his business and let Aaron handle his issues on his own. If Kevin and him never spoke again, that wasn’t his problem. Aaron wasn’t even sure if Andrew liked Kevin all that much considering how often he left him alone in their house when he was the one who invited him over. And let’s not forget the fact that Aaron was desperate to keep his little dress up stunt a secret. He hadn’t even told Katelyn because he knew she’d just say what Nicky did; some reiteration of how dumb he was which he already knew, thank you very much. 

And obviously asking Neil if Kevin talked about Aaron to him was out of the question. He wanted to avoid that snake as much as he could. 

Aaron didn’t know what to do. Were he and Kevin seriously just never going to talk to each other again? Did Aaron really screw up that badly? Could he even explain himself properly without sounding like an even bigger idiot than Kevin already thought he was? Nicky was going to be so disappointed in him for ignoring his advice. He really hoped his cousin wouldn’t take matters into his own hands and try to “help” him. That could only end in disaster.
Aaron spoke too soon. 

A week had gone by with Kevin and Aaron avoiding each other, both taking seperate routes to class and getting rides home from people that weren’t Andrew who kept asking them what their problem was to which they’d both come up with an excuse. It was so bad that even Neil had noticed and point blank asked Aaron if he’d rejected Kevin or something. So Neil did know about Kevin’s crush, how could Aaron have been so blind? He avoided the question and told Neil to mind his own business. 

But since Neil spent so much time with Andrew, he’d adopted his manipulative bad habit of butting in when he got annoyed. 

It was on another Friday that things came to head. 

Nicky had a late night shift and Andrew was going to be at Neil’s again. Aaron didn’t mind. He wanted to be alone for the night. He needed the time to wallow in his self pity some more. 

He gathered his study materials and set them out on his desk, planning on doing homework for the night until Andrew came back. It was supposed to be a quiet night. And it might have been until Aaron got up to pee. 

He had just begun to wash his hands when he heard a commotion outside the bathroom door. It sounded like footsteps but they were too heavy to be just Nicky and too loud to be only one person. Was Andrew back early? And did he bring Neil with him? 

“Ow, Neil! Fuck!” Was that Kevin? 

Aaron’s heartrate picked up. Had Kevin finally decided to start coming over again? Or did he think Aaron wouldn’t be here?

It didn’t matter because as soon as Aaron started to dry his hands, the bathroom door burst open. They didn’t live in a big house so the bathroom he and Andrew shared was way too small for three people but that wasn’t for lack of trying. Aaron jumped a foot in the air, cursing himself for not locking the door but why would he? Andrew usually knocked first yet this time he’d lost all sense of decorum. 

Kevin stumbled a bit when Neil shoved him in the bathroom, catching himself on the counter. Aaron, startled, jumped back and almost knocked his knee against the toilet. Andrew and Neil, not very tall or muscly boys both stood shoulder to shoulder blocking the doorway. 

“What the fuck is going on?” Aaron demanded, avoiding eye contact with Kevin. “Why do you have a knife?” He directed the question at Neil who looked way too happy to be holding a switchblade and pointing it at Kevin’s back. 

Neil bared his teeth at him. “Fun. Plus I had to get Kevin here somehow. He’s unfortunately not stupid enough to think we didn’t have ulterior motives.” 

Kevin spoke to Aaron for the first time in a week. “He threatend to stab me unless I came up here,” he mumbled. “The worst part is I’ve known him all my life and I still can’t tell if he’s kidding.” 

“I wasn’t kidding,” Neil’s creepy grin widened.

Andrew leaned forward and snatched the knife from his not-boyfriend’s loose grip. “Give me that, you idiot.” He closed the blade smoothly and pocketed it. Oh great, now Andrew had a weapon. They were all gonna die weren’t they? Andrew gestured between Kevin and Aaron. “As much as I hate to be such a cliche, it must be done. You two are driving me nuts.” 

“I told you to stay out of it!” Kevin growled at Neil. 

“And I told you to shut up about Aaron and talk to him otherwise I’d get creative.” Neil quipped back. Kevin talked about him? Wait. Creative? 

Andrew answered Aaron’s unspoken question. “We’re not letting you two out until you’ve kissed and made up.” Then he added as an afterthought, “Or killed each other. I don’t really care which.” 

“Andrew!” Aaron piped up. “You can’t just lock us in here! Nicky will be pissed and you’ll be in so much trouble!” 

Andrew tilted his head like Aaron was a wounded animal he pitied. “Nicky won’t be home for another four hours and do you honestly think I care if he takes away my toys? Grow up.” He then moved out of the way so Neil could step in and close the door. 

“Neil!” Kevin shouted but the annoying redhead looked way too happy to be locking his best friend in a cramped bathroom. 

“Bye-bye,” he called and the door slammed with a click. 

Kevin kicked the door in frustration then ran an irritated hand through his hair. Aaron sat gingerly on the toilet lid, pulling his knees up. “You’re not claustrophobic are you?” 

Kevin peeked at him. “No. You?” 

Aaron shook his head. 

“Good.” Kevin winced a little and glanced down at his side. “I think I’m bleeding.” 

Aaron lowered his legs and sat up straight. “What? Did Neil actually stab you?” 

Kevin raised a hand to put pressure on his abdomen. “I wasn’t moving fast enough up the stairs.” 

“Is he fucking crazy?”

“Yes.” And okay, yeah, that was a stupid question. There was a rumor that Neil was raised in the woods by wolves when really he lived with his uncle because no one knew where his parents were. That only mildly explained his pyschotic behavior. Though Andrew clammed up every time Aaron tried to ask what Neil’s deal was so maybe he knew something the rest of the world didn’t. They really were made for each other. Crazy how neither of them could see it. 

Aaron stood. “Sit down and take your shirt off.” 

Kevin raised an eyebrow. 

Aaron tried to hide his flush. “So I can take a look at it, you moron.” 

“You know, you’re really not that much different from your brother.” Kevin said as he obliged Aaron’s request. The comment hurt a little since Kevin had been one of few who thought the twins were pleasantly worlds apart. Aaron really had screwed this up. 

“Say that again and I’ll drown you in the bathtub.” Aaron hissed, forgetting that they were supposed to be making up. 

Kevin looked like he very much wanted to say it again but smartly kept his mouth shut. 

Aaron crouched down to take a look at the shallow wound, trying his best to ignore how good Kevin looked without his shirt. Exy really did a number on a man’s physique. Kevin hissed when Aaron touched the cut tenderly. “Sorry, sorry. It doesn’t look too bad though, I think I have a first aid kit in here.” Kevin nodded as Aaron stood and rummaged around in the bathroom drawer for an alcohol wipe and a bandaid. He ripped the pack open with his teeth. “This is gonna burn.” 

Kevin sucked in a breath as Aaron carefully cleaned the wound. It suddenly occurred to him that this was the longest they’d been alone together since their fight and neither of them were yelling so that had to be a good sign. Aaron tossed the soiled wipe into the trash and gently blew out his breath on Kevin’s abdomen to dry it before he put the bandaid on. 

Kevin shivered. “You’re really good at that,” his voice suddenly echoed in the dingy bathroom. 

Aaron looked at him with raised brows. “At what? Blowing?” 

“No!” Kevin flushed. “Being gentle and having a surprisingly decent bedside maner. You’re gonna be a good doctor someday.” The corner of Kevin’s lips turned up and Aaron thought he might fall over. 

“Uh thanks?” He replied dumbly. “I can’t believe Neil stabbed you.” He tried to change the subject.

Kevin breathed a laugh. “I can. He did warn me he would if I didn’t stop asking questions and come up here.” He looked way too calm about his best friend stabbing him. 

Aaron sat back on his heels. “Why are you even friends with him if he’s such a nutcase?” 

Kevin shrugged. “He’s not so bad. Like I said, I’ve known him all my life. My cousin Riko’s fucking crazy and I wasn’t allowed to talk to anyone else when he was around. Neil was the only one I’d known who got me. When he moved next door I thought I finally had someone who understood what it’s like to have people make assumptions about you before they even knew you.” 

Aaron looked down at the floor, oddly feeling like he could relate. The twins always dealt with rumors about them. People thought it was weird that they never hung out with anyone but each other until high school. They thought it even weirder that they lived with just their cousin as a parent. Aaron supposed that’s why they’d both gotten attached to Kevin and Neil. The four of them knew what it was like to be judged for having an odd family situation and even odder personality traits. They’d all been labeled crazy before they’d even made it to hello. It was a lonely description. 

 Aaron fiddled with the bandaid wrapper. “I get that. Andrew’s all I’ve ever known and even though he’s batshit insane, he cares about me.” It hurt to say it but it was true. Andrew would always protect Aaron no matter what even when he acted like he hated him. Though Aaron would stab himself in the eye before ever admitting he and Andrew were friends. 

 Kevin laughed again. “Exactly. With Neil, I didn’t feel so alone. He’s the only real friend I’ve ever had.” 

“I thought I was your friend.” Aaron said softly, feeling awful that Kevin had ever felt so alone. That he might’ve played a part in making him feel that way. 

“Are you?” Kevin’s voice had a note of insecurity to it. “Is that why you tried to let me down gently?” And there it was. The bitterness he’d been trying to hide. The whole reason they were stuck in this stupid bathroom by Aaron’s stupid brother and his brother’s stupider boyfriend. 

Aaron fumbled with the wrapper still, hands shaking a little. He needed his hands to remain busy in the moment. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry.” 

“I just don’t know why you did it.” Kevin’s voice was soft. He wouldn’t look at Aaron, gaze trained on a dent in the wall from where Andrew had punched it in the past. “I would have been fine if you just said no.” 

Aaron couldn’t take the bold, confident, Exy star Kevin Day sounding so insecure. It looked like Aaron wasn’t the only one acting out of character. “It wasn’t that…” He trailed off, finally getting the bandaid open. He placed it carefully on Kevin’s side and smoothed it out with his fingers. Kevin inhaled at the slightly intimate touch. “I thought you—” he cut himself off and ran a hand through his hair. God, this was humiliating. 

“You thought what?” Kevin prompted, finally meeting his gaze which made this all the more difficult and embarrassing. 

“I thought you had a crush on Andrew!” Aaron blurted like an idiot. After this was all over, he swore he’d go back to being smarter than everyone. 

Silence. 

Kevin inhaled through his nose. “What.” It wasn’t a question. Just a statement of complete and utter bafflement. 

“I overheard you talking about him to Neil and you kept saying how perfect he was and how he had a good physique and so I thought you liked him and I knew he didn’t like you back,” Aaron rambled, barely taking a breath. He just needed to get it all out so Kevin didn’t hate him anymore. “So I asked him to reject you so you could at least move on but he wouldn’t because he’s an asshole and likes to fuck with people but I didn’t think it was fair to make you watch him be obsessed with Neil so I pretended to be him so you’d know he didn’t like you and you could move on and yeah it was a terrible idea and I couldn’t even fucking see and I must have looked ridiculous but I just needed you to not fawn over Andrew like everyone else and I promise you I didn’t have any ulterior motives other than that.” Aaron finally let out a breath. Surprisingly, Kevin let him get through that whole thing without interrupting him once. If their roles were reversed, Aaron would think Kevin was a psycho. 

But Kevin was different than any person Aaron had met. He was a little bit of a weirdo which people didn’t know because they never took the chance to get to know him like Aaron had. So it wasn’t too surprising when Kevin just looked at him with that cute tilt of his and asked, “Are you done? Did you get it out of your system?” It was asked like Aaron had actually vomited instead of just word vomited like an idiot. 

“I think so,” Aaron croaked. 

“Good.” Kevin nodded and looked at him analytically. “You are quite stupid, aren’t you?” 

“Fuck you,” Aaron said immediately and then regretted it right as it left his lips. 

But Kevin only laughed. “In what world would I have a crush on Andrew? He hates me.” 

“No, he doesn’t.” Aaron waved a hand. “You’re like, one of his best friends.” 

“I am?” Kevin seemed genuinely shocked. 

“Yes!” Aaron rolled his eyes. “But that’s not what we’re talking about. I just poured my heart out to you and am very much freaking out about it.” 

Kevin laughed again, the bastard. “Oh is that what that was?” 

“Yes, you dingus.” Aaron glared at him. 

Kevin looked down at him fondly. “Stop calling me names.” 

“Then stop stalling and say what you need to say.” Aaron crossed his arms. 

Kevin raised his hands in defense. “Okay, okay. But you’re gonna need to stand up. You being on your knees is making it hard for me to focus.” 

“Asshole.” Aaron mumbled, face burning as he stood and leaned his back against the bathroom counter. The room was so tiny that he was practically standing between Kevin’s knees when the other turned to face him. Mind you that Kevin was still shirtless so his brain was currently short circuiting though he wasn’t stupid enough to say so out loud like Kevin had. 

“Okay so I don’t know what you thought you heard but I think I should clarify that I don’t have a crush on Andrew.” Kevin spoke seriously. 

“Yes, we’ve established that.” Aaron crossed his arms. “What was all that stuff about Neil missing his chance, anyway?” 

“I’ve been trying to get him to join the Exy team.” 

Aaron shifted. “What?” 

“Andrew’s got skill, I don’t know if you’ve seen him in gym, but he’s an amazing goalie. Plus he’s smart and calculated  and cunning. We could use someone like him. He’d be perfect.” Kevin seemed to go into a daze then and Aaron knew he needed to stop him before they spent hours in there because Kevin went off topic to talk about Exy. 

“Okay, are you done fanboying over my brother?” He couldn’t hide the jealousy flaring up. 

Kevin smiled at him sheepishly and cleared his throat. “Sorry. Anyways, Neil’s been trying to convince him for months but I think Andrew caught on and so Neil kept getting, um, distracted.” Oh, gross. “So I thought I’d try my hand but no luck.” He shrugged. 

And suddenly everything made sense. Kevin consistently coming over to “show Andrew game tapes”. Andrew’s dismissal of Kevin’s entire existence. How it often seemed like Andrew did everything in his power to leave Kevin by himself when he and Neil both came over. A move that had put Kevin in Aaron’s orbit in the first place. 

“So when Neil said you were wasting your time…” Aaron started. 

“He meant that Andrew was never going to join no matter how determined I was.” Kevin finished. “I probably should have been spending my energy on you, but I guess it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.” 

Aaron looked at him in confusion. “Wait. What do you mean?” 

Kevin’s eyebrows pinched together. “You don’t like me like that, remember?” 

Aaron uncrossed his arms and stood straighter. “When did I say that?” 

Kevin tilted his head again. “Well I just kinda figured. I mean, why else would you have pretended to be Andrew to let me down gently? You were just trying to be a good friend and protect my feelings and I appreciate that now that I know the truth.” 

“You don’t know anything,” Aaron burst, throwing his hands up. “I don’t give a shit if people have a crush on my brother. Plenty of my friends have fallen for him though I don’t understand why considering what a psycho he is.” 

“Okay…” Kevin was still befuddled. “Then why—” 

“I didn’t want you having a crush on him.” Aaron poked him in the shoulder, ignoring how close he was getting to him and what it was doing to his gut. “And yes, I’m a complete moron and I despise the power you have over me but I didn’t know what else to do and Andrew knew I liked you and still didn’t help me because, again, he’s an asshole!” 

“I have power over you?” Kevin asked, baffled. 

“Is that what you’re focused on? Yes, you fucking imbecile! You make me goddamn weak in my pathetic knees!” Aaron no longer felt embarrassed. Because after all of that, how could Kevin possibly not understand that Aaron liked him? Aaron hated everyone. He liked maybe five people and two of them were a part of his family. Kevin had broken through his walls and fucked with his whole brain chemistry. Aaron couldn’t think when he was around. He couldn’t breathe. And he hated himself for it. 

“You like me?” Kevin said like he couldn’t believe it. 

“Are you deaf or just stupid?” Aaron scowled. Had he not made a fool of himself enough already? 

“Stop being mean to me or I might fall in love with you.” Kevin stopped Aaron in his rant. Aaron hadn’t even realized how close they’d gotten. He was standing between Kevin’s knees to get in his face to yell at him for being so ridiculously stupid. 

Aaron flushed, almost at a loss for words. His felt a lump in his throat. “Stop that. You’re so fucking—” 

“Yeah?” Kevin interrupted, hands coming up to rest on Aaron’s hips. The look he was giving him was pure and fond as he gazed up at him, their faces an inch apart. “What am I?” 

Aaron stared down at him, already out of breath. “Aggravating,” he whispered in the space between them. “Irritating.” His fingers came up to rest gently on Kevin’s bare shoulders. “Insanely obsessed with Exy.” 

Kevin hummed. “Exy isn’t my only obsession.” 

Aaron’s shaky breath mingled with Kevin’s. “Yeah?” 

Kevin smiled. “Yeah.” He leaned in closer. “You must really like me if you went through all this trouble to stop me from getting with Andrew. I must make you pretty stupid, huh?”  

Aaron’s heart was beating so loudly, he worried Kevin could hear it. “Fuck you,” he grunted.

Kevin’s grin was sly and sharp against Aaron’s mouth. “You’d like that wouldn’t you?” 

Aaron’s breath hitched. “Shut up.” 

“Make me.” 

Aaron took that as a challenge as he finally, finally, kissed Kevin Day. 

Aaron’s hands slid up Kevin’s neck, cupping his cheeks gently. Kevin gripped his hips tightly with light fingers playing with the hem of Aaron’s sweatshirt. Aaron had never had someone be so gentle with him. Someone who liked his meanness. Someone who liked him over Andrew. Someone who was obsessed with all his little quirks and took the unnecessary time to get to know him as a person rather than Andrew’s twin brother. Aaron couldn’t believe how stupid he’d been. 

Kissing Kevin was like coming up for air. Like everything clicking into place. Like Aaron could finally take a breath and just let things be. No more wondering. No more staring and then looking away so he didn’t get caught. No more fidgeting and laying awake at night. 

Kevin’s hands slid up the back of Aaron’s hoodie. Aaron shivered at the cold fingers on his hot skin. For a long while he’d wondered how soft Kevin’s hair was and now he was gripping it while the other moaned in his mouth. Aaron didn’t want to stop. They didn’t need to go any further than this. Just two people who liked each other kissing in a tiny bathroom because the closest people in their lives couldn’t mind their business. 

Speaking of…

The two had been lost in their own world of each other, neither even knowing how long it’d been. Until the door opened and Neil’s voice broke through. “It’s been quiet for too long, did Aaron murder you—oh ew!” 

The two pulled away, glares matching at the interruption. Andrew peeked over Neil’s shoulder nonchalantly. “Oh good. You worked it out.” 

Aaron tightened his hand on Kevin as though Kevin was gonna pull away any second. “Get out.” He moved closer as though to block his shirtless state. 

“I think the words you’re looking for are ‘thank you’,” Neil said with a hand dramatically over his eyes. Fucking asshole. 

“The words we’re looking for are ‘get out’,” Kevin glared, matching Aaron’s hostile energy.  

“You’re welcome,” Andrew rolled his eyes. “Keep it down if you two are going to fuck.” 

Aaron felt his face heat up again. “Get. Out.” He seethed. 

“Fine, fine. We’re going.” Neil grabbed Andrew by the arm and pulled him with him.

Surprisingly, Andrew let him, shutting the door behind them. 

Kevin and Aaron were finally alone again. Kevin rubbed his hands over his jeans nervously. “So…” he trailed off, clearly not knowing where they went from here. “Are we—“ 

“Shut up,” Aaron said again and snatched his glasses off his face and tossed them onto the counter without a care of where they landed. He turned back around to scramble onto Kevin’s lap, straddling his thighs. Kevin held onto him tightly so he wouldn’t fall over and allowed Aaron to quiet his questions with a press of his lips. 

  And even though Aaron hated that they’d remember their first kiss being on top of a toilet, he thought he could get used to it as the oddness of it all seemed hilariously them in a way. 

Later, they would have their serious discussion and declare themselves official. And yes, they did begrudgingly thank Andrew and Neil for their meddling. Kevin more than Aaron who only thanked Nicky for listening to his stupidity. Plus a slight apology for being such a shit all the time. Aaron had a boyfriend now and he couldn’t be happier. 

Though of course, Andrew had to go and ruin it. 

About three days after Kevin and Aaron had made things official, Aaron had woken up for school and made his way to the bathroom. And when he looked in the mirror, he let out a inhuman scream. AARON was written across his forehead in black ink. He rubbed at it furiously until his skin turned red but Andrew’s delicate script wouldn’t come off. 

Aaron bounded down the steps in anger. His twin sat at the kitchen table, nonchalantly eating fruit loops while his idiot boyfriend sat next to him. The idiot boyfriend in question laughed loudly when he saw him. “Nice work,” Neil guffawed, nudging Andrew’s shoulder. 

Aaron only glared daggers at the both of them and cursed himself for being a heavy sleeper. 

Andrew silently chewed his cereal and swallowed before pointing a finger at him. “Never pretend to be me without my permission again. Am I clear?” 

Aaron grit his teeth. “Yes,” he ground out. He didn’t know how the hell he was supposed to go about his day with his name written across his forehead. He’d be more pissed if he hadn’t wished he thought of it first. With all the times Andrew pretended to be him, Aaron really should have had an idea this genius. Well played, Andrew. 

“Good,” Andrew said, satisfied. “Now come on, we’re going to be late.” 

And Aaron would have put up more of a fight and demanded he stay home from school if it didn’t mean he wouldn’t get to see Kevin. Andrew, the asshole, knew it too. 

When Nicky saw them later that afternoon, he immediately grounded Andrew for a week and helped Aaron remove the ink. Not without laughing for a solid minute straight before realizing he had to be an adult and punish Andrew. All Andrew had to say for himself was, “Worth it.” 

And Aaron, with the memory of when Kevin saw his twin’s handiwork and whispered to him that he could get his hands on his teammate Allison’s make up as he pulled him into his arms and kissed his forehead. Well, he had to agree.