Andrew loved winter in Boston. he liked trying all of the holiday flavored coffees, and the string lights hung outside the shops by his apartment, and the snow that never usually came to South Carolina.
he’d bundle up in thick sweaters and the jacket Nicky bought him four years prior for Christmas and walk around the shops while he had time off from practice. he’d watch the snow fall against his dark jacket, looking at the unique shape it was before it inevitably got brushed off, or covered by a new snowflake.
he thought of Neil. he has never seen Neil in snow like it snowed in Boston. he wondered if Neil would enjoy it like Andrew did. he wondered if Neil would like the flavored coffee he got, or if he’d like the lights hanging outside if the shops.
“come to Boston,” Andrew said one night over the phone.
he and Neil had started calling regularly at night when Andrew had finished his practices. he told Neil that he called him at night to make sure he didn’t get murdered in his sleep, but he calls him so he can fall asleep to Neil’s voice. he’d do that in bad days while he was still at Palmetto, listening to Neil tell Andrew about the show he was watching, or the cool shirt someone was wearing in his math class. it comforted him.
“do you want me to?” Neil asked.
“mhmm. it’s pretty in the winter,” Andrew responded. he laid in his bed with his phone propped against a tissue box on his nightstand so he could see Neil while he started to fall asleep.
“tell me about it,” he said.
“i’d rather show you,” he whispered. his eyes we’re starting to get heavy with sleep. he let himself close his eyes, and Neil understood he needed to go to sleep.
Neil talked about what he thought Boston was like. he talked about snow falling on the ground, huddling together on the couch in some ancient coffee shop, watching people walk their dogs while they enjoy pastries and coffee. by the time Andrew was asleep, he heard Neil looking at flights for Boston in December.
when winter break rolled around for Neil, he had his flights all sorted out to visit Andrew. Andrew met him at the airport, waiting for him at one of the doors that lead to the massive parking garage.
the airport was crowded, but that didn’t stop Andrew from catching Neil when he threw himself at Andrew. his arms held tightly around his back like if he let go he’d never see him again. Neil pulled him up for a kiss, which they usually didn’t do in public, but it had been four months without Neil. he didn’t care.
they walked out to Andrew’s car, Neil shivering with his lack of coat. Andrew unbuttoned his and passed it over to Neil. Neil pulled Andrew into his side as they packed Neil’s stuff into the trunk.
“missed you,” he murmured into Andrew’s hair.
Andrew didn’t respond, but pressed himself closer to Neil in an almost hug, but not quite. his head was against Neil's shoulder, and Neil's arm was around his back.
“get in the car. let’s go home,” he murmured against his jacket. Neil nodded, and Andrew pushed him in the direction of the passengers side door.
they drove home with the radio on low volume to some song Andrew doesn’t know, but Neil hums along too. his hand rested on Andrew’s thigh, tapping his fingers with the beat of the music.
it didn't take them long to get home once they were clear of the airport traffic. they walked up the stairs to Andrew's apartment, Andrew taking one of the bags Neil had with him.
as soon as the door to his apartment closed, Andrew threw the bag he was holding on the floor and crashed himself against Neil. Neil let out a noise of surprise, but quickly placed his bag down beside him and wrapped his arms around Andrew’s back, holding him against his chest.
“missed you,” Neil said again.
“missed you too,” Andrew mumbled into his chest.
they eventually made their way into Andrew’s bedroom where they lazily kissed against the bedroom door. Neil placed his hands on Andrew’s hips gently and walked him backwards into the bed, giving him a light push on the shoulder. it wasn’t enough to make Andrew fall, but he let himself lean back into the bed. Neil climbed after him, his knees bracketing Andrew’s hips.
Neil reached down and lightly tugged on the waist band on Andrew’s sweatpants. “yes or no?” he repeated.
Andrew reached up, his hand cupping Neil’s cheek, and his thumb tracing over his bottom lip, pulling it slightly when he reached the opposite end. “not tonight,” he said. “i just want to fall asleep together. we can tomorrow, if you’re up for it.”
“you don’t have to explain yourself,” Neil responded. he began to climb off Andrew, but Andrew reached out a hand to stop him. Neil paused, letting Andrew pull him back up, and guide his chest down partially so he’d meet his eyes.
“this is okay. i want this.”
Neil nodded, letting Andrew rearrange them so they were against the pillows. Neil slumped against Andrew’s chest, eventually falling asleep against his oversized and warm hoodie.
Andrew was looking forward to showing Neil around Boston, but he was the most excited for moments like these.
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