Neil was struggling to breathe after a particularly hard check from the other team’s backliner. In his haste to get his neck guard off he forgot to make sure his necklace stayed hidden. Well, it was less of a necklace and more of an efficiency thing— a way for him to actually wear the ring Andrew bought him when they got married. The camera for the Jumbotron had started following him the same time as the backliner and was still on him when his ring was exposed to everyone.
Press duty after the game was what everyone expected from Neil Josten being in front of cameras— absolutely anarchy. There were so many questions about him being married and who his wife was, he just had to correct them.
“My Husband and I actually prefer to keep our private lives private, you know. I understand it’s such a wild concept to you vultures that not everything is just a grab for the next big news story, but just let us keep a little of our peace.” Neil walked right out of the room after that, tired after all the inane questioning and not willing to put up with anymore.
For the next couple months Neil was bombarded with questions about his husband. Most went ignored but every once in a while if someone asked how the husband was Neil would be inclined to answer them.
Neil thought nothing of this habit until press after his game against Andrew’s team. The only reason he didn’t think of it prior to the game was because all rational thought was overshadowed by his excitement to see Andrew in person again.
“So, Neil, how's your husband? Did he enjoy the game?” One of the most tolerable reporters asked at the end of the meeting.
Neil smiled to himself— and a little at Andrew— before saying “oh he’s great. Always has a ton of fun at games as well.”
Everyone was so focused on Neil that no one noticed Andrew leaning towards his mic until he spoke, “now that is an absolute lie. I never have fun at these things.”
With that the two looked at each other, Neil grinning like a fool and Andrew slightly amused, and together they decided to stand up and walk out of the mess they just made.
