What Now? p5
Or more correctly titled: twice that andrew asked neil out and it failed miserably, and the one time they managed to get it right.
note: these are just drafts and i will be uploading a proper, easier read onto ao3. enjoy none the less!
Andrew thought it was going smoothly. They were eating across from one another in one of Palmetto’s few elegant restaurants. Neil had managed to wear something other than a tank top and sweats: His jeans were not threadbare, and he wore a sweater over a button-down shirt. His curls cascaded neatly from his head, and Andrew fucking hated everything about the man.
Both had found suitable care for their children for the rest of the evening. Perhaps, if things went truly well, they could return to Andrew’s empty apartment. Kevin was visiting his father for the night.
It seemed a little too ambitious. For all of Neil’s reclusive mannerisms, he was oddly relaxed. It made Andrew somewhat suspicious.
The meal was good. The conversation was comfortable: They shared early memories of Robin and Kevin, tales of snobbish parents, explaining further details of their work.
“Wymack’s child?” Neil had said, startled. “I...hadn’t realised.”
“What of it?” Andrew asked, leaning a little closer and sipping on his gin.
“I’ve had two kids granted scholarships with Palmetto State.” He admitted. “If it weren’t for Wymack’s initiative to take in disadvantaged youth, they’d never be considered. I’m hoping - well, Robin wants to go there.”
“Tell the old fuck to say hi to his kid more often.” Andrew grumbled.
Neil laughed softly, a quick curl of the lips. It was a sound Andrew was becoming incredibly fond of. Fuck, he was turning into a sappy shit, wasn’t he?
Outside, they smoked together, leaning against the hood of Andrew’s Maserati. Andrew’s suspicion had grown when Neil insisted to help pay, but perhaps that was just him defying traditionalism, like the rest of his existence did.
There was only one way to figure it out.
His hair shone in the moonlight whilst the golden hues leaking from the windows of the restaurant curved over his cheekbones and lips. His scars distorted his skin, warped by age and further growth.
Regardless of scars, Neil was, in short: Stunning. The most attractive man Andrew could remember stumbling across. He was the perfect height, the appropriate age, a single, working father who understood trauma and trust issues. And he was here, on a date with Andrew.
What were the chances?
“Can I kiss you?”
Neil looked at him, shock spasming across his face. “Huh?”
Apparently, the chances were zero.
“A kiss, Josten.” Andrew said, flatly. He ignored the disappointment that lurched in his throat. “Must I spell it out for you?”
“I -” He stammered. “I didn’t realise you like me.”
“I hate you.” Andrew: Contradictory as always. He kept his gaze upon the restaurant, refusing to allow Neil to see the tumultuous storm of unwarranted emotion in his eyes. “What did you think this was?”
“Not a date.” He said, weakly. “Didn’t occur to me that someone was willing to look past this.” Andrew saw the gestures out of the corner of his eyes. Neil was talking about his scars.
“Fuck off, and take your pity party with you.” He said, decidedly.
“I still had a nice evening.” Neil offered. “I hope me being a dumbass didn’t ruin it entirely.” He had slid off the hood, grinding the cigarette under his boot. “Uh. I’ll go?”
“Do.” Andrew said flatly. He’d known it was too good to be true.
And then - against all expectations -
(Seriously, why did Andrew bother with expectations surrounding Neil? He had defied every single one of them thus far.)
- Neil leaned in for a quick kiss on the cheek. Andrew whipped his head to look at him as his own face grew warm, unable to stop his body’s reaction.
Neil was even more hopelessly awkward, clutching his car-keys to his chest. “I hope that was okay. Uh. I had a really good time. Sorry I didn’t realise it was a date. Um. Call me?” He grimaced at himself, cheeks as red as his hair. “I’m going to walk away now.”
“Take your time.” Andrew offered, ignoring his own hypocrisy as his heart slammed against his ribcage. “I’m finding this rather amusing.”
Neil scowled. “Oh, fuck off.” With that, he swivelled on his heel and stormed away.
Now, that was a more typical ending to Andrew’s usual dates. He took a drag of his cigarette and let himself smile - just a little - as he remembered the brush of Neil’s lips over his cheek.
“Come out with me again.” Andrew was leant against the plexiglass wall with his arms crossed, sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he watched Neil pack up from practise. Most kids had already vacated: Late, Thursday practises always cleared out quickly. Robin and Kevin were running drills together at the other end of the court.
“What?” Neil was awfully distracted by Andrew’s popped collar, unable to forget Allison’s critical analysis of Neil’s newfound distraction. Not to mention they’d already been on a date - not that Neil had realised. “What do you mean?”
“You’re hopeless.” Andrew shook his head. “I should have known better than to do this.”
“No, wait-” He dragged the stack of cones over, dropping them onto the wooden floorboards when he was stood in front of Andrew. He was much taller than the man when Andrew was slouched against the wall like this. “What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”
“You’re an idiot and a liar.” Andrew offered. “I’d like to run you over.”
“Right.” Neil said, trying not to smile. “Of course.”
“I’m asking you out to dinner.”
“Why?” Neil asked.
Andrew narrowed his eyes. “Are you that thick?”
“I didn’t think you were interested, after how much of a mess last time was.” Oh, fucking fuck, what the fuck was he doing?
“Surprise, surprise.” Andrew muttered, shouldering his way out from between Neil and the wall. “I’ll be at yours at 7. Don’t make me wait. Kevin!” He snapped. “We’re going, hurry up!”
“Come help me pack up, Robin.” Neil urged.
The two kids dragged their feet as they were forced in opposite directions. Neil saluted Andrew in farewell, and was flipped off in response. He laughed, but it hiccupped in his throat. Andrew Minyard had asked him out to dinner - a date. A real date, that he knew was a date. And he’d said yes.
Robin rubbed her eyes as she yawned when they’d finally packed up. “Are we going home now?”
“Yes, honey.” He ruffled her hair. “Do you want to go over to Allison’s tomorrow night?”
“But there isn’t an away game on Saturday?” She yawned again.
“I’ve got a lot of paperwork to do in the office tomorrow night.” Neil lied. It didn’t sit well in his stomach, but he didn’t really want to explain to his daughter why he wanted the house free. He didn’t want to admit to himself why he wanted the house free. “And there will be games played on court, so you can’t practise. I’m sure Laila and Jeremy would love to have you over.”
“Okay.” She hiccuped, skipping ahead.
Neil frantically pulled out his phone.
N: you have to look after robin tomorrow night sorry not sorry
Allie: uh huh.
N: and you need to help me figure out what to wear.
Allie: knew it! i believe in u, u sexy midget
N: um thanks?
The whole arrangement between him and Allison worked swell: Her kids came over for a snack as Allison shuffled him into his bedroom.
“Ass jeans.” She threw a plastic bag at him. “Trust me on this one.”
“How’d you know my size?” He demanded, mystified. When he pulled out the new boxers, he threw them at her with an indignant squawk. “The children are next door to us, Allison.”
“But they won’t be tonight.” She winked, clapping her hands delightedly. “Fuck, I love being a wing-woman.”
“I haven’t seen you in such a good mood - ever.” Neil accused. “How’s Renee.”
“Fuck off and get dressed, Neil.”
Then she’d taken Robin off Neil’s hands ( “Dad, why are you dressed fancy to go to work?” “I’m just testing out some new clothes, honey. Enjoy yourself! Go to sleep early!” ) and Neil was left alone, waiting for Andrew on his front doorstep. The gun-metal grey of the car - a Maserati, as Andrew had previously insisted - was impossible to miss as it turned into Neil’s street.
Andrew had his hand hanging limp out of his window as Neil clambered in.
“Hey.” He said.
“Hey yourself.” Andrew replied, shooting off.
Second date basis, Neil thought to himself. Did the first one even count? Oh, fuck. He was so out of his depth.
“Called it.” Andrew said quietly, as the car pulled to a stop. Neil glanced over at him and Andrew slanted a bored look. “You were too relaxed last time, which made me suspect you hadn’t gotten the clue.”
Neil stuttered out an apology, to which Andrew lifted his chin with his finger.
“Quiet.” He instructed. “Breathe.”
Neil did as he was told. When they got out of the car, he followed Andrew through a parking lot: It was crowded. When Neil saw the orange and white donned fans, he couldn’t stifle his smile.
He was completely overdressed for an Exy game, but Andrew was also dressed to the nines, so it didn’t feel strange. From the boot of his car, Andrew gathered two Palmetto Fox-themed scarves for the both of them.
“Tell anyone I willingles went to an Exy match, and I’ll kill you.” Andrew warned.
Neil just couldn’t stop grinning. “Would anyone believe me?”
The stadium itself was huge: Neil wondered how different his life would have been, should he had participated in collegiate exy. Maybe he would have been able to make a name for himself. Maybe his father would have killed him. They had good seats, in the third row back from the sub benches of the Catamounts. It was an exceptionally tough game: Neil would have been upon the edge of his seat, but watching Andrew was equally as thrilling. He sat back, allowing himself to gaze upon the icy-blonde hair and hazels eyes that shone with each flash of a red goal light.
“Staring.” Andrew commented.
Neil hummed. It was lost under the cacophony of noise as the Foxes scored another point. Robin would have loved to go to a Foxes game, as would Kevin. It was both a shame and a relief that they weren’t here. It meant the flush across Neil’s cheeks wasn’t questioned, nor the way that Andrew risked a hand on Neil’s knee.
After the game - Foxes, winning 7:6 - they ate food stall dinner and walked lazily back to the car beside one another. The drive was just as relaxed, Andrew humming along with Neil’s technical analysis of the game. There were a lot of whole in which he had no idea what happened, too distracted by the man next to him.
“I wonder if our kids think we still hate each other.” Neil mused.
“I do hate you.”
He rolled his eyes. “My mistake.”
The corner of Andrew’s mouth quirked.
They arrived at Neil’s place, Andrew parking to escort Neil to his front door. Neio felt his fingers involuntarily clench into fists as they approached the entrance, knowing it was a crucial moment.
His hand hesitated over the door handle. He turned to Andrew. “Would you like something to drink?”
Andrew rose a single eyebrow.
“Tea, coffee, whisky,” Neil was blushing, but he stood his ground, stepping through the door and propping it open. “Come on. It’s getting cold outside.”
Andrew walked across the premises and the door clicked shut behind him with a dulled sense of finality. Neil guided Andrew through to the kitchen, putting the kettle on for himself.
As Andrew gestured towards the coffee machine, Neil’s phone began to ring in his back pocket. He grimaced apologetically as he put it to his ear, Andrew simply raising a single eyebrow, switching the coffee machine on. “Hello?”
“Neil, thank god.” Allison said, breathless.
“Allison?” His hand stilled. “What is it?”
“Robin’s okay, but she’s been seriously sick. I’ve tried to keep her calm, but she’s super distressed. She needs you. It’s probably just some bug she’s caught, but it’s pretty bad.”
“Shit. Shit. I’m on my way.” He hung up and buried his head in his hands. “Christ alive.” He spins around with a derisive laugh. “I get you into my place, and for what?”
Andrew rose up the other eyebrow. Neil flushed.
“Robin’s sick. I need to go grab her.”
Andrew took his keys from the kitchen bench. “I’ll drive you.”
“What? That’s -” He coughed. “You don’t have to.”
“I wouldn’t trust your car not to spontaneously combust if a fly landed on it.” Andrew said, truthfully. “Come on.”
“The life of single parenting.” Neil grumbled, the anticipation of the evening vanishing with the first words from Allison’s call. “Fine. Let’s go.”
Andrew was at his wits end with this case. It was not heart-warming, nor simplistic. And while he appreciated a challenge, his client had repeatedly created many issues that he would have to divert in order to succeed, and his client still treated him like an asshole, no matter the effort. Justice was a complicated, bitch of a thing.
He got out of the shower, donning sweatpants and a t-shirt. It was evening: Kevin had gone out with Wymack again: This time, Wymack was well enough to fly over to LA to see the Trojans, and Kevin had been practically hopping all morning with excitement. His son’s over-enthusiasm hadn’t helped the headache of a case, either.
He threw himself back onto the couch and pulled out his phone.
Nei(diot)l: date #3, yes or no??
A: yes. when.
N: uh. now? i kinda have chinese food and am at ur door.
Andrew yanked the door open. Neil’s sweatpants hung deliciously low on his hips, the long sleeve covering his scarred torso and arms. In his arms were bags of food. Andrew stepped out of his way, but didn’t miss the way the hair on the back of Neil’s neck rose as Andrew brushed his fingertips across Neil’s lower back.
They ate in comfortable silence on the couch, amongst papers and books. Respectfully, Neil didn’t look. Instead, he asked. “Kev’s upstairs?”
“Away for the weekend.”
Neil hummed.
“Why are you here, Neil?”
He shrugged, stabbing into his chao mien. “I have a six-senth.”
Andrew put his carton down onto the coffee table, uncaring if it ruined transcripts. He, realistically, shouldn’t want to want Neil. Not when work was stressful, and often hitting too close to home. But he wanted Neil. In every way that Neil would give him. He stood in front of the young man and took the chinese food from his grasp, chucking it alongside his own.
“Robin?” Andrew checked.
“Sleeping over with Allison’s children.” Neil murmured, gazing up at Andrew with undeserved awe.
Andrew clambered onto the couch, a knee on either side of Neil’s hips. He grabbed Neil’s hands and pinned them to the couch cushions.
“Can I kiss you: Yes or no?”
“Yes.” Neil said. “Obviously.”
“Shut the fuck up.” He took Neil’s jaw into his hands. Even this close, Andrew was fearful to take the leap. Being a single parent had defined him for so long, it was almost incomprehensible to think of himself as anything else. Kevin and Robin ought to get used to each other. “You’re so fucking annoying.”
“Should I take the food and go?” He suggested.
Andrew kissed him quiet.
ta-daaa!
its sooooo messy but idgaf *shoves it at you* good luck lmao
