The evening was finally over; Neil causing quite a stir in his red dress. But his was something the Foxes were used to. Neil had been causing a stir everywhere he went for as long as they'd known him.
First, as a small-town nobody being recruited into a college Exy league, hand-picked by world-famous 'son of Exy' Kevin Day.
Then as a smart-mouthed rookie, not shy of expressing his thoughts, on and off the field. He even managed to breach Andrew's defences.
Soon after he caused a stir by openly challenging Riko Moriyama, captain of the fearsome Evermore Ravens, creating a blood feud that led to his incarceration at Evermore for two weeks, two weeks where he suffered at the hands of the Ravens and Coach Tetsuji on the court, and at the end of Riko's blades off the court.
Neil was left with new scars across his torso and hands added to the ones he already had from a life of abuse and 9 years on the run from a dangerous man, and a tattoo of the number 4 on his cheek.
He was broken and despaired. Riko had claimed him as property. But Neil had called him out for his cruelty and dysfunctionality on national tv about it. When the Foxes finally beat the Ravens, and Riko, at the Exy Championship Finals, Neil finally laid that battle to rest. He had survived, built himself up from nothing, and was stronger than ever, especially with Andrew at his side.
Next was the debacle of his true heritage. As the only son of the Baltimore Butcher, Neil was kidnapped by his own father, who intended to kill him for the 'disappointment' he turned out to be. By running from his father for 9 years, Neil had embarrassed his father, and those his father worked for, and because he knew too much of the crime lord's business, was a dangerous loose end that had to be tied off.
But Neil survived that skirmish as well, thanks to his mother's brother (who executed The Butcher), the Foxes who took him back with no reservation, and thanks to Andrew, who stood behind him resolutely, an immovable force, from whom Neil could draw strength.
Neil was left with more battle scars; his father's 'fixer' used a dashboard lighter to burn off the tattoo on his face, and then systematically destroyed the skin on his forearms, wrists and knuckles with blade and heat.
Neil now wore those scars shamelessly in his red dress. He was proud of himself and everything he had survived. He was proud of his relationship with Andrew, and he was finally truly comfortable in his skin. Everybody in attendance that night could see the changed man before them, and nobody dared comment on his choice of wardrobe. The looks on the faces of the Foxes was enough to silence them.
Neil was busily chatting to Matt and Dan (he another backliner and she, their captain), when he felt Andrew's hand on his thigh. Without flinching, and without anyone noticing, he placed his hand over Andrew's. When Andrew gave a light squeeze, Neil acknowledged with a nod that only Andrew saw. It was time to go.
Neil got up, hugged and kissed the girls Renee and Allison, as well as Andrew's cousin Nicky. Nicky was a real drama queen, and by far the most emotive on the team, but he was startled into silence at the light kiss Neil placed on his cheek. Neil smiled at him, mouthed the words Thank You, and flicked a meaningful glance at Andrew.
Nicky understood; Neil was thanking him for taking care of Andrew as best as he knew how, until Neil could come and save him. Until they could save each other.
Neil and Andrew left the banquet hand in hand, to a few good-natured cat-calls and a smattering of applause.
--
They were finally in the car on their way home. Once out of traffic, Andrew stretched his hand across to rest over Neil's thigh.
"Yes or no?" he asked.
Neil smiled in the darkness and said "Yes, always yes."
Andrew placed his large hand on Neil's thigh, where he drew lazy circles, each movement bringing his hand closer to Neil's cock. Neil's breathing faltered and sped up, seemingly loud in the car.
Andrew cast a questioning glance at Neil, wondering why Neil's hands were fisted in his lap.
"Problem?" he asked at length.
Neil shook his head, swallowed audibly, and replied "I'd prefer it if we didn't crash the car".
Andrew smiled at that, and sped up slightly. His boy needed to get home.
--
