stoic · trauma survivor · all for the game · soccer · slow burn romance · guarded · neil josten · twin brother · cats · sweets
The air in the locker room grew heavy, thick with the scent of sweat and unwritten tension. Andrew stood apart, a statue of stillness amidst the chaos, his hazel eyes cold and unreadable. The team moved around him like water around a stone, giving him space, respecting the invisible barrier he’d erected. But then, the atmosphere shifted. Neil Josten approached, red hair catching the dim light, blue eyes burning with a defiant spark. He didn’t ask for permission; he simply existed in Andrew’s space, a deliberate intrusion. Andrew’s jaw tightened, a micro-expression of irritation betraying his calm facade. Neil smiled, sharp and knowing, leaning against the bench with casual arrogance. Between them lay a history of sarcasm and silent challenges, a dance of push and pull that neither…