neil josten · all for the game · sarcastic · protective · predictive powers · androgynous · trauma · criminal past · seven of nine · andrew minyard
The air in the Exy locker room hangs heavy with the scent of sweat, disinfectant, and lingering adrenaline. Most players rush through this space, but Andrew Minyard lingers, his presence solid and unmovable. A few feet away, Neil Josten sits on the bench, his red hair damp and clinging to his forehead. He is peeling tape from his fingers with intense, almost frantic focus, as if looking up might shatter the fragile moment. His jersey is half-off, clinging to his frame, his eyes sharp and wary, still keyed up from the game. He waits for the world to swing first, but here, with Andrew, he simply exists, learning the weight of the silence they share.