head over heels

30 ~ distraction

The next morning practice, Evan made a beeline for Kei in the locker rooms.

He knew they shouldn't, but he just wanted to feel normal again. He desperately wanted to tackle Kei and kiss him into oblivion. He didn't, obviously, but fuck he wanted to. He would settle with a hug, but even that... he sighed, settling for placing his bags next to Kei, who smiled at him.

"Hey," then he frowned, looking at him closer, "You look tired."

Evan sighed, "I missed you."

Kei nodded, "Me too."

Evan sat down tiredly. He'd slept like shit. His Dad had turned him into an anxious wreck, and his body had grown desperately used to having Kei there beside him. He'd barely got a few hours sleep.

Practice was shaky. He was going through the motions, but it felt like he was void of any sort of spark. He was tired. He wanted nothing more than to go back to yesterday when everything had been warm, comfortable, and nothing like this.

Logically, he knew he was just tired, but he still felt shitty. 

Kei was like a warm fire, Evan wanted to be close to him, but— he could only get so close before things would become horribly obvious to the rest of the team. At least now, he knew that there was something between them, so— he could pretend, so long as he could be normal when they were alone.

Oliver eyed them, but thankfully didn't say a word.

After practice, when the changing room had emptied, Kei cornered him, taking his face in his hands. Evan shot a wary glance in the direction of the doors, but from here behind a wide piller, no one would see them.

"What's wrong?" Kei questioned gently.

"My Dad," Evan said simply, leaning into Kei's touch. "He's a piece of shit sometimes." He wasn't used to opening up, even with Kei, he didn't want to, he just wanted to exist, to be normal with him.

Kei nodded, "Are you okay?"

Evan shrugged, "Fine, m'just tired."

"You sure?"

"Mhm," Evan managed.

Kei's fingers brushed his jaw. He looked unconvinced. He opened his mouth to continue, when the changing room door sprung open, and Kei stepped back, moving to grab his bags.

Evan grabbed his own bag.

"C'mon, we'll be late."

Evans' chest ached, but he was starting to feel better again, as every few moments he realised that this was happening, that this was real, Kei wanted him.

Evan had first period English, so when they got to his classroom, Kei reluctantly continued down the hall. Now, Evan was noticing more and more how different he was at school like this. He was still Kei, just dimmer, like he was trying to be more like what people expected of him.

Evan understood.

When he stumbled into English, he realised what he was dealing with when Willow's eyes locked onto him, and she grinned evilly.

Evan sat down sheepishly.

"Hello," he managed awkwardly, not meeting Willow's eyes.

"Spill," Willow uttered, "Right now."

Even Oliver turned around, raising an eyebrow at Evan.

He cleared his throat, "Erm, nothing happened," he tried.

"Oh bullshit—" Willow cried, "Come on, you expect us to cover for you without knowing why?"

He fidgeted with his pen, fighting the smile growing on his lips.