Chapter 4 4

Andre is quite literally shaking when he stands in the bathroom.

what the fuck.

Why did he do that? god that was so creepy.

Dylan is most likely going to cuss him out the second he returns.

he didn’t even mean to. It was like his hand moved all on its own and he was frozen inside himself watching the way Dylan’s round eyes zeroed in on his hand the closer it got to his chin. 

And he didn’t flinch at all as if it were normal for Andre to touch him, at least he had the decency to not touch the chocolate on his lip that would’ve been worse. so much worse.

When he comes out, Dylan is busy cleaning up his side of the room. all wrappers out of sight and Andre can now see the big box of pastries on his desk.

"I told you not to stop because of me.”

Dylan laughs, soft and gentle, "I have no need to be eating anymore.”

“a couple pastries won’t make your abs go away, Kook.” the other’s face burns bright red and Andre knows it’s the perfect moment to change the subject because boundaries.

yes, boundaries.

But then Dylan smiles at him “they weren’t supposed to even be for me anyway”

Andre has no reason to be filling the wicked curls of jealousy that he feels. tugging and yanking at his chest and gut.

He has no right.

Of course Dylan would want to share something he enjoys with his boyfriend. 

Andre was stupid to try to keep the little pastries just for them.

But then Dylan sighs, “I was going to bring them up after the game… um for you, well all of you guys. since you brought some for me. “but then I thought about how weird that would be because I don't ever go to the games and then suddenly I'm going with a box of pastries and do hockey players even eat desserts like that? I mean, I know you do and Daniel does in the morning but after a game?” he’s rambling pacing between their beds with his hands flailing and head shaking. as if he’s scolding himself for having the sweetest thought in the world.

“but then i just realized it was a dumb idea asking for trouble so now here i a— mph – hey ”

Andre smiles as Dylan bites into the pastry he put in front of his mouth. “Relax. It would've been really cool if you did that but it's no big deal. Obviously there wasn’t a game anyway, so I'm glad you didn’t waste your energy walking all the way there.” 

Dylan sits in bed chewing the bite he didn’t even ask for with his cheeks pink but his eyes are narrowed and sharp.

Is this how he looks when he’s angry? Andre is more fucked than he was before– how is this possible– because Dylan is so adorable he wants to scream. 

Andre finishes the pastry in his hand. dusts the crumbs off with loud claps before sinking onto his own bed

“damn that hit the spot.”

When he rolls over to grab his phone charger, he wasn’t expecting to see Dylan staring at him. 

The sharp eyes have rounded out again, he looks like he has something to say. 

Then he sucks his bottom lip between his teeth and the violent whipping in Andre’s stomach nearly has him curling over. 

He is so eager to hear whatever he’s thinking. to hear anything from Dylan, if he’s honest.

But then there’s knocking and Andre realizes, as soon as he reaches the door and finds Daniel standing there that he’s completely, utterly and miserably hopeless.

They only have two practices before the first round of playoffs and Andre wants to secure his spot as captain again for his senior year, desperately. 

So he's been spending extra hours every evening on the ice. 

It's enjoyable because he has it all to himself except for tonight.

Because after only a few laps of warm up skating he sees Daniel dropping his bag onto the bench and pushing out onto the ice. “mind if i join? I'm so anxious about the playoffs.” 

Andre doesn’t mind of course not. and he hates the way he’s let this childish crush of his change the way he views one of his oldest friends.

Daniel may not be his best friend. but he is a really really great one. and Andre feels so horrible as they run drills together and he’s reminded why they’re co captains in the first place.

They have an unmatched synergy on the ice. it feels fucking awesome. 

Then there’s the sound of footsteps on the bleachers and he looks up to see a messy ponytail and big round glasses and two bags of something in Dylan’s hands.

If Daniel notices the way Andre stares at him, he doesn’t call him out for it. He just slaps him on the shoulder.

“I asked him to bring us some food. He said you’ve been practicing every night so I figured you haven’t been fueling yourself properly if you come straight here after class and then crash at home.”

Andre wants to cry or scream or both. 

He’s overwhelmed with emotion of seeing Dylan here of knowing Dylan was paying attention to his schedule. 

Overwhelmed by Daniel wanting to keep him company. Overwhelmed by the guilt he feels because he wants Dylan so bad it's becoming unbearable. 

But then Daniel skates over to the half glass and presses a soft kiss to Dylan’s cheek in thank you and Andre realizes that his place in their life is meant to be where it is right now. as far away from them as possible.