#of course i made it a twinyard drabble

[willowbird]

prompt: aaron had a slight ED that he developed as a kid and is now being noticeable to the rest of the foxes even andrew and nicky kinda knew he forgot to eat but the stress from school and exy makes it worse....

I could easily expand on this and maybe one day I will. It hits kinda close to home tho so I’m going to err on the side of brevity just for my own mental space. Thank you so much for the ask! I hope this is what you’re looking for ❤️ ❤️ Take care of yourselves!

Warnings for depression, eating disorder. 

Edit: this has been expanded and can also be found on my ao3

Part 1 | Part 2 | Ao3

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Wednesday | 6:04am

The alarm was screaming. 

Its cries crashed against his senses like sea-storm waves and Aaron was without shelter. The sound had been crowding him for four minutes now, and he still couldn't lift a hand to make it stop -- even though he was perfectly aware and wide awake. He wanted to stop the sound, he needed the quiet back, but for whatever reason his hand just wouldn't listen to his brain no matter how many times he willed it to move. 

Aaron hated days like this.

Wednesday | 8:43am

Nicky slung his arm around Aaron’s shoulders, a grin plastered on his face. His hair was slicked back like a low-budget greaser, halfway between wet and just damp. They’d just finished morning practice and he, Nicky, and Kevin were waiting out in the player’s lobby for Neil and Andrew to finish showering and changing so they could leave.

“Aw man, I am hungry. Please tell me that Andrew and Neil are gonna finish up soon so that we can go get a real breakfast.” Nicky's whining was easy enough to ignore most of the time, but today Aaron was tired and his patience was thin. He had three tests to study for, two essays to write, they had a game coming up on Friday, and Aaron didn't have the bandwidth for Nicky, too.

He shruged his cousin off with a snort. "I'm just gonna hitch a ride to the library." There were still a few hours before his first class of the day, and he needed to use that time for something productive.

"Aww, c'mon Aaron come to breakfast with us! We'll drop you at the library when we're done. It won't take too long!"

"What won't take too long?" When Aaron looked over, he saw Neil and Andrew coming out of the locker room, clean and changed.

"Breakfast!" Nicky announced. "Neil, tell Aaron to join us! It's a family breakfast -- he should be there!"

"You can't just label things "family" events as a way to require people to be there," Kevin said with a long-suffering sigh. Even so, Aaron noticed he already had the menu of their usual breakfast joint pulled up on his phone. The pictures of pancakes topped with glistening syrup and fluffy omelets made his stomach clench in an unpleasant way.

Aaron looked away.

"I've got a shit to do," he said. That would be his final word on it, and to demonstrate, Aaron turned to head toward the doors.

Except Andrew had moved to block him, though Aaron hadn't registered when his twin had circled them. Aaron frowned, lifting his chin in challenge.

Andrew just studied him for a long moment before looking just past Aaron, gaze darting over his shoulder to the others behind him. He lifted a hand and a second later a slim object snapped into it. When Andrew then held it out to him, Aaron saw it was a granola bar.

A quick glance over his shoulder exposed the granola bar thrower as Kevin, who was zipping his backpack shut. They matched gazes briefly and Kevin nodded toward the granola bar in Andrew's hand.

"If you aren't going to come to breakfast with us make sure you get something on your way to the library."

Aaron glared at him, then rolled his eyes and turned back to his brother. Andrew just looked at him, expression blank, and continued to hold out the damn granola bar like he could stand there all day without a care in the world.

A flash of resentment boiled through him. Of course Andrew could stand there so fucking unbothered. Barely anything affected him at all.

With an annoyed huff, Aaron snatched the bar out of Andrew's hand and shoved it into his pocket before stalking out of the building.

Wednesday | 1:15pm

Katelyn ❤️ (13:15): Hey baby! Prof Dixon bailed again ~ you free?

Aa. Min. (13:15): McCallister's?

Katelyn ❤️ (13:16): See u in 5! 😘

Wednesday | 1:23pm

Aaron stood inside the confused cacophony that was McCallister's, an on-campus restaurant that was the love child of a deli and a pub but four times too big, regretting his choices.

It wasn't even the noise that was bothering him the most. It was the smell.

Aaron took two steps into the restaurant and his stomach roiled. It twisted and tightened, curling in on itself in disgust at the sharp, slimy stench of cold cut deli meat cushioned on a waft of double-baked potatoes that filled the restaurant like wildfire's haze. He and Katelyn met here for lunch two or three times a week when their schedules lined up. They both liked the food and they had several corner booths where they could hide in and study together after eating. It was one of their favorite places. But right now, Aaron was fighting not to gag. 

“Aaron!” Relief warred with dread at the sound of Katelyn’s voice and he hastily plastered on an imitation of the smile he usually didn’t even have to think about, that always rose to his lips whenever she was around all on its own. It didn’t today, but for Katelyn he could make the effort. For Katelyn, Aaron could do anything. 

He turned around once that smile was fixed in place and wrapped his arms around her when she joined him, indulging in a quick kiss that soothed some of the nausea churning in his gut. When they broke apart, Aaron turned to lead them toward their usual booth but Katelyn stopped him with a hand on his arm.

“Babe is everything alright?” Worry painted a crease between her eyebrows, her mouth drawn down as she studied him. 

Most days, Katelyn’s concern warmed him. It made him feel seen and loved and cherished. Today it put a slash of anxiety through his lungs, breath seeping out through the cut and concaving his chest under the weight of her scrutiny. 

Aaron arranged his smile into something tired and unalarmed. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a long week, y’know?”

Katelyn hummed like she wasn’t sure she believed him but was deciding to trust him anyway, then she smiled and she released his arm only to take his hand, giving it a small squeeze. “Alright, then let’s get some lunch and shut out the rest of the world for at least a little bit, yeah?”

The smell of the restaurant was still choking him and even his skin felt tight. The absolute last thing he wanted to do right now was stay there another second, let alone the hour he had until he needed to think about heading to his next class.

“I’m so sorry Kate, I’ve got to meet with the TA for my history class. I remembered right after I texted you but I still wanted to see you so I figured I’d just tell you when you got here.” He offered an apologetic smile and did his best to ignore the way guilt was now mixing uncomfortably well with the sick already sloshing around in his stomach. Aaron did not like lying to Katelyn, it felt wrong. But he also couldn’t... he couldn’t explain what was wrong with him right now -- not because he didn’t know, but because he was sure explaining it was going to make him sound crazy and that was just the last thing he needed right now. It was better to slip away, go somewhere he could focus on homework or something and just... wait for it to pass.

Katelyn’s expression fell, flashing disappointment, then a sad understanding as she nodded. “Of course. It’s okay babe, really. I’m just glad I got to see you at all.” She smiled then -- that bright, warm, just-for-him smile that always had Aaron’s heart skipping. A small knot of tension loosened in his lower chest, just enough that he was able to take a small breath and offer a more genuine smile of his own in return. 

“I love you,” he told her. 

“I love you too, Aaron. Take care of yourself and I’ll see you later, okay?”

He made no promises before he made his escape, just a smile and a wave.

Wednesday | 3:37pm

The granola bar tasted like ash in his mouth. It felt like there were iron weights attached to his jaw, making it impossible for him to chew. A fist of repulsion locked around his throat, and it was a physical struggle to swallow. 

This was the worst part about days like this.

Aaron knew he had to eat something, because he knew what could happen if he didn’t and the only thing worse than having to put up with feeling this way, dragging himself through the mud of his own psychosis one step, one mile, at a time -- was doing it with everyone watching him struggle. 

So he forced himself through half the granola bar. He knew better than to push for more than that, or all his efforts would be wasted into the nearest trash can.

Wednesday | 7:51pm

Practice had been brutal. It had been so bad that even Nicky hadn’t been able to cheer himself through it and was just as bitter and on edge as the rest of them by the time they hit the showers. 

Aaron sat in the lobby and waited for the others, feeling old. He felt tired. He just wanted these stupid pissing contests to stop and everyone to shut up. He wanted the world to be completely silent, completely empty. Emptiness sounded nice. Sounded peaceful. Sounded right.

The sharp scuff of shoe-rubber against tile had him cringing so hard his shoulders ached and he peeled his eyes open to glare at the source. Andrew stood there, hands in his pockets, blank-faced and too knowing.

Aaron snorted and looked away. 

The couch shifted slightly as Andrew took the spot next to him. There was the soft shk of a blade cutting into something crisp and when Aaron looked over, Andrew was holding out a small sliver of apple. His brother wasn’t looking at him. Instead, the other Minyard was dispassionately staring at the tv, which was playing some sports channel that Aaron knew very well Andrew didn’t give a single shit about. 

For a long moment Aaron just stared at the side of his twin’s face, but it was impossible to know what, if anything, he was thinking about. Finally, he looked at the sliver of apple. It was pale, small, unobtrusive. Aaron’s stomach clenched, a mix between hunger and repulsion. All he’d had today was that half a granola bar -- which had been both too much and not enough. His throat tightened as he stared at that innocuous slice of fruit, but he was almost focused more on the hand holding it. His eyes burned and he looked away, but not before taking the slice. 

[knox-knocks]

For the Drabble request, could I get an awkward Twinyard/ katelyn & Neil double date? 🖤

thank you!!! i’m not sure if this is  “awkward double date” or more “andrew being a little shit,” but i had fun with this one and i hope you enjoy it

-

“Are you still sulking?” 

Andrew glared at the red-headed menace that poked his head into the bathroom, dressed in a slim button-down shirt, navy blue and tucked into a nice pair of pants that he usually reserved for banquets and press conferences their coaches forced them to go to. Even his hair was styled nicely, curls combed out of his face. He looked good, looked nice, because they were going to a nice restaurant. Andrew scowled. 

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Neil said. “Come here.”

Never one to resist the temptations of Neil Josten, Andrew went. It wasn’t strictly necessary, but Neil helped him slip into a matching charcoal shirt. His eyes lingered on Andrew’s bare chest before he made quick work of the buttons and smoothed his hands down the lapels before taking a step back.

“Not so bad.” 

“I’m not tucking in my shirt. Or doing anything with my hair,” Andrew said, if only to be contrary. 

Not for the first time, Andrew wondered why he had gotten himself into this mess. He remembers how, of course, but every time he picks at the threads that lead him here he is left with the growing certainty that this was a bad idea. But had Bee suggested it, and Aaron pushed for it, and Neil encouraged it. So Andrew agreed to a double date with his brother and his brother’s fiancee while they were in town, having flown in from Denver for the holidays.

A double date. At a nice restaurant. 

What the fuck.

Neil did end up wrangling him into doing something with his hair, but only because Andrew liked the feeling of Neil’s fingers running through his hair while he combed it back. He gave Andrew an appreciative look in the mirror and then they were on their way. 

-

Aaron and Katelyn were already at the restaurant when Andrew and Neil arrived. They’d waited for Andrew and Neil to arrive before they ordered, so the waitress was at their table asking for their orders almost as soon as Andrew had sat down. He let Neil order for him, trusting that he would get something that Andrew would like. 

When the waitress left, Katelyn struck up a conversation and Andrew stared out the window that overlooked New York City, not really paying attention. The city glittered at night, all tall skyscrapers and sparkling lights. 

“Andrew?” 

Andrew tuned back in. He quirked an eyebrow at his brother. Aaron met his deadpan stare and held it. His hair was gelled back, and he had on a olive green shirt that complimented Katelyn’s gray dress. 

“Katelyn asked how your season was going,” Aaron said and Katelyn gave him a timid smile. Andrew could feel Neil’s eyes boring into him from the side. He didn’t know why Neil was so invested, but could practically hear his silent encouragements. Andrew sighed.

“Fine,” he said. “I’m still adjusting from the transfer, but they’ve moved me up to starting line. I’ll manage.”

He saw Neil grin at him from the corner of his eye and made himself relax. Aaron nodded and Katelyn took that lead to pepper him with questions about the move and living with Neil and the new team. Andrew let Neil handle most of the questions, but he added some input when it was necessary for him to do so. 

He was grateful when their entrees arrived and everyone was too busy eating to talk. By the end of dinner, Andrew was ready to leave and hole up with Neil for the rest of the night, ignoring the boxes they still had to unpack. 

Just before the check, Aaron straightened up in his seat, and cleared his throat. Katelyn beamed them, and Andrew squinted suspiciously. Andrew must have know there was more to this dinner than simply catching up, especially since Aaron and Katelyn would be at their apartment for Christmas Eve. 

“Katelyn’s pregnant,” Aaron said, and Andrew choked on his sharp intake of breath.

Neil recovered before Andrew did and offered a congratulations before asking how far along she was. Andrew hardly heard, he was too busy thinking of the mini Aaron-and-Katelyn that would be running around soon. He didn’t know how he felt about it. 

They’d be seeing each other again in a week to exchange presents with Nicky and his family, but for now they said their goodbyes and made to leave. But before they could leave the restaurant and return to their respective cars, Andrew gritted his teeth and turned back to Aaron and Katelyn. 

Baby steps, Bee’s voice whispered in the back of his head, and Andrew agreed.

“Congratulations,” he said begrudgingly. “I expect to see the little whelp when it’s born.” 

Aaron looked shocked at first, but he accepted Andrew’s congratulations with another nod. Katelyn’s smile was wide and her eyes were bright as she thanked him and promised him an invitation. Andrew had enough then, and left quickly with another nod. 

Back at their apartment, Neil curled up on the couch next to Andrew, feet tucked underneath him and wine glass cradled in his hand. He nosed his way to Andrew’s neck and left a lingering kiss that had Andrew squirming. 

“You’re going to be an uncle,” he whispered. 

It still hadn’t completely sunk it yet. Even at thirty years old, Andrew never imagined he’d have this in life; a home to return to, a family that visited and called, Neil. He swallowed and thought about his soon-to-be baby niece or nephew. He kissed the side of Neil’s head and pulled him a little closer. 

“Is it too soon to start buying the kid gifts?” he asked, and Neil laughed softly.