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Neil's life was as good as he thought it could be. He had Andrew, a professional career, and people he considered family. He enjoyed his life, his career, and most things in between. He had frequent calls with the other foxes, and it was refreshing. It was Matt's turn for his weekly catch up, and they were video calling since they had finally convinced Neil and Andrew to update their phones past flip phones. Neil could tell Matt was worried about him being alone, and Neil was quietly grateful for his friend worrying about him. Not that he would ever admit it, but it was a nice feeling knowing that people cared for him.
"Hey Neil!" Matt's face popped up and Neil could see Dan puttering around behind him.
"Hey Matt." Neil adjusted his position on his chair and waved a hand in greeting.
"How's it been?"
"It's been fine. We've been trying to teach King how to walk on a leash." As if on cue King walked out onto the balcony and mowed loudly.
Matt laughed and grinned. "Really? King is so lazy, I can't imagine that's going well."
"She's food motivated, so with the right leverage it's working."
"Isn't that a little counter productive though? Here, go exercise, but here's food to do it." Neil laughed and shrugged.
"If it works, it works. This method hasn't failed me yet."
"Well, you do have a way of getting shit done." Matt agreed. "But let me see my niece!" Neil flipped the camera around and showed King twisting herself around Neil's chair. Upon hearing Matt's cooing at her she preened and rolled onto her side into a patch of sunlight. Neil reached down and rubbed her stomach as she playfully nipped at his fingers.
After a couple minutes Neil sat back up and flipped the camera back.
"How's your new place? I really need to come see it." Matt asked. Matt had been in conditioning when Neil had moved and was unable to come visit, much to Matt's dismay.
"It's nice. Allison ended up decorating for me since she said, and I quote, I still act like a homeless gremlin." Neil rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"Well, she's not entirely wrong." Matt replied, and Neil could hear Dan agreeing in the background.
"Hey, I'm not that bad anymore. I just don't see the point in decorating when I'm only going to be here for a year, if everything goes to plan." Neil protested. Matt raised an eyebrow.
"I'll admit you're not anywhere near as bad as when we first got our hands on you but. Still kind of bad about it man. And having a decorated apartment is what makes it home! Pictures and comfortable furniture and all that." Matt waved a hand. "You still planning on trying to get traded to our team after this year?"
"Yeah, I'm still planning on it. I don't like the distance between Andrew and I." Neil admitted. Matt had a look on his face, and Neil couldn't quite figure it out. It wasn't quite sad, nor pity, but something along those lines.
"Well, we'll be lucky to get you. It'll be fun playing against you this year, but it's more fun having you on the same team. I won't have to check you into the wall as much." He teased.
Neil rolled his eyes. "If you can catch me, you mean."
"Asshole." Matt was laughing openly, and Neil could hear Dan joining in as well. "I'll check you at least 5 times this season."
"Sure you will." Neil said in the most neutral voice he could.
"Okay Andrew. Don't get that tone of voice with me."
"How do they play?" Neil asked. Matt laughed and Neil watched as he shook his head.
"What, worried about how your rivals play? Can't even pretend to be concerned about how your best friend is managing?" Matt teased. Neil rolled his eyes and put on a blank expression.
"Oh Matthew Donovan Boyd-Wilds how is my best friend handling his new team? Are you making friends? Is anyone bullying you? Are you eating? Are they playing nice?" Neil asked.
"Oh thank you for asking, my sweet and loving son. Yes, I'm eating. No one is bullying me, everyone is so nice and wonderful! Imagine your first year as a fox, then imagine the exact opposite of that. That's what this team is like. But no, for the most part we all play well together. Well, the defensive line at least. You're gonna have a hard time getting at the goal this year."
"What about offense?"
"Well, the players who have been year get on really well. Great communication and teamwork." Matt shrugged. Neil could tell he was trying to choose his words carefully.
"But they don't have the best relationship with Kevin." He finished.
"What do you mean?" Neil bristled slightly.
"How do I put this. They think he's a little stuck up. That he was handed everything since he was Kayleigh's son, then with the ravens, and then with Wymack. So they don't really pay attention to him and shut him down a lot."
"How can they still think that? Have they seen him play?" Neil asked, a hint of frustration in his voice. "If they paid any attention they would know that he worked hard to get to where he is."
"I know, I know." Matt held up his hands in a placating gesture. "But they've been playing longer and don't want to be shown up by someone younger."
"Well maybe they should play better then." Neil said, perhaps a bit too sharply. Matt looked closely at Neil, and Neil frowned at the scrutiny.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing. It's just I don't see you get that defensive over anyone but Andrew, really."
Neil shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "Well, I mean. Kevin's good, and people should realize that. His talent speaks for itself."
"Neil, your crush is showing." Matt teased, and Neil frowned.
"I don't have a crush on Kevin?" He said finally.
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Man, if you do it's okay. I'm not going to push it, if you say you don't then I'll believe you. But I'm just saying the only other person you defend like that is Andrew, and from where I'm sitting you tend to look at Kevin in a similar way."
Neil mulled that over in silence for a moment. He opened his mouth to say something, but an alarm went off on his phone and cut him off.
"Hey, I need to go, I've got to go pick Andrew up from the airport. I'll talk to you later?" Neil scooped King up in one arm and moved to go into his apartment.
"Yeah, I'll talk to you later man."
"Yeah, sounds good. Bye Matt, bye Dan." He was grabbing his keys as he heard them call their goodbyes before he hung up and shoved his phone into his pocket. He dropped King off on the couch before he shoved his shoes on and left.
The ride to the airport was slow, full of traffic and irritable drivers. He made it with 10 minutes to spare and sat in the car for a moment, Matt's words stuck in his head. Did he have a crush on Kevin? His first instinct was to say no, but… Neil trusted Matt and knew he wouldn't say something like that if he didn't think there was some kind of truth to it.
He thought about Andrew and how he felt towards him. He trusted him with his life, would defend the other until his dying breath, and he found him very attractive. Kevin, on the other hand. Kevin was someone he respected, he would defend him the same he would defend Andrew. He wanted to be someone Kevin respected and ultimately trusted to have at his back. As for if he was attractive. Neil scrunched his nose as he got out of the car and walked into the terminal. He thought about Kevin when he was tired, his hair mussed from sleep and creases from his pillow etched into his cheek. When he was holding himself with confidence, when he switched from his right hand to left hand. A surge of something wracked his way through his body and he frowned.
He might have a crush on Kevin. But he still loved Andrew, even if they don't say it. Did he want to kiss Kevin the same way he wanted to kiss Andrew? Not quite, but. There was a similar feeling when he thought about it.
He leaned against the wall and tilted his head back, letting out his breath slowly. He felt a wave of panic rush through him and he closed his eyes. He didn't want to lose Andrew, so was there anything he could do?
He opened his eyes and shook his head. He would ignore it and hope it went away. A crush was nothing to lose Andrew over. A voice came over the intercom announcing Andrew's flight had landed and he made his way over to the gate.
Neil craned his neck to look through the crowd of people coming in and felt a rush of relief when he saw Andrew. He had a bag slung over his shoulder and still looked tense, so Neil made his way quickly over to him.
"Hey." Neil said as he stopped in front of Andrew. His hands twitched at his side, resisting the urge to grab Andrew's hand. Andrew looked Neil over and nodded.
"Hey." Andrew replied as he started walking towards the exit. He had clothes at Neil's apartment, so he had no luggage to grab. Neil caught up and held the keys to the car out for Andrew to take. Andrew took the keys and held them loosely in his hand as Neil guided them to where he was parked. Neil watched Andrew quietly, feeling himself relax more with each passing moment. His thoughts drifted to Kevin again and he shook his head. Now was not the time to think about that. They had limited time together, and he wasn't going to ruin it.
The beep of the car unlocking jolted Neil from his thoughts and he slid into the passenger seat as Andrew threw his bag into the back and got in. The silence was comforting as Andrew pulled them out of the airport and got them on the road back home. Once they got on the road Andrew relaxed back in his seat and put his hand palm up on the center console. Neil linked their hands together and turned to study Andrew's profile.
"I've missed you." Neil admitted after a moment. Andrew cast a glance towards Neil and squeezed his hand. "It's so weird being by myself." He continued.
"Don't say stupid things." Andrew replied. Neil could see Andrew relaxing and bit back a smile.
"King missed you too. She misses being spoiled like you spoil her." He teased.
"She is a menace and it's a bribe to get her to listen."
"Uh huh. Same thing with Sir?"
"Absolutely. They're both demon cats and that is how I appease them."
Neil laughed and rolled his eyes.
"Okay, Andrew."
They fell into silence and Neil leaned his head back to enjoy the drive. He traced circles onto the back of Andrew's hand idly, just for something to do with his hands. Kevin was pushed to the back of his mind, and he just enjoyed the moment.
The car finally pulled to a stop and Neil opened his eyes. He must of dozed off, because they were back at his apartment. Andrew let go of his hand and shut the car off.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep." Neil said as he stretched and got out of the car. Andrew shrugged before reaching back and grabbing his bag.
"Are you not sleeping enough?" He asked as he got out.
"Not as much as I should." Neil admitted as he followed Andrew. "I'm still adjusting to all the quiet, I guess."
Andrew frowned and examined Neil. "You think the quiet would help you sleep more."
"You would think. I guess I just got used to the noise in the dorm." Andrew tossed Neil his keys and Neil led the way through the lobby and into the elevator.
"It's all taking time to get used too. More than I thought it would. I thought I would be glad to get out of the dorms but...I guess I just miss everyone."
"Sap." Andrew said, but his expression softened subtly. Neil shrugged.
"Guess I've gotten soft in my old age. That makes two of us, huh?"
Andrew snorted and shook his head.
"If you think I've gotten soft you must have taken one too many balls to the head."
"You're absolutely right. Andrew Minyard is still the hard ass he always has been and always will."
"Obviously." Andrew agreed as the elevator door opened to Neil's floor. They left the elevator and walked the short hallway to his apartment where Neil let them in. They got their shoes off and Andrew dropped his bag next to the door as King barreled her way towards them. They set their phones down on the kitchen counter before Andrew knelt down and picked her up immediately and began petting her as he moved to the couch. Neil took the time to appreciate Andrew's muscles, which had only gotten more defined as he got older. Andrew tilted his head back and raised an eyebrow.
"Are you going to stand there and stare at me all day or are you going to come sit with me?" Andrew let King go and she jumped off his lap and ran off, presumably to go back to sleep after she got her attention.
"Hmm. Can I stare at you while I sit with you?" Neil asked as he walked over to the couch.
"Absolutely not." Andrew replied as he adjusted himself on the couch for Neil to curl into him. Neil took the spot Andrew made happily and curled into Andrew's side as he threw his arm over Neil's shoulders.
"But you're so nice to look at." Neil complained as his hand drifted up to trace lightly over Andrew's arm. "Your face is nice, your muscles are so distracting. Can't I just enjoy this?"
A flicker of satisfaction went over Andrew's face before it went blank once more.
"Once again. Absolutely not."
"Fine, fine." Neil sighed heavily. He looked up at Andrew and smiled. "Can I at least kiss you?"
Andrew turned his head and nodded once before leaning down to meet Neil in the middle. Kissing Andrew felt like coming home, a weight lifting off his shoulders he didn't even know he was holding. His hand went to Andrew's shirt and grabbed on, a solid grounding weight for him.
Once they pulled away for air Neil smiled triumphantly. "I guess I'll take that if I can't stare." Andrew rolled his eyes and reached over to push Neil's face away.
"You are a nuisance."
"But I'm your nuisance."
"Because no one else can handle your brand of it." He said as he reached over to grab the TV remote and flick it on. Unsurprisingly the TV was on the sports channel, and an exy report was on. They were talking about Kevin, and his adjustment to the professional leagues.
"I think once he gets his feet under him, Kevin will be the unstoppable force he always has been. It's just a jump for anyone going from collegiate sports to professional." The anchor was saying.
"But was already a pro in everything but title before." The other person was arguing. "Could he be losing his touch?"
Neil frowned and tensed under Andrew's arm. His conversation with Matt came back and he shifted uncomfortably in place. Andrew spared him a glance and changed the channel to a movie, one they weren't overly invested in.
"What? Don't like people talking about Kevin like that?" Andrew asked.
"No, I don't." Neil admitted. "It's just annoying. Kevin has proved time and time again he's amazing, and people are just trying to shut him off at the pass."
"He's a celebrity, people have been doing that for years now. He doesn't pay it any mind, and neither should you."
"Yeah, well people talk shit about you and I don't let that slide either." Neil spoke sharply. Andrew raised an eyebrow.
"Is that all this is? Or is there something more?" Andrew asked. He turned so he was fully facing Neil. Neil moved as well and pulled his knees to his chest.
"I don't know." He said after a moment. "Matt said something earlier and it's been confusing me."
"What did he say?"
"He said it sounded like I have a crush on Kevin." Neil spoke quickly, ripping the band-aid off. "Which at first I didn't agree, but I keep thinking about it and fuck. I might have a crush on Kevin? And I don't know what to do about it?" Andrew froze next to him and Neil refused to look over, fearing the worst.
Nobody spoke for what felt like hours, before Andrew got up. Neil's eyes shot towards him as he made his way back to the door.
"Andrew, wait. It's nothing, I'll get over it." Neil tried, but Andrew held up a hand.
"It's obviously something if it's bothering you this much." He replied as he grabbed his phone and shoved it in his pocket and put his shoes back on.
"Where are you going?" Neil asked.
"I'm taking the car. I'll be back in a couple hours." Andrew said as he grabbed the car keys. Neil felt his stomach drop.
"Andrew I'm sor-" He started, but Andrew cut him off.
"Don't say it. I'll be back in a couple hours." Andrew repeated as he grabbed the car keys and walked out. The only sound in the apartment was the movie playing quietly and Neil shut it off. He felt panic settling in his chest and he went to grab his phone. He opened it up and dialed Matt's number from memory.
He put the phone on speaker and stared at the phone. If Andrew was driving he wouldn't see the text in a couple hours, and he knew that texting wouldn't change anything. He locked the phone and paced, unsure of what to do.
"Andrew? Is everything okay?" Matt answered as he finally picked up.
"No, everything is not okay. Why would it be Andrew?" Neil frowned and scrubbed a hand over his face.
"Neil? Why are you calling from Andrew's phone? What happened?"
"I told Andrew I had a crush on Kevin and he left. I guess he took my phone, but he has the car and I have no idea where he went."
"Wait, hold on. You told Andrew?"
"Yes, I told Andrew. Why wouldn't I?" Neil asked impatiently.
"Well, sometimes you don't say these things. But he left? Did he say anything?"
"I told him it was nothing, and he said it was obviously something if I brought it up. And why wouldn't I tell him? I don't lie to him."
"Because some people will take that the wrong way. I don't think Andrew will, but. Most people don't take it well when their significant other tell them they have a crush on someone else."
"That's helping so much. Thank you." Neil said dully.
"Hey, I said I don't think Andrew will. You're too...important to him. This won't mess anything up. Maybe he just needed time to process?"
"But why would he not just tell me that? I think I fucked up. I know I fucked up. I shouldn't have said anything, not until I sorted it out." Neil ran a hand through his hair and crouched down, unsure of what else to do.
"And I can't message him, he's driving and won't see it for a while, and if he's made his mind up on something then I can't, I won't, try to change his mind. Not on something like this."
"Hey, listen to me Neil. It's not the end of the world so don't start planning for the worst before you know it's happening. Okay?" Matt spoke calmly and with confidence and Neil took a shuddering breath.
"Yeah, I know. But what if he decides it's over?"
"With how he is with you and Kevin? I doubt he would. But. If he does, then we deal with that when it comes. But I really don't think he will. Okay?"
Neil nodded, then remembered Matt can't see him.
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right. I'm gonna…I don't know. Figure something out to do until he gets back?"
"Do that. Keep me updated but just wait until he comes back and talk to him, okay? It'll be okay, Neil. You're relationship is way stronger than a crush." Neil stood up and walked to the door. He grabbed the spare key and shoved his shoes on impatiently.
"Okay, I will. Don't tell anyone else."
"Don't worry, your secret is safe." Matt promised before Neil hung up. Neil did the only thing he could think of and what he did best. He got out of his apartment and as soon as he was outside he ran. He ran like he could out run the fear and anxiety. He finally stopped a couple miles away in a park and doubled over to catch his breath. He had ran until his chest ached and his feet were numb. He drank from the water fountain before he sat on the park bench and watched the people walking by. Children were screaming in delight on the playground and patents were sparing glances towards them to make sure no one was getting hurt. Couples were strolling hand in hand and Neil watched them curiously. He had never understood how people could be so comfortable being so open and grossly romantic in front of others. To Neil it was something he wanted to keep private, an aspect of his life that wasn't on display for the world.
He shook his head and checked his watch. 2 hours had already passed and he wanted to get home in case Andrew was back home. Steeling himself for the worst he made his way back home, albeit at a slower pace than he normally would.
He made his way back home and felt his anxiety spike when he saw his car. He sped up his pace, eager to get back inside and to Andrew. He waved absent-mindedly at the person at the front counter who had offered him a little half wave in greeting. The woman was his favorite person who worked the counter by far, as she never tried to make unnecessary small talk when get came in. The others were overly friendly and it rubbed Neil the wrong way. He shifted from foot to foot as he waited for the elevator, just wanting to get this over with.
The elevator seemed to crawl at a snail's pace as he went up, as if wanting to make Neil miserable. It finally dinged open and Neil all but ran to his apartment.
He threw the door open and threw his key on the counter before turning to the living room.
"Andrew, I'm sorry! It's nothing, it will never be more important than this." He waved a hand between them as Andrew raised an eyebrow. It was in that moment that Neil noticed Kevin sitting on the love seat across from Andrew. Kevin looked annoyed as he looked in between them.
"Care to tell me why Andrew all but kidnapped me from Abby's? Asking him is like talking to a fucking wall, I got nothing from him." Kevin crossed his arms over his chest and looked between both of them.
"You brought him? Why?" Neil asked. Andrew sighed, as if the answer were obvious.
"It involves him, so it's easier to bring him here and we can discuss this." Andrew stood and walked over to Neil. He looked him in the eyes and sighed as he reached out to grip the back of Neil's neck.
"Breathe, junkie." Andrew reminded him, a cool look crossing his face.
"Why?" Neil asked. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing on Andrew's hand on him.
"You forget, before you and I were a thing, he and I would frequently get each other off." Andrew said plainly.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Kevin asked as Neil's eyes shot open.
"Tell him, Neil. It's a yes." Andrew said before letting go of Neil.
"I…" Neil started as he glanced between the other two. "I may have a crush on you?" He said weakly. Kevin's eyebrows shot up as he stared at Neil.
"You what?" He asked in disbelief. Andrew snorted and shook his head before he went to the kitchen to pull out his pint of ice cream.
"He has a crush on you." Andrew repeated, voice muffled as he held his spoon between his teeth.
Kevin stood up and walked towards Neil.
"How long?" He asked. Neil paused in thought.
"I realized it today, but I think it's been a while? Years maybe." Neil admitted. Kevin looked surprised, then laughed quietly.
"Interesting." Kevin said after a moment. Andrew walked back into the living room and sat on the couch to watch them.
"Andrew, how do you feel about that?" Kevin asked, never taking his eyes off Neil.
"I brought you here, didn't I?" He spoke plainly. Kevin nodded.
"Neil, can I kiss you?" Kevin reached out slowly to push Neil's hair from his face. It was the most gentle Kevin had ever been with him and his mind was spinning.
"You want to kiss me? Why?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, you tiny menace. I've wanted to for years, though. Andrew, are you okay with it?"
"Only if Neil is." Andrew had finally opened his ice cream, and it seemed it had his attention more than the two of them did.
"Neil?" Kevin asked again, he reached out to touch Neil's cheek, but paused with barely an inch between them.
Neil looked up at Kevin and nodded once before reaching to grab him and pull him down as he stretched up to meet him. Neil crashed into Kevin and the taller man had to grab onto him to brace himself.
Kissing Kevin was different than kissing Andrew. The thought floated across Neil's mind as he nipped at Kevin's bottom lip. Where Andrew was heat, a fire that never seemed to die out, Kevin was in a way the opposite. He could feel desperation, as if he knew he was going to lose this, but even more so he could feel that Kevin was experienced. He finally pulled away and dropped back on his feet with a small noise and stared up at Kevin. He turned to look at Andrew, who was pointedly not looking at them. Neil knew how to read Andrew and knew that he was more than okay with this. A weight was lifted off his shoulders and he grabbed Kevin's hand and tugged him towards the couch.
"That was nice." Neil said. Andrew snorted and Kevin looked offended.
"Nice? Just nice? I'm better than just nice." Kevin huffed. Neil rolled his eyes.
"Drama queen."
"Are you sure you still like him?" Andrew asked. "I don't want to deal with you murdering each other everytime I look away."
"Unfortunately I do." Neil sighed. "And what about you?"
"Unfortunately," Andrew echoed. "He's stuck around this long and I haven't killed him. And I trust he's not going to do anything stupid."
"Are you guys asking me out?" Kevin finally asked. It seemed as though everything was finally becoming a little to real for him, and he was trying to process all at once.
"Uh. Yeah? I think?" Neil looked to Andrew who set his ice cream down and gently tugged Neil against his chest. Neil glanced up at Kevin, who snorted and shook his head.
"Weirdest fucking proposal ever." He muttered as he ran his hand through his hair and messed it up. Neil reached out to fix the parts that stuck out and Kevin leaned into his touch.
"Is that a yes?" Neil asked as he scratched through Kevin's hair. Kevin nodded and closed his eyes.
"I thought I made that clear, but yes. You absolute menace. I've liked both of you since college." Neil paused.
"I figured about Andrew, but seriously. What about me?"
"I don't know," Kevin said. "You're brash, reckless, an instigator at heart, and I swear you're going to be the reason I get grey hair at a young age. But I suppose it all adds to the charm." Andrew huffed quietly and Neil looked up to see amusement on Andrew's face.
"Couldn't agree more." He had a hand in Neil's hair and was petting it. Neil scowled.
"Don't bribe me with playing with my hair if you're just going to insult me." He crossed his arms over his chest.
"Neither of us said those were bad things." Andrew replied, his hand never leaving Neil's hair. Kevin hummed his agreement and watched them both. Kevin watched Andrew with a determined look on his face.
"Can I kiss you too?" He asked. Neil shifted to give them a little more room, but he still wanted to be close as Andrew said yes.
"Only touch from the shoulders up." Andrew warned as he sat up and pulled Kevin in. Neil watched with interest and realized how nice of a picture these two painted. Andrew's fair complexion and blonde hair a stark contrast to Kevin's tanned skin and dark hair. Neil reached out to trace his fingertips lightly along the side of Kevin's neck and he saw him shiver.
Andrew pulled away and glanced down at Neil. "You'll soon realize this one has a neck fetish." Andrew said before diving back in. Neil rolled his eyes and smirked.
"You like it though." He teased as he pressed featherlight kisses against Andrew's skin. He felt him shiver and pulled back with a satisfied grin. He turned to Kevin and did the same, eliciting a similar reaction, though more obvious.
"You're a menace. Both of you." Kevin said as he pulled away and slumped on the couch. But his hand reached tentatively towards Neil's and he visibly relaxed when Neil grabbed it.
"Seriously, why couldn't you tell me what this was about on the ride here? I spent 2 hours thinking I was going to get killed, or something." He complained. Neil laughed quietly and glanced towards Andrew.
"It was easier this way. I needed Neil to understand, and this was more evidence than me just saying it."
"Andrew, just tell us what you're doing next time. I spent those 4 hours thinking we were through." Neil said and Andrew looked at him unimpressed.
"If you thought a crush was enough to break us off-" He started but Neil waved a hand.
"I knew that, but still. You just left and didn't say what you were doing. I panicked."
"Idiot." Andrew said, but he leaned down and pressed a kiss to Neil's forehead.
"I'm your idiot." Neil smiled and Andrew flicked him on the forehead. Neil sat up and moved to give Andrew space. Andrew raised an eyebrow before moving into the position Neil wanted him in. One leg was propped on the couch and the other was dangling off and Neil rested his head against his stomach. Neil reached out and tugged Kevin down gently.
"I've had a weird day. Can we just relax now? We lost almost a full day of relaxing time." Neil complained. Kevin rested his head in the crease where Andrew's thigh and Neil's stomach met.
"Fine, but I want a better explanation of what happened today." Kevin agreed.
"Blame Matt." Neil yawned.
"What does Boyd have to do with anything?" Kevin asked, but Neil waved him off.
"Talk later. Just relax." Neil was already drifting off, but he heard Andrew and Kevin talking quietly around him. It was comforting, and the realization he could have both of them was his last thought before drifting off to sleep. It was a wonderful feeling, really.