Since it’s WIP Wednesday (and I wanna share soooo badly), here’s a little snippet of what I have for my Kandreil Slow Burn Post Canon!
A broken stick lies sadly towards the center of the field among other abandoned equipment and gloves of uniforms. Nobody looks hurt, but Neil is seething. Matt is the only thing holding him back. His entire body is tense as he glares at Jack, who stares at Kevin with a smirk on his face. Kevin, for his part, doesn’t have to fake the anger in his voice. “What is the problem here?”
Jack steps forward like he’s expecting a medal, but Kevin waves him away, turning to Neil instead. “You’re gonna explain everything to me before I bench both you and him indefinitely.”
At the end of the day, the reasoning is stupid. Jack was talking shit as always, but whatever he said this time really got under Neil’s skin. No, he didn’t hit him, but Neil did break Jack’s racket. It would’ve been a full-on brawl had Matt not been there.
Nobody will tell Kevin what Jack said, not even the man himself, and that makes something hot burn through him. Logically, he can’t bench Neil for any games; he’s necessary if the Foxes want to have a strong start this season. That, and if Neil really got mad enough to purposely break a racket, then Jack must’ve said something nigh unforgivable.
He examines Neil’s face, the pucker of his burn scar, and the set of his jaw. Even if Neil is his closest friend, his savior, he’d be stupid to think that calls for leniency. “Josten, you’re benched until the first game of the season. I don’t want to see you on this court on my time until then.”
Dan gasps, “Kevin, you can’t be serious. That game is his vice-captain debut”, but he keeps his eyes on Neil.
Matt chimes, “You really can’t do this, Kevin. Neil didn’t do anything wrong.”
This he disagrees with, so Matt goes ignored. Purposeful damage of equipment is not allowed on his court. Kevin places a firm hand on Neil’s shoulder, squeezing, and demands, “Tell me you understand.”
Neil’s jaw flexes, but he nods. He turns to pick up his racket, to leave with his humility intact. Kevin yanks the back of his jersey and tells him “Stay.” Neil glares at him over his shoulder. Kevin can feel him shaking. He tugs his jersey once again. “We aren’t finished here. Stay, Josten.”
Jack grins with assumed victory. “Finally, getting what you deserve, huh?” He crosses his arms and preens, lauding over his height to look down his nose at Neil. “It’s about time you’re put in your place.”
Kevin can’t believe his audacity. He considers letting Neil loose on him, letting Jack learn from him before Andrew decides this becomes his business. At the reminder, he glances around and finds Andrew watching the scene from the inner court. This means nothing to him, yet he watches so intensely from the sidelines. A test, maybe? A form of amusement? Or maybe damage control. Exy is one of the pillars holding Neil’s life together. Not being allowed at practice for the next few weeks is going to make him antsy. Meaning Andrew is watching as the judge, making sure the punishment matches the crime. As if Kevin could ever do wrong by Neil.
He clears his throat, calling attention to him once again. “Jack Anderson,” he starts, and the mood shifts. Neil turns, providing his attention. The rest of the team, the original Foxes, recognizes this tone of voice. They’re expecting a performance, and Kevin is more than willing to deliver. There’s only one person here who needs to realize their place here.
“John ‘Jack’ Anderson.” He pokes Jack harshly in the chest. “Given your recent disruptive behavior and involvement, you will be benched until the fourth game of the season.”
Jack’s smile falls completely from his face. He makes a choked sound, and Kevin resists the urge to smirk. “What?”
Kevin continues, “I don’t want to see you on this court. I don’t want to see you warming up. If I even see a racket in your hand, I will bench you for the entire first half of this season.”
“Are you fucking serious?”
“Dead serious. Go hit the showers. Josten, follow me.” Kevin shoves Jack in the chest and turns back towards the court door. “The rest of you get your asses back on the court.” Andrew nods at him as he returns to inner court, and it makes him feel good even if Kevin desperately needs to separate himself from Andrew’s approval.
