WIP Wednesday (4/24) | Guardian Angel Neil AU (Part 172)
“I graduated on May 11th.”
“As in six months ago May 11th?" Andrew asks, in disbelief. "This year?”
“Yep,” Neil nods, the barest hint of a smile on his face. God, that’s so depressing. Neil’s life ended before it could even begin. But if he graduated a year after Andrew…
“I guess that makes you what? Eighteen?” Andrew asks. When Neil nods, Andrew asks, “When’s your birthday?”
“Why?”
Andrew shrugs. "You know mine."
“Take your pick." Neil starts. "Chris’ was September 14th. Stefan, June 23rd. Alex, December 9th. Jackie was August 4th, but I wasn’t him for long. I’ve had a few in February, one on Valentine’s Day, even—”
Andrew holds a hand up. “I want the real one.”
Neil works his jaw a couple times before answering, “January 19th.”
“And what name was attached to that date?”
“Ronald McDonald,” Neil answers immediately. It’s not that funny, but mixed with his meds it makes Andrew cackle so hard he ends up coughing. (Damn, maybe he should listen to Kevin and stop smoking. Nah.) Andrew lines himself out before Neil can start angel CPR or something. Oh, what an idea that is.
“Classy. Though, you look more like the Hamburglar to me.”
“Thanks a lot.” Neil says with a snort. Andrew regards him for a moment. How can a man have gone by so many names? Wouldn't he have gotten them confused? Instead of asking that, Andrew has a different question.
"I already know your father's last name. Why can't I have-"
Neil worries his bottom lip. “Because I hate it."
"Why?"
"I just do. I mean, it's not the worst thing my father ever did to me, but it's up there. I can give you my middle name, if you want it." Neil says. Andrew does, so he nods. After a couple seconds, he gets a quiet, "It's Abram."
WIP Wednesday (4/24) | Guardian Angel Neil AU (Part 173)
"Neil Abram Josten." Andrew says aloud, testing it. In a strange way, it fits together. Andrew realizes Neil is looking at him and offers, "Mine's Joseph."
"I know,” Neil says, taking Andrew by surprise. “I've heard Coach Wymack yell it at you a dozen times."
"Mm. Of course you have. He likes to do that because he knows it's annoying." Andrew says, shaking his head. At least Coach lengthens his name instead of shortening it. "You sure you don't want to tell me what horrible thing your father named you? If you don't I have to assume it's something like... Quincy. Or Earl. Or... Gilbert."
Neil laughs. "Worse than all those."
"Oh, so it was just plain terrible then. I'll have to think on it and guess again sometime."
"You can guess all you want. You'll never get it."
"I have until I die, right? I'll have to get it at some point."
"I'll lie if you do, Andrew Joseph Minyard,” Neil says, giving a petulant little grin when Andrew scowls at him.
“Cheater, cheater.”
“I’ve never promised to play fair.” Neil shrugs. “Besides, if I played fair you’d be sitting in class like a miserable lump right about now.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, at practice I could tell something was bothering you. I didn’t know what, but I figured you needed some rest. But you have class on Thursdays and I knew you couldn’t skip today because you were supposed to have an exam. So while you were busy in the showers, I popped over to the Humanities building and found your professor in the copy room. She was running off the exam. I think she got three copies before I fucked up all the copiers.” Neil finishes his story with a devious little smile and Andrew laughs.
“Thanks, angel.”
“That’s what I’m here for. Destroying things and keeping you safe.” Neil sighs out, his hand swiping over the mark his knife had made in the roof. Andrew watches his hand move and counts the circles and lines of pink, raised skin.