Built For Almost

After the whirlwind of competitions, hotels, and bus rides, stepping back onto campus felt surreal.

It was almost too quiet.

The sun was setting low over the dorm buildings, painting everything in muted gold. The parking lot was scattered with sleepy students hauling bags and duffel coats, some still wearing medals around their necks, others too tired to bother.

Neil dragged his bag behind him, practically glued to Zay’s side.

Because, well - technically this was supposed to be the part where everyone went back to their own rooms.

Technically.

But Neil had no intention of letting Zay out of his sight.

When they'd finally reached the door to Zay’s dorm, Neil didn't even hesitate. He dropped his bag onto the floor, kicked off his sneakers, and sprawled face-first onto Zay’s bed with a loud, content groan.

Zay leaned in the doorway for a moment, arms crossed over his chest, just watching him.

"You live here now, huh?" Zay said, amused.

Neil peeked up at him from the comforter, hair a mess, hoodie slipping off his shoulder. "I’m not moving," he mumbled stubbornly. "Ever."

Zay laughed under his breath - the kind of laugh that made Neil’s chest warm.

"Fine by me," Zay said.

He kicked the door shut behind him, tossed his own bag onto the floor, and crossed the room in two long strides. Neil didn’t even flinch when Zay grabbed his ankles and hauled him down the bed, making him squawk.

"Zay!" Neil gasped, batting at him. "I’m injured!"

"You’re dramatic," Zay corrected, settling beside him.

Neil grinned, wriggling closer immediately until he was half lying across Zay’s lap.

Zay threaded his fingers through Neil’s hair, gently tugging at the curls at the nape of his neck.

They stayed like that for a long minute. Breathing. Resting. Existing.

It wasn’t complicated.

It was just good.

...

Meanwhile… in the hallway.

The rest of the team was busy causing minor havoc.

Devon and Chase were arguing loudly about who technically deserved the last leftover slice of pizza from their victory stash.

Callum was face-timing his mom, loudly bragging about how "it was basically me who kept everyone alive."

And Liam - bless Liam - was standing awkwardly by the common room vending machine, having somehow managed to get his sleeve stuck in the coin slot.

Coach Langley appeared around the corner just in time to see Chase tackle Devon into a wall.

He paused.

Took a very long, exhausted breath.

And muttered to himself:
"I don't get paid enough for this."

Then he turned and pretended he hadn’t seen anything at all.

Classic Langley.

...

Back in Zay's dorm room

Neil stretched out lazily, turning to blink up at Zay.

"We should join them," Neil said half-heartedly.

Zay didn’t even stop carding his fingers through Neil’s hair. "You’re still recovering," he said simply.

"I’m fine," Neil insisted.

Zay raised an eyebrow. "You said that right before you ran a 4x400 with a half-broken knee."

Neil opened his mouth - then closed it.

"Touche," he admitted.

Zay smirked and leaned down to brush a kiss against Neil’s forehead.

Neil sighed happily and melted completely against him.

Outside, someone knocked loudly on their door.

Before either of them could move, they heard Devon’s unmistakable voice shouting:

"ARE YOU GUYS MAKING OUT OR CAN WE COME IN?"

Zay groaned into his hand.

Neil just cackled.

...

A few minutes later

The room was a full-on disaster zone.

Devon, Chase, Callum, and Liam had invaded with snacks, energy drinks, and enough noise to wake the dead.

Someone had turned on music. Liam kept tripping over the corner of Zay’s rug. Callum tried to balance a soda can on Chase’s head. Devon was dramatically narrating a fake "documentary" about the wild Neils in their natural habitat.

Neil just stayed firmly tucked into Zay’s side, refusing to be budged even as Callum attempted to coax him into joining a stupid TikTok dance.

"Nope," Neil said, his voice muffled against Zay’s chest. "Busy."

"You're whipped," Callum accused.

"You're just jealous," Neil shot back.

Laughter erupted.

Coach Langley texted the group chat a single, threatening message:
"Noise complaint = running suicides tomorrow. Good night."

Everyone froze for exactly two seconds.

And then Chase whispered, "Langley's bluffing."

Which, of course, prompted even more chaos.

...

Later, when it finally died down

Neil found himself half-asleep, tucked against Zay, while the rest of the team lounged around, watching some dumb movie.

Zay’s hand never left Neil’s back.

At some point, Neil mumbled, "Home," into Zay’s hoodie.

Zay tilted his head down. "What?"

Neil blinked sleepily up at him. "You feel like home."

Zay didn’t say anything for a second.

Then he kissed the top of Neil’s head, so soft Neil barely felt it.

"You're my home too," Zay whispered.

...

Outside the dorm building

Coach Langley leaned against the wall, sipping his terrible gas station coffee, watching the lights flicker in Zay’s dorm window.

He shook his head fondly.

Maybe he was getting too old for this.

But seeing his team this happy?

Seeing Neil - stubborn, reckless, fiery Neil - safe and smiling for once?

Yeah.

It was worth it.