head over heels

15 ~ two idiots bond over anime

[A/N - i love them. next 2 chapters are the cutest fluffiest hang out session haha]

The next day passed in a blur. He was running on an embarrassing high from his practice session with Kei. He didn't have chemistry today, and he actually felt himself missing the class.

He wanted to smack himself around the face, he was being totally awful. He could only imagine what the inside of his brain looked like to other people. Like some fucked up Kei shrine or something.

He was embarrassed for himself at this point.

Practice started later today so Evan found himself in the library waiting.

He stared at the bookshelves in front of him. He needed a book, but for once in his life, he was at a total loss on what to choose. Fantasy was too much effort, sci-fi the same, romance felt a bit— he winced.

As if drawn by a magnet, Evans eyes slid to a specific section of the shelves.

A little label sat on the shelf, each letter written in rainbow font. He looked behind him hurriedly, half expecting someone to be watching him. 

They weren't.

Evan shuffled awkwardly towards the shelf. Some of the books had loud rainbows emblazoned on their spines, some had guys kissing on their covers. He steered away from those, he felt like reading one would be an easy way to out himself to every single person who looked in his direction.

Instead, he pulled out one with the most nondescript cover he could possibly find, only half glancing at the back cover before making a break for the self book check out. He thanked everything that he wouldn't have to take it through the librarians desk.

He maybe would have cried then ran away. After last weeks meltdown, Evan didn't even think he was joking. 

Once he'd checked the book out he shoved it into his bag, feeling a bit like it was a lead weight in his chest. He felt like the words, 'Evans gay' were emblazoned over his bag. It was stupid, but he couldn't shake the feeling.

Shame didn't help the temptation burning in his chest. He wanted to read it. He glanced at his phone, he had a bit of time before practice. He glanced around the library, eventually finding a secluded armchair.

He sat down, pulling up his knees so that he could hide the book's cover.

Evan started reading, curiosity eating away at him.

...

By the time Evan tore himself away from his book, he realised with a jolt that he was late. It was 4:30. He was meant to be at practice thirty minutes ago.

"Shit," he muttered, finding a few texts on his phone from the team.

He reluctantly closed his book. He had been so zoned in. The book was good, it centred around two guys, and was a tension filled romance. One of the characters in particular felt like someone had held up a mirror to himself.

He felt seen.

Dragging himself out to the courts was like a monumental effort. The only thing that got him through the doors was the thought of seeing Kei.

With his new book firmly hidden in his bag, he quickly changed and ran out onto the courts, where the full team practised. He spotted Kei immediately, noticing he looked slightly grumpy.

Kei noticed him as soon as he stepped onto the court, and the tension on his face noticeably receded.

"Evan," he called, "You're late?"