head over heels

19 ~ lightning

[A/N - hello! dropping my first TW on this chapter. there is some homophobic slurs and a really graphic panic attack towards the end of this one, so continue with caution! that being said, fuck Dan. writing him actually makes me angry. wowow]

Kei followed Evan closely into the gym, as if half expecting someone to jump out and swing a baseball bat at his face.

"It'll be fine," Evan grumbled as he half tripped over Kei.

Kei grabbed his arm to steady him, "Maybe."

Evan blushed. "It's not like I want Dan to kill me," he groaned. "You'll probably do it first if you stick this close to me during practice."

Kei let go sheepishly, taking one solid step back, "Sorry—"

He waved the boy off, "It's okay."

They made it to the changing rooms, and Evan steeled himself. It was always too busy with the full team practice in the afternoon. But now there would be Dan.

Evan hadn't had to deal with him since last year, and had only seen him once during the practice Kei had stormed out of.

Being face to face with the prick was not something he missed.

Kei pushed open the door in front of him, and Evan followed him. He almost wished that Kei would go change in the other corner of the room so that Evan couldn't see him. He felt guilty for looking.

The locker room chatter seemed to fade out around him as Kei pulled his shirt off.

He turned away, staring pointedly at his bag. He changed quickly himself, eventually chancing a look back up at Kei, who still had his shirt off, having only changed into a pair of gym shorts.

Trying not to look at him was like trying not to not look at a six foot fucking underwear model being dangled right in front of him. Meaning it was impossible.

"Now isn't that predictable?" A voice sounded from behind him.

He turned, finding a tall blonde boy. He bit back a sigh. Dan.

"What is it Dan," he muttered tiredly, preparing himself for the barrage of insults that were bound to come from Dan's gross mouth.

The boy grinned gleefully, watching Evan like he had some dirt on him, "You, I see you staring at Kei," he jeered, nudging the goons that crowded around him.

Evans' heart hitched, a bolt of anxiety rising in his chest. He opened his mouth to respond, but Kei beat him to it.

"Jealous Dan?" Kei bit out, he stood, "You wanna stare too?"

The team was starting to notice, eyes turned towards them, and Evan wanted to sink into the ground.

Dan bristled, "I'm not gay," he pointed at Evan, "Him on the other hand?"

Anxiety enveloped his chest. Fuck. He thought he'd be fine. He'd dealt with Dan's insults before. But now they hit him a bit too close to home.

"Shut the fuck up Dan," Ethan piped up, having finally gotten wind of the commotion. He elbowed his way through the crowd of guys. "You pull some shit again, and I won't hesitate to throw you off the team for another two weeks."

Dan only sneered, "I'd like to see you try."

Among the towering guys, despite his height. Ethan seemed like he was five times taller than he actually was.

"You're changed," he pointed at the door, "Get on the court, you're taking up space."

Dan didn't move. "I'm doing everyone a favour. No one wants him on the court." He pointed accusingly at Evan. "You only put him on the team because he's your brother. Everyone knows he's shit."