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minyards-pipedream · 2 days ago

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(wholesome twinyard, Andrew brotherly jealous)

Bee can tell that Andrew's upset. He hasn't touched his hot cocoa, even when she added jumbo marshmallows and whipped cream with chocolate syrup drizzle to sweeten his increasingly bitter mood. Whatever happened to him earlier today, concerned Andrew enough to text Bee for an emergency session.

One without Aaron involved. Although it seems Aaron is the cause for Andrew needing to speak to her immediately in private.

"Are you feeling alright, Andrew?" Bee's voice is professional with a hint of sincerity that Andrew respects and is endeared to.

"No."

His arms are crossed and his lips are the closest they've ever been to a pout. Bee thinks this is the most child-like Andrew's looked since she's known him and if Neil were here, they'd both agree that the Foxes goalie appears rather cute at current.

"Why aren't you alright, Andrew?"

It takes ten solid minutes of silence before Bee's given an answer.

"Some guy in the cafeteria called Aaron his brother." Andrew sounds borderline disdainful at the recollection.

Bee's eyebrows shoot up at the tone and her hand scribbles on a blank notepad page.

"Some guy? Do you know his name?"

"Andy Mathers. Senior. Pre-med. Hockey team. Tall. Filthy rich. Fratboy." Andrew curtly rattles off, really showcasing his criminal justice major skills.

"I see you've done your research." Bee curves her lips into a fond smile. She digs a little deeper at the reveal. "This Andy is in a fraternity, you said?"

"Wants Aaron to exclusively join his cult of uppity scholars. Something about med and pre-med students with high GPAs getting connections and resources to help them in fancy pants doctor land. Blah blah blah. Boring."

Andrew's stellar memory can't stop replaying how it all went down in the cafeteria a few short hours ago. The Monsters met up for lunch. Aaron arrived at the table last with this damn Andy (short for Andrew as well, gross) following behind him like a devoted puppy.

Andy kept praising Aaron for passing an infamously difficult exam from an equally vile professor with flying colors and how he's just the man they've been looking for to represent their frat's ethics and image. Started mentioning how if Aaron pledged, he could be the "little brother" to Andy's "big brother", and they'd have this unbreakable forever bond that no one would understand but them. Planned to take Aaron under his wing and care for him just like family.

"Clearly Andy bothers you a great deal," Bee's voice pauses the loop in Andrew's traitorous brain. "Why does Andy potentially forming an academic relationship with Aaron bother you?"

Andrew narrows his eyes. If it weren't Bee he was directly looking at and if Bee wasn't comfortable around him, one would think his visage promised violence.

"Aaron doesn't need anymore brothers. He has me. Just me." Andrew states matter of fact.

"Oh. Hmm. I see."

Bee observes Andrew finally pop a marshmallow into his mouth. By now the hot cocoa's gone lukewarm and the whipped cream looks less glamorous. She runs through some ideas in her head for Andrew to process this situation better. This is a first that Andrew is claiming Aaron as his brother only and no one else's. A far cry from calling Aaron, along with the rest of the Monsters, as his in a possessive manner.

He obviously values the title Aaron has as his brother and identical twin, maybe demands the same in return, and in Bee's opinion Andrew most likely feels insulted that an outsider thinks they can walk in uninvited to forge a cherry picked siblingship.

"Even if it's fraternity brothers? In spirit? That's no good?"

Andrew shakes his head. "Andy and whoever the fuck else doesn't meet the requirements."

"Requirements? Care to explain?"

Andrew lists off his fingers.

"We share the same blood, same pathetic birth giver, and same annoying cousin. If your last name isn't Minyard, it won't ever count. Makes it pointless to be brothers. Bonus that we share the same face too."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"No room for exceptions?"

"None."

"Tell me, Andrew. Have you ever felt jealousy?"

He grows awfully quiet. Which isn't abnormal for him. She can tell he's contemplating.

"I believe you're experiencing that right now."

Andrew slightly tilts his head.

"Explain."

"Well, you called for an emergency session. You expressed that you don't like the idea of Andy gaining Aaron's affection as a frat brother. You made up excuses to reject Andy on Aaron's unknowing behalf."

Bee let's her words settle in before picking back up at Andrew's insistent, "Keep talking."

"At any point when you first saw Aaron and Andy together, did Aaron ever give off signs that he is seriously considering Andy's offer? To become brothers in a sense? Any open body language or words humoring Andy even?"

Andrew doesn't speak for five minutes. Then, he slowly answers, "No. Aaron told him to fuck off."

"Interesting." Bee smiles at the almost pleased and smug tone Andrew has about Aaron's blatant refusal. "So, we are to assume that Aaron could care less about becoming a fratbro, in particular, Andy's pledging little brother."

Andrew leans back in his chair, not up to talking at the moment, only up for listening, and Bee freely gives her perspective.

"You're being irrational, Andrew, and that's due to feeling insecure, which is a normal reaction people have about those they see as loved ones potentially slipping away. Initially, Aaron was the one who reached out to you, chose you, wanted you both to be brothers regardless of circumstances. He easily could've went about his business, knowing your existence, never once trying to get you in his life and you'd be nonethewiser. Instead, he made a deal to keep you by his side, Andrew. It was a choice. His choice. You were wanted. A family member wanted you."

Bee watches Andrew for any minute change of expression before continuing.

"Now, this random Andy Mathers comes into the picture. Offering brotherhood much like Aaron did for you. And Aaron's in your former position all those years ago, having the option to choose Andy back, like how you chose Aaron back. The Minyard twins sticking together through college. Except..."

Andrew waits for Bee to assess him some more.

"This is different than what you and Aaron have. Andy toying with the idea of adopting Aaron into his fold. They share a common goal to become doctors, and that means they could have more similar interests, the kind that binds people together perhaps closer than those they share blood with. Am I striking a nerve?"

"Several." Andrew's blunt about it.

She can always put his conflicted thoughts and sentiments into words he can't say. Bee sets aside her notepad.

"All you need to do is remember that no matter what, you and Aaron will always be brothers. No one can take that from you two. Here, Andrew. I have some exercises for you to do that'll reinforce how Aaron won't replace you with Andy Mathers, or that Andy Mathers won't take Aaron from you."

And so, much to his chagrin, Andrew obliges Bee if it means he can stay in control of his emotions.

-----

Aaron finds it very weird that Andrew is more present in his life than usual. He thought joint therapy with Bee, mandatory Exy practice with the Foxes, and the weekly trip to Columbia would be it for them as far as acknowledging the other exists. Now, whenever Aaron’s done with his last class of the day, Andrew’s there waiting across the lecture hall or lab doorway leaning on the wall, and they'll walk to the dorms together.

It takes Aaron by surprise every single time. Mostly because of Andrew's clear, direct commands the moment he's aware Aaron notices him from the throng of rushing pre-med students.

“Hang out with me.” Words Aaron least expected to hear from his twin.

Feels like Aaron's being hunted, how well Andrew can catch him off guard with unforced honesty that Aaron didn't have to pull teeth to get. In his own Andrew way, Aaron supposes, his twin is specifically seeking his attention and it freaks him out so much he internally copes by viewing Andrew as a science experiment, thinking it'll ease the new tension developing between them.

“Video game.” Andrew would say after ambushing Aaron yet again at the end of the day and Aaron quickly deciphered the non-descriptive meanings in due time.

When Andrew simply says “video game” it means he and Aaron are to solve a horror puzzle game all night until completion. Sleep be damned and junk food their only nutrition. Nicky is not to participate, it must solely be a twin activity.

When Andrew says “nap” it means he is ordering a fatigued Aaron to take a break from studying and come nap with him. Basically letting the other Monsters know that the Minyard twins have commandeered the bean bags and that they will be murdered gruesomely if their nap time is disturbed.

When Andrew says “ice cream” it means Aaron is driven off campus to the recently opened ice cream shop where they eat so much they get sick and it's only them enjoying the array of flavors. They deem it worth the hassle, sharing petty amusement at Nicky whining about the rise of blatant favoritism within their circle while Kevin scolds the twins’ poor diet, and Neil is hilariously stressed at Aaron lording over knowing a secret place that Andrew refuses to take his junkie to.

A few weeks later of this routine, Aaron dares to assume that he and Andrew are… bonding? Getting closer? They're something, alright.

“Back from Twin Time already?” Neil and Nicky have evilly coined Andrew and Aaron's hanging out. If they weren't invited, then they'd be bitchy about it.

“Shut up!” Aaron stomps off, hurrying to his dorm room, avoiding Neil and Nicky's teasing.

Andrew doesn't seem bothered by it, even getting in on the joke by texting or telling Aaron “twin time” so he knows to drop everything and look at his twin's face. Like a bat signal summoning Aaron.

Aaron gets more confused by the day, though he can't say he's not pleased at their improving relationship.

Then Andy shows up again begging that Aaron re-considers about pledging the frat.

“It'll be worthwhile! I promise you that.” Andy has no idea he's on a landmine.

The cousins, Kevin, and Neil are on their way to Columbia when Andy approaches them in the parking lot.

“No means no.” Aaron rolls his eyes.

Kevin and Neil keep walking to the car. Nicky and Andrew come to a stop, sizing Andy up. Since Aaron first brought him around, Nicky has let all the Foxes know of his lust towards Andy and how it's a shame Aaron doesn't swing.

“I wouldn't mind being in a house full of men!” Nicky proposes with a flirty smile.

“Hello to you, too, Nicky.” Andy nods politely.

Andrew takes a step closer to be side by side with Aaron. He darkens his eyes, coldly gazing.

“Aren't frats known to drug people and be shady? They get away with more crime, too, right?” Andrew tilts his head at Andy, enjoying making the older man squirm at the scrutiny.

Aaron scoffs. Pot calling kettle black. The Monsters have the same reputation, it's just among the Foxes gossip.

“If you're worried about Aaron's safety, don't. I'm a pretty big deal. I'll protect him.” Andy tries to schmooze, putting on a charming smile that'd woo donors and win parents over, hoping Nicky and Andrew are the same saps and can convince Aaron to change his mind.

Andrew subtly does some breathing techniques, part of the exercises Bee taught him, because he has the urge to reach for his knife and carve Andy like a pumpkin.

“Aaron doesn't need you to protect him.”

And Andrew really wants to claim that he is Aaron's protector. That he's kept Aaron alive even from his own self-destruction. That only he is his brother's keeper. But Bee would call that regression so instead Andrew claws his way to maturity despite making his skin crawl.

“Aaron can protect himself just fine. He doesn't need anyone like you watching his back.”

Probably the first genuine compliment Andrew says aloud about Aaron's capabilities. Nicky is shocked, a bit teary eyed and sentimental and honored to be a witness to this. Aaron's eyes widen and his jaw drops, looking at Andrew like he grew a second head.

Andy awkwardly clears his throat being on the receiving end of Andrew's mild aggression.

“Y-Yes, Aaron is popular among the biochem department for his resilience.” Andy barges on. “Did you know he has a fan club?”

“He does?!” Nicky squeals.

“I do?” Aaron can't keep having whiplash or he'll hurt his neck.

“They do?!” Nicky snaps his head to Andrew along with Aaron.

“Of course I know.”

Andrew always knows what type of people Aaron attracts, murder case or not. His twin's useless at recognizing that people admire him from afar (having Andrew in proximity fuels the distance also).

“We look alike. Sometimes his fan club mistakes me for him.”

Andrew looks bored. “Yeah. They're not that smart for future doctors. Thinking I'm Aaron and confessing their undying love or whatever. I'm constantly reminding them that the only pre-med I tolerate dating Aaron is the cheerleader. Anyone else can go six feet under.”

“You threatened my classmates?” Aaron can't believe this, smacking a hand to his forehead.

“The real question is why are your classmates wannabe homewreckers? Aren't you in a supposedly happy relationship? Unless you and the cheerleader are finally breaking up.” Andrew is unapologetic as ever.

Andy watches the back and forth. He dons a strange expression. Aaron comes to realize later that Andy looked resigned.

“Well, I'm here if you decide frat life is for you Aaron. Just figured since you go clubbing religiously, you'd like to host the parties of the year too. I'll let you get back to your family. See you in class.”

Andrew feels accomplished observing Andy getting the hell away from them. Nicky's saddened that he's lost another pretty face to gawk at. They resume walking to the car. Nicky merrily climbs in, but Andrew halts Aaron, leaning in to whisper in his twin's ear.

“You really wanna be Andy's little brother? He can get you a lot farther with his support?”

Aaron is startled for a third time tonight and his brain clicks it together when he glances at Andrew's face.

Oh. So it's like that then. Aaron's science experiment of a clone has revealed stunning test results.

“You're already a pain in the ass, Andrew. Why the fuck would I want more brothers? One is enough.”

Andrew relaxes a bit knowing what Aaron means instantly. Man, he simultaneously loves and hates when Bee's right on the money.

Nicky, Kevin, and Neil (all nosy) peer out from the cracked car window.

“Thank fuck we're only children.”

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