#dad wymack

[abi-renirk]

Thinking about Wymack putting up with Neil, alone, during his senior year. None of the other foxes are there to deal with his antics. Kevin isn’t there to talk about everything Exy related. Andrew isn’t there to keep him grounded and sane. Allison and Nicky aren’t pushing him out of his comfort zone with his style, appearance, etc. Matt isn’t there to be a friend. Dan can’t help him captain his team. Aaron isn’t there to annoy him. Renee isn’t there with her gentle, reassuring smile.

I know that some of the freshman from the EC become Neil’s friends, but it isn’t the same as the OG Foxes.

So, he turns to one of the few people he trusts, Dad Wymack™️. Neil joins him in his office for lunch and tells him all about Andrew’s most recent Exy game. “Did you see how many saves Andrew made last night?” 38. It was beautiful.” *heart eyes* Coach returns his attention to the paperwork he was working on when Neil walked in. He half listens as the striker explains a movie that Nicky said he needed to watch to understand current trends.

After a game night, Neil goes home with Wymack, who now lives together with Abby, and stays for dinner with the couple, yapping about everything that plagued him that day. “I talked to Andrew last night and he was telling me about this drill his pro team does at practice. He thinks it’s stupid, of course, but I think it could help us get through the other team’s defense easier.” He goes on to explain the drill between bites of pasta and sauce.

When Neil leaves, Coach looks at Abby, feeling slightly dumbfounded, “I never knew the kid could say so many words in such a short time.” Abby lets out a chuckle.

“I don’t get any paperwork finished anymore with him around so much.” He explains with fake annoyance. She gives him a soft smile, “He just misses Andrew and the rest of our Foxes. I think it’s says a lot that he trusts you with the details of his private life. We all know how hard that is for him.”

Dad Wymack sits in his thought for a quiet minute, thinking back to the locker room in Millport with the brown-haired, brown-eyed boy who was scared to live. To the airport before the new year with the red-haired, blue-eyed boy who was fighting for his family. To a cheap motel in Baltimore with a boy covered in scars who fought to stay and live. Neil has come a long way and Wymack’s chest swells with pride and love for the striker.

Two days later, on Monday, Neil shows up right on time for Wymack’s lunch hour, but the older man doesn’t mind the sound of Neil’s chattering over their shared lunch. “Allison told me my hair is getting too long, but the shampoo she sent me is making my curls look “delicious”. I don’t know what she means by that, how hair can look edible, but Andrew says not to worry about it. Speaking of Andrew, do you know how much he has been bench pressing in the gym? He’s up to—“

Wymack lets out a quiet, exasperated sigh as he leans back in his chair, accepting his fate for the next year as Neil continues talking. He may act annoyed about his new lunch time guest, but it means a lot that Neil feels safe with him, even if that means learning about pop culture and Neil’s distaste for broccoli.

[chacha462]

[samoony]

"HOME"

-adopted neil josten au-

Wymack and Abby stood in the adoption agency office, holding hands as they waited. The door opened, and the social worker stepped in with Neil. He was small for his age, with wide, mistrustful eyes and a backpack slung over one thin shoulder. His clothes were too big, his hair was messy, and his face carried a wariness that no child should have. Even though they have already been informed by neil's past family, they couldn't believe about all that this kid had been through.

“This is Neil” the social worker said softly.

“Hi, Neil” Abby greeted warmly, her voice gentle as honey. She crouched to his level, smiling. “I’m Abby, and this is my husband, Wymack. We’re so excited to meet you.”

Neil didn’t say anything. He gripped the strap of his backpack tightly and stared at the floor.

Wymack cleared his throat. “Hey, kid. We’ve got a house, a big backyard, and plenty of space for you to settle in. Kevin, our son, is already excited to meet you.”

Neil still didn’t respond, but he gave the tiniest of nods. It was enough for Wymack and Abby to exchange a look-hopeful and determined.

---

When they arrived home, Kevin practically bounced out the front door to greet them. He was holding a exy stick and grinning ear to ear.

“Hi, Neil! I’m Kevin! I’m your brother now. Do you like exy? I can teach you if you want. Let's go play!

Neil looked overwhelmed. He clutched his backpack tighter and stepped back.

“Kevin” Wymack warned, firm.

“Sorry” Kevin said, deflating a little. “But I am really happy you’re here.”

Abby placed a hand on Neil’s shoulder, guiding him inside. “Let’s show you your room, sweetheart.”

Neil’s room was simple but cozy—a soft bed, shelves for books and toys, and a desk by the window. Neil walked in hesitantly, his eyes scanning the room as if expecting something bad to happen.

“It’s all yours,” Abby said. “You can decorate it however you like.”

Neil didn’t say anything, but he sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers brushing the soft blanket. Abby and Wymack gave him space.

---

The first few days were tough. Neil was quiet, withdrawn, and avoided physical contact. He ate little at meals, flinching if someone accidentally dropped a plate, raised their voice, or hand by mistake.

Kevin tried his best to include Neil, showing him his exy stick and talking about school. Neil would listen quietly but never joined in.

------

One evening, while Abby ironed clothes, Neil’s past caught up with him.

Abby stood in the laundry room, smoothing wrinkles out of a shirt with a hot iron. Neil, sitting on the couch nearby, suddenly froze when he saw the iron in her hand. His chest tightened, his breathing quickened, and he bolted without a word.

“Neil?” Abby called, alarmed. She set the iron down and followed him.

Wymack, hearing the commotion, joined her. They found the bathroom door shut, but there was no sound inside.

“Neil?” Wymack knocked softly. No answer.

They exchanged a worried glance before Wymack gently opened the door. The sight made Abby’s heart break. Neil was curled up inside the cabinet under the sink, his arms wrapped tightly around his knees, tears streaming silently down his face.

Wymack crouched down, keeping his voice soft and steady. “Hey kid It’s okay. You’re safe here. No one’s going to hurt you.”

Neil didn’t move, but his sobs quieted. Abby knelt beside Wymack, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“It’s just us, sweetheart,” Abby said gently. “You don’t have to be scared. We’re here for you.”

Neil hesitated before slowly crawling out. Abby wrapped her arms around him carefully, and Wymack placed a reassuring hand on his back.

Kevin peeked in, looking confused and worried. “Neil? Are you okay?”

Neil didn’t respond, but he let Abby hold him. For a moment, the family just stayed there, offering quiet comfort.

Later that night, Wymack and Abby sat together, their hearts heavy.

“We knew it would be hard,” Abby said softly, “but seeing him like that… it’s so much worse than I imagined.”

Wymack nodded, his jaw tight. “We’ll get through to him. We have to.”

---

Days turned into weeks, and Neil slowly began to settle in. He still avoided touch and rarely spoke, but he started to join Kevin during his exy drills, even if just to watch. Kevin, ever patient, didn’t push him, instead letting Neil come to him on his own terms.

Small breakthroughs happened - a quiet thank you, a hesitant smile, sitting closer during family movie nights. But there were still moments when Neil’s past would resurface, like when someone raised their voice too quickly or moved their hand too fast.

Each time, Abby and Wymack handled it with care, reassuring Neil that he was safe and loved.

It had been a month since Neil came to live with them, and Wymack and Abby had started noticing small changes. Neil still spoke very little, but he no longer flinched every time someone entered the room. He’d even started sitting next to Kevin during family movie nights, though he kept a cautious distance.

-------

One Saturday afternoon, Abby suggested something new.

“How about we go to the toy store today?” she said, her voice bright and warm as they all sat around the breakfast table.

Neil paused mid-bite of his toast, his wide eyes darting to her, unsure if she was serious.

“You can pick out anything you want,” Wymack added. “A game, a toy, whatever catches your eye.”

Kevin, ever the excitable big brother, chimed in. “You should totally get something cool! Like an action figure or a Nerf gun. I can help you pick!”

Neil hesitated, looking down at his plate. “I don’t need anything” he said softly, his voice barely audible.

Abby leaned forward, her hand resting lightly on his. “It’s not about needing, sweetheart. It’s about what *you* want. You deserve something special, and we want to give it to you.”

At the toy store, Neil stayed close to Abby, his small hand clutching hers as they walked through the aisles. The colorful displays seemed to overwhelm him, and he shrank back slightly, his eyes flitting from one shelf to the next.

Kevin bounded ahead, holding up various toys. “What about this? Or this? Look, Neil, this one talks when you press a button!”

Neil didn’t respond, his gaze lingering on a shelf filled with stuffed animals. Slowly, he let go of Abby’s hand and approached.

Wymack and Abby exchanged a glance, their hearts warming as they watched Neil study the plush toys.

Then, Neil stopped in front of a small orange fox with soft, fluffy fur and big, shiny eyes, kind of reminding them of neil. He reached out hesitantly, as if afraid someone would tell him no.

“Do you like that one?” Abby asked gently, stepping beside him.

Neil nodded, clutching the fox to his chest. “Can I… have this one?”

It was the first time Neil had ever asked for anything, and Abby felt her throat tighten with emotion.

“Of course you can,” she said, her voice soft but full of love.

Wymack ruffled Neil’s hair, his usual gruffness replaced with a rare smile. “Good choice, kid. That fox looks like it’ll be a great friend.”

Kevin grinned. “You gotta name it! What are you gonna call him?”

Neil looked down at the plush fox in his arms, thinking for a moment before whispering, “king fluffkins"

“king fluffkins it is,” Kevin said through laughter and enthusiasm.

That night, Neil went to bed, clutching king fluffkins tightly. Abby peeked into his room before she turned in for the night and saw him fast asleep, the fox tucked securely in his arms.

She quietly closed the door and joined Wymack in the living room.

“He asked for something,” Abby said, her eyes shining with happy tears.

Wymack nodded, his voice gruff but full of pride. “Yeah. He’s starting to trust us.”

And from that night on, king fluffkins, the fox became Neil’s constant companion, a small but powerful symbol of the love and safety he was beginning to feel.

---

One sunny afternoon, Kevin suggested a pool day. Wymack agreed, thinking it would be good for Neil to relax.

Abby packed snacks and towels while Wymack set up inflatables. Neil stood by the pool’s edge, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

“You don’t have to swim if you don’t want to,” Abby said gently.

Neil hesitated before slowly pulling off his shirt.

The sight made Abby gasp softly. Neil’s back and shoulders were littered with scars—faint lines and faded bruises, already healing but it showed the force of the cause behind them, and a large burn on his shoulder shaped unmistakably like the flat end of an iron.

Abby turned away, tears streaming down her face. Wymack quickly followed her, his hand on her shoulder.

Meanwhile, Kevin approached Neil, his face full of concern. “Does it hurt?”

“No” Neil mumbled, looking down.

Kevin hesitated before saying, “I’m glad you’re here, Neil. And I promise, no one will ever hurt you again.”

Abby returned, wiping her tears, and smiled at Neil. “How about we teach you to swim, sweetheart?”

By the end of the day, Neil was splashing in the shallow end with Kevin, his laughter filling the air. For the first time, Neil began to feel safe.

---

One quiet evening, Neil hesitated before asking, “Can I call you Mom and Dad?”

Abby and Wymack’s hearts melted.

“Of course, sweetheart,” Abby said, pulling him into a hug.

Wymack grinned and ruffled Neil’s hair. “Yeah, kid. We’d love that.”

For the first time, Neil felt like he had a family—a home, a real one.

-THE END-

[stupidliano]

dad wymack

[deklo]

more dad!mack and baby kevin<3

bonus little kevin and neil<3 they’re watching exy together<3

i have more baby kevin wips RAAA one day ill finish em

[i-wear-sunglasses-inside]

Everybody is talking about how Jean called Wymack and Rhemann his fathers, but nobody is talking about how his first reaction to that thought was to be so embarrassed at himself that he fully reached for the door handle to fling himself out of Jeremy’s car on the highway

[tankuare]

Nora saying that the only time Neil cries is when Wymack dies is wrong btw. Wymack never dies

[bisexualchaosdemon]

Sometimes, I think about the fact that Wymack is Kevin's dad, and I want to weep. He dedicated his entire life to helping others who had grown up like he had, only to find out that his own son had grown up a caged and abused wreck? That's a level of pain that I can't even fathom.

[koldefingre]

They are so not father son in the way that they so are father son. Yk?

[jeanmoreaue]

nothing profound to say, just that this makes me want to get better. and the relationship between Wymack and Jean is so,,, the fact that Wymack says this to Jean and then later Jean cries for the first time in who knows how long and his first instinct is to call Wymack

[abi-renirk]

I’m trying to work on my ‘Neil and Wymack during Neil’s final year at Palmetto’ fic (I don’t have a title for it, someone pls help😅), but my very own Sir Fat Cat McCatterson and King Fluffkins keep distracting me!!! They climb on my laptop, pushing buttons, chew on the sides (I seriously think they have something against modern technology😂). I’m hoping to have a couple chapters posted by the end of the week, for anyone who cares🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤣🤣🤣

[chacha462]

I don't see Wymack calling suicides (the drill) by this name working with the mess the foxes are

Now, in my head, he calls it LIVING A LOT

[andrew-minyard-stan]

nobody:

Neil casually dropping major twists and plot points:

[allfor-thegames]

how do you think kevin told wymack he was his father? bc with all kevin's grace and eloquence, i truly imagine he walked into wymack's office, sat there in silence for a whole minute staring at his coach and when wymack was finally like "do you want something why tf are you in here staring at me?" kevin just said "you're my father. and we need to tell the press btw."

[andrew-dramaqueen-minyard]

With all the Kevin Day news I’ve thinking about this interaction and how Wymack wouldn’t have fully understood the severity of why Kevin would pick him over Andrew… Kevin having to suffer between choosing Andrew, the man that’s given him legs to stand on, and the father he’s never been able to have…. Kevin Day I’m sick

[deklo]

wymack and lil kevin 🫶 they’re watching kayleigh play exy

i have many thoughts about them. many headcanons/au’s. so little time.