Chapter Text
If you asked Adam, he’d not be able to give you a clear answer as to how he ended up joining Aglionby’s Exy team.
He had never been an athlete, but he kept in decent shape due to more physical jobs and his main form of transportation being a bike. So, somehow, he had ended up trying out for the exy team and getting recruited.
The main surprise was that Gansey and Ronan were both on the team. Neither spoke about it outside of practices, too busy talking about Glendower, Cabeswater, dreams…but despite it all, they found themselves on a court under the fluorescent lights every Friday night on game day.
There was something about being on the court with two of his best friends that settled something deep inside his bones. With Gansey behind him, and Ronan guarding the goal, he felt invincible.
Their team had managed to make it into spring championships, despite the mediocrity of the majority of the team. Adam felt the buzz of anxiety under his skin as they waited to go out onto the court. He had never expected to be a starting striker, but here he was. Starting striker for the Aglionby Ravens, standing alongside Gansey, starting backliner, and Ronan, starting goalie.
They filed onto the court to the cheers of their fans, most of whom were there schoolmates. They were facing their biggest rivals, Westview High, which was Blue’s school. She was starting offensive dealer, and she was scowling across the court at them.
“Looks like Blue is really laying the anti-raven boys persona on thick today.” Ronan said from right next to Adam. He looked up at Ronan and had to fight the smile that always tries to appear when Ronan looked at him like that. He must’ve noticed, because he smiled deviously at Adam and jostled his shoulder. “Ready, Parrish?”
“Yes.” Adam huffed a laugh and turned Ronan around and pushed him towards the goal. “Get in the goal.”
“Got it, honey,” Ronan said, throwing a wink over his shoulder. Adam’s heart rate stuttered deep in his chest.
Gansey had won the coin toss, so they received the ball first. The ball was served directly to Adam, who took all ten steps and shot the ball across to the other striker. He fumbled the ball enough that it was intercepted by the other team’s backliner. The backliner lobbed the ball across the court to the other striker and Gansey slammed into the girl full force, knocking the ball loose. He got the ball and threw it back to Adam, who managed to get close enough to goal in his allotted steps and shot the ball at full force right into the top left corner.
The crowd cheered and Adam couldn’t help but smile. On the court, he felt like he could truly make a difference. He wasn’t the poor scholarship kid, or the kid from the trailer park. He was Adam Parrish, starting striker, and his merit was based on his skill and skill alone.
“Great shot.” Gansey said. He smacked Adam on the shoulder pad as he jogged back to his starting position.
Despite the goal, and the best efforts on his friends’ parts, they were quickly falling behind. The other team was barely toeing the line of legal checks, often veering far into the illegal side. Half time was a welcome break, but Gansey had to be pulled just half time after a particularly brutal check had him struggling to put too much weight on his ankle.
With the poor turnout for the backliners and the second goalie being in play, Adam had no hope that they would win this game.
An idea came to him suddenly, and he waved for Coach Hendricks to call a timeout.
“Coach, sub Ronan in with me.” He said quickly. Coach Hendricks quirked an eyebrow at him, clearly not expecting the suggestion. “We’re behind on points, we can’t win if we can’t catch up with the score. Sub Gansey in when he’s ready, but put us in together and I’m sure we can close the gap.”
“I’ll give your idea a shot.” Coach said hesitantly. “I’ll try anything at this point.”
“Thank you.” Adam breathed. He was just grateful he took the suggestion, and more so that he’d have Ronan beside him instead of Tad for the rest of what was likely to be his last ever exy game.
Coach signaled for the subs and Ronan stalked out to cheers from the crowd. He beelined for Adam with a shark-like grin on his face, pure excitement showing clear as day.
“Well, Parrish. Looks like we’re paired together.”
“Looks like it.” Adam said, not even fighting the stupid smile that was on his face. Without a word, Ronan stepped towards him just enough to lean forward and bonk the grates of their helmets together, a simple sign of affection between the two ever since they got together.
“Let’s kill these fuckers.” Ronan smiled and moved back to his starting position.
The game took a turn. The energy on the court heightened incredibly as soon as Ronan took the court as striker instead of goalie, and his skill was palpable. His shots dripped with power, hard throws difficult to deflect but the precision of his passes to Adam were seamless and allowed for flawless shots on goal from both sides.
Once Gansey was subbed in again, it was over for Westview.
The point gap had narrowed extensively, and he was by far the best backliner on the team. Less shots were getting through, which allowed for the strikers to even the score. There was a hard struggle for the last minute of the game for who get the final point, or go into overtime. Adam’s legs were aching but he pushed through, wanting that last point so bad he ached for it.
The ball was in the opposing team striker’s net, a perfect goal lined up and Adam thought it was all over for their season. But then Gansey was in the way of the ball, deflecting or bodily and managing to catch it in his net. He launched the ball as hard as he could down the court, right into Adam’s net. His backliner mark was close enough to block his shot on goal, so Adam charged forward and held his racket tight to his chest.
He tucked the net of his racket to his chest and twisted around him, shouldering him hard off into the wall. He has reached the end of his ten steps and turned just in time to see Ronan in the perfect position to score.
There was no thought to the pass. None was needed, because this was the perfect situation they could’ve asked for. The ball landed easily into Ronan’s racket and only stayed there for a second before it lit the goal red.
Adam gasped as the final bell rang out. He swayed on his feet and nearly fell down if not for Gansey grabbing him by the shoulder. He wrestled his helmet off and held it in his right hand, leaning into Gansey’s hand, grateful for the support.
“We did it!” He called out happily. Adam laughed at his excitement, though he couldn’t help but to share in it. Blue stormed across towards them, somehow looking simultaneously disappointed and pleased.
“Great game.” She fist bumped each of them. Her eyes went to the space behind Adam and he didn’t have the time to check who it was before arms were wrapping around his shoulders from behind, gear clacking loudly when his chest pads met Adam’s back. He let most of his weight rest against Adam’s shoulders, much to his dismay.
“Lynch, you’re going to knock him down.” Blue said. She kicked at his shin guards until Ronan eased up on Adam.
“He’s fine.” Ronan said.
“Should probably go line up.” Adam said, though he leaned more heavily into Ronan’s hold despite his words.
“Let’s go, then, Parrish.” He ruffled his hair rather roughly before backing off. Gansey held his hand out and they clasped hands, then Ronan pulled Gansey into a hug as well.
“You’re rather affectionate today.” Gansey laughed as he hugged Ronan back.
“Where’s mine?” Blue huffed.
“Fine, maggot.” Ronan grabbed her in a rough hug, ruffling her hair hard enough to send hair clips flying out of her hair.
“I regret my life choices.” She said, watching Gansey bend down to pick them up to give back to her. Ronan just shrugged and followed after Gansey to where their teams were lining up without them.
***
Their team filed into the locker room, shouting and cheering filling the space. Adam was much more reserved in his excitement, though he couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He
“Parrish!” The sound of Coach Hendrick’s voice caught everyone’s attention. His teammates eyes flicked from the coach and then to Adam with blatant interest. “Come to my office.”
Adam met Ronan and Gansey’s curious looks with a shrug. He followed his coach into his office down the hall, which was already occupied. It only took a moment for Adam to place the middle aged man leaning against the coach’s desk.
“I’m David Wymack.” He held out his hand for Adam to shake, which he did after only a moment of hesitation. He awkwardly eyed the other occupants of the room. Danielle Wilds, the Foxes’ captain, and Neil Josten, vice captain, stood on either side of Wymack.
“I know.” Adam said hesitantly, hoping his tone didn’t come off as rude. “You coach the Foxes.”
“Correct. Do you need to be introduced?” He gestured to Danielle and Neil and Adam shook his head, but he shook each of their hands anyways. There was a weird tingle that shot up his wrist when his hand met Neil’s, a rush of discomfort trickling through his veins from the point of contact. He knew enough about the man to not be surprised, but it was still jarring. “Good. Then we can jump right into this. Your file was submitted to us, and we think you would be a great pick for our lineup next year.”
Adam froze, the words not comprehending in his brain. He wasn’t good enough for collegiate Exy, let alone Class I, and let alone the Class I team that won championships the year prior. This had to be some kind of misunderstanding.
“I’m sorry, you must be mistaken.” He squeezed his right hand into a fist and relaxed it a few times.
“We are not mistaken, and we want you.” Wymack said. “We’ve seen your footage and you’re one hell of a player. You are passionate enough to be worth our time on the court.”
“I’m not good enough to play for you.” Adam said, barely keeping the bitterness out of his tone.
“We just watched your team play against your main rivals and win. You easily helped to push for the win. Was it your idea to switch out the strikers?” Neil asked. His eyes were so startlingly blue that it nearly made Adam flinch away from his stare. His eyes were assessing him and it made Adam feel like there were needles prodding his skin.
“It was.” Adam answered honestly. “I knew that Ronan was a stronger striker and we play well together. It only made sense to put him in.”
“Why was he playing goalie if he’s such a skilled striker?” Danielle asked. “He was phenomenal out there tonight.”
“He’s…not technically supposed to be a striker.” Coach Hendricks explained when Adam just blinked at the question silently. “The school required him to play goalie this year. I made an exception because this would’ve been the final game otherwise.”
“I won’t tell anything more unless he says it’s fine.” Adam said sharply when it seemed they were going to ask further questions. “I won’t play for you, so you can leave.”
“You didn’t hear our full offer.” Wymack said. “You’d be getting a full ride, including room and board, you’ll get a meal card, and a stipend for other expenses. Everything will be covered, you just have to play for me for five years.”
Adam suddenly couldn’t breathe.
“You can’t be serious.” Adam whispered, mostly to himself. He was looking at Wymack, but Neil caught his eye at his side. He was watching Adam intently, seeming to almost know everything he was thinking.
“Very serious. All you have to do is sign and you’re mine for five years, but you’re also set. Your coach said you want to go to med school. You could save part of your stipend and any other money to put towards it. You’d have less loans, and many med schools would like to see a more ambitious application.”
“I don’t know if I can do this.” Adam said, so quietly he wasn’t sure if the others in the room would hear him. “I’ve already been accepted into Harvard. I don’t know if I’d choose Palmetto after that.”
“Does it sweeten a deal to know we are wanting to recruit Lynch as well?” Wymack raised a thick eyebrow in challenge, and Adam realized he’d noticed more than he probably let on.
“He won’t join.” Adam scoffed. “The only reason he didn’t drop out was to finish the exy season.”
“Maybe he’d change his mind for exy again.” Neil suggested. “Doesn’t hurt to ask.”
Adam thought about it but ultimately had to agree. Ronan agreeing to join the team sounded close to a miracle, though.
“I need to talk to someone.” Adam said.
“Who?” Dan asked. “Your file said you’re emancipated.”
Adam wanted to glare at his coach even though he knew it wasn’t his fault it was documented. It was probably only there to explain why his emergency contact changed to Persephone Poldma, then again to Blue’s mother, Maura Sargent, after her death.
“Just…someone,” Adam realized midway through that that wasn’t entirely accurate. “Actually, a few people. I can’t answer you yet.”
“We could go ahead and bring Lynch to talk to him. We’ll be in town through tomorrow night, so you can both discuss with the appropriate people to make decisions.” Wymack handed Adam a small stack of papers. “This is your contract, if you want to read everything that’s included.”
Adam couldn’t find any words to say in response so simply left to the locker room. Most of the team had already filed out but Gansey and Ronan were still there, though they had already showered and changed. Henry had come in from the stands at some point as well and was chatting with Gansey as they waited. Ronan’s eyes locked with his as soon as he had entered.
“What’d Coach want?” Gansey asked.
“Recruiters.” Adam came to stand next to Ronan, jostling his shoulder with his own. “Coach wants to talk to you, too.”
“Oh?” Ronan raised an eyebrow, nudging Adam gently before stalking off without another word.
“Recruiters?” Gansey gasped. “Who is it?”
“Foxes.” Henry choked on a gasp.
“The Palmetto Foxes?” He grabbed Gansey’s forearm and shook him. “Did you say the Palmetto Foxes?”
“Yes.” Adam said. “It’s David Wymack, Danielle Wilds, and Neil Josten.”
“Oh my god.” Henry whispered excitedly. “Do you think they’d give me their autographs?”
Adam shrugged. He grabbed his clothes out of his locker and took a quick shower, not wanting to waste any time. He dressed while still partially damp, not wanting to risk anyone but his own friends seeing him. Their locker rooms having stalls was a relief, as he much preferred not changing around others.
Ronan was back by the time he returned, as were the other occupants of the coach’s office. Adam was grateful he chose to dress in the showers after all, since Ronan waved Wilds into the room as soon as he caught sight of Adam.
Henry had left only long enough to retrieve Blue now that they were certain no one was still changing. She bumped knuckles with each of them before she sidled up between Gansey and Henry, who was now talking to Wilds with such enthusiasm that she looked both flattered and overwhelmed. Blue had the same look of adoration on her face when she looked at Wilds as Henry did.
It was awkward, listening to Henry and Wilds talk while everyone else in the room remained quiet. Ronan had finally come to stand with Adam, resting an arm around his shoulders. They shared a silent look, a weighted look that spoke of so many questions that needed answers. None of which they wanted to discuss with strangers.
“So, as I’ve already spoken to Parrish and Lynch,” Wymack said, addressing Gansey, Blue, and Henry. “We want to recruit them both for next year's line.”
“Holy shit!” Henry breathed.
“Did you say yes?” Gansey asked, raising his eyebrows at them both. Adam wanted to fidget and turn away from the expectant look. He already knew that Gansey would encourage this, even if Harvard had been the ideal dream. Exy, Ronan, and a stipend would all be a welcome even over the prestige of going to Harvard, in Gansey’s eyes.
“I don’t know if I can.” Adam admitted softly.
“Well, why the hell not?” Ronan asked him. Adam glared over at him, not even trying to hide it from the others.
“You know why,” Adam said firmly. Ronan rolled his eyes. “Are you saying yes?”
Ronan bristled at that, tensing his arm around him. “You know why not.”
They ended up in a standstill, both too stubborn to actually bring up the issues around company but not willing to stand down in the face of this choice. Mentally, Adam made a pros and cons list for Palmetto over Harvard.
Cons:
- Less prestige from his undergrad
Pros:
- Full scholarship
- A monthly stipend
- Exy
And most importantly, if Ronan agreed as well...
- Ronan
But Adam didn’t know if Ronan had any intention of considering it. Odds are, he considered it for all of a second before writing it off.
“We should probably discuss it, right?” Gansey asked, finally breaking the spell that held Adam and Ronan’s glares. He turned to Wymack and the Foxes. “Would it be alright if they gave you answers another time? I believe there are some concerns that need to be discussed before decisions can be made.”
“Sure.” Wymack said skeptically. Gansey’s professional persona had thrown him off, clearly. Seeing him on the court and around his closest friends left anyone unprepared for his professionalism. “Take my card. We are leaving tomorrow night, so just give us a call when you make your decision.”
Adam was relieved to have time to discuss, but he didn’t know how much it’d help. He shook hands with the three of them, Ronan just stared at them, and Gansey, Blue, and Henry gave them all handshakes as well.
“For what it’s worth.” Wilds called out to them as they turned to go. “We really want you on the team.”
“Josten chose you himself.” Wymack said with a pointed look at Adam. “We think you’d be a perfect addition to the team. You as well, Lynch.”
The three left without another word, leaving them in uncomfortable silence. Or maybe it was just Adam that felt awkward. Ronan seemed as relaxed as could be at his side. Gansey was eyeing them both, and he could already feel a Gansey-lecture coming on.
“Why haven’t you said yes?” Gansey asked Adam. “You already want to go to college, this is a great opportunity.”
“It is.” Adam agreed. Realistically, there wasn’t much reason for him to be on the fence. This was free college, but it felt off to go somewhere based on his athletics instead of off his own hard work in academia. “But there are better colleges.”
“More expensive ones.” Blue muttered under her breath.
“Is it a full ride?” Adam handed Gansey the contract instead of answering his question. They were quiet as he flipped through it, eyebrows raising here and there but he seemed pleased with everything he found. “Full ride, room and board, and you get a stipend. Adam, this is a perfect deal.”
Blue leaned over Gansey’s shoulder, whistling softly under her breath. “You wouldn’t have to work unless you wanted to. Hell, you could save most of this up. You’d be getting paid to go here. Exy would be your job.”
“I just…” Adam trailed off. He didn’t know what to do. He was facing a choice between what he’d dreamed of for years, and an alternate reality filled with more. Not just academia and a job, but he’d get to play a sport he enjoyed and wouldn’t need to work while doing so.
“I think you should do it.” Ronan whispered in his good ear.
“What about you?” Adam asked, but it sounded more like a challenge than genuine curiosity.
“College?” Ronan wrinkled his nose. “Why would I want that?”
“You’d get to keep playing exy.” Gansey offered.
“A chance to see more of the world?” Henry said.
“More time with Adam.” Blue kicked Ronan’s shoe. “That’s the biggest pro to this.”
“That’s true,” Ronan groaned, “but college ?”
“You could pick something easy.” Henry pulled out his phone, quickly googling something. “You could major in Latin even, if you wanted.”
“Maybe your dreams will make more sense if you get better at Latin grammar.” Gansey teased. The wheels were turning in Ronan’s brain so hard that Adam could practically hear it.
“There’s just a lot that needs me here.” Ronan said. Adam was aware of their coach hovering, in his office but with the door open enough that he could still see them. “What about the Barns? Chainsaw And Opal?”
“Well, you could take Chainsaw with you.” Blue said. “Opal, probably not. But she stayed in Cabeswater with your mother, right?”
Ronan nodded, so Blue continued. “Maybe if there was another place like that she could stay…?”
“You could try to dream a new Cabeswater.” Gansey suggested quietly.
“I could talk to my mom.” Blue offered. “They might be able to watch her until you get something more permanent figured out.”
“I can’t ask them to watch her.” Ronan said. Adam couldn’t blame him for it. Opal could be a handful, even if they all adored her. The only ones she ever really listened to were Adam and Ronan, and Ronan only half of the time, at that.
“They would probably offer to if they hear about you being recruited.” Gansey had a point, they were very likely to offer to watch the dream child.
Adam sighed. This was too much to take in while standing in the middle of the boys locker room at Aglionby. “We should go to Nino’s for dinner and talk about it there, we have until tomorrow night to make a decision.”
***
The plan they came up with by the time Nino’s closed was incomplete, but it was a start. Adam and Ronan went back to the Barns with the reassurance that they would go to Fox Way in the morning to finish their discussion.
Adam went upstairs to change into pajamas while Ronan checked on the animals. He was in the kitchen by the time that Adam came down, Opal sat on a kitchen stool beside the counter and Chainsaw on it, taking treats from Ronan’s outstretched hand.
Adam wrapped his arms around Ronan from behind, hands pressed into his stomach. “College, huh?”
Ronan didn’t respond beyond a hum that Adam felt more than heard. They stayed that way, even once Opal started chatting Adam’s ear off about her day and Chainsaw started pecking at Ronan’s fingers when he stopped feeding her to rest his own hands over Adam’s.
They fell into bed in much the same position. Adam finally breathed in deep and let it out slowly, forehead pressed to the nape of Ronan’s neck and arms tight around his waist. He might’ve been holding on too tight, but Ronan didn’t seem to mind so he stayed where he was until Ronan’s breathing evened out, then let himself drift off to sleep.