#androidboy

Alexei was one ofthe last off the bus, tapping at his phone enthusiastically. Kenny was chirpinghim about the game tonight, although by this point it was less chirping andmore battling series of increasingly terrible cat-puns. It was amazing.

Be careful not get scratched hehad just typed, laughing under his breath, when he was interrupted by a pointedcough from in front of him. Alexei looked up. Instead of the retreating back ofGuy in front of him, he was met by Jeff Troy, first line center of the Aces. Alexeistopped abruptly.

Troy steppedforward, shifting uncomfortably but looking determined. “Mashkov. Do you have aminute?”

Alexei slipped hisphone back into his pocket. He lifted his chin and squared his shoulders. “Whatyou want?”

“It’s about Parse,”Troy said. Alexei wasn’t surprised about that.

“What about Kenny?”he asked. If he was going to try to warn him off, he’d have a fight on hishands.

“He— well. He’sreally happy, you know that?”

Alexei froze. Hewasn’t expecting that. “What?”

“You know, hedoesn’t really date. Like ever. So we were all like ‘what the hell?’ when weheard he was dating you. I couldn’t even believe it at first! Like, how do youguys even know each other?” He chuckled. “But he’s always looking down at hisphone and smiling, it’s sickeningly adorable. He’s really happy now, I cantell. So, take care of him, okay?” Troy thumped Alexei on the arm. “Or you’llhave the whole Aces team after you.” He laughed. “I’m joking. Kind of.”

Alexei wanted tolaugh along but he just couldn’t. He had almost forgotten that this wholedating thing was fake, to be honest, texting Kent all the time and skyping hiscat and giving him cutesy nicknames— But having Kent’s own friends believe itenough to talk to Alexei about it—

He desperatelywanted Troy to be right. He wanted to be the one to make Kent happy. Heswallowed, heavy feeling in his gut. Troy was looking at him funny, he had tosay something.

“Yes. Will takecare,” he said hoarsely. That wasn’t a lie, at least. Kent would have him aslong as he wanted.

“Good man.” Troyclapped him on the shoulder cheerfully. “I always knew you seemed like a gooddude. Don’t get mad when we kick your ass tonight, ‘kay?”

Alexei couldn’t helpbut snort. “Need to find puck first, you know. Is little black thing, round.”

“Oh fuck you,Mashkov,” Troy said cheerfully. “You chirp your boyfriend like that?”

“No, because he goodat hockey.”

“Oh fuuuuuck you.”Troy laughed. “You two are perfect for each other. Alright, I’m out. I’d say goodgame, Mashkov, but, you know.” Troy clapped Alexei on the arm again and walkedoff, whistling.

As soon as Troyturned around Alexei’s smile dropped and he sighed, shoulders slumping. He wentto find the rest of the team.

When he caught up tothem in the locker room, the only one who seemed to have noticed he was missingwas Jack, who zeroed in on his expression as soon as he walked in.  “You okay?” he said, nudging Alexei with hisarm.

Alexei smiled athim. “Yes, fine. Thank you, Zimmboni.” He nodded down at the phone in Jack’shand, choosing the most foolproof way to distract Jack. “You talk to little B?Say hi from me, yes? Ask for pie!”

Jack lit up, like healways does whenever his boyfriend is mentioned. “Yeah, he was just telling meabout the goal he scored last night, it was on a 2-on-1—“