Chapter Text
Nico Moretti wasn’t entirely sure how he’d ended up here. Sitting in an uncomfortable orange chair at Palmetto State University in South Carolina, waiting for the chancellor to arrive and explain why he’d been summoned, Nico’s mind wandered. He could answer some questions: Why South Carolina? Why PSU? Those were clear enough. What wasn’t clear was what the chancellor wanted with him.
He’d been waiting for nearly thirty minutes, and the overly sweet vanilla scent saturating the room was beginning to give him a headache. The wait, combined with the sterile atmosphere, grated on his nerves. Just as Nico was beginning to consider leaving, the door opened with a suddenness that made him flinch, though he managed to mask it with practiced indifference.
The chancellor entered, followed by a man who instantly commanded attention. The man was tall, broad-shouldered, and exuded a quiet intensity. His white t-shirt highlighted the tribal flame tattoos that snaked up his arms, and the confidence in his stride suggested he wasn’t someone to be taken lightly. Nico’s instincts kicked in, and he habitually scanned them both—noting potential weaknesses, possible weapons, and any subtle injuries—a habit he’d picked up long ago.
The two men moved behind the desk, and after a pause, the chancellor began speaking.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Nico. Your guardian informed me that he’d like you to be involved in a campus club. However, given your… condition, I thought it best to consult Coach Wymack. Typically, his team is where someone like you might find a place.”
Nico’s hands twitched in irritation, but he kept his expression neutral, nodding to indicate he was listening.
“So, after some discussion, we’ve decided to appoint you as the student manager for the Exy team. You’ll have a contract similar to the players, with a few adjustments. You’ll live in the dorms with the team, though you’ll have your own single room on their floor. You’ll also attend mandatory counseling sessions alongside them. As the youngest student here, and with your guardian out of state, the university will assume responsibility for your well-being.”
The chancellor paused, watching Nico for a reaction. Nico’s nod was subtle but sufficient.
“For now,” the chancellor continued, “you’ll stay in your current hotel until summer practices begin. Once the team returns to campus, you’ll move into the dorms. Coach Wymack will show you the court and explain your responsibilities. He’s already reviewed your file.”
The chancellor gestured toward the tattooed man, who had remained silent. Recognizing the cue, Nico stood, offering a polite wave before following Wymack out of the office. The coach’s presence was imposing, but Nico didn’t feel threatened. From what he’d heard, Wymack had a penchant for taking in “lost causes” and offering them second chances. That alone earned him a measure of cautious respect.
They walked across campus in silence until they reached a large stadium. Wymack stopped, turning to lock eyes with Nico before speaking.
“I’m David Wymack. I coach the Exy team here. Let me tell you what you’re getting into. My team? They’re misfits and outcasts. They’re mean, and they hate outsiders. They’ll give you a hard time. I’ll do what I can to keep them in line, but they’re their own people. Your job won’t be complicated: handle paperwork, coordinate accommodations for away games, and take care of other administrative tasks. If they give you trouble, send them my way. Welcome to the team.”
Wymack’s bluntness caught Nico off guard, but he appreciated the honesty. He nodded, his mind already turning over the possibilities. Being a manager wasn’t the worst gig. It beat playing the sport himself. And if nothing else, it was a way to pass the time.
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Nico spent the next few weeks sitting in Wymack's office sorting through documents, organizing, researching, and avoiding the two team members who seemed to come and go as they pleased. To Nico’s knowledge, they didn’t even know that he existed in the first place.
He spent the rest of his time, in his studio, or in his bed chatting with his brother. It was a boring few weeks of nothingness just how Nico liked.
That was all ruined by a call from Coach. He was to come to a dinner to meet the nurse and a few of the team. Nico just wanted to stay in bed. Why was that so hard?
Abigail Winfield lived in a one-story house about five minutes from campus. Nico drove his motorcycle there. A custom, black and green, Kawasaki Ninja H2 that his brother gifted to him for his 16th birthday. There were three cars already at the house when he got there so Nico assumed that he was the last to show. As he got off his ride he pulled out his phone to let Coach know he was there. At even a second later the door was being opened as Wymack stepped out.
“Alright, your right on time. The others just got here. Welcome in.”
Abigail and the others were in the kitchen already. 5 of them. Andrew, Aaron, Kevin, Nicky, and the new recruit Neil. Nico didn’t like how they looked at him. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand and his body tense for a fight.
“Coach who is this.” Andrew, Nico assumed based on the smile on his face, spoke eyeing him like he was a threat.
Smart..
Abigail ignored him in favor of facing Nico. "Ah your Nico, then. I’ve heard much about you” “I Haven’t...” “I'm Abby. I'm nurse for the team and temporary landlord to this lot. Welcome into my home."
Nico shook her hand and nodded.
Abby then.
She didn’t even bat an eye when he didn’t talk. Hmm I guess she did hear about him.
“Coach?” Nicky prompted the coach. He was eyeing Nico quite a bit.
“This is Nico, he is the team manager. He will not speak to you so don’t push. He is 17 years old this year and in a freshman like Neil.”
“What?” “17!” “Manager?” Three voices spoke at once.
The two that didn’t speak were Andrew and Neil. Nico hadn’t heard anything out of Neil and almost thought that he also didn’t speak but there seemed to be so sort of a tension between the two that made him pause a bit. It wasn’t to-threatening, but it wasn’t nice either.
Wary maybe?
Nico raised his hand in a greeting but kept his face impassive.
The team didn’t seem to be threats either. Andrew had knives but Nico didn’t think that he would attack unprovoked.
Neil.. Neil held himself like a fighter. He seemed however to be hiding that he could fight. Whether this was done subconsciously or not was a mystery, but Nico decided that he would likely also mean no harm unless attacked.
“Yes. Manager, 17. Yes Kevin you will have to listen to him he is second in authority to me. If he wants something from you.... within reason... Give it to him. That goes for all off you. Understand.”
After a pause and a few looks exchanged. Yes’, were said around the room.
"Let's eat, shall we?" Abby asked, motioning for everyone to sit around the table.
All conversation died as everyone got settled and served up what they wanted, but it started up again as they dug into chunks of steaming lasagna. There were multiple conversations happening all around the table. Much to Nico’s amusement Neil still wasn’t talking. Surprisingly no one tried to pull him into a conversation and Nico found himself relaxing.
The food was good and the atmosphere wasn’t that bad.
It was almost nice.
It was past 10 when Nico noticed Wymack get up to leave. By that time Nico had finished eating, helped Abby clean with Nicky and Aaron, and watched an Exy game. He ready to leave hours ago but didn’t know what the etiquette would be. So he decided to wait until Coach decided to leave.
As Coach got up from the coach so did Nico. He gave Abby a small bow with his head and signed the word “thankyou” as he walked out of the house.
Nico was happy to be leaving. Even if it was peaceful and nice, he still felt the searching gazes of the team.
He was not excited for when training starts.