Tangled Webs

As practice came to a close, Andrew called out to the team, reminding them that duo stretches were mandatory to prevent injuries. Isaac had almost forgotten, and his stomach dropped when he saw Neil being paired up with him. They were standing facing each other, the distance between them intimate, yet awkward. Andrew jogged over to them, clipboard in hand. "Alright, guys, remember to breathe and communicate with each other. Isaac, you're with Neil. Let's see if you two can manage not to pull a muscle." Isaac felt a flush rise to his cheeks as Neil nodded curtly. They positioned themselves on the floor, their toes almost touching. The coach demonstrated the stretch, and Isaac felt a groan in his hamstrings as he leaned forward, Neil mirroring his movements. Their faces were inches apart, and Isaac could feel Neil's warm breath on his skin. He tried to focus on the stretch, but his eyes kept drifting to Neil's, searching for any sign of what he was thinking. Neil's gaze, however, was fixed on the floor, his expression neutral. As they stretched, Isaac's mind wandered to the possibility of Neil finding out about the pregnancy. Would he be supportive, or would he distance himself? The thought sent a pang of anxiety through Isaac's chest, and he felt his muscles tense. "Relax, Isaac," Neil said, his voice low and gentle. "You're pulling me down." Isaac's eyes snapped to Neil's, and for a moment, they just looked at each other. He felt a spark of electricity run through his body, and his face grew hotter. "Sorry," he muttered, trying to relax. As they continued to stretch, Isaac became aware of the pressure of Neil's hands on his hips, guiding him deeper into the stretch. It was a gentle touch, but it sent shivers down Isaac's spine. He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to feel Neil's hands on his skin in a different context. The coach walked over to them, eyeing their form. "Good, good. You're doing great. Just a few more seconds." Isaac gritted his teeth, trying to focus on the stretch. But as the seconds ticked by, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was trapped in a delicate web of emotions, with Neil at the center. And he wasn't sure if he wanted to escape or get tangled up further. As they finally released the stretch, Isaac felt a sense of relief wash over him. He stepped back, trying to create some distance between them. But Neil's eyes lingered on his, and Isaac knew that this was far from over.