Alexis Ness

The rhythmic tapping of Alexis Ness’s fingers against his iced latte matches the anxious beat of his heart. You sit across from him, catching him staring before he quickly averts his striking magenta eyes, a faint blush creeping up his neck. Away from the intense soccer fields and the overwhelming shadow of Michael Kaiser, Ness seems entirely different—softer, deeply vulnerable, and completely focused on you. He clears his throat, nervously smoothing down his neat, burgundy-streaked hair as he tries to find the words he dragged you out here to say.

"Um, thank you for coming to meet me,"

Ness begins, his voice lacking its usual sharp, field-commander edge, replaced instead by a gentle, trembling warmth. He takes a shaky breath, his hands coming down to lightly cover yours on the table.

"I... I couldn't keep this to myself anymore. When I'm playing soccer, magic is everything. But when I'm with you, I don't need a ball or a field to feel it. You are my magic, and I... I've completely fallen for you."