#aaron minyard defender here

[queerpanicking]

spoilers for the aftg bonus chapters

Good to know Aaron is as much of a Neil hater as depicted in every fanfic ever

Like “the literal most irritating person on the planet” HELP

[dvrcos]

Andrew Minyard mic’d up if aftg took place today and the Foxes did social media promo

Andrew absolutely refuses to be mic’d up for a long time

When he finally agrees to do it it’s during a game against the Jackals

Everyone is sure it’ll be a bust and they won’t get much of Andrew actually talking

But to everyone’s surprise, Andrew turns his inner monologue outwards and doesn’t shut up

He commentates the game from his perspective

‘And there’s the son of Exy Kevin Day running the ball up- and oh yeah no he’s down for the count’ *huffs a laugh through his nose*

‘The other fuckers have the ball now, if my brother dearest let’s them get it to my goal I’ll kill him’

And when the opposing teams striker trips Aaron up and gets past to Andrews goal he shuts them out of course

‘He’s dead. Find a new backliner coach’

When he gets bored of the game and the backliners are keeping the ball away from his goal he starts to sing

He does a full rendition of “Life is a Highway” because Neil and him watched Cars on the bus ride to the game

And he gets into it

He makes the guitar noises with his mouth and everything

He even sings it in the best low, country voice he can do

He interrupts himself in the middle of the song suddenly, feeling the need to give his full synopsis and review of Cars

‘If I was the stupid fucking car and I fell out of my sentient truck/trailers ass I would keep driving in the same fucking direction. Simple’

‘Josten would do the same thing as Lightning McQueen. He would fuck up an entire town, he’s already done it once actually, when he came here.’

‘Stupid junkie, I hate him’ he adds but there’s a fondness in his voice

‘How do the cars reproduce? Are there humans in this universe that build cars and then make them sentient? Do the cars bang?’

Halfway through his rant one of the strikers gets past Matt and Aaron and he doesn’t even stop talking when he smacks the ball halfway across the court

When the other teams strikers start breaking through the backliners more frequently Andrew doesn’t even seem to care

He just swats every attempted goal away, squawking a quite ‘mine’ like the seagulls from Finding Nemo after hitting each one

Mine *smacks* mine *swats* mine *swish*

He keeps his goal almost completely shut down the entire game, spare a few times when the other team can get the ball past him because he’s not paying attention

‘I wonder what coach is buying us for dinner after this. I hope it's good since we’re’ *his goal lights up red* ‘Oops, anyhow it better be good, I’m working my ass off out here,’

‘What if we all started moving in slow motion. Josten and Day would look stupid running up the court like that,’ *a ball flies past his helmet* ‘If we were in slowmo I would’ve stopped that’

He plays the entire game (Renee's out with an injury) and he shuffles through doing all this the entire game

He sings verses of whatever song pops into his head

He reviews the movies he’s watched recently

He commentates the game in his dry manner, listing off every stat he knows about the other team and then explains why they still suck

He makes fun of his Foxes and the other team

He talks about his random hypotheticals

All while keeping the goal almost perfectly defended against the other teams strikers

When the game ends and the Foxes are loaded back up on the bus they listen back to the recording of Andrews mic

And they’re shocked that he doesn’t stop talking once the entire game

They listen to his entire recording on the ride back to campus

All of the Foxes are laughing the entire time

Even Neil is smiling (even though he’s used to this version of Andrew that is weird and likes to ramble)

When they post his mic’d up highlights to their social media it goes viral

It’s their most viewed and liked mic’d up video

Their fans are begging for more of Andrew mic’d up but he refuses to do it again

He got the enjoyment out of doing it once and doesn’t feel a need to do it again

The foxes do start to pay a little more attention to what Andrew’s saying while in goal (and all the time)

Aaron Mic’d up

[mo0ns-th0ughts]

Since I'm super deep into the maurauders fandom atm but have also just read aftg here are my opinions on wich aftg chracter has wich patronus 🤌✨:

Neil Josten: Falcon - Falcons have a keen eye and are among the fastest creatures on earth. If your Patronus is a falcon, you may have been a troubled soul who decided to cast away their old, evil habits to fly down the hard, right path. Your nature pulls you to the dark, but you’ve chosen to live for the light - The falcon also represents breaking free from slavery. Now that you are free, you are flying in the light, and no one can stop you, not even Dementors!

Andrew Minyard: Hippogriff - The hippogriff is a proud and dangerous creature. They are half eagle, half horse, the offspring of a horse and griffin. If your Patronus is a hippogriff, you likely have a demeanor that commands respect or else. You’ve been known to fiercely defend those you’re loyal to and lash out at those who don’t earn your respect. At the same time, you are capable of growing to love former enemies - after a bloody battle.

Kevin Day: Heron - The heron is known for its outstanding determination and intelligence. Herons live in three elements: water, earth, and air, revealing that the animal appreciates diversity. You have a mind like no other and work on whatever you’re working on until you’ve finished it.

Nicky Hemmick: Hedgehog - Cute and loveable inside and out, those who possess a hedgehog Patronus may thrive on giving and receiving love and may feel they need more of it than others realize. While upfront about their endearment and affectionate personality, hedgehogs are also known to be anxious and overly cautious. They often worry about their own and others of their kind’s safety. Those around must approach the hedgehog with care and precision, though, because when defensive and hurt, hedgehogs are remembered not for their sweetness, but for their sharp spikes.

Renee Walker: Adder - The common European adder or common European viper is a venomous snake that can be found throughout Europe. Adders are not normally aggressive and tend to only bite when they are threatened in some way.

Dan Wilds: Orca - It’s no mistake that orcas are nicknamed “killer whales.” They are one of the most effective hunters in the ocean. Orcas use teamwork and complex communication skills to hunt and the same cunning to protect their young. With the fierce, calculated protection of an orca on your side, you can rest assured that the Dementors will be no match for you.

Matt Boyd: Black Bear - The formidable form of the black bear is often enough to scare away even the bravest of explorers, not to mention Dementors! Often mistaken as a deadly predator, the black bear mostly feasts on berries, grasses, and roots complemented with fish and carrion. This is often how people see you - a fierce opponent who will protect yourself and those close to you but who has a softer side hidden away from the world. Black bears are known for their adaptability, and this is often seen in how resourceful you can be. No matter the situation you find yourself in, when you come to call upon your Patronus, the black bear will be fully prepared to fight in your corner.

Allison Reynolds: Peacock - Peacocks are ground-dwelling birds known for their beautiful eye-shaped plumage. These birds extend their feathers not only to attract mates but more importantly, to appear more intimidating to predators. With feathers that make up over 60% of their total length, it gets the job done. Peacocks are easily irritated and would make a fierce and gorgeous Patronus.

Aaron Minyard: Lynx - The lynx is a solitary wild cat. They hunt alone, using their great sense of hearing and their stealth to move through the forests without being seen by either their prey or those who may be watching. When they do strike, they are fast enough to even catch snowshoe hares. Dementors won’t know what hit them!

Definitions are from: https://www.mugglenet.com/2017/08/patronus-say-personality/

[lazy-to-an-l]

Aaron Minyard is not homophobic

the guy just doesn't want to hear about his brother's sex life, or Nicky's non-existent but still overly sexual one. The man is here to play Exy for the scholarship, and to make his brother get an education. That's it, having to hear about the entire teams sex lives while he is trying to defend their side of the court makes him want to die. Also, considering he would pay to drop kick Neil, and or literally anybody else on the team I don't blame him.

He and Andrew don't care to talk about sex because they literally have one person they want to talk about that with and it is not:

1.) each other

2.) anybody else in the world

It is two very specific red heads who are slightly taller than them and IN fact managed to put leashes on them when they were not looking and they don't know what to do about it.

//EDIT// I want to say I completely didn't realize that what Aaron said to Neil at the cabin was a slur when I made this. It's shitty of him and a homophobic thing to say, but at his core, I don't believe him to actually care enough to *be* homophobic outside of that irrefutably homophobic comment. He doesn't care about Nicky and Erik and treats them with the same disinterest as everyone else, which solidifies that in my mind. I think it was more just his stupid pissing contest with Neil and trying to go for a low blow more so than anything. I also attribute it to the era it was written and set in which, when nobody was particularly as progressive as people are now. But that's in no way meant to be an excuse, I think both can be true that he said a wildly homophobic comment purposefully, and that he truly has no reason or want to care enough to be homophobic in day to day life.

[nick-c0rrupt3d]

AFTG x ALEX G songs here!

Andrew Minyard:

-Come Back

song here

-Keeping promises for 'kicks'.

Him saying that promises means everything, but lets aaron go over them.

-Thinking it wouldnt 'stain like this',

Him losing his impurity, feeling dirty after his SA.

-'slimy little pills keeping you around'

He thought that Neil was an hallucination.

-'i wish i could come back down'

His need to stop being manic because of his pills.

-Candy

song here

-'keep your body in the air, shut your mouth stay up there, dont let them see you like this, wash your face and hide your wrists'

Just his SA and his way to recall his body his own throught cutting himself. The costant need to never show what you have been throught and let himself percieved weak.

-'Just like candy you go down, stain my teeth and rot your mouth'

Again, his pills doing more bad than good.

-East coast(unrealeased)

song here

-'And maybe, I'm tired of you running your mouth, And maybe, I don't have the guts to spell it out, And maybe, I want you to hurt my brain'

Maybe, maybe, maybe, he is insecure, he doesnt understand, he is struggling to understand what neil means for him.

-'When you go, Where you go, I don't wanna know, When you go, Where you go, Don't tell me so'

Andrew in denial, a lof of 'i dont care' while he does. Its easier to think that Neil will go away.

-Track 07 (unrealesed)

song here

-'I wanna make you cry like you knew, I wanna make you lose'

Wanting revenge from his abuser. making them cry like they make him do.

-'What's the matter? I dont want to wait so long'

Him waiting and waiting for his abuse to stop.

-'Met a boy who likes my body, said he wants to break your teeth'

Well..Neil Josten. Sprinting to defend him at Thanksgiving, but Aaron beating him in time.

BONUS!

MASTER POST

[chewingonsneakers]

no one fuckin knows who i am so i can say random shi on here and basically no one will see it. i feel like God if the bible was one of those banned books.

call me M. it’s an initial, but which one? you don’t know. this is fun.

he/him/his, sexuality is open and i’m demiromatic. i write stuff. i’m Neil Josten height.

certified college gayboy. learning how to be whimsical without ignorance. living 2 b annoying and obnoxious. probably marbling my hornets and riding my cyclone. living is cool and nature is awesome. i love the marauders when it’s entirely fanmade content. Aaron Minyard defender for life and AFTG fanatic till i die.

in support of: 🇵🇸 & 🇺🇦

my flags: 🇺🇸 & 🇦🇷

safe space for lgbtqa+

someone i love is trans. be respectful.

[graveyardviolence]

helloooo I am here to interrogate u for lore abt arden, ur oc, because I recently found out abt ur minyard sibling au and i usually eat that shi up soooo, may I please know more about him???

YES??? hi whoever you are you’re in my good graces i love when ppl ask abt my ocs

Arden Kinsley Minyard, raised by one Joseph Alan Minyard. Tilda basically dropped them off at Joe’s door a couple days after giving birth and never looked back. Arden is in their senior year when Wymack is looking for people to scout. At first glance their file isn’t much to look at. Mediocre playing skills, pretty fast and adaptable but that’s all they seen to bring to the table. But when Wymack looks closer he just knows he cant ignore them. They’re a Minyard, and upon questioning the twins and nicky, one that nobody knew about.

Ardens dad, Joe, is in the air force (yes Arden is a military brat), so Arden is raised on an air force base. They move around frequently, never staying in one place for too long, and during Arden’s developmental years they stick around the south, until Arden is around 7 or so, when they begin to branch out more. It’s not until they’re fifteen, living in the north east, that an incident occurs that puts Joe in prison, leaving Arden to be taken in by their best friend’s family.

They run their mouth more than they play exy

they can mimic any move another player makes without a problem

He hates pickles and onions and other vegetables and throughout most of his childhood his dad had to blend vegetables to get them into his diet

He picks at the skin on his hand so he wears bandaids to keep from bleeding

He has severe insomnia and most nights he doesn’t sleep

He has fucked up red converse that he’s been wearing since he was twelve bc he never grew out of them

He smokes weed

he has a caffeine addiction

He’s prone to random bouts of nausea and will faint/pass out

He gets the allergy injection bc he’s almost deathly allergic to cats but a kitten chased him down and crawled up his leg when he was sixteen and he’s always had a bleeding heart for strays. He hates grocery shopping but bc of his photographic memory he’s always sent out to get them. He’s jumped out of a moving car because he was angry. He lies to people for fun. He’s considered the friendliest Minyard, which he finds outlandish. Robin becomes like his little sister. He enjoys arguing with Kevin, and loves watching his partner air everyone out. He’s got three lobe piercings in each ear, he’s got four tattoos and plans on getting more.

He’s the type to sit out when theres a thunderstorm and get soaked by the rain. He’s definitely been swimming while it was storming. He’s got a vertical labret piercing and a nose ring. he wants an eyebrow piercing. His relationship with his gender is shitty at best and detached at worst. They have sharp teeth. He’s got scars from falling and scraping his knees. He’s had to get stitches after splitting his head open. He’s terrified of undergoing surgery despite knowing getting top surgery would probably put him in a better spot mentally.

Every weekend he sends a letter to his dad updating him on everything that’s happened throughout the week. The first time he goes to Eden’s he gets so drunk he passes out. When he wakes up it’s the next morning and Aaron is flipping his shit bc he thinks Arden has alcohol poisoning. It’s the most fun Arden has had since his sophomore year Homecoming.

His relationship with the twins is tricky. He loves them. He doesn’t know who they are. He’d rather die than be separated from them. He sometimes wishes he’d never met them. Andrew is who he could be. Is everything he’s not, is everything he is. He doesn’t know how to talk to them, but he wants to. He wants, so much that it aches beneath his ribs. He aches for what they could’ve been and mourns something that’s never existed. He’ll defend them to the ends of the earth. He’ll fight for them always. They’re his.

He clings to Nicky and his brightness. He sits with Kevin and Neil and watches exy games despite not caring for the game because he knows it’s important to them. He holds Robin’s hand when she’s upset. He and Renee color in coloring pages together and hang them up on Abbie’s fridge. He and Alison watch drama series together and talk shit afterwards. He goes with Dan and Matt to watch new releases at movie theaters. He cant stand Jack and Sheena together or individually but occasionally they’ll all sit in the living room together and watch cartoons during the early hours of the day.

let me stop before this gets out of hand

[gracingtodd]

ok so i have this thing in which, every time i gain a new hyperfixation, i imagine the characters as k-pop idols so here is basically my word vomit of how i think the aftg characters would be as k-pop idols and random scenarios i think they would be in because math class SUCKS

KEEP IN MIND i have literally only read like a third into the first book so 99% of my aftg knowledge comes from either

1. lurking on the aftg tag on social media

2. watching the book leo’s 2-hour long aftg video

3. ao3

and 4. reading goodreads review, so please excuse me if the characters feel ooc I AM NOT AN EXPERT so anyways here it is

1. neil josten: definitely that one k-pop idol who korean fans hate but international fans love. man’s definitely created a twitter/tiktok account dedicated to defending his members (especially a certain andrew minyard) that somehow managed to blow up so he’s basically living a double life lmao. he gives me main dancer energy but i feel like he could also be a main rapper

2. andrew minyard: he would be the k-pop idol that everyone thinks is untalented and unskilled and like makes everyone so confused as to how he debuted but then suddenly actually put effort into performing one day and everyone’s like “holy shit he’s actually GOOD???” he gives me all-rounder vibes ngl but i feel like he’d be a good singer (please tell me if he’s like canonically a shit singer or smth that would be so funny)

3. kevin day: leader obviously (though i feel like the foxes would have that thing where there’s like a leader and a co-leader ykwim?) but anyways probably the one that’s like really blunt and critiques the other members during practice which some stans hate bc yk but also a good portion of the fandom would really appreciate bc his criticism and borderline insults actually help the members improve pretty well. leader, main dancer, lead vocals probably

4. nicky hemmick: the guy that you either love or hate, there is literally no in between. honestly seems pretty likable at first but then makes some low key messed up jokes that puts people off. really talented tho, possibly ace/allrounder. he also would eat gg choreos up

5. aaron minyard: the “normal” minyard (he very much is not) prob the one that the cishet girlies love bc he gives off “mysterious bad boy” energy when he’s literally a fucking nerd lmao. STAN ATTRACTOR literally the felix of this hypothetical k-pop group. i feel like he and andrew got scouted to be a k-pop idol while they were buying groceries or something and were like eh why not and auditioned for fun just to actually pass

that’s all i can do for now because my next class is starting in literally 2 minutes uhh if i get more ideas for the other characters then i’ll probably edit this or make a thread or smth idk

[swampthingking]

long post incoming (I HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS ABOUT AARON MINYARD)

the aaron hate train has CRASHED AND BURNED

please put the smallest bit of thought into aaron’s characterization, his story, his actions, especially towards and for andrew. he is not a heartless asshole, and the more you study his actions, the more you realize about him.

most of why aaron is such an asshole and is so angry is because him and andrew have fucking horrendous communication skills. action-driven displays of care don’t always resonate with people. some people need shit to be spelled out. (neil has no room to talk about aaron being stupid when both of them need shit spelled out for them lmao)

how is aaron to know these deals and these violent displays from andrew are andrew’s way of having a relationship with him? andrew has never had a relationship with someone, let alone a healthy relationship with a brother. think about andrew’s previous “brotherly” relationships. andrew didn’t tell aaron shit, for which i don’t blame him, but aaron had nothing to go off of. nothing. how can you defend a man you don’t know? how can you find the good in a man who only shows you the bad?

wouldn’t you be spiteful if—from aaron’s point of view—you find out you have a twin, he tells you to fuck off, you meet by accident and start living together, he kills your mother (nuanced, i know, but aaron still loved her. he was angry), and instead of being actual brothers, he starts forming all these weird ass deals with you and won’t give you a real answer as to why he needs to do all this shit, and then you fall in love with a woman you feel safe with and he torments her? andrew did not tell aaron anything about why he felt he needed to do all of these things. you’re telling me, from aaron’s point of view, you wouldn’t be fucking livid and confused? you wouldn’t blame him for complicating and uprooting your life?

as for neil— aaron had every right to be rude to neil. who the fuck is this kid and who does he think he is? why is he meddling in my life and my fucked up not-relationship with my brother? why is he the one who gets to be close with andrew? why do i still want to be close to andrew? (because he does want to be close to andrew, you know he does. why would he have immediately, instinctively killed drake, and stayed in therapy with andrew after they break off their deal if he didn’t want to mend their relationship?)

i saw someone on here say once that neil, the fastest striker in exy history, the rabbit, the “flight” in fight-or-flight, was too slow. neil hadn’t even finished processing the scene before aaron swung the racquet. and after andrew’s first beckon for aaron to come closer, aaron was immediately holding andrew, “like he thought andrew would disappear if he let go.”

just to make this ^^^ more heartbreaking and to further my point, aaron is not a fighter. please correct me if i’m wrong, but i don’t think there’s a single scene in the trilogy where aaron gets violent with anyone, even during a game. aaron is never physically violent. he prefers words.

i believe thanksgiving was the catalyst for aaron and andrew’s brotherhood. this is the first time the twins actually see one another. andrew has seen aaron, but aaron had never seen andrew. he didn’t know how to read andrew; he didn’t know where to look. he would have never thought andrew would have gone through something like this before. after aaron killed drake, he was stared in the face the ‘why’ behind all of his interactions with andrew. like, “oh. oh. this is why andrew is the way he is.”

so wouldn’t it be just convenient that andrew and neil’s relationship started after they all found out andrew had been r*d? neil, this mysterious man with scars and secrets and connections to the yakuza and, oh yeah, his father is a serial killer. they now know everything about neil, but neil didn’t cough up anything about his relationship with andrew or his motives.

so now it’s aaron’s turn to protect his brother. aaron approached neil and said something fucking ugly (“…or you saw drake r* andrew and realized he’s easy prey”) just to see how neil would react. just to test neil the way neil had tested aaron (“drake was an inconvenience andrew was willing to live with” “so now you understand why andrew killed your mother”).

a punch in the mouth. good. expected, judging by aaron’s calm reaction. there we go: it’s been spelled out.

andrew and neil react with physical violence, but never with one another. andrew and neil lash out because of their feelings for one another (andrew choking out kevin, which was profound because of his deal to protect kevin. neil punching aaron at his disgusting insinuation.)

neil and aaron push and push each other regarding the other’s care for andrew but the bottom line is that aaron needed tilda’s death to be spelled out, and aaron needed it to be spelled out that neil genuinely cares for andrew.

we have to remember that these characters were created to be studied. these are multi-facited, layered individuals, with their own traumas that have framed the way they form relationships with themselves and others.

why do we forgive the other foxes so easily? why do we not give aaron that same grace? why do we portray him as this thoughtless, heartless asshole, who gives no fucks about anyone but himself or katelyn? be so fr rn. do not flatten a dimensional character.

I get so mad when people say they hate Aaron and make him look like he was evil.

I'm sorry but there's no way in the world that the things he said to Neil (to protect Andrew in his own weird way and to anger him bcs he himself was angry) were so bad that thry overshadow that HE KILLED A FUCKING CHILD PREDATOR. He bashed Drake's brains for messing with his brother and assured that no more kids were in danger around him. That makes him a hero.

And yeah, he is a grey character contextualized in the early 2000's ofc he said some fucked up shit and wasn't nice to the new (meddeling) kid. But all the Foxes had their moments and don't get even one fraction of his backlash.

[foxhole-doodles]

The Foxes and MBTI

So I pulled the MBTI votes from personality-database.com since we shortly discussed MBTI on Discord. Added a short description for those who aren’t familiar with the personality types - keep in mind that the desciptions are literally just a very short summary and each personality type has an in-depth description that I didn’t feel was necessary to add here.

Open to discuss if anyone’s interested, since it’s a pretty broad topic.

I - introverted / E - extraverted S - observant / N - intuitive T - thinking / F - feeling P - prospecting / J - judging Neil Josten – ISTP – Virtuoso – Bold and practical experimenters, masters of all kinds of tools. 

Andrew Minyard – ISFP – Adventurer – Flexible and charming artists, always ready to explore and experience something new.

Kevin Day – ENTJ - Commander – Bold, imaginative, and strong-willed leaders, always finding a way – or making one. 

Riko Moriyama – ESTP – Entrepreneur – Smart, energetic and very perceptive people, who truly enjoy living on the edge.

Nicky Hemmick – ESFP – Entertainer – Spontaneous, energetic and enthusiastic people – life is never boring around them.

Aaron Minyard – ISTJ – Logistician – Practical and fact-minded individuals, whose reliability cannot be doubted.

Renee Walker – INFJ – Advocate – Quiet and mystical, yet very inspiring and tireless idealists.

Allison Reynolds – ESFP – Entertainer – Spontaneous, energetic and enthusiastic people – life is never boring around them.

Matthew Boyd – ESFJ – Extraordinarily caring, social and popular people, always eager to help.

Danielle Wilds – ESTJ – Executive – Excellent administrators, unsurpassed at managing things – or people.

Seth Gordon – ISTP – Virtuoso – Bold and practical experimenters, masters of all kinds of tools.

David Wymack – ESTJ – Executive – Excellent administrators, unsurpassed at managing things – or people.

Abby Winfield – ISFJ – Defender – Very dedicated and warm protectors, always ready to defend their loved ones.

Betsy Dobson – ENTJ – Commander – Bold, imaginative, and strong-willed leaders, always finding a way – or making one.

Jeremy Knox – ENFJ – Protagonist – Charismatic and inspiring leaders, able to mesmerize their listeners.

Jean Moreau – ISTJ – Practical and fact-minded individuals, whose reliability cannot be doubted.

Katelyn – ESFJ – Extraordinarily caring, social and popular people, always eager to help.

[codename-adler]

aftg as cartoons

these are how i imagined the characters from aftg... as cartoons. these are very unironic, i genuinely had these images in my mind while reading the series for the first time... and mind you, some of them have nothing to do with the actual physical descriptions in the books... my brain just went *nyoom*

(pt. 2 here; pt. 3 here; pt. 4 here; pt. 5 here; pt. 6 here; pt. 7 here; pt. 8 here)

enjoy?

-

#01 Dan Wilds as Alex (Totally Spies) & Storm (Marvel Comics)

it's a mix of these two, kinda, but i definitely see her as woc but without long hair/braids. dan is not white. no thank you.

-

#02 Kevin Day as Shiro (Voltron: Legendary Defender)

you're gonna tell me that i'm wrong??

-

#03 Andrew Minyard as Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians)

i know his eyes are supposed to be brown, but otherwise? i'd say we got ourselves an andrew...

-

#04 Matt Boyd as Wasabi (Big Hero 6)

this is H I M. no criticism will be taken.

-

#05 Aaron Minyard as Ron Stoppable (Kim Possible)

i feel the need to clarify that i absolutely LOVE aaron. and i know he and andrew are supposed to be twins therefore look the same. but... this is all i had in my head upon my first read. i'm sorry. this is cursed

-

stay tuned for part 2!

[theravenkin]

aaron minyard, andrew minyard, and neil josten for the asks

aaron minyard: a character you will defend to your death?

andrew. he can do no wrong in my eyes. he is an absolute jerk and a huge asshole and is often cruel for no reason, and i love those things about him. he has a fucked up moral code that not even he understands which he uses to justify his wrongdoings and you know what? good for him. as he should. i love him. i aspire to that level of unabashed shittiness.

andrew minyard: if you could be friends with one of the characters, you would you pick?

i don't know if andrew would want to be my friend, but i wanna be his. i think we'd be compatible. he's not chatty, which i appreciate; but when he does speak it's not for nothing, and it's usually fucking hilarious or just clever. i think we have similar senses of humor and similar viewpoints on things too. (i am projecting here, yeah, but just humor me that's what this site is for)

neil josten: favorite/most iconic line?

“Drink up," Nicky said. "You'll need all the water you can get today. Crackers'll dehydrate you like no one's business."

Neil answered by upending his glass onto the floor.

"That's mature," Aaron said.

Neil threw the glass at him. Aaron smacked it away and let it shatter on the ground.”

best exchange in the whole series, hands down

[xlady-saya]

Hello! I don’t really use this account a whole lot but I wanted to go ahead and make a pinned post, which I’ll hopefully remember to update frequently lol. Anyways, here’s a collection of the fics I’ve written for aftg, andreil, and others so far ^^

progress comes in small steps series [complete]

and we’re just starting to get it [Rated T, 11.1k]

Neil is nothing and everything all at once, the entire universe for Andrew, however small of a universe that is. Even Aaron is starting to see it, though the pieces still don't line up.

And Andrew is trying to convince Aaron that he's never jealous? Yeah right. You don't spend your entire life being denied, being hurt, going through foster care with nothing to call your own only to be okay with someone else trying to take the one bright piece of life you call yours.

Or, Aaron is done with Andrew's shit and makes it his job to prove his brother wrong.

there’s always more to learn [Rated T, 12.3k]

The subject of Katelyn and Neil hasn't felt like dangerous territory in a long time, but Aaron feels the bomb countdown already coming to an end before Bee even opens her mouth.

"Well, the two of them are so alike," Bee goes on, oblivious to the tension leaking into the space. Her smile is pleasant, teasing. "It just goes to show how you and Andrew have similar tastes despite being so different."

The world freezes on its axis.

Andrew inhales a little too loudly the same time Aaron chokes on his spit. "W-What?"

trust is a slow process [Rated T, 7.3k]

If Katelyn had been stealthier, she could've escaped the crowded dance floor without Andrew seeing her.

But of course, she's no Neil.

Or: Katelyn and Andrew spend some unwanted quality time together, and Katelyn sees things for what they are.

someday there won’t be scowls [Rated T, 8.1k]

Neil finds that even with his mind's best efforts to hang onto the wounds of the past, his opinion of Aaron just isn't what it used to be. He can thank Andrew and Katelyn for a lot of it, but his own observations certainly help.

When he sees Aaron like this, the mix of worry and adoration on his face as he thinks of Katelyn, Neil can't help but feel too exposed himself.

It's a start.

I want this touch to be familiar [Rated E, 38.1k]

Deep down, Andrew knew he would always reach this crossroads, a time where the thought became too strong to ignore.

Going all the way with Neil. It's not something he can continue to avoid thinking about. When Andrew looks back to the days where he held Neil's hands down, when he never got off with him in the same room, he's forced to acknowledge how much he's allowed.

Not allowed. Welcomed. Wanted.

But that’s not all there is to it, and the desire to make a decision finally makes itself known.

if magic exists, you’re the closest thing [Rated T, 16.2k]

The concept of love is not one Andrew understands.

For a long time, it escaped him. It's always fuzzy, always distorted. He'd given up on it long ago, so why is he still chasing answers?

Whatever the reason, he's content to blame Jean Moreau for a lot of things, Katelyn too.

It's their fault he's here, at the happiest place on earth.

this red is for you [Rated T, 10.8k]

Katelyn never considered herself capable of doling out violence.

It has always been a far away thought, dampened by college courses and late night dates with her boyfriend. She lives a stereotypical life, despite everything she's been through with Aaron. Aside from her growing connection with the notoriously troublesome Foxes, nothing much about her life has changed.

Even then, she's learning she's still able to surprise herself. When Katelyn witnesses Neil defending Andrew, her own protective rage rears its head, ready to be explored.

And maybe that's a good thing.

an unconventional crossing [Rated T, 8.1k]

Aaron likes to believe he and Andrew have a lot more practice navigating their conversations now. And he’s right, mostly. But sometimes, challenges arise at the strangest times, and especially when their significant others are concerned.

In which Andrew and Aaron run into each other at the grocery store, and choose not to part ways.

the roads I traveled with you [Rated T, 35.5k]

When his brother gets engaged, Aaron doesn't expect it to send his head spinning as much as it does. Marriage has always felt like a dream, or a nightmare, one he never thought either of them would be able to achieve.

In that moment, Aaron remembers what he's always known, what keeps his head above water. He wants to be with Katelyn forever. That's never been a question. But marriage hadn't been brought up. For so long it was this abstract concept, a fantasy. He'd always reasoned with himself that it would happen, rationally of course it would, but now...

Now Andrew has made the idea a reality, and Aaron has to confront his own wants for his future.

one shots/multichapters

I’ve had a love of my own [Rated T, ongoing]

Despite everything Neil could’ve imagined for his life, he never thought he’d be here, finally giving the world the interview they’ve always wanted.

It’s been decades, but even with his numerous accolades and sports wins, he finds that they’re the least important thing about his life.

Neil can’t help but laugh. Andrew would be so annoyed if he were here.

Of course, Neil only wants to talk about him, and the life they spent together.

slurred [Rated M, 1.6k]

They're not the type of people to give up control, but with each other they're willing to bend the rules.

growing pains [Rated T, 10.6k]

Stuart knows it’s perfectly normal for teenagers to have crushes. That’s why he’s not surprised in the slightest when Neil starts acting strange; lighter, happier. However, what he doesn’t expect is for the crush to leak into his everyday life—or literally take up residence in his house. Or: five times Stuart knew Neil was hiding a nighttime guest, and one time he actually met him.

your hands are mine to hold [Rated E, 6.7k]

It has taken a long time for Thea to accept a lot of aspects of their past. Her eyes track the fear in Kevin's eyes, emboldened by how his own resolve wears it away year by year. She'll never take that sight for granted.

It's hard to ignore the weights on both of them, with their lives so eaten up by the Exy world and memories of the Nest, but one thing has always remained consistent.

Thea trusts Kevin Day with her everything, and she'll never hesitate to follow him into battle.

better than a night light [Rated T, 7.3k]

Neil hasn’t had the chance to examine the feeling of fear in a long time. He’s all too familiar with it though; from the nightmares, to the memories of a cold basement floor, he knows the feeling like the back of his hand.

But this fear is new, loaded with ridiculousness and a complete lack of reason. It’s nothing more than pixels on a screen, far away theories that can’t hurt him like his past can.

Maybe that’s why he’s beginning to not mind it as much. It doesn’t hurt that Andrew is also there to hold him through it.

Playtime [Rated E, 6.7k]

There was a time when Andrew might've questioned being so into this.

Not anymore.

take what you want [Rated E, 5.4k]

Laila has come a long way from her freshman year, past all the worries and pressure to behave a certain way. She never thought she’d realize it here, lounging poolside with her girlfriend.

The urge to seduce Alvarez is just too good to let go.

a product of absence [Rated T, 7.8k]

It’s funny, Andrew thinks, that this would be seen as a curse in any other situation. Two people, thrown apart by time and circumstances, desperately searching for one another.

But Andrew has never doubted Neil’s return. He’s not running, he’s not worried. It’s perhaps the only waiting game that’s been worth it, that he understands, because this bond with Neil has only ever made sense to him.

In another life, Neil made this much clear: they would always find each other in the end.

here I am, there you go again [Rated T, 17.5k]

There's many things about the past Neil chooses to leave behind, and most of the time it's for the best. For some reason though, his brain can't help but cling to the last memories of him.

"My Ex." Neil bites his tongue at the word, because it never feels right. At this point, so many years later, that man is no one. A stranger. He shouldn't presume to know him anymore than his ex should presume to know Neil.

If he remembers Neil at all.

But Neil should know better than anyone that the past always has a way of catching up to him, and this time, he's not as willing to run as he might've initially thought.

losing battle [Rated M, 3.4k]

It's always been Nicky's dream to be closer with his cousins. However, when he opens Andrew's mail to find more than he bargained for, he finds himself regretting the wish. Unfortunately, no matter how much Andrew's warmed up to him in the last few years, Nicky's pretty sure he'll die (literally) if Andrew finds out.

Nicky's mission begins.

temper, temper [Rated T, 3.7k]

"You paid for the deluxe package," Neil says as he scrolls through his payment history to find his client's invoice. His system is simple:

Basic Package: Fuck you. A general statement of displeasure and a brief description of the wrongdoing.

Intermediate Package: Fuck you, with passion. Everything in the basic package, but with additional insults. Customizable for an extra fee.

Deluxe Package: Fuck you to hell. Everything from the first two packages, for an extended period of time, and with extra viciousness.

And it looks like Andrew Minyard is the unlucky soul today.

a new contract [Rated T, 7.2k]

Neil’s request is simple on its face, but infinitely complicated given his history.

“Convince your team to sign me.”

And this was Andrew’s deal: If Neil can prove that he’s serious, that he can build a new life for himself so that he doesn’t end up crawling back to Riko, Andrew will convince his coach to recommend him for recruitment in the fall.

Yes, it was meant to be black and white…

But Andrew should’ve known better. Nothing ever is.

What a Rush [Rated E, 1.6k]

It's always Andrew's goal to stretch Neil's pleasure to its limits, and he's barely begun to scratch the surface.

locked together [Rated E, 8.3k]

Andrew licks his lips and tugs on the tail of the beast inside him, righting it so it can point him in the direction of what he's searching for. Neil looks good on top of him, panting and giddy, and it's rare that Andrew doesn't want to flip them over and make Neil fall apart.

But...every once in a while...

Well, he's relaxed today. He wants to listen, he wants orders, he wants to be controlled so long as the control comes from Neil.

do you like scary movies? [Rated T, 22.5k]

To say Andrew has never seen the benefit in the make-believe would be a lie. However, he finds less and less use for it as he grows older. He especially fails to see the benefits of anything from the horror genre; he’s made plenty of his own mistakes, has seen more than enough to terrify him in his life. He doesn’t need to rely on jump scares and idiotic protagonists.

But when he meets Neil, self-proclaimed horror archivist, he finds that maybe he never gave the genre the credit it was due, and he ends up thanking the dull movies eventually…

They lead him to Neil, the realest thing he’s ever known.

[sterlynwrites]

July 16 Riot

Title: One Man Riot 

Series: All For The Game 

Pairing: Andrew Minyard / Neil Josten 

Neil Josten was an absolute menace. 

That was about the only thing that Andrew’s brain could agree with itself on any time Neil was involved in anything. He was a menace whose good intentions either ended in a self martyrdom, or ended with the people around him having to dodge things that may or may not be life threatening. 

Even after Riko’s death, this didn’t change. 

Neil was a passable vice captain and Andrew would stand by that silent approval, but there were some days that Neil could be described as a one man riot. 

It almost always involved Sheena and Jack, neither of which had learned to keep their goddamn mouths shut. In fact, Jack had been on it, again, all practice. Andrew was in goal and he couldn’t be bothered to really care about what was going on out on the field most of the time, but today was definitely different. 

What was the difference you might ask? 

The play had paused just long enough for Jack to pass Neil and say something. Andrew knew that he needed to stay out of this dick measuring because Neil could handle his own fucking dick, but Jack must have caught Neil just right on his raw nerves. The freshman didn’t understand or want to understand what the others had gone through, so everyone stopped when Neil dropped his stick and called out, “Hey. Jack!” 

Jack turned and Neil punched his square in the nose. 

“JOSTEN HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!” Wymack screamed from the sidelines. 

Everyone froze. 

Then all hell broke loose.

Jack was on his back, the redhead on top of him, both hands fisted into his shirt. His face was close to Jack’s and he couldn’t see either expression, but the hard lines of Neil’s body spoke volumes. 

Don’t interfere. 

“MINYARD GO GRAB JOSTEN.” Wymack growled at him waving in the direction of his just-slightly-something. 

Andrew shrugged and dropped his stick, his gloves and wandered over. 

Before he got there Sheena decided to be a stupid bitch and get herself involved. Her hands pushed at Neil’s shoulders and Andrew quickened his steps because two on one? Really? 

That won’t do. 

Before he reached them, Sheena ended up on her butt Allison standing between her and Neil, “Back off.” 

Smart. 

Anyone who touched Neil would be punished. The upperclassmen knew that rule, and it was one that the freshman were still learning. 

Matt had stepped forward and he hand his hands on Neil’s shoulders, “Neil, buddy, you need to let him go.” 

“Why?” Neil gritted out through clenched teeth. 

“Because we like you and you can’t play exy in prison.” 

“Not true. I played in juvie.” Andrew called out. 

Matt turned and looked at Andrew, “You aren’t helping.” 

No. He wasn’t. But if Neil was an instigator, then Andrew would fan the flames just a little bit. After all, he was still interested to see what would happen if Neil decided to end Jack. 

“Am I supposed to?” Andrew gave Matt a flat look.

“Yes!” Nicky stood to the side, fingers flexing as he tried to figure out where to pry Neil off of Jack. 

“Fucking Asshole as soon as I’m up-” Jack snarled. 

“You’ll what? Don’t even think about it.” Dan snapped. 

Again, one man riot Neil Josten. Already the others were dividing and it was clear. Not one was on Jack’s side. 

Andrew rolled his eyes and changed to German: “What did he say to piss you off?”

Neil’s fingers loosened and he flicked his eyes over towards Andrew: “He said something about you.” 

Leave it to Neil to have a short fuse when it came to him. He still didn’t understand it, but it made his chest clench and something warm flood it. 

“Leave him. He is not worth it.” 

“I kind of think it’s worth it.” 

“Well I don’t. You do not need to defend me.” 

“I actually think he should hit him again.” Aaron volunteered. 

“Yeah, what could another punch hurt? He’s already down.” Nicky added. 

“No one asked you.” Andrew shrugged and stepped forward, putting his hand on Neil’s shoulder. 

“JOSTEN GET OFF HIM UNLESS YOU WANT TO RUN A MARATHON!!” 

Wymack growled and added, “Jack maybe keep your mouth shut huh?!”

“Come on junkie, let’s go get Abby to look at your hand.” Andrew switched back to English again. 

It wasn’t a request. 

Neil relaxed under his hand, and let Jack’s shirt go standing up.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

As Abby fussed over and bandaged Neil’s busted knuckles, Andrew settled next to him as things slowly got back to normal. When she was done she headed up into the stands to tend to Jack’s, bloody nose and split lip. 

“Was it worth it?” Andrew asked. 

Neil nodded, “To me it was.” 

Note: If you don’t know these awesome characters, click here for some art.

@jennoasis @furokuro @thefirstknightofren 

[dailyandrewandaaron]

Could you maybe write something post-canon where Neil’s ableism comes up and he and Andrew have to sort of navigate it’s effects on their relationship/have some type of discussion over it? Or alternately if you’d rather not, something about bi Katelyn?

not quite that but heres something about ableism 

-

Its not the words so much that bothers Andrew but the silence that always followed them .  

Renee would only smile placidly when Allison named him monster and nobody challenged her but instead took it up for their own use

Aaron would offer no defence when he was named crazy only shrugging as if it was an indisputable truth

kevin raised no objections when he was called joyless , empty , agreeing that he had no purpose in life beyond himself

nicky would laugh  in the same breath as saying he was soulless  as if it was an in joke between them

Neil  did this too  - yes even him

He would later denounce their attitudes one by one pretending to be shocked theyd treat andrew so -  but it was hollow coming from him -knowing  before  their first meeting even he was already psychotic midget and this  is what he would remain -  even after - even when it means something

now - andrew wouldve been fine with a legacy of fear if that was all it was  but it was not  -  not  if he - not if he was - a midget - . yes , thats what cements it , what caused them to hold  him apart  from and below them - it shows  in their eyes - his lack of humanity -  

is he a threat or  is he a joke ? oh , certainly he is both-  they are afraid of him but they show him no respect  

he is that sort  of monster . The kind that  isnt only feared  it is  also pitied. the sort where people think it is a cruelty that he even  lives at all - being what he is  

they call him ruthless  to his face and whisper  midget behind his back

sometimes its  the other way  around  

and that is almost worse

. andrew encased himself with mystery and aggression hoping he could inspire enough fear that his height was never made light of in this way.  

his brother shared this particular burden . Aaron shouldered it by being unpleasant enough that he avoided the types who  would think to patronise in that sickening way due  to their stature  and by commiserating his lack of presence with the fact he was spared the condemnation of being the evil twin -  being short on its own is not monster  worthy status

being short and - crazy - well theres no hope for you there

kevin of all  of them knows the best the feeling , Kevin has words of his own . launched at him from the catapult of ignorance and prejudice  cripple, retard handicapped  he recognises the ripple of pain that surges through him when wymacks  mouth form the words

 Its the same as goes through his own body when neil says psycho , 

when Aaron says evil , 

when nicky says soulless , 

Allison says monster

- Yet Kevin does not defend him. He likes it that  he is one step above him this way.

You have two hands you only have one brain.

Neil in their secret moments tells him he is not worthless that he alone is his love but he never takes back those earlier words never soothing the wounds they made. Neil wont take any of it back

Its his own fault Neil says for not telling them the way it was,  for not explaining- because of course ,of course it needed explaining. This couldnt just be accepted

-but you see  Neil that he is andrew minyard .His reputation went before him . He was monster before he'd even arrived.

You could fight that or you could embrace that and  use  it as your shield . andrew chose the latter.

it kept people off his back at least

He'd known that Aaron was afraid of him skirting around his presence keeping Kevin or Nicky between them pausing before he got into the car hiding and suppressing his other relationships to not raise his ire. His brother who loved him enough to kill still found him a danger

Nicky who had left a happy life for him who had stayed without a deal and didn't leave the moment he could. Nicky  who spent years trying to keep them safe who had sacrificed for them. He believed it too or he had  no scruples in pretending and laughing about how he was soulless. This is a deeper insult from Nicky who actually believed in souls but long ago he'd given up the thought that Andrew would be hurt by such a thing. When things are said to nicky andrew says dont use that word but when things are said to andrew nicky doesnt intervene

Renee is stronger than him. Her fight methods are better. she knows that. She is teaching him he doesn't scare her in the way he scared the others but still she treats him delicate like he'd explode if she pushed too far. She has no problem fighting him but she is afraid not for herself but that one day he would betray her trust and use her careful teaching against those she protected. She would take Allisons side of course she had done before - she stays quiet when allison rants about him

Allison knew him the least but claimed she knew him the best. When you are already  monster , as in her eyes he was ,every thing you do becomes monstrous. She expected nothing less of him. Of course he would be violent . of course he would hurt her .he is a monster

Matt had reason enough he supposed to revile him though he had helped in the long run he distrusted him. Thinks he would hurt Neil. As if he would. A if he would do the one thing that would destroy him. But of course of course Andrew doesn't feel things. people were collected if they were useful. Matt was not useful enough and so he was not chosen. this is how he views it. Doesn't know why beautiful Neil would chose such a strange and damaged person as Andrew. He thinks Neil is an innocent and knows not the darkness of his soul which is assumptions in itself

Dan - he did not know truly what Dan thought of him but it was not warmly. She viewed  him as something to be handled to be put up with to reach a higher goal. His skills were needed his person was not. She kept him and his at arms length enough to say I'm not with them. Now there was a them and he was their leader. She left him alone which he was grateful for but she doesn't bring him in doesn't let him close she doesn't want to hear his voice she doesn't think the psychotic midget has anything useful to say

Seth was his least favourite and that was no secret. He was prejudice in a very boring way. Just the kind that hated those who were not like him and didn't care enough to change that. He hated Kevin the most but andrew , was a close second. His ideas about life having value  didnt extend to the likes of Andrew Nicky and Kevin. Not even Aaron was normal enough for him.

Wymack was a rare thing in Andrews life a older man that he trusted. That he could trust with his family. He knew that wymack would not hurt him -not physically. Nobody thinks Andrew cares what he is called. Wymack didn't hate Andrew he knew that . wymack was actually rather fond of him but he never stoped  using the words.

perhaps you know such a word. it burns deep into your body .It's not icy the shock of it, its hot , white hot. The word is such a noise that it fills you to your lungs.

It drowns you in hot water and you can hardly breathe. He doesn't know if wymack believes the words he calls him but he doesn't stop. He can't say they hurt for it would break the illusion. If they knew Andrew could be hurt by words then it's all over for him he might as well put a knife into his own belly .So  Andrew knows it wont stop .

Wymack would scoff if he ever mentioned ableism. It sounds made up but it surely is not.

Neil would tell him there's no such thing -but how would he know? The only other disabled person he knows is kevin whom he'd called a cripple.

I don't hate disabled people neil would say and  genuinely believe thats enough  That that's the most he can give. Andrew supposed that is what most people think is the best they can do.

that's not what ableism is anyway. Well. it is. but that's not all.

Andrew knew ableism well

The word is new to him but the feeling is not

The experience of it is nothing new

Andrew knows ableism  is not just hate  ignorance and prejudice. It's is not just violence. It is not just fear of the unknown.

Although it is all those things It is also choosing not to acknowledge the difficulties you face .

Choosing not to stop using the words.

Choosing to laugh and not to listen

Choosing not to care because it isnt about you

It is when you are hurt and nobody does anything because nobody thinks that's a thing that could hurt.

When you are hurt physically and everybody shrugs that's just how it is for people like you

You are different so your pain is not important because most can ignore it.

It is the silence that follows the slurs when not one single person says you shouldnt say that

Not your brother.

Not your cousin.

Not your boyfriend.

Nobody

Such is ableism.

when nobody raises it because nobody believes there is such a thing

So it continues unchallenged

because .

Well None of us were offended

say the abled bodied team members 

[foxy-exy]

House Keys and Dead Phones

@twinyardsappreciationweek Day 4 - Aaron, with Andrew’s People

AO3 Series

TW: discussion of Aaron & Neil’s abuse

Aaron Minyard did not want to be here. And judging by the muttered swearing of the other man standing five feet away and kicking at his own front door, Neil Josten did not want to be either.

“What kind of asshole forgets his house key?” Aaron spat, and wrapped his arms tighter around himself, hunkering down on the porch step. It was way too cold for this shit. “You went through the whole work day without noticing that you didn’t have the one thing that would let you back into the place you live? And now your phone is dead? How stupid are you?”

“What kind of dickhead shows up unannounced to visit and locks all his shit including his own car keys and phone in his car, dumbass?” Neil returned hotly. One of his idiot cats yowled from the other side of the door that was still rattling under his foot, and Neil stopped immediately to coo, “sorry, Sir, didn’t mean to scare you,” in frankly impressively high pitched baby talk.

“There’s no way you can tell which rat that is.”

Neil turned on him with fire and brimstone in his eyes and Aaron instinctively scrambled down another few steps.

“They sound different, fucker. Also, King is probably sleeping somewhere and doesn’t care enough about where I am to come investigate, anyway.”

“Yeah, I’d feel the same.”

Neil kicked at Aaron’s shoulder and — as Aaron rubbed at the future bruise — flopped down next to him, pulling up the hood of his old Palmetto State sweatshirt and stuffing his hands into the pocket. Of course he still wore it. “God. This sucks.”

“When’s Andrew coming home?”

“I told you, I don’t know,” Neil snapped. “His team’s got a game coming up, they’re probably practicing later than usual tonight. You should have called ahead if you wanted to see him. We’re busy people.”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “I’m a doctor married to a doctor, who owns a dog with a multitude of health problems. I see a last minute spot in my schedule, I take it.”

Neil sniffed and wiped at his nose and they sat in mildly awkward silence for a while. Then, quietly: “How is…the dog…?”

Aaron actually turned to stare now, and Neil ducked further into his hood.

“I called your cats rats.”

“And I’m a decent human being who will ask after your furry child, believe it or not!”

“Debatable on the decent,” Aaron said, because he could. “Popo’s on medications that are working, for now. But pugs have never been the best at breathing, in general.” Even more awkwardly, he added, “And, uh. Them?”

“Christ, Aaron. The cats are fine, but I know you don’t care. This feels as bad as discussing the weather.”

“What, do you want me to pull out therapy techniques or something? Are you going to tell me about your trauma?”

The side of Neil’s mouth twitched down sharply and he went silent, examining his hands. Aaron couldn’t stop his own eyes from dropping to the ruin of skin — faded white lines and raised circular lumps, still apparent on the backs of Neil’s hands, disappearing up his sleeves.

“Do you still take care of those?” he asked before he could stop himself, in his Doctor Voice that Katelyn made fun of.

“Yes,” Neil said. “Do you still go to therapy, then?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know, sometimes when Andrew’s mad, he’ll tell me that I’m just as blind about my mom as you are?” Neil murmured. He laced his fingers together, pressed them to his mouth, and blew warm air, as Aaron felt a familiar old pain tug at his chest.

“Oh?” he managed.

“She always had a reason to hit me. I justified it because it was survival, and I was making mistakes. And she wasn’t my father, she could have really, really hurt me, but she was keeping me alive, when I would have died on my own. But a lot of people have told me that I need to stop trying to defend her actions. Because I didn’t deserve it.”

“But she didn’t need to die like that,” Aaron said, in a rusty voice.

“No,” Neil agreed, softly, as they both looked up to Andrew’s headlights turning into the driveway. “No, she didn’t.”