#aftg winter exchange

[heartfullkings]

For @thefinelcountdan Andrew/Neil high school au

(Sorry I couldn’t manage a fic, but I hope you like this teenage dirtbag moodboard!)

AFTG Winter 2022 Exchange @aftgexchange

[delilah-briarwood]

pointless traditions

Allison adds a piece of mistletoe to the doorway of the locker room and chaos ensues amongst the Foxes despite Andrew refusing to participate.

Though, as he so often was, Neil Josten finds himself the exception to the rule

For @jostenminyard as part of @aftgexchange

[lufwoodemilius]

Bring it On

Hey all! This is my Winter Exchange fic for All for the Game. @aftgbigbang @aftgreverse This is for @delilah-briarwood! Hope you enjoy!

[aftgficrec]

Do you have anything for settings outside of cannon?? Like au's or completely different universes

(Preferably neil centered but not exactly a necessity)

Ahhh there are many amazing AUs in our fandom, and of course a high percentage star Neil Josten. Generally, canon themes are still woven throughout the stories. Also check out AUs on our tags page where you can explore by theme. -A

a small sampling of AU themes:

single parent aus here

more band aus here

sitcom/romcom vibes here

long no exy aus here

new Hogwarts aus here

staff recs Mermay here

florist/tattoo artist andreil here

andreil enemies to lovers here

some Neil-centric AUs:

famous Neil (no exy) here

Neil as barista/waiter/bartender here

Neil with wings and lots of magic here

Oblivious ace-disaster Neil here

quirky Neil like ‘WUTBF’/‘Quicksand’ here

fics like ‘A Different Matter’ here

‘Neil’s Guide to Stalking Your Neighbor’ here

‘Dear Advice Guy’ here (complete)

‘The bittersweet between my teeth’ here

‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger’ here

‘Point Nemo’ here

‘still’ here

‘12 Ways to Woo a Minyard’ and ‘Deadly Affections’ here

Perennial by notyouranswer [Rated T, 11373 Words, Complete, 2023]

Neil downloaded a dating app (at Matt's insistence) to make some friends, but accidentally rejected a stranger right in front of him. Mild chaos ensues leading to conversations over coffee and a walk in the park.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: bullying

Into The Deep by Fortheloveofexy [Rated E, 21435 Words, Incomplete, Updated June 2023, Locked]

Part 1 of Tales From Foxhole Aquarium 

Neil Josten stares at the large building in front of him, his mouth twisted into a small frown. Yesterday, Browning had handed him a manila folder containing his new name, his new life. Included in that file had been a note, the same slightly crumpled note he’s holding in his hand now, with the name of his new employer. Foxhole Aquarium. Ask for David Wymack.

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: animal abuse, tw: implied/referenced character death, tw: blood, tw: panic attacks

NB: fic art of merAndrew by @fortheloveofexy

Only Fools Fall. by Random2002 [Rated T, 19789 Words, Incomplete, Updated Feb 2023]

Neil tests how faithful his clients partners are. Roland is a client; he's worried about his boyfriend. It isn't long until Neil notices some serious rifts in the relationship he is meant to test.

tw: child abuse

White Hands by doodlingstuff [Rated T, 23308 Words, Complete, May 2023]

Neil's life isn't exactly a life except for Stuart, trying to cheer him up, and his paintings, whenever he's inspired. Andrew's life isn't exactly a life except for his family and his volunteering work, keeping him afloat as the time goes by. When Andrew stumbles into Neil's life unwillingly, both will learn one day at a time that they still have reasons to fight and dreams to fulfill. --- Another take on Artist!Neil and Bartender!Andrew full of soft and fluff.

tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: heavily referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced self harm 

If Neil, Then Fox by AlrightDarlin (WhoopsOK) [Rated T, 12838 Words, Complete, 2023, Locked]

Neil Josten’s machine warns him Aaron Minyard needs his help, but Neil isn’t prepared for the way Andrew Minyard is about to turn his life upside down.

tw: murder, tw: canonical character death, tw: implied character death, tw: drug use, tw: violence

Professor Neil series by HalfpintPeach [Rated G/T, Collection with 2 complete works, updated Feb 2023]

Part 1: Necessary Losses [T, 9783 Words, Complete, 2023] Neil's grad students invite their Exy-obsessed professor out to one of the most anticipated matches of the Exy Season, the Dallas Palms vs the Denver Yellowjackets. Neil is excited to join to watch his husband and one of his best friends battle it out on the Exy court.

Part 2: Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day [G, 3640 Words, Complete, 2022] Neil has one of the worst days and Andrew is able to make it a little bit better. Welcome to my Professor Neil and Professional Exy Player Andrew world! 

I'll be a Brand New Day by especiallythezefronposter [Rated T, 15519 Words, Complete, 2017]

Neil meets a man who looks a lot like his least favorite teammate, Aaron Minyard, and it ends up changing his life. (A Winter Soldier AU, because this fandom deserves a Winter Soldier AU)

tw: self harm, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: gun violence, tw: blood, tw: murder, tw: nightmares

Unlucky Lies by Winterlynne_Norvic [Not Rated, 26365 Words. Complete, 2019]

Neil hates being a demon. Andrew hates Neil. Their lives are hell, but maybe with each other it doesn't have to be.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: temporary major character death, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: demonic possession, tw: bullying, tw: assault, tw: attempted rape, tw: blood, tw: murder, tw: car accident, tw: canonical character death, tw: eating disorders

Neighbours series by transjorts [Collection, Rated T, Complete, 2021]

Part 1: Cat Burglar [6393 Words, AFTG Exchange Spring 2021] Neil has settled into his quiet life in Palmetto with a job at Barnes and Noble and a friend called Matt. But someone was breaking into his apartment and stealing his stuffed animals. What kind of fuckery is this?

tw: implied/referenced child abuse 

Part 2: Foxes and Fruitcake [12819 Words] Neil dives deep into Minyard-Hemmick family drama, plays exy and eats fruitcake.

tw: involuntary outing 

You're different than the others by Kml19 [Rated M, 21024 Words, Complete, 2017]

Neil works for the Moriyamas from inside the prisons as a guard, he doesn't think much about his own life, he is just glad that he is alive. That is until he meets a new prisoner that may change how he sees things.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: assault

NB: inspired by @requiemofkings’ artwork of prison guard Neil and inmate Andrew

Allurement by sundowne [Rated E, 20323 Words, Incomplete, Updated May 2023]

"You think I would use my allurement on you?" "You're not?" - A vampire AU in which Neil needs a new goalie and Andrew needs someone to feed from, so they strike a deal.

tw: blood, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture

Remember! Proplifting is Shoplifting! by Mystrana [Rated T, 3697 Words, Complete, AFTG Summer Exchange 2022]

Neil works at the garden center. He hates his job. Andrew is an amateur gardener who enjoys tormenting garden center employees. Somehow, he makes Neil's job better.

If You Knew What I Know by interstellarflowers [Rated G, 12361 Words, Complete, 2021]

Neil runs a relationship advice column, and Andrew is a skeptic.

Whiskey Sour by maqicien [Not Rated, 6,870 Words, Complete, 2022]

In which Neil is a bartender and Andrew is the crime lord that owns the bar.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: assault, tw: blood/gore, tw: murder

jellyroot and many other causes of catastrophy series by jeanmorexu (papencuts), papencuts [Rated M, Collection with 2 complete works, AFTG Reverse Big Bang 2019]

Part 1: (a comprehensive guide to princes and knights and how not to acquire jellyroot) [10959 Words] Neil is a young prince of Palmetta. When he was just a boy, he was saved by a mysterious kid from a thug. Neil isn't sure who he is, or why he did what he did. That is, until he sees him again and this time, he's going to get some answers.

tw: homophobia, tw: assault

Part 2: united under kingdom, and unto each other [​​2099 Words]

“Can you imagine what this would do the crown? Backwater boxing matches, associating with drunkards, and criminals… These bruises, Andrew, gods… People are going to think I beat you.” “No one is going to think that. It’s almost assumed that you like me to beat you.”

NB: knight and prince art prompt by @requiemofkings

CVS by anxietycorner [Rated G, 38689 Words, Incomplete, Updated May 2023]

Neil had always worked the night shift alone. A co-worker couldn't hurt, right?

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: abuse, tw: child abuse, tw: torture, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: ptsd, tw: flashbacks, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: vomit, tw: alcohol, tw: bullying 

Art

Dirtyhands Neil art by @prince-peachie

spiderman au art by @rainbowd00dles

tattoo artist!neil comic by @jordanshenessy here and here 

the little siren au art by @allfortheslay25, wip 1, pre render

jellyfish Neil au comic by @emry-stars-art, also here

pirate Neil art by @heymrstargazer

winged Neil art by @mistykaru here, here, here, here and here

escaped single father Jean with baby Neil art by @estavs

[estavs]

My gift for @ratbandaid in the AFTG Winter Exchange 2022 @aftgexchange

This is for a single father AU where Jean escapes from the mafia along with baby Neil and now has to figure out how to raise the little shit :)

[mareofthesky]

It's the holiday season, and the foxes are back on their festive bullshit. This year, Neil and Andrew bring the merriment to their new home. Everything is warm. Everything is bright. Shenanigans and light banter ensue. Everyone is softer, and they deserve it.

---------

Here’s my piece for the AFTG Winter Exchange! Hope you enjoy, @noirshadow :) @aftgexchange

[allforthegamebingo]

AFTG Xmas Advent Calendar 2024 || PSU Foxes Edition

AFTG Christmas Advent Calendar 2024 || Foxes Edition

PROMPTS [ [#] xmas - general - au || dialogue ]

[01] hot chocolate - pillow fights - bookstore au || "what did i do to deserve you?"

[02] winter dates - fighting back to back - spies au || "you have a choice."

[03] kissing when the ball drops - silencing someone with a kiss - magical world au || "let's go home."

[04] getting well known traditions wrong speeding down the lane - adopted [character] au || "hey, do you have time?"

[05] their first christmas together - new hobbies - transgender au || "no one can resist those [ ] of yours."

[06] shivering - smoking - fix-it au || "still very pretty."

[07] christmas dinner - uncharacteristic behavior - no exy au || "remind me why i put up with you again?"

[08] first christmas together - can't keep their mouth shut - bodyguard au || "so, truth or dare?"

[09] playing in the snow - only one bed - rivals au || "take me instead."

[10] baking - building pillow forts - soul bond au || "how did you do it, then?"

[11] christmas tree - post canon - hackers au || "you're blushing!"

[12] matching sweaters - watching the snow melt away - royalty au || "are you alright?"

[13] special traditions - relaxing next to the fireplace - actors au || "don't blame me."

[14] mistletoe adoption - barista au || "tell me."

[15] ice hockey - wishing on a star - time travel au || "wait, don't-"

[16] watching as it snows outside - coffee shops - band au || "thank you for being there for me."

[17] snow angel - matching tattoo's - the perfect court au || "i want the best for you."

[18] exchanging gifts - canon compliant - tattoo shop au || "you came." "you called."

[19] teeth clattering from the cold - ruffling the other's hair - historical fiction au || "relax, i'm here."

[20] secret santa - hot chocolate dates - ballet au || "make me."

[21] christmas decoration - cloud gazing together - boarding school au || "don't ask for the truth when you know that you can't handle it."

[22] frozen - never have i ever - lawyers au || "i want you."

[23] skiing - pet names - high school au || "how much did you hear?"

[24] wrong partners underneath the mistletoe - visiting new places - superheroes/villains au || "i'm fine."

[captain-danwilds]

Completed Works

Last Updated 8/10/24

One Step Forward: Tumblr AO3 Winter exchange fic 2020 based off the prompt: “Andrew and Aaron talking and solving their problems”

I’ve been waiting so long (to feel like home) Tumblr AO3  RBB 2021 with the marvelous @mareofthesky  Her Artwork  Hospital AU, Travel Nurse!Neil, Physical Therapist!Andrew

Run Little Rabbit Poetry written in Sep 2020.

Too Broken for a Fox: Bullet Point Fic about Janie Smalls My obsession with minor characters reasserts itself. Follows Janie's recovery through AFTG timeline. Would take me very little to tempt me to turn this into a longer story or write prompts

[sweeterthanyou-blog]

i’ve had this aftg hc/fic stewing in my head for a while and I’m not much of a writer so I’m gonna lay it out here instead :)

setting the scene:

- it’s christmas-time during Neil’s sophomore year at psu. the year had a rocky start but with their win against the ravens and their return to the court in the fall, Neil has settled into this new life quite nicely

- this year, in an effort to make up for Andrew and Neil’s absence last year, the upperclassmen (along with Nicky) arrange a secret Santa among the foxes, to be given at a final fox dinner at abbeys the first night of winter break (before everyone goes their separate ways for the holidays)

- someone (probably Nicky) arranges it so Neil has Andrew because why not

now some gritty stuff:

- Neil doesn’t like the holidays. He usually thinks nothing of it, but this year the foxes are determined to celebrate the holidays. Despite all this cheer, Neil has a Bad Day (tm) beginning at the exy winter banquet that won’t go away.

- he tries to hide it, and is mostly successful as the foxes assume it’s purely memories of the previous year and his time at castle evermore resurfacing

- while this definitely is contributing to Neil’s overall declining mental state, there’s more to it

- during his early childhood, the Wesninski household didn’t celebrate Christmas (it was a busy time of the year for Nathan and he didn’t care to indulge in happy holiday celebrations). Neil, knowing no better, didn’t notice

- until he begins kindergarten (as an Aussie I hope that’s the correct US term). he learns all about the wonders of Christmas, he makes friends who whisper excitedly what they hope to get from Santa. On the last day before winter break, his whole class is allowed to watch a Christmas movie and colour in (all round the best day of his life)

- he goes home, ready to demand that they celebrate the holiday, interrupts his father during important business, Nathan proceeds to teach his son a lesson, and from then on Nathaniel is homeschooled and the thought of Christmas doesn’t cross his mind again.

- until he is ten years old. he’s at the age where he spends as much of his free time outside as he can, despite the cold. what he really wants is to play a sport, a way to release all his pent up energy (that does NOT include knives). Nathan, unusually happy, surprises Nathaniel one day. An early Christmas present, he exclaims. Nathaniel will begin in the Exy little leagues. Nathaniel is taken aback, but inside is a tiny spark of hope. He falls in love with exy, plays with Kevin Day and Riko. He and his mother run away. While on the run Christmas becomes once again just another thing he can never have.

- basically Christmas = bad memories

- this year, Neil knows Christmas will be different. The foxes make it mean something. But the bad days aren’t ending. It’s making him restless. Which scares him. He doesn’t want to be a rabbit anymore, and yet he can feel his body itching to grab his duffle bag and run.

- he manages to bottle everything down until the first day of winter break. That night, presents will be exchanged, but with all his mental battles Neil has yet to find something for Andrew.

-Andrew, who has been the only thing holding Neil up for so long. Andrew, who Neil knows can sense that something is off, but who respects Neil enough to give him space until he is ready.

- until today. Andrew finds Neil on the roof after a particularly long run. Lights a cigarette and stares at Neil.

- they have their heart to heart. Neil “self-sabotage” Josten finally opens his eyes and stops bottling down his emotions. Andrew told him to stay and he will.

- though there is one last thing he has to do first. It’s almost time to head to abbeys, but Neil tells Andrew he’ll meet him there.

- of course Neil arrives late to the party, drinking is in full swing, Nicky is wearing an awful Christmas sweater, presents are on a table ready for secret Santa.

- Neil finds Andrew outside by the fire, cigarette in hand, waiting for him. He hands over the gift in his hands.

- Andrew, curious as ever, opens it to find Neil’s binder.

- Neil’s binder, which contained everything he needed while on the run, fake ids, numbers for his mothers contacts, (everything you need to know about Kevin and Riko), minus all the money safely tucked away back in their dorm.

-Neil and his way with words: “this was all I had on the run, and I don’t need it anymore” it’s a promise that though he will have bad days, will feel jittery and as though his only option is to run, he won’t. Because Andrew told him to stay and because Neil wants to stay.

- he tells Andrew to toss it in the fire. Andrew rolls his eyes and goes to give it back. He doesn’t need this kind of promise, he already knows. But Neil asks again.

- Andrew gives in, tosses it in the fire and that’s that. They go back inside, join the foxes, and Neil experiences his first real Christmas with his family :))

[mostlymaudlin]

Hi! For ao3 wrapped I’d love if you answered 5, 12, and 30 😊

5. What work of yours got more feedback than you expected?

this SHOULDN'T have surprised me, but bangable was my first outright smut piece for aftg, and i laughed when i woke up the next morning and my inbox was POPPIN. i feel like aftg fandom is usually p quiet in the comment section (or im just spoiled by the richness of simon snow fandom), but people were SO READY to talk about this blowjob hahahha.

12. How many WIP’s do you have in your docs for next year?

oh man LOL. theres a short answer and a long answer and im gonna go for long bc maybe talking abt it all will hold me accountable for finishing stuff.

ok so like technically i have 1 million wips. jk. technically technically i have 41 aftg wips (and ENDLESS more simon snow wips), but most of those google docs are resting in peace in my "wip graveyard" folder. they may be resurrected one day but who knows.

so more accurately i am currently sitting on four wips! all aftg.

my hs au We Can Live Forever... which i actually completed the next chapter for! but i dont want to post it until i finish the one after bc i kind of leave it off on a mean note. i might post it anyway so that people get mad at me and motivate me to keep writing though...

what i have dubbed "slut au," in which our favorite resident ace neil explores sex. its sitting at 20k rn, about halfway thru the plot. very messy atm. about 60% smut.

my secret aftg winter exchange fic

my (NEW AS OF A FEW HOURS AGO) secret aftg mixtape exchange fic

im also p much always playing w flash fics, AAAAND i have been thinking abt revisiting this old au i was working on last spring where neil works at a froyo shop. i actually wrote an entire first draft for that -- i think its sitting at like 12k but its a complete mess. i think of her tho... the found family vibes were v good...

OH and i am seriously considering doing a magnum opus andrew POV fic. i need to move into my own apartment in order to accomplish this because i want to like. really go ham analyzing the books and scaffolding that plot bc if i do it im going to tell the same story but with a very different structure i think. and i cannot do this in my current living situation. so that would probs be my Fic of 2023 if true.

30. Biggest surprise while writing this year?

cheesy. but more than anything i think i've come to know myself as a fiction writer this year. ive always written fiction in bits and pieces, and ive done a shit ton of professional nonfiction writing. writing snowbaz last year felt good in that i was finally writing regularly, but switching fandoms upped my confidence because thats when i could finally prove to myself that i wasn't just copying rainbow rowell hahaha. WHICH LIKE she definitely continues to influence my writing but i think ive developed my style in a way where its more my own now -- i don't lean on the style of aftg the way i did for simon snow fics. and while andrew is undeniably NOT my character, ive done a lot of work around the way i write his POV that im proud of. and this makes me think that if i wanted to write original stories i could... even tho i havent rly come up with a story i want to tell on my own just yet!

from this ask meme!

[andreil-fic-stash]

Picture Perfect by xlogophile

Collection: AFTG Exchange Winter 2022

Rating: Teen

Word Count: 3,637

Time Period: Post TKM

Summary:

The whole thing started with a celebratory party and a couple of drinks, as most ridiculous bets tend to happen. Now, the Foxes were no strangers to bets - they could bet on anything, at any time, regardless of circumstance. But the most ridiculous and elaborate ones tended to be preceded by copious amounts of alcohol - and there was no shortage of that during the party after their second championship win in a row.

Comments: Tooth rotting Andreil fluff told from the perspectives of the other foxes. This fic features an Andreil that is slightly more comfortable with PDA, but in a plausible way, given they've grown since the end of the books. I especially liked the ending of this fic; Andrew and Neil's reaction to the bet felt very in character.

[park-chimney]

thought i would share a christmas andreil fic i published! my first piece finished in a long time, and i’m proud of it simply for that—very happy to have some writing motivation back.

premise: i wanted to write neil and the monsters getting each other gifts, and as someone notoriously bad at giving gifts, i think neil is too (or at least he’s unaccustomed to it). but hey, gift-giving is an acquired skill, right? mostly fluff for this here winter season because andreil are cold and deserve cuddles

posted for an aftg exchange gift for @jostenlovesminyard :>

[lyndiscealin]

I posted 393 times in 2022

32 posts created (8%)

361 posts reblogged (92%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@paradoxolotl

@anfae

@imperfectcourt

@24-0z

@blogaboutyafavbirdboys

I tagged 66 of my posts in 2022

#aftg - 19 posts

#neil josten - 12 posts

#andreil - 11 posts

#andrew minyard - 10 posts

#all for the game - 6 posts

#writing - 5 posts

#vampire andrew - 3 posts

#fanfic writers - 3 posts

#writerscommunity - 3 posts

#writerscorner - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 100 characters

#andrew: tunnels neil. they will dig tunnels under important buildings. there won't be light. keep up

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: All For The Game - Nora Sakavic Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Andrew Minyard, Jeremy Knox, Laila Dermott, Alvarez (All For The Game) Additional Tags: Trojans - Freeform, Hurt/Comfort, AFTG Winter Exchange 2021, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fluff, Alternate Universe Summary:

Andrew never left California and ended up with the Trojans instead of the Foxes. This is just a peak at his life with them.

--

My @aftgexchange gift for the Winter Exchange 2021 for @ebbatriestowrite

I hope you like it

16 notes - Posted January 1, 2022

#4

Belletristica

Hi!

Today I want to introduce you to my most treasured writing plattform! It just got it's proper integration for the english community (it's originally an Austrian plattform), so I am finally able to promote it!

Belletristica is different from anything you know so far. It's especially neither Wattpad nor AO3, it's something completely on it's own.

While a writing plattform, Belletristica is also a fictional world. You don't need to engage with the lore of that world, but I would lie if I'd say it isn't engaging and fascinating.

In this world you can collect Fairy Dust through posting stories, commenting them and engaging with the community in multiple chats and groups.

You can find treasures and crafting materials and after a long day of exploring you can sit down in the local Tavern to meet old and new friends.

One of the most precious things for me is the moderation of the site. Lead by the fearless Fairy Khaeli, the Order of Knights watches over the Kingdom to ban trolls and spamers and to help the good Belletristicans resolve their infighting. They are strict but fair. Every case is looked at individually and they are not afraid to ban someone, if they won't stop wreaking havoc in the community.

You are safe here.

See the full post

18 notes - Posted September 1, 2022

#3

The most important plothole in AFTG:

Riko + Kevin are the perfect strikers

Neil + Jean were supposed to be the perfect backliners

Andrew would have been #5 as the perfect goalie.

Who was supposed to be the perfect Dealer??? And would there have been 2 of them? One Offensive and one Defensive dealer?

We will never know and it makes me very sad

56 notes - Posted July 22, 2022

#2

Hey fandom Tumblr! We need your help over at twitter or by direct message over their site.

This is about The Storygraph. We got them to listen to us, but I think we need more voices here.

This is the tweet: https://twitter.com/thestorygraph/status/1518302585219956738?s=20&t=KFf3u_aA1-yAfp-sn3XPYg

Help us tell them that it is not okay to ignore the wishes of the author. Honestly it's also a very shitty thing to ignore published authors. Not taking Fanfiction down, though, is actively harming the fandom.

If you don't have a twitter account, you can also write them directly over their website https://app.thestorygraph.com/terms-of-service The 'Contact Us' Widget is in the bottom right corner.

Please reblog this so it can get some traction!

(resolved for now, thank you!)

61 notes - Posted April 24, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

One of the things I like about AFTG is that Neil is not portrayed as this super talented player who safes the day. He right out sucks at the beginning. Instead it is shown that he is working himself into the ground to get better. He lives and breathes Exy for the first half year in the books. He is the main character but he is not the best player on the team.

Instead he is the one who just brings the team to work together.

In the end he is not a bad Player anymore and I am not sure if his learning curve is realistic, I never played a sport even halfway professionally.

And though he isn't a bad player, he is still not the best on the field. Andrew is better than him, Kevin is better and Seth probably would have been better as well. Pretty sure Matt also has better stats than Neil has.

AND Kevin is the one who scores the winning goal against the Ravens. (and probably most of the other goals in that game).

I love this. Neil is the one who made this win possible, Neil is the one who learned the most inside of the year, but he isn't the best player on the field in the end. He might be in the future, he probably will (or at least he will be second to Kevin).

And Neil getting better is not some magical thing that just happens. It probably looks like 'he has so much talend' to the outside world, where in reality he is just overly dedicated and his life told him how to be perceptive as hell.

I just.. like that :D And wanted to share this with you. I like that at the end Kevin beats Riko and Neil beats him as well, just as a backliner. It's a very cool (and super dramatic and tbf a bit unrealistic) resolution of all the conflicts in the book.

133 notes - Posted July 22, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[aftgficrec]

Favorite Neil/Jean or Neil&Jean fics?

In the aftermath of the publication of The Sunshine Court the relationship between Neil and Jean has been put under the spotlight a little more (no spoilers here though!), but there have always been authors who have shown this combo the attention it deserves. In addition, many fics under our raven!neil tag feature friendships or relationships between Neil and Jean. - S

Previously recommended:

Neil Josten & Jean Moreau:

close friends Neil & Jean here

BFFs Jean & Neil here

Neil/Jean tumblr fics and headcanons here

‘Afterthoughts Chapter 68’, ‘Jean, Neil, and Kevin hanging out’ here (plus some more Neil & Jean under previous recs)

‘not very good at this’ here

Neil Josten/Jean Moreau:

Neil/Jean fics here (you can also find a link to our Neil/Jean tag here)

More Jean/Neil fics here

‘we’ll survive, you and i’, ‘Heart on Your Sleeve, Eyes on the Street (the Heart-Eyes Remix)’, and ‘Doves & Ravens’  here

Some of our favourites from previous posts:

Your humble and silky life by moonix [Rated G, 3582 words, complete, 2019, locked]

Jean’s life these days is quiet, uneventful. His best friend has a hopeless crush on the unattainable Minyard, Jean’s colleague at the botanical garden. Jean has a standing appointment every week with the most beautiful woman in the world, who is happily married to someone else—but that’s okay. There’s still Jeremy the waiter, whose smile is the highlight of Jean’s week.

tw: animal death

Black As Is The Raven, He’ll Get A Partner by nekojita [Rated E, 644156 words, complete, 2018]

When Wymack, Kevin and Andrew came to recruit Neil Josten in Millport, Neil decided to say 'no' instead of 'yes' to joining the Foxes and does what he does best, which is run. Unfortunately, that brings him to the attention of the Moriyamas, who return him to his 'rightful' place. Now Neil has to learn how to survive at the Nest with his only ally another 'asset' long kept under Riko's heel.

tw: violence, tw: rape/noncon, tw: dubcon, tw: blood, tw: panic attacks, tw: drug use, tw: alcohol, tw: minor character death, tw: homophobia, tw: involuntary outing

Apart from Your World (A Part of Mine) by ApprenticedMagician [Rated T, 17647 words, complete, Aftg Big Bang 2018, locked]

David is shipping him off to the Isle of Anglesey and, frankly, Neil could use the time and distance away from an ugly break-up that still hasn't smoothed over. The problem is, if he isn't being reminded of his ex (courtesy of working alongside his identical twin brother), then he's being reminded of the mother who abandoned him (courtesy of their assigned patient who suffers the same affliction she once did). All around, it's shaping up to be anything but the trip he signed up for.

tw: references to past abuse

NB: find art for this fic by @llheji here

So Keep Your Heart On Your Sleeve (And Keep Your Eyes On The Streets) by CasTheButler [Rated T, 4162 words, complete, Aftg Winter Exchange 2018]

Cause it's a God damn long drive fall, Back to normality. Jean starts at a new school on a new soccer team, makes some friends, and spends the whole time falling in love with a punk. Written for the 2018 AFTG Winter Exchange.

tw: panic attacks

And here are some fics we haven’t rec’ed yet:

Neil Josten & Jean Moreau:

Je crois en la chance de rejoindre la mer by Elyant [Rated T, 2007 words, complete, 2021, locked]

Part 4 of The Devil Makes Three

Jean has chosen the café whose tables were closest to the large windows overlooking the tarmac. After spending so many years underground and under the harsh fluorescent light of the Nest, he doesn't think he will ever have enough of the natural warmth of the sun. A duffle bag of clothes that are too new to feel like his, the tin of home-baked cookies Renee thrusted into his hands before he left, and a small package wrapped in kraft paper are his only baggage.  He's waiting for a plane from London to land because of a phone call he received a few nights before. He is therefore purposefully two hours too early for the flight that will take him to South California, to meet the team in crimson and gold that will become his family, even if he doesn't know it yet.

tw: implied/referenced abuse

from rain by ratbandaid [Rated T, 62807 words, complete, 2023]

Over time, Jean grew unsure as to why he'd been so intent on running from the mafia. He barely took care of himself and could hardly call whatever he was doing living. After all, he knew that one day, he'll be caught and dragged back, kicking and screaming, to be killed or worse: put back in the hands of Riko Moriyama. But when a snot-nosed, cocky brat, Neil, stumbles into his life, Jean slowly realizes what he's running for.

tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: violence, tw: nightmares

based on this art by @estavs

NB: This one contains slight spoilers for The Sunshine Court:

epic understatement by LadyTimelessness [Rated T, 335 words, complete, 2024]

he's pissed off that jean had to go through this. they're basically nothing to each other, but damn it, neil wants to crack grayson's skull open that second. faith in the world finally burns out in the fire of disillusionment.

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced murder

Neil Josten/Jean Moreau:

Skip the Last Dance For Me (the Trojan Horse remix) by justadreamfox [Rated T, 3572 words, complete, Aftg Remix 2020]

Neil and Jean are free of the Nest, and wearing the Trojan red and gold, but they've still got "normal" life to navigate and friendships (past and present) to juggle. Really, sometimes you just want to be alone with your boyfriend.  Ft. Exy, pizza, and Steven Spielberg.

Nothing Mattered Until You by Lostintheuniverseslies [Rated M, 22497 words, complete, 2023]

On the docks in Marseille, Neil fell in love. But his mother ripped him away and for years he never dared hope to see Jean again. He believed that he would die before ever getting the chance. But when recuperating with his uncle after his father is killed, Neil's chance comes. Unfortunately, he isn't the only one who went through some horrible things over the years. Despite their horrible pasts, they decide to try for a future together. Going to college and even making some friends along the way. But Riko has other plans and wants back what he considers his.

tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced domestic violence, tw: stalking, tw: harassment,  tw: dissociation

It's Friday, I'm in love by Greenfallleaves [Rated T, 5834 words, complete, 2023, locked]

The day Neil had found himself pushed into the strong chest of their school’s new student Jean Moreau had been one of his luckiest in hindsight.

Hold my breath in your hands by Greenfallleaves [Rated G, 2154 words, complete, 2023, locked]

Adapting to the world outside the nest hadn’t been easy for either Jean or Neil but now that they had had a few years to get used to it, they got to complain about (i.e. enjoy) spending quality time with their friends.

sleep notes by nanatsuyu [Rated T, 2928 words, complete, 2024, locked]

Neil smokes a joint and discusses the possibility that Kevin is an honest to God vampire.

tw: recreational drug use, tw: implied/referenced abuse

A kiss while someone watches by @stabbyfoxandrew [tumblr, 2024]

Nathaniel never really saw the point of kissing until he was brought to the nest. Or rather, until the first time Jean Moreau backed him up against the wall of their shared dorm during an argument.

Art

Jean & Neil by @ziegenkind094

Raven!neil au - napping by @dawnatlas 

Raven!neil au - partners by @dawnatlas

‘Stitch by stitch, tape and gauze…’ by @dawnatlas

two by @02511213942

Neil and Jean find an empty pool at night by @aminiyard

i believe in jean moreau supremacy by @caraleadraws 

secret santa gift for @nekojitachan by @aminiyard

Hello sunshine court by @estavs

[eruditetyro]

this aftg reread i’m focusing on andrew’s timeline. the first time we’re told andrew went to juvie we’re told he was there for three years, but in order to have at least senior year with aaron and nicky that means he would have had to be sent to juvie in eighth grade. and if we’re to believe andrew and aaron got as far along with their german language skills as they are, i would have expected more than approximately two years of practice by the time neil arrives on the scene, but i guess two years is enough if it has to be. if we assume nicky is a great teacher and andrew being andrew is incredibly precocious and aaron is also pretty quick. it’s just also quite a long time to be in juvie. but if andrew moved in with the spears at age 12 maybe it is perhaps better that he only had like two years there before he decided to go to prison instead? so middle school with the spears. high school in juvie and then south carolina. tilda died their senior year, nicky came back the day of the funeral, andrew barricaded aaron in the bathroom over a school break (winter break? but maybe andrew just made him miss school, and pretended to be him for their teachers for a little while) but there’s a line when nicky and neil are talking abt how andrew got put on his medication where neil thinks there’s a possibility that andrew is still punishing aaron for choosing the wrong side three years ago— which doesn’t line up with the rest of the timeline, which puts the funeral at two years ago from circa winter neil’s freshman year. assuming that the moment of choice is when aaron punches andrew at the funeral. i think also it’s important to note that tilda’s death likely occurred after the twins’ 18th birthday which would have been november of their senior year. this way they have fewer people overseeing custody exchanges and having nicky be the sort of quasi parental figure makes more sense. nicky is years older than his cousins per canon, having been in senior year of high school when aaron first learned andrew existed. anyway. i’m pretty sure i’ve read discussion on here before about how the timeline is a little fudged so it’s fine

[solelystarling]

I participated in the @aftgexchange and made this piece for  @fuzzballsheltiepants. Just some fluffy Andreil for the soul. I really hope you like it!