#aftg winter exchange

[aftgficrec]

Staff Recs - Christmas/Winter

We haven’t done a winter season roundup for a while, so this will be a multi-part post with short fics and more to come. Happiest of holidays to you and yours from the AFTG Fic Rec Fam!

NB: I came across several tumblr posts asking for help finding a fic with specific Christmas scenes, and the answer was ‘let them hear me shout (for you).’ So, you might want to check that out along with the rest of ‘on the tip of my tongue (say something)’ series if you haven’t read it or want to revisit an old favourite. It’s complete now, find it here. 

My personal favorite 5-snowflake fics from this collection are highlighted below and featured at the top of the recs. -A

❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆

‘We Can Live Forever’ by mostly_maudlin - A wintry high school au with healthy rivalries and pining. Best friends andreil are so woven together it’s a wonder no one has dubbed them with a ship name as Andrew helplessly pines. It’s snappy and full of family, foxes and developing relationships. If you don’t normally read fics where they’re teens, you may like this one.

‘The Monkey in the Wrench’ by Fire_Bear - A Die Hard au with bamf!neil protecting his family and reigniting old love feels like the Christmas fic we never knew we needed. Breaking my own rule of falling for a wip for this one.

‘Cerulean Nights’ by misalignedstars - kevjean shipper or not, the star crossed lovers/longing/yearning/regret subplot hurts so good. This may be the yearningest thing I’ve ever read.

❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆

previous recs:

links to previous Staff Recs Christmas/Winter here

Staff Recs - New Year/New Beginnings here

seasonal ask: part 1 winter, part 2 Christmas

‘Your love is my drug’ here (completed)

‘The Missed Connections Support Group’ here

‘A Book for Christmas’ and ‘coffee & crosswords’ here

‘I'm just the same as I was’ here

‘Go Team!’ here

‘Pause and Restart my Heart’ series part 1 here 

‘Guardian Angel’ series here

‘permanent’ here

‘Paint Our Lives In Color’ here

‘A little closer to home’ here

‘Razor sharp smile and icy blue eyes’ here

‘Stop the World’ here

‘True Love Waits’ series here

‘In Time We'll Be Fine,’ ‘Breathing in the Snowflakes,’ and ‘the memory of burning’ here

‘Bedroom Voices’ here 

‘I Caught Fire’ here

‘this room, our universe’ here

‘Virus’ here

‘Andrew Minyard's Diary’ here

‘A Phantom and a Fly’ here

‘In Flanders Fields’ and ‘Front Lines’ here (historical, jewish neil)

‘Burning the skies’ here (fantasy)

‘RED, RISE, RULE’ here (fantasy)

‘Witching You A Happy Holiday’ here (fantasy)

‘Like a River’ here (harry potter)

‘A Falling Star’ series part 3 here (kerejean)

‘Promises’ here (kevaaron)

‘Mixed Feelings and Not Second Choices’ here (kevaaron)

‘Every Sinner Has A Future’ here (neil/aaron)

‘my one, my dear’ here (kevin/robin)

‘daydream in pink’ here (kev/allison)

‘All for the (wrong) game’ here (kevin/oc, recently updated)

We Can Live Forever by mostly_maudlin [Rated T, 46706 Words, Complete, 2022]

PALMETTO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FUNDRAISER WINTER SERENADES - $5 EACH On sale Dec. 15-17 during lunch blocks. Support our teams, and let them show your friends how much you care through choreographed song and dance! Participation in the fundraiser is mandatory for all student-athletes. Maybe none of this would have happened if they weren't pushed out of their comfort zones. (But honestly, maybe it was always going to end this way.) A story about the joys of competition, the people in your corner, and, of course, the misfortune of being a teenager in love with your best friend.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: alcohol, tw: internalized homophobia

NB: includes fanart by @letraspal

The Monkey in the Wrench by Fire_Bear [Rated M, 9431 Words, Incomplete, Updated Feb 2024]

Despite his misgivings, Neil has agreed to attend his friends' work's Christmas party on the eve before Christmas Eve. His ex is going to be there, it's in a fancy building, and he's just come off a cross-country flight. There is nothing he wants to do less. It gets worse when an armed group invades the building and takes everyone hostage. Now Neil has to find a way to save everyone and stop the attackers from getting away with it.

tw: violence

Cerulean Nights by misalignedstars [Not Rated, 99742 Words, Complete, 2024]

Neil wasn’t exactly wrong about Ichirou Moriyama, but he also wasn’t exactly right: Ichirou is a shrewd businessman who cares little for Exy, that much is true. Unfortunately, he also likes using his assets to their full potential. Soon after being acquired by Ichirou Moriyama, Kevin finds himself on an errand to Japan with his former teammate, under the guise of a PR tour to distract the media and the public from his real mission. Old wounds rip open and old flames rekindle as Kevin and Jean are forced to navigate the Exy politics of an unknown land and survive the Japanese underworld at the same time. tldr: Ichirou Moriyama becomes the unwitting cupid for Kevin and Jean when he sends them on a PR tour as a front for conducting some secret yakuza business in the background.

tw: alcohol abuse/alcoholism, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: assault

I want to find a home (and I want to share it with you) by ofwhitedaisies [Rated T, 21526 Words, Complete, 2024]

The sun was peeking past the trees, its warm glow bathing the cafe with pretty yellows and oranges. Andrew stuck his ear-buds into his ears, and continued to work. Today would be quiet, he thought to himself. Good. Of course, as God hated Andrew, and peace was never an option, trouble arrived in the form of a boy in ratty orange converse and a lousy motorbike. ~ In which Andrew is a baker, Neil is a delivery man and Kevin just wants to play Exy.

tw: implied/referenced torture

Comfort Food by moonix [Rated T, 29241 Words, Complete, 2024, Locked]

Kevin has just retired from a prosperous Exy career and needs a personal chef, a new couch, and a hobby. Neil reluctantly provides.

wishes are real, not free by defractum [Rated T, 14611 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange 2016]

A Beauty and the Beast inspired AU in which Andrew's outer monster reflects his inner monster.

tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: dead animals, tw: hunger, tw: fire, tw: violence, tw: major character injury, tw: canonical character death

Family Affairs by KweenDay [Rated T, 21232 Words, Incomplete, Update Jan 2024, Locked]

Andrew meets Neil and Kevin in a group home when he's thirteen. They're an odd pair, with Neil's reckless outbursts and short fuse, and Kevin's stillness and sad, soulful eyes, and their fierce protectiveness of each other. Against all odds, Andrew befriends them. By the end of the second week, he knows he's found his people. By the end of the month, they make a promise to always find each other, no matter where they land. And they do. Every year, on Christmas Eve, they find each other and spend it together. AKA Andrew, Neil and Kevin make a promise to spend every Christmas together when they're kids. Those are their Christmases over the years.

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

Winter Woes series by thisonethatone [Rated M/E, Collection, Updated Feb 2024]

Part 1: The Way the Wind Blows [E, 15912 Words, Complete] ‘Who are you?’ ‘Who am I?’ He mocked with a loftily raised brow and faux bravado. ‘You are in My tower. Don’t you think I have the right to such bold questions?’ The boy simply raised a brow in return, his blade tracing a deadly path down to the hollow of his throat. ‘Yet I am not the one under a blade.’ His face morphed into something less deadly as amusement played across his features.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: death threats, tw: child abuse, tw: blood, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: major character injury

Part 2: Rabbit’s Foot, Snake’s Tongue [M, 4926 Words, Incomplete, Updated Feb 20204] Neil is snatched up by the Moriyama Empire and forcefully betrothed to their deranged youngest son, Andrew is mortally wounded and searching frantically for his lover, and Riko is always one step ahead.

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

jewish neil

Spun a Dreidel With My Love by buriedinbaltimore [Not Rated, 14023 Words, Complete, AFTG Winter Exchange 2020]

Chapter 1 (Rated T): It’s 6.5 years after canon and the Foxes host a holiday party! Chapter 2 (Rated E): After the party, Andrew and Neil play strip dreidel and have dirty sex.

tw: explicit sexual content

kandreil, kevaaron, rarepairs

just pretend by orionauriga [Rated M, 23305 Words, Incomplete, Updated April 2023]

This was supposed to be a team bonding trip to rectify Kevin’s never-been-skiing claim — but with everyone else snowed out and him snowed in with the two people he’s spent months avoiding, evading, ignoring, it’s turning out to be an actual nightmare. Not that he’ll ever tell Neil and Andrew that. To make matters worse, he is (regrettably) sort of, kind of, maybe a little bit in love with them. Not that he’ll ever tell them that either.

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

Kevin Day Hated Christmas by erosandhades [Rated T, 13340 Words, Complete, 2020]

Kevin Day hated Christmas and no one but himself, his dad and stepmother knew why, and that was the way he wanted things to be. But after an unexpected night and a situation that changes everything, Kevin wonders if maybe the future holds more than he thought possible.

tw: disordered eating, tw: claustrophobia, tw: panic attacks, tw: implied/referenced suicide, tw: implied/referenced child neglect, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: implied/referenced torture

Fairy Lights by KweenDay [Rated M, 29637 Words, Complete, 2022, Locked]

Neil and Aaron are strangers who swap houses for the holidays, trying to avoid spending them with their families. Then Neil meets Aaron's more-than-a-little-interesting enigmatic brother. And Aaron meets Neil's more-than-a-little-infuriating incredibly attractive best friend. So much for peace, then. a.k.a The Holiday inspired Andreil/Kevaaron AU

tw: explicit sexual content, tw: implied/referenced torture

NB: Christmas Andreil from Fairy Lights art by @strokeofinspiration here

Royal Flush by OfficialStarsandGutters [Rated T, 29460 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange Winter 2021]

Royalty AU for the AFTG Winter Exchange - Neil Josten is a thief; a shadow without a name, changing identities like people change clothes. Until he steals an invitation to the Royal Winter Games. The Daylands are hosting this year, and their sport is always the same: exy. Neil knows it’s a foolish risk, but he just wants the chance to play on an official court. Just once. He hadn’t factored in how crossing paths with King Andrew Minyard might change things.

tw: violence, tw: blood/gore, tw: murder, tw: implied/referenced drug addiction, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced self harm

Aaron Likes To Be Choked?! by Alluin_Fengari [Rated M, 46422 Words, Incomplete, Updated Nov 2024]

Aaron likes to think that his relationship with Katelyn is perfect. And while Aaron might not be perfect, Katelyn is, in Aaron's eyes anyways. But the question, "Does Aaron likes to be chocked??" Surges when his family over Christmas break notices the bruises in Aaron's neck. But at the same time, his family of monster being them do not think that it was something kinky, sadly, it appears that they are more correct than Aaron wants to ever admit.

tw: dubcon, tw: domestic abuse, tw: unhealthy relationship, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: victim blaming, tw: implied/referenced drug addiction, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: implied/referenced alcohol abuse, tw: panic attacks, tw: internalized homophobia

Two's a Crowd, and Three's a Party by rakshasaandcarcasses [Rated T, 11369 Words, Complete, 2024]

In the back of his mind, he was still considering what Jeremy had suggested. Aaron would rather be thrown down ten flights of stairs by Andrew personally than be stuck in between Matt and Jeremy right now. Jeremy, Aaron, and Matt go ice skating, and Aaron realizes something about the others and then about himself!!

Art

winter sweater for a fox art by @girubato

The big three: upperclassmen Christmas banquet art by @mioxza

Happy holidays ya filthy animals art by @emry-stars-art 

tfc winter mug series art by @jojen-hewitt: Neil | Andrew | Kevin | Jeremy | Jean | Renee

andreil mistletoe with betting foxes art by @andreil-minyasten

andreil Nice and Naughty Christmas sweaters art by @kkyraken

andreil New Year’s Eve kiss art by @thematicallycoherent

andreil at the Christmas market art by @ravenclawkward-art 

andreil at a cafe in England for the holidays art by @rainbowd00dles

andreil cozy christmas art by @/ohkitzinger on twitter

Please don’t go, I love you so and Merry Christmas art by @ouijacine

Christmas time!! art by @/amesfgc on twitter

andreil Christmas Redraw art by @/MASSLOW5 on twitter

All I want for Christmas is you art by @jayjuls

andreil: happy new year, christmas baking, decorating tree art by @/lis_photoart on instagram

[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

[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.

[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

[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!

[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!

[lautjess]

IntangChapters: 1/1

Fandom: All For The Game - Nora Sakavic

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Relationships: Neil Josten/Andrew Minyard, Allison Reynolds/Renee Walker (All For The Game)

Characters: Neil Josten, Andrew Minyard, Aaron Minyard, Nicky Hemmick, Kevin Day, Danielle "Dan" Wilds, Matt Boyd, Renee Walker, Allison Reynolds, David Wymack, Abby Winfield, Betsy Dobson

Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary:

No one said anything as Neil was slowly getting his breath back, wrapping all his secrets back up, but it was fragile work and it wouldn't take much for Neil to collapse again.

My piece for the @aftgexchange made for @intangibel

Really loved the prompt and writing this fic, hope you love reading it as well.

[foxeshaveclaws]

rottweiler smile

This is an exchange fic for @kkyraken​! You asked for Andrew/Neil with the press and talking shit so I hope this is sufficient!! It got a little bit away from me haha. Happy Holidays! @aftgexchange

Oh, and title is from Diamond Mine by Hop Along!

It went like this.

“Mr. Minyard, how do you feel about your college teammate finally joining the NEL?”

“Who?” Minyard’s expression was as blank as always. 

“Uh.” The reporter gulped. “Neil Josten, your former captain and teammate?”

Minyard’s expression didn’t change. “I don’t really care.”

“Mr. Josten!” The reporter interrupted another question and Josten looked at him in confusion. 

“Yes?”

“How do you feel about going up against a team that has one of your former teammates on it?”

“Oh, Andrew?” Josten shrugged. “What I feel won’t change anything. Andrew’s the best goalie in the league but he’s never been a problem for me before so I’m just gonna focus on my game.”

“So is there going to be tension between you two tonight?” 

Josten grinned and everyone in the press room shuddered silently. 

“Oh yeah. Expect lots of tension.”

*

Josten’s team was in Chicago against Minyard’s and it was obvious that something was strange the moment that Minyard stepped onto the court.

Instead of walking to the goal right away, he detoured past the visiting team and shook Josten by his mask. The two exchanged words as the fans screamed but nothing came from the short interaction.The game continued on. 

*

“Mr. Minyard! What was it like playing against Josten? Why did you go intimidate him before game start?”

“Josten,” Minyard said the name like it personally insulted him. “He sure does think he’s good.”

“Are you saying you don’t think he’s good?”

Minyard just raised his eyebrows in response and went to continue toweling off.

* 

“Mr. Josten! How does it feel to lose to your newest rival in your first game in the NEL?”

“Newest rival?” Josten stopped short. “Do you mean Andrew?”

“Yes. The two of you have been hostile in the last few months leading up to this and his actions towards you at the start of the game cemented the two of you as rivals in the fans minds. Do you have any comments on that?”

Josten shrugged. “Call us rivals or don’t. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m the only one that scored on him tonight.”

“So do you think you’re a match for him in goal?”

“I’m his only match.”

*

“Mr. Day! Do you to comment on the rivalry of your two former teammates, Neil Josten and Andrew Minyard?”

“Sure.” Day turned to the reporter. 

“In college, were Josten and Minyard always at each other’s throats as they seem to be now?”

“In one way or another, yes.”

“So are you surprised to find out that the two now have an extremely heated rivalry?”

“I just didn’t expect it to be so public. Public isn’t Andrew’s idea of fun.”

“Do you have anything else to add?”

Day shrugged. “As long as it doesn’t affect their Exy, I don’t really see why it matters.”

*

“Thank you so much for being on the show tonight, Matt!”

Boyd laughed and clapped his hands. “It’s great to be here, thanks for having me.”

“So let’s cut right to the chase.” The talk show host winked. “Your two former teammates, Andrew Minyard and Neil Josten have begun an amazing rivalry! It’s all anyone in Exy can talk about. What do you think is going on there? What sparked such heated emotions?”

Boyd cocked his head to the side. “Well, everything about Andrew and Neil is heated. It’s just a given with those two. I do think it’s really funny that they are rivals.”

“Were they like this in college?” 

“Well, yeah! I think Kevin said it best in that interview a few weeks ago but they really were always at each other’s throats. And Neil is my best friend and I told him before that he needs to think stuff like this through more. He never does though.”

“Very well put, Matt. Now let’s move on to your most recent game.”

*

The next time the two teams played, Josten scored on Minyard four times in a row and laughed with each goal until Minyard grabbed his faceplate again and growled something in return. Josten just laughed again and ran back to his starting position. There was a new photo of two of them, framed in the light of the stadium, with their faces inches away from each other, Minyard’s in a frown and Josten’s in a grin. The picture was on every sports article the day after.

“Mr. Josten! How do you feel now that both you and Andrew Minyard are going to be on the USA Exy Team?”

Josten stopped and stared at the reporter who had shouted the question. His nose scrunched up in confusion. “Andrew accepted the Court position?”

“Yes, he accepted the position right before 6 o’clock this evening. How do you feel?”

Josten just shook his head. “That asshole.” He walked back to the locker room. 

*

Every reporter in the world tried to grab Josten or Minyard in the hours following the moments the gold medal touched their necks but neither one of them could be found. 

“Mr Josten, how do you feel about the fact that you are now going to be playing on the same team as your rival for an extended amount of time? Do you expect problems?”

Josten just laughed in return. “I mean, it sure is going to be interesting for me and Andrew to be on the same team for real after a few years apart. It's gonna be fun.”

The coach for the Wildeyes stepped forward. “We kept this rivalry in mind when deciding on this transfer and we are expecting no problems from the two. They performed well together during the Olympics and they were teammates before and they are teammates again. That’s all.Thank you for coming to this press conference.”

 *

“Now!” The talk show host clapped their hands together. “I have some very important guests I would like to introduce to you all! I am so happy to welcome gold medalists and starting goalie for the Chicago Wildeyes, Andrew Minyard! And with him, gold medalist and former starting Striker for the New York Rebels, Neil Josten!”

The two men walked out with matching expressions and Team USA jackets. They didn't make eye contact or interact at all as the two took their seats next to each other on the couch. The tension in the studio rose imperceptibly. 

“So…” The host started off. It was obvious that they were nervous but they pushed on. “You two have quite a history, correct? You played together in college with the Palmetto State Foxes, became rivals during the regular season this year and then went to win gold together in the summer Olympics this year. Now you are about to start you are about to start your first season permanently back together on the Chicago Wildeyes. How does it feel? Is there still lingering animosity between you two?”

Josten and Minyard glanced at each other. Minyard’s eyebrows rose imperceptibly and Josten’s lips twitched. They had a full conversation in the five seconds that they held eye contact. Minyard was the one to turn his gaze back to the host. “There will always be animosity between us. I hate him.”

“Wow, you're so good with words, Andrew.” Josten teased before the host could get another word in. “I hate you too, but we knew that.”

“We did?” The host muttered in confusion.

The two men nodded in unison. Josten smiled. “Got rings and everything to prove how much we hate each other.” From under their shirts, they each pulled out matching platinum rings on gold chains. 

There was a beat of silence in the studio as everyone zeroed in on those rings and what they meant. Then the entire world broke into noise. 

“You-you're married?” The host sputtered. “How-how long?”

“Neil’s last year with the Foxes.” Minyard was the one to answer that question. 

“So, this entire time you’ve had this rivalry you actually been...married?”

“Yup.” Josten popped the P on his answer. “It's actually made things a lot easier. Long distance sucks but being married means that when we get hurt during games we can visit each other and everything.”

“So you don't actually hate each other?”

“I hate him.” Minyard said. “No doubt about it.”

“And I hate him too.” Josten responded.

Josten reached out his hand and Minyard took it, the corners of his mouth ticking up in the simplest way possible. The crowd screamed. The host put his head in his hands. 

[fuzzballsheltiepants]

Neil & Andrew are finally on the same team, finally moving in together, into a quiet neighborhood recommended by their agent.  Neil can't quite believe it's real, but with the help of a new neighbor - who's also a secret fan - he starts to settle into his new home.

Here’s my fic for @beetlejeuse for the @aftgexchange!  (I don’t know why it won’t let me tag you???)  I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

[scribbleb-red]

always winter, never christmas - a JereJean Soulmate AU

For the @aftgexchange Christmas round - my first every Jeremy Knox / Jean Moreau story. 

Summary: “Christmas was never a happy time for Jean Moreau, until suddenly it was. (Or: three times that winter kinda sucked for Jean and the one time Jeremy gave him the gift of Christmas). Soulmate AU and also, there was only one bed. Obviously.” 

Gifted to @linecrosser​. Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21893659

[andreil-fic-stash]

Whatever You Need by mostly_maudlin

Collection: AFTG Exchange Winter 2022

Word Count: 5,369

Rating: Teen

Alternate Universe: Vampires

Summary:

In which the Moriyamas aren't the monsters, the Foxes still play Exy, and sports cars aren't made for the snow.

[heimonas]

rayons du soleil

Gift for @wesawbears for the winter @aftgexchange featuring the hanahaki disease and some Christmas gifts! I know this wasn’t one of your prompts, but I really liked this idea and I hope you do too:) This is the last day of posting so I hope this was worth the wait!! 

Chapter 1 | 2

read on ao3 | 1.9k words

The idea of alternative worlds and timelines always haunted Jean. He wondered if somewhere, in another world, there was a Jean who never became a raven. Maybe he grew up in France and went to university. A Jean that went on vacation with his family in Nice or Marseille. Maybe he spent his summers in the sun, swimming, and eating those delicious almond cookies. A Jean who never lived in the Nest, a Jean who doesn’t hate Christmas.

He could only remember celebrating Christmas once before getting send off to the Ravens. He lived in Paris back then. Everywhere you looked there were Christmas lights and trees, people carrying gifts and being drunk. Their tree touched the ceiling of their house and it was full of mirror-like Christmas ornaments. His mother used to make this delicious cake, but he has long forgotten the name and taste of it. 

He was wearing a jacket and a scarf. Winters weren’t as cold as they used to be. His hands were freezing though. He wished he had some gloves. 

Jean had only just started drinking. It was forbidden to do so in the Nest and besides he didn’t really want to drink around Riko. The thought of him send chills down his spine. 

Him and Jeremy entered the pub. The atmosphere was warm, people were drinking, dancing, laughing. They sat at the bar and ordered two beers. Jeremy started talking about the upcoming games and their tactics and about how they should train more, but he didn’t want to exhaust anyone and blah blah blah. Jean really couldn’t stand how kind and thoughtful he was sometimes. He wasn’t used to people like him and it made him feel uneasy sometimes. 

Jeremy ordered a second beer and then a third one. He was already getting a bit tipsy. Jean couldn’t help but notice him a bit more. It was as if his golden curls and bright smile were illuminating the whole room. His skin was tanned and smooth and he really wanted to touch it to see exactly how soft it was. He once knew a boy like him. He was a new Raven his third year in the Nest. Riko broke him too soon. He had no idea what happened to him. 

“So what do you want for Christmas?” Jeremy suddenly asked, bringing Jean’s thoughts to a halt.

The question took Jean by surprise. He wasn’t used to receiving gifts. 

“I noticed you don’t have enough warm clothes,” he said. “Maybe I should get you a jumper or a hoodie or a pair of gloves-”

Jeremy suddenly stopped. He made a weird sound and his hand came up to his mouth - and he started running towards the toilet. Jean was surprised. He had seen the other boy drink whole bottles of vodka or rum before, but never throwing up.

He went to the toilet and knocked at the only closed door. “Hey,” he said. “It’s Jean. Are you okay?”

No reply.

“Jeremy, can you hear me?” he tried again.

Then, the door opened. Jeremy was pale and sweat was running down his forehead. He walked passed Jean, not looking at him even once. 

“I’m alright,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”

And then he left the place, leaving Jean alone and confused, wondering what the hell just happened.

Sometimes Jean could tell when he was dreaming. It was like trying to watch a movie through a dense fog and commenting on the weird and silly things that were happening, but not being able to change it, not even one bit. That’s what it felt like.

Sometimes Jean couldn’t tell when he was dreaming. He would only realize it after he had woken up screaming. He mostly forgot these dreams, but not the feelings they would make him experience. Jean always had a feeling that all of his nightmares were about Riko.

This was one of those nights. Jeremy woke him up, calling his name. He was standing next to his bed, but not touching him. He had only made that mistake once, the first night Jean was screaming in his sleep. He got punched for that. 

Jean opened his eyes and for a moment he didn’t recognise him. But, as soon as his head cleared up, he hugged Jeremy. He generally didn’t like getting physical like that - with anyone. But at nights like this he really needed this. It reminded him of the way his mother used to hold him when he was a kid or of the way Kevin sometimes comforted him in secret. No one was allowed to see them. Kindness was punished in the Nest.

Jeremy wrapped his hands around Jean and let him breath. He felt his eyes watering and aching, but he never let the tears fall. After Jean calmed down a bit he went to the kitchen and brought him a piece of chocolate. 

He knew this dance far too well. 

Everyone knew that both Laila and Alvarez picked the best christmas gifts for everyone. They always knew what was best for each of their teammates. Except Jean. He really was a difficult person to solve. Not that anyone could blame him. 

So, they decided to take him with them and choose his gift together. Obviously they couldn’t take no for an answer. 

Jean didn’t really want anything in particular. They first went to an electronics store. Laila asked him if he wanted headphones maybe. Jean said he doesn’t listen to music. She almost had a stroke and they left.

Then, they went to an exy store. Jean didn’t like the quality of any of the equipment there. Alvarez sighed and said something about him being snobby.

After half an hour of walking around they ended up in a clothes shop. He was mindlessly walking around, pretending to look at clothes, but he didn’t really like any of them. 

That’s when he saw it. It was an oversized hoodie, in a very nice and warm shade of yellow. In the center, three words were printed in a vintage white fond; rayons du soleil. 

It immediately reminded him of Jeremy. Kevin had once told him about an old writer named Heliodorus. It meant gift of the sun. Jean wasn’t exactly sure why he just remembered that. 

When Laila and Alvarez saw him looking at it, they were very confused. It didn’t look like something he would like. Maybe it was the french that caught his eye. They decided to buy it for him. But Jean was never meant to wear it, it was made for someone else.

Jeremy was getting worse. He tried to hide it. He even tried to avoid Jean, but that didn’t work out. He was pale and exhausted all the time. His head was spinning and his stomach felt like he had swallowed a rock. The doctor told him it was a rare disease. They couldn’t do anything for him. The only cure was the person he loved, to love him back. Until then he would continue throwing up flowers until they choked him.

That day, when he went back home after practice, Jean was cooking. It was maybe the first time he had seen him do that. He was making chicken soup with lots of ginger. He thought Jeremy had caught a cold. 

Jean was one of those people who firmly believed in the power of chicken soup and ginger, even though he had never cooked it himself before. 

It really made Jeremy sad seeing him like this. He didn’t know the truth and he would never find out. He entered the kitchen and Jean smiled at him. This was killing him. 

He sat down on the table. 

“I think you should go see a doctor,” Jean said, as he was moving around the kitchen. His movements were fast and not very delicate. It was obvious he didn’t really know how to move around a kitchen. Jeremy loved that weird dance. He loved the sight of him. He loved him.

“You should cook more often,” Jeremy said, changing the subject.

“You should fuck off”, Jean replied, but he was smiling.

They kept talking about exy and their upcoming games. Jeremy was analysing the weaknesses of their next opponent, when Jean let out a sudden scream, scaring him to death. That dumbass had touched a hot spatula. He quickly got up and took Jean’s hand in his own to inspect it. It was slightly burnt. He quickly pulled him towards the kitchen sink, opened the tap and put his hand underneath the cold running water.

“Or maybe you shouldn’t try to cook ever again,” Jeremy said.

Jean gave him a pained look. As they were standing there, too close, so very close, their hands touching, Jeremy’s heart was pumping. He let go of Jean’s hand and distanced himself a little. He was feeling dizzy and tired. He wanted to throw up again.

His hand quickly came up to his mouth and he ran to the toilet. 

Jean didn’t know what was happening. He didn’t know what was wrong. Jeremy was acting very strange lately and, frankly, he was annoyed by it. He had started regretting caring, regretting trusting Jeremy, regretting thinking he was a good person. He was avoiding him and shutting him out, but Jean hadn’t done anything to deserve this. And on top of all that Jeremy was getting sicker and sicker, but he didn’t want to discuss it and Jean had no idea why he kept vomiting.

He was getting more and more aggressive on the court, more and more hostile towards his 

teammates. He kept starting fights with Alvarez in every practise. He pushed himself harder and harder everyday on the court. It was his way of forgetting. The only way he knew off.

He was sitting at the kitchen table. There was a cup of coffee in front of him. He kept touching it, lifting it, but never drinking from it, spinning it around. It was still very hot and his burnt hand was suffering. But, he kept forgetting about it and touching it again and again.

He heard the door open. He slowly got up and exited the kitchen. Jeremy was sprawled on the couch, eyes closed, one hand touching his forehead. Jean stayed still. He suddenly didn’t know what to do with himself. Sit down? Talk? Leave?

Jeremy opened his eyes. He looked very very tired. He didn’t say anything, just stared at Jean. 

“How are you feeling?” Jean asked.

“Absolutely fantastic,” Jeremy murmured.

“Did you go to the doctor?” he continued.

“No,” Jeremy said and Jean’s patience was running low.

“Don’t you think it’s time to?” 

“Not really.”

“Jeremy!” Jean shouted. It was like a glass falling and breaking, shattering the silence. “You are sick and you are not taking this seriously! What are you even doing? Maybe you need medicine or-”

“And why do you care?” Jeremy shouted back, standing up. 

Jean was taken aback. He hadn’t seen that coming. Jeremy never raised his voice. To anyone.

Jeremy let out a frustrated groan and stormed towards the bathroom. He slammed the door behind him. The other boy knocked and knocked, but Jeremy wouldn’t answer or open the damn door. Jean lowered himself and sat down. His back against the door, he was facing the kitchen. His coffee should have gone cold by now. He didn’t get up.

“Jeremy,” he said again, “Can you at least talk to me?”

The voice from the other side of the door sounded coarse and very close. Maybe Jeremy was also sitting down. Jean could imagine their backs touching, without the door in between. 

“I don’t know what to say to you” he said.

“Why don’t you start with the truth?” Jean whispered.

After a while, he started dozing off, welcoming the darkness of sleep, while millions of thoughts were crossing through his mind.

[littlewonderly]

Written for @botqueen420 for the @aftgexchange winter exchange. 

Summary:  Neil had made him like this. Stupid, idiotic, unbelievable and infuriating Neil. Foolish and ridiculous Neil. Nothing Neil. His Neil.

Warnings: off-screen gun violence, protectiveness, mild panic. 

[delilah-briarwood]

missing pieces

There are some things Neil Josten hasn’t told anyone but, as always, Kevin and Andrew find themselves as the exceptions.

My gift for @jayjfox as part of @aftgexchange