#andreil oneshot

[starrycassi]

Out of character.

Andrew is the last person that one would expect to be insecure about himself. But, sometimes, some days, some nights.

Or the one where Nicky indirectly causes his cousin's marriage.

.

When Neil wakes up, the air is wrong.

Instinctively, he checks his own pulse, to make sure that he isn't having a heart attack. He isn't, so, that is good. He checks his own breathing, sits down in bed and looks around, makes sure that his body is okay. Or as okay as it can be after a specially rough night in the rink. US against Canada, the match of the year.

They won, so, that is good. His inner health is okay, also. No signs of any panic attacks coming, or anything of the sorts. Betsy taught him how to identify them.

The air is still wrong.

He takes a deep breath. It isn't the putrid, nose-clogging, overly sweet fragrance he is used to, and that's not good. It isn't sugary syrup and chocolate pancakes, it isn't colorful cereals and strawberry milk. It isn't anything Andrew usually ate for breakfast.

That sets off all his alarms. That was not good. Andrew, like him, has good days and bad days and days when eating is too much of a task for him to perform and he ends up just wanting to sleep in all day. Neil takes care of him, those days. Brings him food, water, and tries to be as quiet as possible throughout the day. If he can't do it, Renee will, and if they can't, Kevin will, and sometimes even Aaron shows up. Nicky's living in Germany now, but he makes sure to video chat often enough.

It's 8 am, already. Neil usually wakes up earlier. He runs out of the bed and into the kitchen, worried. What if it is too late, too late to cook, too late to bake, too late to order delivery, too late to call for an ambulance, too late to give him cpr, too late to-

Andrew is just sitting there, peacefully. In front of him, a bowl of salad. He's eating it

That is weird. Neil's brain doesn't have enough information about the situation to actually do anything. He locks his eyes in Andrew's face, and stares.

Andrew looka up, places his fork down in the green-filled bowl, and smiles.

That isn't good. Oh, God.

Neil suddenly feels so, so lost. He's seen Andrew smile a hundred times before. Under the meds, he smiled all the time; after that, just in a couple of very quick, small gestures on very certain events. A "blink and you'll miss it" situation.

This isn't genuine. This looks copypasted, and suddenly they are 19-ish again, sitting at the bleachers of the PSU exy's court, Andrew smiling at nothing and Neil frowning at him.

"Did you sleep well, honey?"

Wrong. Andrew's voice usually doesn't sound like that. He never says "honey". His tone is off. Is he mad? Playing a prank? Neil's heart skips a beat. The only logical explanation is that, somehow, in the middle of their slumber, Katelyn and him swapped minds and this man in front of him is, actually, Aaron. But this is his mind, and his body, and his house, so not that.

The other suitable theory is that Andrew was been cloned by idiot aliens in his sleep. That seems better.

"Neil? I asked... I asked if you slept well, baby?"

Neil takes one step back.

Andrew and him are not some sort of loveless, tragic, doomed marriage. They are a happy "technically we're secretly married just for the legal and tax benefits" couple, and Andrew is a lovely "technically" husband. He brings Neil new notebooks with funky covers for him to do maths and doodle on, he makes sure that Neils running shoes are in their best shape and a pair is always by the door and ready to be used, he buys electrolytes and a lot of vegetables he doesn't even like, he does small, little things, everyday, to make his "technically" husband's life better.

He never, EVER, calls him baby, though. As a joke, perhaps. When he wants to point out his stupidity and immaturity. Never as a pet name.

This is wrong.

Andrew, smiling, squinted at him. He isn't wearing his glasses. He isn't in his usual outfit. There was more skin showing than it would usually be. Andrew wore pants and long sleeves whenever he could, and this isn't exactly a babydoll, but he's wearing nothing more than his boxers and a wife-beater that belongs to Neil and looks way too tight and a bit too long on him.

He gets up, his smile carved into his face like a curse to bear and not the blessing to witness it usually was. He walks straight to Neil, and his eyes look completely out of it.

Neil should've dealt with things better. Realize that his "technically" husband is intoxicated. But instinct overtakes him, and in less than two minutes, he hastily puts on a pair of running shoes and leaves the house without a word.

He's a shitty "technically" husband.

To try and amend that, he stops in a park that he knows well by now, takes a few deep breaths, and calls Betsy Dobson.

.

Calling Betsy Dobson is one of his least favorite activities. That means something is wrong, and he kikes it when things are good.

(Andrew banned the word "fine" from the household. Good was an easy replacement)

So Neil calls Betsy and explains the situation with guilt, because leaving Andrew alone was a shitty move, Betsy confirms she will call Andrew, and Neil runs back to the house. Betsy calls him back in the middle of the way, says that Andrew's safety isn't compromised, and tries to get him to talk about himself and his feelings about the situation.

He hangs up.

He gets to the house in record time. The 20 minutes it usually takes him to return from the Gardenia Park turned into ten minutes, minutes crushed under his shoes, under his desperation to get back, under the curses at himself for his reaction, under his attempt to think about what is going on, and his many illogical ideal on how to deal with it.

Perhaps he shouldn't hang up on Dobson, in the future.

It's strange, but relieving, to see Andrew, his Andrew, open the door. Black sweater, grey sweatpants, glasses, Andrew. Mildly annoyed, quiet, Andrew. His "technically" husband. His lover. The man he loves. Really, actually, literally, loves.

Andrew rolls his eyes at him and his whole appearance, scowling, and the world is back on track, "Feeling better, rabbit?"

He moves from the door and Neil gets in, smiling. Yeah. Better. Rabbit is a lovely pet name. He likes it. Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit. He likes it. The world is spinning again.

"A bit. Feeling better, geumbal?"

Andrew stays silent, probably trying to remember what the foreign word means.

But that's fine. Uh, good. That's good. Neil drops himself on the couch, panting a bit. This was an extremely confusing situation, and he's beginning to question if it was real or he ran too much and his lack of oxygen made him halucinate or something when Andrew sighs, heavily, and asks, as a force of habit, "Yes or no?"

It's always a yes, and Neil says so. Andrew sits down next to him, and they aren't cuddling, but this is everything Neil could ever possibly have

"So..."

Andrew sighs, again.

"I'll say this, once. Coach sent us some vodka to celebrate yesterday's thing. I drank. Nicky called. He gave me some advice and I was intoxicated enough to try and follow it"

Neil can't help but burst out laughing.

The idea of Nicky trying to give Andrew some love advice is incredibly funny, but Andrew doesn't laugh, or chuckle, or call him stupid or something. He tenses his jaw and looks at the wall, and that's not good.

"I'm glad it was amusing to you, Josten"

"You're technically a Josten too, you know?"

That usually does it. Andrew turns around and Neil acts like he can't see the blush on his "technically" husband's face. Or he calls Neil a ridiculous sap. Or he vaguely says something about divorce rates on same sex couples.

Dobson would want them to talk about things. Andrew would probably listen to her advice and they'll do it anyway. So, might as well.

"Truth for truth. Yes or no?"

Andrew looks at him, lifting his eyebrows. He looks somewhat impressed. It's a spark, and then it's gone. They haven't been playing that, lately. They live, work and sleep together. There's no room for a lot of secrets.

"Yes. Ask"

Neil nods, and gets himself ready. He tries to think about the best, most cohesive way to word his question. Over the years, he's gotten better at covering all his bases in a single question, so Andrew can't claim that he should ask smarter questions if he wants better answers. But his brain is acting weird, and he hasn't eaten anything yet, and he's now used to breakfast, which, isn't it crazy, that Neil Josten is used to breakfast? And that someone usually cooks it for him? And that they share it, calmly and in silence, just because they're both free to do so?

"What led you to listen to Nicky when, before, you never really did that, even drunk or drugged?"

It's a bit of a tongue twister to spit out, but he manages just fine. Andrew frowns some more, and sighs, again. He looks everywhere but at Neil. He's ashamed. Sad. He's uncomfortable. But, he tells himself, he said yes, and this is Neil, and Neil would never hurt him on purpose. And he wants this. He wants to talk about it. And isn't it so crazy, that Andrew Minyard is going to talk about himself? And that someone will listen to him? Just because this is what they both want?

"Contrary to popular belief, I'm not perfect. And even more contrary to popular belief, I am aware of that. I know that I'm not the most pleasant person to be around. I was thinking about it, these days, you know, with the legal paperwork and that. I guess I want to change a bit. For the better"

It's nice, to say it to someone who isn't Bee. It's nice, to look into Neil's eyes and see the millions of emotions running under them. It's nice, to know that 14-yo Andrew Doe would never believe he can say those words to someone. It's nice, to know that 20-yo Andrew Minyard would never want to say those words to someone. It's nice, to be Andrew Minyard-Josten, and simply sit on the sofa and talk things through with his lover. It's nice, to have a lover he actually loves, and wants, and chooses.

Neil leans in, and he mutters the question, and Andrew says yes because he fucking wants to and not because someone is holding a knife to his throat or something like that. They kiss, slowly, with feelings and all that sappy bullshit Andrew Doe wanted to have. They kiss, kindly, and they're so close that Andrew Minyard would have a panic attack and lash out. They kiss.

Then they take a break to breathe. Andrew asks and Neil says no, whispering and chuckling like an idiot, and Andrew may be blushing from the heat of the moment, but he moves away from Neil because they're both safe here. Safe to say yes. Safe to say no.

"I just- I want my question. Ask me again after that"

Andrew doesn't really need to think this one through. His mouth moves before his brain does, vomiting his biggest worry at the moment.

"If you could, what would you... change, in me?"

It's a question he never planned on saying. It feels weird. Like someone else, some lovey dovey married moron, said it. But perhaps that's the kinda person he's becoming. After all, to be loved is to evolve, or something like that.

Neil hums in silence, and Andrew is AJ, Andrew Doe, Andrew Minyard and a ball of anxiety all at once, and then, "Well, full honesty? There's something I'm fucking tired of. I think it's utter bullshit"

And he gets down on one knee. And they didn't do this. They did the legal paperwork, but never this, not this, and Andrew can feel his heart stopping and his idiot of a soon-to-be-again husband has absolutely no ring but that's fine, that's fine because he has Andrew's heart and what else can they fuckin need?

"Andrew Minyard Josten. Yes, or no?"

He never planned this. He never even allowed himself to dream about this, but, God, he's earned it. He wants this, and the "technically" thing was getting old and the sun is coming from the windows and Neil looks somewhat like an angel and they're thirty already and isn't this so weird when did they turn thirty he never planned to make it this far and it's like ten am already and neither one of them's had an actual breakfast and they're both in pajamas and-

"Yes"

And they go back to the whole kissing thing.

[kevindavidday]

thinking about that year of separation andreil had after the twin's graduation...neil's forlorn sighs in class 'cause no andrew to go back to the dorm to...andrew staring out the window and letting his cigarette burn to the filter without taking a drag...because...

[la-pata-fea]

Neil never cuts logs, never uses an axe, never uses weapons like machetes or things like that.

Andrew had a couple of those in their house in Columbia, but he got rid of them as soon as he knew what those weapons meant to Neil.

He also got rid of the cigarette lighters of his car, after seeing Neil freeze when he attempted using one to lit his cigarette and started using matches from then on.

He said he never liked to use them anyways.

[exyandcigarettesmoke]

Okay but what if I start posting The Foxes X Reader one-shots and things? Bc Neil Josten X Reader should absolutely be a thing.

[bellflowerpuddle]

not me side-eying romance media and then turning around and kicking my feet and twirling my hair while reading domestic fan fictions about my favorite ships

[aftgficlibrary]

Neil getting a haircut please and thank u 🙏🙏

yees

-rocky

It kissed your scalp and caressed your brain by DawnDragon32 (G | 2,116 | 1/1)

“Your roots are growing in.” Neil’s eyebrows furrowed, and he twitched just slightly in Andrew’s hold. “This is my natural hair color.” Andrew blinked, slower than normal, and Neil knew his comment made Andrew slightly exasperated. (title from Buzzcut Season - Lorde)

Neil’s New Haircut by awoogah123 (Not Rated | 617 | 1/1)

Allison takes Neil to get his haircut, Andrew loves it

Don't Touch My Hair! by Raven1704 (G | 635 | 1/1)

Neil needs a haircut and the only person to cut it right has graduated, so he decides to go to a barbershop. Of course, nothing good can come of this. The first time neil goes to a barbershop and it doesn't end well.

the keys to start again by cave_canem (T | 4,134 | 1/1)

Grouping all of the Foxes together in a beach house for a week might not be the brightest idea they've ever come up with, but Neil is going to have to deal with it. His distractions include: exy (banned), a haircut (Allison's idea), fast cars (Neil was the one who bought it anyways), and Andrew (warm and grumpy).  Great.

[thethinkingcloth]

once again thinking about chronic pain cot3

[foxhole-pipe-dream]

ik I disappear randomly but err you should read my new fic where Neil butt dials the Foxes while in Columbia w Andrew 😳🫶

[glimmermen]

New arrivals

Andreil oneshot

Neil walked into the apartment, a wide grin on his face as he carried two cardboard boxes. Andrew looked up from his book and raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

"What's in the boxes?" he asked, closing his book and standing up from the couch.

Neil set the boxes down on the coffee table and grinned. "Cats," he said, popping the top off one of the boxes to reveal two small kittens inside. "I adopted them from the shelter today."

Andrew looked at the kittens, then back at Neil. "You adopted cats," he said, as if the concept was completely foreign to him.

Neil nodded. "I did. They're sisters, and they're so cute. I couldn't resist."

Andrew shook his head, but there was a small smile on his lips. "I'm not sure this is a good idea," he said. "You know I'm not exactly a cat person."

"I know," Neil said. "But I'll take care of them. You won't even have to do anything."

Andrew sighed, but he couldn't deny that the kittens were adorable. "Fine," he said. "But if they scratch up my furniture, they're out."

Neil grinned and pulled out a small scratching post from one of the boxes. "Already taken care of," he said.

For the first few days, Andrew stayed true to his word and mostly ignored the kittens. They would climb all over him and try to play with him, but he would just push them off and go back to his book. Neil took care of them, feeding them and cleaning up after them, and it seemed like they were never going to warm up to Andrew.

But then, one evening, Neil had to stay late at work and Andrew was left alone with the kittens. He was reading a book when he felt something brush against his leg. He looked down to see one of the kittens staring up at him with big, innocent eyes.

Andrew sighed and reached down to pick her up. She purred contentedly as he stroked her soft fur. Then, the other kitten came over and jumped onto Andrew's lap. Andrew tensed up, but the kitten just curled up next to him and started to purr as well.

Before he knew it, Andrew was completely surrounded by purring, cuddly kittens. He couldn't help but smile as they snuggled up to him, and he realized that maybe having cats around wasn't such a bad thing after all.

When Neil came home, he found Andrew sitting on the couch with both kittens in his lap, a content smile on his face. "Looks like they've won you over," Neil said with a grin.

Andrew rolled his eyes, but he couldn't deny that the kittens had somehow worked their way into his heart. "I guess they have," he said, and the kittens meowed happily in agreement.

[desolatebee]

mine, you are.

- andreil, 600w, teen.

my new work uploaded on ao3!

[starrycassi]

I know I haven't posted in AGES but I come to recommend everyone the fanfic Odd Eye by tdashshirts it's absolutely life changing

[la-pata-fea]

Neil is a fucking king of all card games that include lying or having a fucking pocket face, but he sucks at monopoly.

Andrew wins every single Yenga game, but sucks at clue. He hates trivia games, but if he absolutely has to play, he’ll win like, 100 over 10.( and would use all those weird names and facts, like using the scientific name for the flowers and stuff)

Aaron doesn’t understand the rules in UNO, and he thinks everyone is always cheating.

Nicky ALWAYS cheats, even tho he always gets caught. He’s good in acting stuff like Cranium tho.

Kevin sucks in every game but exy, and he never understands the rules, so he has to play with someone else.

[aneiria-writes]

By Any Other Name - an Andreil soulmates AU

Neil Josten had never given the initials marking his inner wrist much notice. The AD had been there for as long as he could remember, just like any other soulmate mark, but his mother had beaten the idea of a soulmate out of him during the half of his life they spent on the run together. The idea of soulmates was nothing but a trap, she’d snarled at him, after she’d caught him kissing a girl with the same initials. Nothing but an anchor, weighing them down, something else to draw Nathan Wesninski and his murderous crew dangerously close to wherever they were hiding.

It didn’t take many beatings for Neil to learn the lesson, but he didn’t really feel like he was missing anything: sure, he’d kissed a few girls, but mainly out of curiosity rather than any kind of desire. Nothing and nobody caught his attention, so he took his mother’s warning on board and focused his energy on survival instead.

It had been a simple enough life, in its own, complicated way.

Then, his mother died, and Neil buried her bones in the sand, and he stopped running.

Then, he lingered at Millport and accepted an exy scholarship to Palmetto State.

Then, he met Andrew Minyard.

Read now on AO3!

[exycourtbesties]

today is my day off and i’m gonna finish a fic!! maybe two!! i am several transitional phrases away from that reality & they’re taunting me & im speaking it into existence

[bea-l-t]

Because I love Andreil fanfics to an unhealthy degree, here are my recommendations (and like a paragraph each for why you should read them). Also all of them are complete. I couldn't get links to any of the locked content to work, but I still included the recommendations for ao3 account users:

For angsty AUs where college and exy are still things:

-Raised on Little Light by maqicien. Where Wymack adopted Neil at age 13. Good if you like lots of angst, edgy Neil that still gets his damsel in distress moments, and some really cute relationship moments in between.

-There's Just No Getting Through by maqicien (can you tell I like this author?). A series of oneshots where Neil is a Raven and Andrew is still a fox and the two date secretly. Technically, this is a series, and the series itself kind of leaves off at a cliffhanger that could be seen as incomplete. Personally, I just pretend that the last paragraph of the last part doesn't exist and we're good to go. Good if you like pining and edgy Andriel. Andrew especially feels very canon with his personality.

-The Road to Nowhere by emmerrr. A post-apocalyptic world where Neil joins the foxes as they all try to survive at an abandoned PSU. Good if you like your fics to still vaguely follow the bigger points of the canon content, some angst, domestic fluff and of course an edgy (but still damsel) Neil. Honestly just extremely well written and the characters feel very canon personality-wise. (Bonus if you like Renee/Allison)

For post-canon lovers (all except one are about an injured Neil):

-Scribbles and Sticky Notes by Fortheloveofexy. A (long) oneshot where Neil faces a career-ending injury. Read the tags/content warnings to get a better idea of what you're getting into, but this fic hurts so good. Featuring a lot of domestic fluff. I feel like this fic feels extremely true to how middle-aged Andriel would act.

-The Bones of You by emmerrr (again, love this author). Neil and Andrew are married in this! Neil gets injured during an Exy match and goes through a difficult recovery. Featuring the Moriyamas, Renee/Allison (mentioned), Kevin& Allison being besties, Wymack/Abby, and domestic fluff.

- You go your way, I'll go your way too by Emmerrr (Cannot emphasize how good their fics are). The only fic in this section that isn't about Neil getting injured! About the time that Neil and Andrew spend doing long distance. It's adorable.

-Pause and Restart My Heart by knoxham. A two-part series where Neil and Andrew get into a car accident, Neil goes into a coma, Andrew has many feelings. Part two obviously has spoilers for part one, but they're both very much worth the read.

-Calling Me Back Once Again by fuzzballsheltiepants. On a ski trip, Neil gets lost during a storm. An angsty wait for search and rescue to find him ensues.

Other POVs of the canon events/books:

-never fallen (from quite this high) by crystalcrow. The series from Andrew's POV. I really like the twins and their dynamic in this.

-Yes, Coach by emerrr (last fic I'll recommend by them, I promise). The whole series from Wymack's POV. It's a digestible length, so 10/10.

Anyway, hope these find fic lovers well!