#crumplelush

[crumplelush]

Neil is in love with his FWB and doesn't know how to deal, so he doesn't.

My mixtape, based on Millions by Gerard Way

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman AU - Part 44

Those who have requested are tagged below:

@themundanemudperson @readertodeath @apileofpillows @mortalsbowbeforeme @hellomynameismoo @next-level-mess @youreonlylow @interstellarfig @notprocrastinatingatalltoday @percyjacksonfan3 @queenofcrazy27 @bsmr261 @ghostlyscares @spencellio @mohnblu-me @harpymoth @sufferingjustalilbit @anxietymoss @oddgreyhound @ohno-myhyperfixation-itsbroken @ken22789 @atiredvampire @isoldescorner @not--a--pipedream @azure-wing @bushbees  @roonilwazlib-main @crumplelush @foldedaces--paperbirds @thesenseinnonsense @let-tyrants-fear @ketchupandfries @legowerewolf @deadlydodos @but-we-respect-his-craft @cariniqe @zanypersonapricotbiscuit @lesbian-blackbeard @lesbiansupernatural @silvermasquerade @thepeachfuzz @minniemariex @kazoo-the-demjin @gaypomegranate @ji-nk-ies  @omgrubelangel @itsyouitsmeorpheuseurydice @percabethotplove @queer-crows @cozyrosykay

[biboybuckley]

that’s it that’s the entire series right there. hc almost any characters and it works.

@m1nyard @crumplelush

so. i’ve had way too much time on trains and no reliable service. thus: i read the entire aftg series in the last 72 hours. as a consequence i am now batshit crazy. don’t mind me.

[ravenvsfox]

I have two prompts from the Hozier lyric thing for Andreil: “we should quit” or “tell me what you’d do to me tonight”. Pick your fave! (Or both of you’re feeling adventurous)

from the full line: lord we should quit but we love it too much

They meet in sticky July, two sore thumb prints stamped into the wall at the back of the dance floor. Neil’s nose is bloodied, and he looks lost, a wounded wallflower twisting in the wind. He keeps pulling at his shirt, slightly sheer and obviously the wrong size for him. 

His scars are invisible until Andrew leads him into the bathroom, where the overhead lights make them unavoidable.

They only talk that first time, under the glare of the fluorescents, dabbing at a wound that Neil won’t say how he got.

He can tell that Neil is interested by him, but not in him. The way they speak to each other is the way a bull and a matador tussle, afraid, both thinking they have the upper hand.

They run into each other again at the same club, Neil lingering at the back like they’d planned to meet there and Andrew was already late. He takes him outside to smoke, this time, and they orchestrate a game of twenty questions until the summer sun pops its head quizzically over the horizon.

They walk home in opposite directions, through chirruping robins and baby blue sky, Andrew glancing back at Neil, who is glancing back at him. He can’t figure out where all of this want is coming from. He can’t find the source of it.

They meet a few more times that summer, and then he doesn’t see him again until a windy day in October. 

Andrew steps out of his second year biology class and finds Neil waiting for the class across the hall to get out. He’s wearing round brown glasses, his hair is dyed black, and he purses his lips when their eyes connect. Andrew can tell he’s pleased to see him.

Neil tells him that he was recruited to Palmetto to play exy, and Andrew says “what’s that” because he can tell now that Neil is one of those athletes who doesn’t understand the point of anything else. He didn’t mention it, though, in all the times that he spoke to Andrew before.

They walk all the way across campus to the court, and circle its shiny white walls in a slow perimeter. Neil describes various exy positions and plays and Andrew describes how much he doesn’t care.

Neil asks him if there’s anything he actually likes doing, at which point Andrew takes him back to his dorm, and holds his hand when he sucks him off.

After that, they have the strange, floating arrangement of two people who will swallow each other whole before they share any of their secrets. They’re not friends, and the sex isn’t really a benefit, because it’s agonizing, how much he thinks about it, and how much more he wants.

He can’t stop wondering who Neil might be. He is a beautiful window display on a closed store.

They don’t step into each other’s lives unless it’s into a room with a locking door. The more they talk though, the more receptive Neil gets, and he starts seeking Andrew out on campus, looking sunken-eyed and famished until they come together again. 

This is how Andrew knows they should stop. 

“You should come to our home game, on Friday,” Neil says. He’s smeared down the length of Andrew’s bed, and his arms are crossed behind his head. His glasses are on the bedside table. Andrew doesn’t know why he bothers wearing them, when they always end up torn off. He knows they’re not prescription. Maybe the disguise makes him feel better.

“I should not,” Andrew says. He blows smoke up into the whirring ceiling fan. 

“You don’t want to see what I do all the time?”

“I don’t want to waste my time on a sporting event,” he says. “And I don’t care what you do.”

“Right,” Neil says, working himself up onto his elbows. “Except that I saw you watching us practice, last week.”

“We were supposed to meet at five,” Andrew says coolly. “I was there at five.”

“But you know we go long on Mondays, and you never come on time. You sat through twenty-five minutes of wrap-up.”

“I had nowhere else to be.”

“Or maybe you just like to watch,” Neil says slyly. 

Andrew narrows his eyes. “Even if I had the patience to sit through a three hour game, I have no interest in meeting your friends,” he tells him.

Neil shrugs. “Don’t have any.”

“I won’t be a cheerleader for your bastard sport.”

“Fine,” Neil says shortly.

“And we’re not dating.”

“Fine,” Neil repeats.

Andrew shifts in the covers. He doesn’t know why he does it, but he leans over and presses a kiss to Neil’s hip. A hand closes in his hair.

______

The foxes win their home game, a sweeping 11-4. Andrew stands outside the court with his head tipped back into the wall, eyes shut, feeling the vibrations of their victory. 

“You came,” a voice says.

Andrew keeps his eyes closed, even when he feels Neil come right up to him, even when the post-game humidity from his skin spreads between them. Or maybe Andrew was already hot, thinking about Neil bounding across the court, a comet captured in a jar.

He finally opens his eyes when Neil presses a shy kiss to his throat.

“We can’t sleep together anymore,” Andrew hears himself say. Neil steps backwards.

“Okay,” he says, confused. “Why?”

“You love exy.”

“Andrew,” Neil huffs. “That’s fucking stupid.”

“You love chasing a rush,” Andrew continues, in a monotone, like it doesn’t bother him one way or another. “To the court. To my bed. But the rush will run out.”

“But it hasn’t yet,” Neil says slowly. “Are you saying you don’t feel that kind of rush for anything?”

No, Andrew thinks. I’m saying I do. And he didn’t think he could. And he sat in the stands for hours, watching Neil run, and drink water, and clack sticks with people he doesn’t know, and the crowd around him was paper, and time started ticking backwards. 

The last time he’d wanted something so much that nothing else mattered, everything had gone brutally wrong.

“Yes,” he lies.

Neil’s eyes spark and fire up. “Bullshit. You think if you look neutral enough, and you hold your cards close to your chest, that no one will know that you want things.”

He crosses, then uncrosses his arms. People are starting to flow out of the doorways to the parking lot behind them.

“But I’ve heard you talk about your brother. I’ve seen how you read up about the things that matter to you. You memorize them.” He lowers his voice. “And I’ve kissed you,” he says. “I know you feel things.”

“What did you think this was going to be,” Andrew says, a little cruelly. “A life partnership?”

“Why does it have to be anything other than what it is?” Neil asks. 

“Attachment ruins people’s lives.”

Neil’s shoulders go slack, and his mouth twists in understanding. “Sometimes, but sometimes it saves them.”

“You want to save me?” Andrew says, like it’s a dark joke.

Neil lets this slide right over him. “If you want.”

He doesn’t know what to do with this. He’s very aware that he’s being fought for, and it’s so completely unfamiliar that it’s making him a little sick, like rich food on an empty stomach.

He doesn’t say anything, and Neil smiles. His face is still pink from the exertion of the game, and he couldn’t look more vivid and familiar.

They should really stop.

“Can I kiss you?” Neil asks.

They’re never going to make it out of this alive.

“Yes,” he tells him. Of course he does.

If his life is going to tumble out of control again, this time he’s going to enjoy it.

[badacts]

Prompt: Riko survives TKM and gets onto a pro team. Where he immediately becomes nothing special and is eventually dropped due to his awful behaviour and self entitlement.

THIS IS SO FUNNY WHAT

“You look self-satisfied,” Andrew notes in his usual semi-bored tone, a comment which is actually a question. He’s just come in from the mall, a couple of bags in his hand that he puts down by the couch in favour of watching Neil.

“Hm,” Neil replies. “Have you read the news today?”

“Not whatever it is that has that expression on your face.”

Neil picks up his phone, opens the page he wants, and throws it underarm to Andrew, who catches it easily. 

About halfway through reading, Andrew’s mouth twitches. It’s basically the same reaction Neil had had - amusement, closely followed by a wave of relish. The long game can be just that - long - but there’s still always a winner in the end.

Andrew tosses the phone back. “What did Kevin say?”

Because, of course, Kevin would have been the first person Neil talked to after finding out. Neil doesn’t mind being considered predictable in this sense.

“He’s the one who told me,” he admits. “I think he’s relieved.”

Andrew makes a noise of agreement, sitting on the couch and flicking the TV on. On screen, a bunch of reporters have Jeremy Knox bailed up in front of a building, wearing an oversized USA Exy jacket and jean shorts. He’s saying, “Look, I don’t have a comment to make on this.”

“The Aces just dropped one of the best players in the league for what they called ‘behavioural issues’, and you as the captain of the US team don’t have an opinion on that?” someone asks.

Jeremy shrugs, unbothered and uncaring, or at least a good seeming of it. “A player being dropped off the roster of a low-ranked team isn’t relevant to the US Court. All I can say is that our selections agree to abide by our core values of teamwork and sportsmanship, and players who can’t uphold those promises will never play for the US. Now, if you’ll excuse me-”

“I hope Kevin is watching this,” Neil says, a pointless comment because he knows that Kevin will be. “Talk about kicking someone already down.”

“It’s true,” Andrew points out. His lack of caring is genuine - Riko stopped being a threat to anyone he cares about years ago.

“Yes,” Neil agrees. He’s smiling, can feel it on his face. He’s not afraid of Riko anymore either, but that doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy a good self-inflicted downfall. “It is.” 

[nickireadstfc]

I'm ugly laughing at trojean. I can't believe I've never heard that joke before.

Listen you can pry these puns from my cold dead hands aight

[zenosanalytic]

This is one of the reason Republican voters loved Trump so much cuz he just said this straight up: Anyone not from northern Europe were “rapists”, “thieves”,  “moochers” and “plague-rats”, while he ranted about Scandinavians, English, and Germans not wanting to immigrate to the US in larger numbers.

[jingerhead]

You know since you offered…. would you do a fic rec? I just love your taste 💛💛💛

I would LOVE to anon! Here's a few things depending on what you're interested in, all of these are andreil (plus some Kateaaron):

Fluff:

strawberry sweetness and light (doesn't taste like lies) by ephemeralsky (fake dating)

i won't fall (unless you ask me to) by moonsock (Spider-Neil being very bad at hiding his identity from his roommate)

I Hate Him by DorothyHatesYou (Soulmate AU where you feel pain when they lie to you)

Reason Number Five by fellasisitgay91219 (Andrew lists the reasons why he hates Neil)

The Last Rose of Summer by rooftopkisses (Misunderstandings but there's too much fluff to go into angst)

Crack:

shortcomings (honestly, fuck you tilda) by stickball11 (Andrew's short people problems)

Swipe Right for Idiot by @paradoxolotl (Neil on grindr)

if you can't take the heat... by Ominous (Andrew and Aaron can't handle spicy things)

i'll crawl home to him by sporadicheartcollector (honestly idk where to put this one, it's a lot in one fic PF but it's good. Andrew has fallen hard for cheerleader Neil)

Two of a Kind by gluupor (Andrew and Aaron pretending to be the same person what could possibly go wrong)

Angst:

deafening silence by jemwrites (deaf Neil)

you're holy to me by melopeya (surprise Kateaaron! Aaron needs a reminder he's loved)

Will We Ever Lift The Curse? by IKnowWhoYouAre_Damianos (warnings for mild smut, long-distance is hard enough but add Valentines day on top of it too)

Miscalculation by EmmmaMmmm (angst with a happy ending)

You Might Get It by likearecord (miscommunication)

Smut:

Yes or No? by @fortheloveofexy (andreil trying BDSM with sub Andrew)

Sonata by alexjosten (locked fic, honestly this is just so poetic I die)

Except When It's No by TheRainbowElectric (MAJOR WARNINGS, MAKE SURE TO READ THEM! Neil saying 'no')

Seven Years Too Late by @amaliaisabel (Smut sequel to the Professors AU)

I Want 10 by Anonymous (Neil gets edged 10 times)

Absolute Favorites:

Like A Hazy Summer Morning by shadowdreams (YouTuber Neil and Andrew who watches his videos)

Pulling and Pushing by @amaliaisabel (Professors AU)

Missed Cues by ApprenticedMagician (Andrew keeps trying and failing to propose)

Love To Hate You by crumplelush (Minyard-Josten Rivalry and it could also go under crack and it's amazing)

Highly Improbable by NikNak22 (Neil trying to see what Andrew's interested in 'cause this 'friend' might be interested in him)

[fortheloveofexy]

Comfy Boi Neil 💕 commission for @crumplelush

[neil-jortson]

Devil on My Shoulder

I wrote this for @crumplelush as part of the @aftgexchange ! 

The concept of a soulmate was not foreign. For millennia it was believed that the voice in your head was your conscious or intrusive thoughts. That was misleading. It was an intrusive thought for sometimes you get thoughts that aren’t your own.

Andrew Joseph Minyard was given the devil as his soulmate.

Okay that may be an exaggeration, but Neil Josten was no saint.

As long as Andrew can remember, he has had a devilish voice in his head. The very first time he heard it was when he was five years old. He was sat on a weathered couch made out of a long indistinguishable material and watched the local news channel. The antenna picked up a few channels, but nothing could really hold the attention of the boy.

Andrew heard a voice echo in his mind. It came from all around, crushing in towards his skull. The voice said, “I don’t want to go. It’s not fair. I don’t want to go to the basement.”

Andrew stilled. His small fingers fiddled with the tv remote to mute it. He heard nothing else for a few minutes and unmuted the tv.

He asked his foster mother why he had thoughts that weren’t his own. She explained that some people have a special connection that allows them to talk inside each other's minds.

“Like walkie talkies?” Andrew asked.

“Yeah. Exactly like that,” she said.

The first night Andrew tried to talk to his soulmate was the day his foster mother got sick. She was cleaning dishes at the kitchen counter when she fell and hit her head. The doctors found something on her scans and the foster father sent Andrew packing the next day.

“Why do people have to die?” Andrew asked himself into the cold empty bedroom.

“It’s like mama says: most people die to do something,” the voice in his head said.

“That makes no sense.”

“You make no sense.” the voice said.

“Who are you?” Andrew asked.

“Who are you?” the voice asked.

“Andrew.”

“I have another name but mama doesn’t like it so she calls me Abram,” he said. “She says I shouldn’t talk to the voices in my head.”

Andrew felt a rise in temperature as he spat out the words, “then don’t.”

Abram didn’t talk to him for a few weeks after that.

Over time, Andrew and Abram began to trust each other. They shared secrets and kept each other company. They slept at slightly different times and often didn’t want to talk. It was nice. They shared in moments of triumph and terror. It hurt Andrew to feel helpless as Abram cried from across the country.

Andrew was twelve when things began to change. Something was wrong with Abram. He wouldn’t respond when he should be up and he rarely spoke to Andrew. The most he had said was “stop bugging me.”

Andrew was sitting in second period english class when he heard a scream. It didn’t sound like Abram’s normal communication. His head swiveled around trying to see if anyone else heard it. Others in the class just looked forward at the teacher. It was him.

“Don’t let me die,” Abram cried.

“What’s wrong,” Andrew asked in his mind. It had taken time for him to not need to speak the words aloud. He still had to mouth them, but it was an improvement nonetheless.

“My shoulder,” Abram panted, “I - ow. Mom, why are they shooting at us?”

Andrew kept his face as still as stone. He missed the rest of the lecture and the sound of the bell. It was hard to hear anything other than the agony Abram faced.

“I hate you,” Andrew said.

“Take your ticket and get in line,” Abram said.

Andrew was worried that would be the last time Abram spoke to him. He didn’t know what happened and after that Abram’s voice faded from his mind. Andrew reached out to the recesses of his mind occasionally after that. He would speak into the void and hear nothing in return.

Six months had gone by and Andrew was thirteen years old.

“I won’t ask again,” Andrew said. “Are you listening? Are you alive?”

The clock ticked on the wall in front of him. He sat on the living room sofa of his new foster home. If he worked hard enough, he thought it might be the one he could age out of.

The voice was scratchy and accented when he replied, “I can’t talk to you anymore.”

“Why not?” Andrew asked.

“I’m running from a bad man and if you knew where I was or if they found out it was you I talk to, they would hurt you. I won’t let them hurt you,” he said.

“I can take care of myself,” Andrew said.

“Not like this. Not from them,” Abram said.

“Are you sure you aren’t just pushing me away because your mommy told you to?” Andrew taunted, recalling the very first time Abram spoke to him.

Abram was silent.

“You can’t let her decide everything for you. The only way anyone would figure out who I was is if you told them,” Andrew said.

“I would never,” Abram said.

“Then keep talking to me. I don’t want to keep thinking that you’re dead,” Andrew said.

“I’ll think about it,” Abram compromised.

Time passed and Andrew and Abram grew closer still. The time difference as Abram traveled was hard to work around. They would often wake in the middle of the night to the other trying to get their attention. Abram was cagey about the situation and would never tell Andrew his real name. Andrew told him what went on in the Spear’s house.

“Why don’t you just leave?” Abram asked.

“It’s not that simple,” Andrew said.

“You left the last palace just fine and it only had a creeper,” Abram said.

“They didn’t want me. Cass does. I can tough it out. Drake leaves soon and I just have to make it to Septemeber,” Andrew says.

“I don’t want to have to worry about a dead soulmate, Drew,” Abram said.

“Don’t call me that,” Andrew said.

“What?” Abram asked. “Drew or soulmate?”

“Either.”

Things become more tense as Andrew found out about Aaron and Abram’s mother continued to be a tyrant. She beat Abram black and blue when she caught him mouthing to the air the words that rang into Andrew’s mind. Abram was always quieter after her reminders.

Andrew settled out by the time he made it to columbia with Aaron and Nicky. It made it easier on Nicky to be across the world when he could speak to his soulmate in his mind. He had never mastered the art of keeping his mouth shut while speaking to his soulmate so it led to some uncomfortable things being eavesdropped.

“You all just don’t get what it’s like,” Nicky complained, “It’s like he’s right there in my mind, but he isn’t here. I just want him here like he his in my mind.”

Andrew imagined Abram standing in front of him. He had no idea what he looked like. Was he short like Andrew? Did he have brown hair? Green eyes? He knew the boy would be riddled with scars, but what would it feel like to touch them. Would he have abs?

Andrew’s thoughts were cut off by Aaron speaking, “Nicky, my soulmates half way across the continent right now.”

“If she knows what’s good for her that’s where she will stay,” Andrew said.

“God do you even have a soulmate or did the universe decide no one could like you enough to put up with you in their minds 24/7?” Aaron said.

“They gave me the devil for a soulmate,” Andrew said.

Nicky laughed like it was a joke. His chuckles faded into concern as Andrew gave no indication he was joking.

“You’re shitting me right?” Nicky asked.

Andrew got up to leave the room.

He heard as he closed the door, “He’s shitting me,” from Nicky.

Andrew rarely spoke to Abram without meaning to. It happened more often when he was a child, but as he grew every word that was spoken in his mind with the intent to reach Abram was chosen carefully. His only lapse occurred the night Nicky was attacked.

He and Abram had been chatting as Andrew watched over Nicky and Aaron at the club. Abram was about to go for a run and with a quick glance to Roland, Andrew was ready to say goodbye. They broke off their mental communication and Andrew made his way down the steps. His attention was pulled from the crowd as he saw Nicky make his way outside. A quick glance to Aaron showed that he was safely at the bar watching some girl bat her eyelashes to get free drinks. Andrew made his way out the door to follow Nicky. His pace picked up when he heard the sound of fists hitting skin.

Andrew rounded the corner and saw Nicky getting beaten by three men. His mind went blank as he launched himself into the fight.

“I’m going to kill them,” he repeated to himself over and over again.

His fist was about to land a devastating blow when he heard Abram cry out in dissent. The sound of his voice was enough to pull him back for just a moment.

“They need to die,” Andrew said.

“Don’t. Don’t turn into just another monster Drew,” Abram said.

His breaths were slowing and security pulled him away from the men. They were beaten badly, but no more severe than what they had done to Nicky. Andrew was cuffed, Nicky was crying, and Aaron stood there with his mouth hanging open.

As Andrew passed by, Aaron asked, “Why?”

Aaron was asking why he had done it. Andrew took it as a question of why did he stop.

“The devil told me to,” Andrew replied in German.

It was a close call, but with a couple of hours of community service and mandated therapy sessions, Andrew was free to do as he pleased. It didn’t leave any lasting effects other than the need to see a shrink every week. It was enough to push away any exy teams that may had been interested in his stats, well all but two teams.

When Riko came crawling to Andrew, it was easy to say no. When he mentioned it to Abram, he was conflicted. He told Andrew to stay away from the Moriyamas, but Andrew opened a new can of worms by revealing he played exy. Abram asked him so many questions Andrew wished he could gouge out his ears but it still wouldn’t work.

Abram’s mother died five hours before Wymack came to ask Andrew to join the foxes. Andrew had spent the better part of his day tucked away in his room talking to Abram, attempting to calm him down. Andrew offered for him to come live with Nicky and Aaron. Abram had gone quiet after that. Andrew was worried he had fucked it up with him. What if Abram never wanted to see him? Did he want to meet Abram?

Nicky banged on the door not long after to tell him to come to Sweeties. They made their way to the table and were approached by Coach Wymack. He offered all of them a full ride and Aaron was ecstatic. Andrew worried about drawing attention to himself and inadvertently Abram as well. He asked Abram and it took a few minutes but he could hear a quiet “sure” arise from the corner of his mind. Wymack saw right through him even though Andrew made it seem like he was just thinking about the offer. He raised an eyebrow at Andrew asking his soulmate about it.

“I can always take another fox. If they can hold a racquet and run,” Wymack said.

Aaron and Nicky looked at each other like Wymack was crazy.

Wymack dropped the subject and left them to fill out the paperwork. Abram asked gentle questions about it all and managed to find out he was approached by the foxes. He says it was easy because no other team would be that desperate for Andrew and bodies on the field to get both Nicky and Aaron.

A few weeks later, Abram found a magazine stand announcing the “make or break deal” that was signing the Minyards. He spoke into Andrew’s mind while Andrew was playing video games with Nicky and Aaron.

“Just saw you in a magazine. Not going to lie, you’re pretty hot,” Abram said into his mind.

Nicky glanced over just a moment after and got caught looking at Andrew. He could feel his ears alight with the praise of Abram and tried to give his meanest look to Nicky. It didn’t work as Nicky just giggled at him and kept playing the game.

“Shut up,” Andrew said, “I hate you.”

“Every time you say that, I believe you less and less.”

Things settled out at Palmetto. Andrew kept Aaron on a tight leash as he pretended the cheerleader wasn’t his soulmate. Nicky kept them all in better spirits while hating that he couldn’t befriend the upperclassman. Andrew hadn’t told Abram about Kevin, the tabloids did. Ever since the news broke about Kevin switching teams to the foxes, there had been radio silence from Abram.

Kevin asked him often how the information he had on the Moriyamas didn't shock him. He replied that nothing shocked him anymore. Wymack knew there was something more to it, but didn’t press the issue.

It was a thursday evening when all the foxes were gathered for a practice when it happened. Abby was there to make do a check up on Kevin’s hand before practice and all the foxes had arrived right on time.

Andrew was sitting on his seat on the couch when he heard Abram’s voice.

“Where are you?” His voiced sounded strained like he was running.

“The stadium,” Andrew replied.

Wymack noticed that Andrew’s eyes had that far away look that only occurred when he was hearing a voice that wasn’t there.

“I don’t know how, but they found me and I’m at the parking lot but I don’t know what to do,” Abram said.

“You’re here?” Andrew asked. His body shifted up quickly, catching the attention of Renee and Wymack.

“Where can I hide?” Abram asked.

“Head towards the green lamppost and turn left. There should be a door with a keypad lock on it. The passcode is 0805 and I’ll come open up the locked doors,” Andrew said.

“I’ll just pick them,” Abram said.

Andrew removed a knife from his armband and stood from his chair. He walked to Renee and said, “For safe keeping.”

He then turned and opened Wymack’s door. Wymack was looking through files for the upcoming years recruits. Papers were scattered across the table and coffee stained half the folders.

“When we first met, how serious were you about taking in another fox?” Andrew asked.

“Pretty damn serious, kid,” Wymack said.

“Good cause we got one coming in fast,” Andrew replied.

“I’m in where do I go now?” Abram asked.

“Second hallway on the right then it’s a straight shot till you see the couches,” Andrew said.

“Sorry about the blood trail,” Abram said.

“Hey coach. Call security to add more bodies around the stadium and grab Abby while you’re at it,” Andrew said while walking towards the door to the office.

He heard a scuffle of shoes coming down the hallway and a halted murmur of the foxes.

Andrew opened the doors and waited for Abram to arrive. It didn’t take long and he wasn’t wrong about the blood trail. The foxes gasped as Abram crossed the threshold into the room. Renee stood between the foxes and Abram, her knife held up and defenses high.

Abram raised one arm in a surrender but kept the other clutched to his side.

“When you said you were coming, you failed to mention that you were leaving behind half the blood in your body,” Andrew said.

It was the first time he had spoken aloud to Abram. He was devastatingly gorgeous. Even covered in blood and god knows what else, he was handsome. The sharp angles of his cheekbones mixed with the softness of his lips was an alluring combination on anyone. Combine that with his spitfire personality and he really was the work of the devil.

“Fuck off,” Abram coughed, “I told you I was sorry about the blood trail.”

Abram’s knees started to wobble as he continued to cough. Andrew walked swiftly to grab him underneath his armpits and hold him up as he started to drop. He shifted his weight and threw Abram’s arm over his shoulders. He gestured for renee to open Abby’s door.

With the help of Abby, Abram’s wounds were cleaned and the bleeding had stopped. The foxes had crept around the door trying to catch a glimpse, but Andrew wouldn't let them in. The whole time Abram and Andrew were arguing about what to do. Abram wanted to leave to protect Andrew but Andrew wasn’t ready to let him go. It took a lot of coaxing but Abram agreed he would get his GED and become a fox the following year.

When they were ready, Andrew helped Abram stumble out and meet the rest of the foxes. Wymack glanced at the way Andrew grabbed hold of Abram and nodded his head like he was proud he had guessed correctly.

“Are you going to live?” Wyamck asked.

Abram nodded.

“How fast can you run?” Wymack asked.

“I don’t know exactly. Ballpark estimate the last time I ran a mile while timed it was like sub 5 and a half for sure. I have completed a couple of marathons though. It wasn’t technically a marathon but I ran like twenty miles,” Abram said.

“I’ll get the paperwork then,” Wymack said.

“Who the hell are you?” Dan interjected.

“Oh,” Abram said, glancing at Andrew, “I’m Neil, Neil Josten.”

Andrew said the name to himself a few times. Neil. It had a nice ring to it.

[aftgexchange]

Round Up: Fall 2021

FIC

Good Morning Baltimore by @jostenlovesminyard for accal1a (andreil)

Coffee first? by @doodlingstuff for rainb0w0bsidian (andreil, jerejean, danmatt)

Stargazing or some shit by @accal1a for kanekicure (andreil)

Burnt Matches or Straw by @autumnalpalmetto for scribbleb-red (andreil)

We Aim to Win by @kingfluffkins -thethird for xlady-saya (andreil)

Won't You Lie to Me by ana_quien for jayjfox (kandreil)

(Hope You Have) a Lot of Nice Things to Wear by @flowerparrishcreates for doodlingstuff (andreil)

Temporary Tattoos, Permanent Partnership by @keys-crows-dreamers-scones for crumplelush (andreil)

Stop the Clocks by @scribbleb-red for foxeshaveclaws (andreil)

We're All Stories in the End by @justadreamfox for alex-wh0

The One That Got Away by neilmoony for foxyroxisworld (andreil)

The Three Motif by emmytriesfanfic for justadreamfox (kandreil)

A Me For Every You by sambutwithbooks for dorykeepsswimmin (andreil)

Forever It Is by bazerella for shinasgaycorner (jerejean)

They Haven't Come for Me by dejahedy for imperfectcourt (andreil)

A Very Happy Halloween by roseandwoodbine for mystrana (andreil)

Me of You by lisluger for makebelieveanything (kandreil)

The Bodyguard by @bri-ghtly for lisluger (kandreil)

Pumpkin Scones by@foxeshaveclaws for keys-crows-dreamers-scones (kevaaron)

Beyond the Terror in the Nightfall by @wishopenastar for desert-lily (kandreil)

Accidentally On Purpose by @cinnamonfoxjosten for imaginedmelody (andreil)

When Ravens Learn to Fly by @lyndiscealin for neilmoony (andreil)

A Life Less Ordinary by @crumplelush for patroklosandachilles (andreil)

Fall Into My Arms (Literally) by @avengerpercy for catasterisms (andreil)

25 Years and Counting by @kanekicure for knox-knocks (andreil)

Follow Me Into the Dark by @xlady-saya for sirfatcat-mccatterson (andreil)

Tremble by @plantelty for kaijuusandkryptids (renison)

Welly I'll Be by @dorykeepsswimmin for thisuserlovesyou (andreil)

If I Could Look Past the Present by @catasterisms for tomat0head (andreil)

Love in the Time of Zombies by @nerdzewordart for gayberooni (andreil)

Aaron’s Terrible Horrible No Good Very Correct Assumption by @andthenthefirenationattacked for plantelty (aaron x katelyn, andreil)

White Lights and Tiny Blonde Angels by @abraxos-is-toothless for lyndiscealin (andreil)

Secret Weapon by @bayta-darell for libercapitu (kerejean)

Strays by @junkie-affectionate for avengerpercy (andreil)

There Was Only One Pumpkin by @thisuserlovesyou for annawrites (andreil)

Aaron's Lament by @nanatsuyu for sqaceyy (aaron x katelyn)

In Your Dreams by @ratbandaid for teomoy (andreil)

Strikethrough (Unnecessary but not Unwanted) by @youhaveahomeinmyheart for ariren42 (andreil)

The Massive Continuity of Ducks by @fuzzballsheltiepants for theicequeenwrites (andreil)

Bets, Blind Dates, and Dares, Oh My! by @makebelieveanything for abraxos-is-toothless (andreil)

Fae AU by @knox-knocks for junkie-affectionate (andreil)

Two Weddings and a Baby by @buckywithegoodhair for lufwoodemilius (renison, andreil)

Not Soft and Tender by @kaijuusandkryptids for ana_quien (kandreil)

Nothing To Lose (I Won't Look Back Now) by @foxyroxisworld for kevingayimeanday (kevaaron)

Twinyards and their Wisdom Teeth Removal by @thisisnotourlasthunt for youhaveahomeinmyheart (andreil, kevaaron)

Right in front of my Salad? by @theicequeenwrites for emmytriesfanfic (andreil)

Room to Heal by jostenlovesminyard for fuzzballsheltiepants (andreil)

Oh Temptation by @eloquent-apollo for ratbandaid (andreil)

The Bookapocalypse Scheme by @jayjfox for curvedyellowfruit (kandreil)

Gourd Vibes Only by @imperfectcourt for autumnalpalmetto (andreil)

Rainbows after the Rain by @mystrana for rainbowd00dles (andreil, renison)

Disparity by @jeni182 for andthenthefirenationattacked (andreil)

A Man After Midnight by @libercapitu for bunnanathemav3 (kandreil)

Enlighten Me, Won't You Just Set Me Free by doodlingstuff for linecrosser (jerejean, andreil)

Best Night Ever by lufwoodemilius for jostenlovesminyard (andreil)

Show Me How To Lay My Sword Down by @patroklosandachilles for cinnamonfoxjosten (andreil)

The Other Side by @tomat0head for nerdzewordart (andrew & aaron)

R U Mine by @alex-wh0 for flowerparrish (kevaaron)

Small Horrors by @annawrites for bazerella (kevaaron)

The Space Between Us by @curvedyellowfruit for _tansie_ (kandreil)

Outside of the Spotlight by @desert-lily for dejahedy (andreil)

[crumplelush]

An exploration of the moment when Katelyn gave Aaron an ultimatum and Aaron challenged Andrew about their deal.

A pinch hit for AFTG mixtape. Based on the song Asking for Grace by Jana Stanfield, which is the perfect Aaron/Katelyn song.

[jtl-fics]

@lillyndra @themundanemudperson @readertodeath @apileofpillows @mortalsbowbeforeme @hellomynameismoo @next-level-mess @youreonlylow @interstellarfig @notprocrastinatingatalltoday @percyjacksonfan3 @queenofcrazy27 @bsmr261 @ghostlyscares @spencellio @adinthedarkroom @harpymoth @sufferingjustalilbit @anxietymoss @oddgreyhound @ohno-myhyperfixation-itsbroken @ken22789 @atiredvampire @isoldescorner @not--a--pipedream @azure-wings @bushbees  @roonilwazlib-main @crumplelush @foldedaces--paperbirds @thesenseinnonsense @let-tyrants-fear @ketchupandfries @legowerewolf @deadlydodos @but-we-respect-his-craft @cariniqe @zanypersonapricotbiscuit @lesbian-blackbeard @lesbiansupernatural @silvermasquerade @thepeachfuzz @minniemariex @kazoo-the-demjin @gaypomegranate @ji-nk-ies  @omgrubelangel @itsyouitsmeorpheuseurydice @percabethotplove @queer-crows

Fluent Freshman - Part 34

[ninjasandnightmares]

Reunion

Ronan picking Adam up outside of class, seeing each other for the first time in person in over two months, and not stopping until they are in each others arms again.

Requested by: @steveshair-robinshood & @crumplelush

[davinciae]

crumplelush replied to your photoset: im repping this whole mango collection

I need that second one. Do you know what it’s called? I’m trying to find it on the website.

this one and select black

[jingerhead]

Swandrew Fics

Well my darlings, since I finished the main part of the series, I decided to finally post links to my fics. Here are all the parts for the swandrew/honkdrew fics - I’m not done writing for this series! There’s more to come, but for now, enjoy!

Series: That One Time Neil Ended Up In a Fairy Tale

Read on AO3 | 137,522 total words

Some Amazing Art! These: 1 2 3 from @still-waiting-for-godot, these: 1 2 3 from @cough-ii, And Sharkdrew, because I couldn’t not include him, from @crumplelush

1: That One Time Neil Got Tricked Into Breaking a Prince’s Curse

Read on AO3 | Rated G | 6,189 words

Summary - Neil is a witch living in his cottage in the Enchanted Woods, making potions and helping the wildlife to pass the time. One day he finds a swan with a broken wing and heals it. Ever since then it seems like more and more people have come to bother him.

2: That One Time Neil Helped Plan An Assassination

Read on AO3 | Rated G | 2,470 words

Summary - There’s treason going on in the Palace of Palmetto, so what’s a Crown Prince to do when the only person who can prove who the treasonists are is someone who spends most of the day transformed as a swan?

Apparently, plot a way to kill said treasonists using your best knight and a witch you found in the woods that your brother is oddly attached to.

3: That One Time Neil Fought For a Kingdom

Read on AO3 | Rated T | TW: Death | 11,432 words

Summary - Neil, Kevin and Andrew have started their journey across the Palmetto Kingdom to reach E’Allen and alert now-King Ichirou of his brother’s plans to take over the kingdoms. They gain some companions as they go, but quickly learn that they may not be as safe or alone as they once thought they were.

4: That One Time Nathaniel Decided Not To Accept Fate

Read on AO3 | Rated M | TW: Torture | 10,232 words

Summary - Riding alone through the E’Allen Kingdom to warn King Ichirou of his brother’s planned coup, Neil is quickly reminded that nothing in his life is ever easy. When his life is threatened, he realizes he needs to do something he’d promised his mother he wouldn’t do: use his magic.

5: That One Time Neil Stopped a Coup

Read on AO3 | Rated G | 6,442 words

Summary - Following what happened in the E’Allen Kingdom, Neil rides back to Palmetto, feeling freer than he ever has before. He intends to return to the palace as soon as possible to tell Aaron his message was delivered and find Kevin so they can start their search for Riko, but makes a stop along the way at Allison’s estate. There he finds himself surrounded by people who genuinely love and care about him, who want to help him through the trauma he went through.

6: That One Time Neil Used His Magic

Read on AO3 | Rated T | TW: Blood | 7,147 words

Summary - The Palace of Palmetto is saved from treason with Luther locked away, which means the only thing Neil and Kevin have to do to save the rest of the kingdoms is find Riko. But before they can do that, they need to get Andrew back to the lake before the curse ends up killing him.

Time is running out. Not to mention the fact that Riko isn’t really happy that Neil put a stop to all his plans.

7: That One Time Neil Believed Love Exists

Read on AO3 | Rated G | 11,630 words

Summary - In the words of Crown Prince Aaron of Palmetto, “After what happened with my uncle and Prince Riko of E’Allen, we can rest assured that the plots against the Palace of Palmetto have been dealt with. Unfortunately, my brother is still cursed.”

Andrew no longer seems to care that being cursed takes away everything else he’s worked so hard for in his life. But Neil cares, and he’s going to break it for him. Even if it’s a love curse.

8: That One Time Neil Became a Court Witch

Read on AO3 | Rated G | 11,581 words

Summary - With the curse broken, Andrew can now take his place as the King of Palmetto. Neil’s along for the ride, but going from living in a forest alone to a life in a castle is jarring. Not only that but he and Andrew haven’t spent much time together since everything happened, and while Neil doesn’t regret his decision to move, he’s wondering if it was really the right choice to make.

9: That One Time Neil Hired Some Raiders

Read on AO3 | Rated T | 9,302 words

Summary - Three months after Andrew was crowned King, he and Neil travel with their friends to the Vixen Kingdom to attend Aaron’s wedding. But the journey across the kingdom isn’t without any dangers, no matter how small they seem.

10: That One Time Neil Got a Firstborn

Read on AO3 | Rated G | 6,441 words

Summary - Andrew is still in the process of remaking his court, which, on any other day, gives Neil some sort of entertainment by insulting elderly nobles.

Key words: any other day.

He’d forgotten there are some things a king will have to do to secure a promising future for a kingdom. Specifically, providing an heir.

11: That One Time Neil Went to a Wedding

Read on AO3 | Rated T | TW: Discussion of scars, implied past suicidal thoughts | 16,139 words

Summary - It’s officially been over a year since Neil and Andrew broke the curse that kept Andrew transformed as a swan for half the day. They both know this is it for each of them, so there’s only one thing left to do. Get married. 

12: The Times Neil Bonded With a Swan

Read on AO3 | Rated T | TW: Panic Attacks | 38,517 words | Chapters 11 of 11

Summary - Even though Neil doesn't mind that the swan he affectionately named Honker keeps returning to his cottage, he is growing a bit worried over Honker's reluctance to talk to him. So Neil decides if he wants to become friends, he's going to have to gain the swan's trust.

On the flip side, Andrew isn't sure why he keeps returning to Neil's cottage. The witch is distracting, makes good food, and is the only human he's come across since he's been cursed. And he also can't deny that Neil pushes all his buttons in the right way, and that's going to become a problem.

13: That One Time Andrew Got Cursed

Read on AO3 | Rated M | TW: Blood, character death/killing, vague references to past rape, major breakdowns, implied/referenced torture, description of scars | 6,513 words | Chapters 1 of ?

Summary - Andrew is working at a blacksmith's shop when he runs into the biggest change of his life: he looks exactly like Prince Aaron Minyard. Now he's suddenly moving into the palace and learning how to run a kingdom and meeting nobles and...

Well, life in the country had never been easy, but sometimes he thinks it was better than this.