#i think majority of these are andreil

[andylantsov]

List of aftg fics I’ll (probably) be reading later

Yeah there’s a couple other things too in here

1. Avengers Assemble by @gluupor

2. Misfortune of the Fortunate ones by Foxy_G

3. Polymers chapter from ncert (welp)

4. Maybe don't read passages from weird books you find on the ground on Halloween (Just a thought) by Accio_pitch

5. Something true by @gluupor

6. I’ll be a brand new day by especiallythezefronposter 

7. nerve by jaylocked

8. Save Again by BakaDoll

9. Plaster by korns

10. Someday there won’t be scowls by Ominous

11. your guard’s always up, learn to let it down by @jingerhead

12. Start A War by BelaBellissima

(part 1) (part 2)

Link to masterlist

[sunnyupsidedown]

“As soon as you let something matter to you, that’s when you give it the power to hurt you. Nothing matters, Neil.” His heart pounded as Neil’s icy blue eyes stared back at him. They were close but still a respectable foot away from each other. Still. Too close.

“Let’s back up a little,” Neil said. The foot was suddenly halved. “We’ve already established that I’m ‘Nothing’. So by your logic, ‘Nothing’ - Me - matters…” he faded off in a whisper and a peek from under his eyelashes. “Andrew…” He was so close. Inches away. “If I have that power, then you have the same power over me. We can destroy each other together.”

[kebiday]

of course ppl have no obligation to care about characters they don't like... & fandom is about doing what you want and having fun... & it's inevitable for fanon to simplify the cast into little cardboard cutouts...

but i Do wish that ppl who pour a lot of love & effort into analyzing + developing the relationships of + having empathy for the circumstances of the main characters would extend more than a fraction of that to other characters. like my favorite girl kevin day 🐈‍⬛

[rainbowd00dles]

Hey! I love ur art and I’m a big fan of Jean, Jeremy, cat, Laila, and just tsc in general. That being said, I don’t think it’s rlly fair to stop posting Andreil art until book three bc of some assholes on Twitter. I mean, as an artist, u should be posting whatever u want, not just holding urself back out of pettiness. Which I completely understand btw! Those ppl fucking suck and it’s disgusting they’re being that open with Nora that they’re willing to ruin her mental health just bc they’re obsessed with Andreil for some fucking reason. But a) that’s Twitter, not tumblr, and b) I personally think by acknowledging them to that level they kinda win? Like, if they’re prominent enough that ur no longer making Andreil art, then it’s like an acknowledgment that they’re a large part of the fandom (which—idk but I hope not! I haven’t rlly seen them personally and I hope it stays that way lol) so anyways my point is I hope u do what’s best for u either way, but I just hope if u decide not to post Andreil art for months it’s not bc of them. Does that make sense? Idk lol

See the thing is a lot of aftg fans as a whole are amazing. But for a while what used to be a small few, have turned into a big majority that have been making it really hard to want to love the fandom, and creating for it. The fact that I even still want to make art of something for aftg/tsc us a miracle tbh. I constantly get people telling me my versions of characters are wrong because they don't look like what some people want them to look like. I have entitled people on my own posts who openly tell me they hate some of the ships I make art of. And after years of this I wonder sometimes why I'm still in this fandom. So it's not just the arseholes on twitter, it's also me taking back some of the control, because I feel like if I want to be part of this fandom I have to keep creating andreil content when tbh it's tiring. I can understand where you're coming from, but you're telling me it's not fair to other people that I won't be making art of a ship, when it's not fair on me to force me to keep creating

[thelostgetfound-artemis]

Listen the only aftg scene I have a vested interest in seeing from Andrew POV is the Kathy interview.

I know he was drugged out of his mind but that was such a paradigm shift moment for him on his view of Neil.

Despite already finding him interesting, he clearly put Neil in the same box as Kevin in terms of being 'a person who is controlled by their fear and only willing to push past that fear for the sake of playing Exy.'

He doesn't see until that interview the major difference between them:

Kevin's own well being is Kevins top priority. I love him but he will risk others (Jean, Wymack, Andrew himself) for the chance at saving himself from Riko.

Neil on the other hand is prepared to put himself in the line of fire if it means protecting someone else from their abuser. 

the fact that at this point in time Andrew thinks Riko is what Neil fears too, but he's endangering himself for Kevin's sake oml

'Like recognizes like' is my absolute favourite reference for Andreil and this is the moment I believe it happens for Andrew. 

Neil is still a runaway, he's still Exy obsessed and a million other things that set him apart from Andrew, but in this one thing they are the same. 

The way his interactions with Neil change from that moment on are insane, the increase in casual touches alone is unreal. I want to be in Andrews head watching Neil tear Riko apart on live TV so bad oh god

[queer-lovebot]

Hey, you have any more heartthrob kevin and jealous andreil hcs left? For some reason I can't stop thinking about them 🦝

I am an Endless well of information. I’m always thinking of pretty boy heart throb Kevin and his sword (Neil) and shield (Andrew). It’s what gets me through the day.

I am a big fan of Kevin is intentional about his beauty. He’s extremely vain. He wants to look pretty, to straddle the ledge of delicate and powerful. And it’s just a HIM thing. For his own enjoyment. Mani-pedis, a little bit of eye liner, the works. Bc of this he can, unfortunately, be rather flattered if you come to him like a normal human and don’t open the conversation with “God you are so fucking pretentious. You free tonight?”

All this to say Kevin has been on a handful of dates with students and Exy players who were polite and kind and accepted his assholishness as part of the equation. I’m sure you can imagine how the Foxes acted each time a date came around. I’m sure you can imagine how the Monsters dorm was when it was date night.

The fun part about everything was that the dates were super lowkey to Kevin and just like. Fun things he did to either take his mind off things or to expand his horizons (as advised by his therapist). And he comes home like “It was fine” and everyone thinks he’s being coy but he’s genuinely just okay about it. Nothing mind blowing. Maybe like. A polite kiss to the cheek or the hand. He just liked being fawned over in a way that’s normal sometimes. And the few people he Does get along with (some Exy player with the same or similar major/viewpoints) become chill acquaintances. This doesn’t stop Andrew or Neil from scratching at the walls and in fact makes it worse, but they’re so good (bad) at hiding it that it’s okay.

[aftgficrec]

Some fic with andreil kids, i need that to survive

Our most recent ask for this has all of our previous recs. Enjoy! -A

latest ask:

Andreil & kids here

Kevin and his dads by Monsterputt03 [Not Rated, 646 Words, Complete, 2023]

Kevin's life with Andreil as his parents. 

Want by TheBreadWinner [Rated G, 19938 Words, Incomplete, Updated May 2024]

Andrew and Neil are finally in a position without worries. They have a nice home, money, and dream jobs. What more could they want? Their closest friends and family are raising kids and experiencing something Andrew never pictured wanting. Now, in his thirties, he sees families everywhere: in the stands during games, at the park during his runs with Neil, and in the lobby of New York Presbyterian. Andrew knows what he wants, and he wants it with Neil.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse and neglect, tw: implied/referenced torture

you got the heart without the ache. by PatientIsTheNight [Rated G, 2483 Words, Complete, 2024]

[Andrew] cannot kill every abuser in the world, though it would be nice. More importantly, he knows that he cannot allow himself to be visibly angry, or upset - it would give the wrong idea. He isn’t angry at Kylie, after all, and refuses to give her even half of an inkling of that idea. But he is still angry, in the way a wounded animal is. It takes more than he thought it would to keep himself from hiding in corners and lashing out. - Andrew and Neil foster their first kid, and face how hard it is. It’s a kidfic, you know what you’re getting.

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced child abuse

Whose Your Daddy Series by chaoticas_hell [Not Rated, Collection, Incomplete, Updated June 2024]

Part 1: Whose Your Daddy [47865 Words, Complete] Andrew Joseph Minyard didn't do regrets. But letting Neil in, allowing himself to want, for letting Neil slip through his fingertips- it was the closest he would get to feeling regret. It had been fourteen years since he last saw Neil, since Neil was taken right from under his grasp by his psycho-killer father and lost forever and Andrew had to make peace with that, had to stop expecting Neil to walk through his front door like he had never left. Except, one day, it all but happened. One day, a small kid with horribly cut short platinum blonde hair, striking blue eyes that plagued Andrew's dreams and nightmares, freckles and an achingly familiar horrible fashion sense showed up at his office door with the strangest question. "Are you Andrew Joseph Minyard, yes or no?" The kid asked in a British accent. Andrew could only nod. "Oh good." The kid said, suddenly unsure of themself. "Cause I think you're my dad." What the fuck?

tw: assumed major character death, tw: implied/referenced torture

Part 2: The Before [11385 Words, Incomplete, Updated June 2024] basically a sequel to my fic Whose Your Daddy taking a look at how Neil dealt with single parenthood, how Andrew faired after Neil's faked death, Jo's abysmal childhood, and judgmental family members

tw: assumed major character death, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: violence, tw: choking, tw: unplanned pregnancy, tw: transphobia, tw: gender dysphoria 

Fragments of Light series by DarkD [Rated G/T, Collection, 2 complete works, Updated Jan 2023]

Part 1: Baby mine [T, 18609 Words, Complete, 2022] Andrew could practically see the image of Neil sleeping on his chest, one of the pairs of shoes he'd bought still lying there in bed with them. Neil looked so peaceful, Andrew couldn't stop looking at him. His hand was right on Neil's belly, he could almost imagine what the girls' heartbeats were like there. Neil had sung a song that night, and Andrew memorized every note because, someday, he would also sing that same song for Neil and his daughters. (They couldn't) be more wanted, they've probably never wanted anything more in their life. “You won't touch any of them again.” Andrew said. His voice was low and his throat hurt. “You're not getting anywhere near my fucking family.”

tw: gun violence, tw: attempted murder, tw: major character injury, tw: blood, tw: unplanned pregnancy, tw: transphobia, tw: self harm, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: destructive thoughts, tw: vomit

Part 2: My dear Nebula [G, 10086 Words, Complete, 2023] “Andrew, Andrew.” Neil whispered in his ear, the warm air against his skin making him shiver. “It's time for our nebula.” ... Neil then asked what a nebula was and he replied: Nebulae were nurseries for stars. Birth of stars. Birth… “Fuck”

tw: unplanned pregnancy, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced murder

Retired by IKnowWhoYouAre_Damianos [Rated G, 1855 Words, Complete, AFTG Summer Exchange 2022]

Neil turned 35 two months ago and was finally ready to retire. A vacay will be just the right thing for his restless mind.

Neil Loves Dinosaurs series by infernalstars [Rated G/T, 32616 words, 17 Complete Works, Updated 2020]

Part 1 recced here

Part 4: Asking For Help [1501 Words] In which Kevin Day has to shift his perspective on things and he seeks out Neil for help.

tw: ableism, tw: implied/referenced abuse

Part 5: Babysitting and the Conditions of Love [1492 Words] Neil and Andrew babysit for Matt and Dan

tw: transphobia, tw: self harm

Part 6: To Live in Peace [908 Words] Meet Henry!

tw: homophobia, tw: implied/referenced child abuse

Part 7: Nightmare [2149 Words] Andrew bonds with his foster kid. 

tw: graphic nightmares, tw: implied/referenced murder

Part 8: Family [1491 Words] Henry comes home to Neil having a breakdown.

tw: homophobia, tw: ableism

Part 9: Again (Family pt. 2) [2034 Words] in which Neil has a chance to bond with his kid

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: nonconsensual kissing

Part 10: Again (Family pt. 3) [1604 Words] The Resolution

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: implied/referenced nonconsensual kissing, tw: implied/referenced nonconsensual drug use

Part 11: Ruby Red [1910 Words] Adopting one kid was always apart of the plan, but another kid...? Unplanned.

Part 12: Second Chances [3329 Words] in which Neil tells Ruby how him and Andrew met

Part 13: Roses and Thorns [1943 Words] Andrew is happy ft. some twinyards, catching up with Kevin and his daughter and a lil snippet of Liam!!

tw: implied/referenced self harm

Part 14: Something Real [3140 Words] How Andrew finds out Neil's Autistic. 

tw: nonconsensual drug use, tw: nonconsensual kissing, tw: implied/referenced child abuse

Part 15: Conditions of Love [2104 Words] A mini series that explores Liam Wilds (Matt and Dans kid), his life and his relationship with Henry Josten-Minyard.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: transphobia

Part 16: Anniversary [1180 Words]  The anniversary of the death of Neil's mom brings up some unpleasant memories and Andrew bring him to the museum to comfort him.

The Josten-Twinyards hc by @detectivebambam [Tumblr, 2024]

Andreil daughter and the word “please” by @starrycassi [Tumblr fic, 2024]

the monsters having kids with cool uncles andreil hc by @the-inner-musings-of-a-worm [Tumblr, 2024]

Miles Minyard-Josten age 7 fandom fun post by @andrews-jort-loving-pipe-dream [Tumblr, 2020]

Art

Minyard-Josten siblings also here art by @allfortheslay25

Nicky meeting Asher Minyard-Josten comic by @riceballannie

Andreil with Michael art by @dshr-art, hc here

fanart by @bluetheking for ‘Noah Minyard-Josten,’ fic recced here

[litrallymadlad]

HI MAD ILYYYY what do u think about Kevaaron? The couple of nerds with good grades

OMG I have a couple thoughts WITH DIAGRAMS AND FUCK I ACCIDENTALLY LOST ALL MY PROGRESS SO I GOTTA RETYPE EVERYTHING FROM MEMORY APOLOGIES IF IT’S RAMBLY

I don’t think Aaron would be on board initially. Kevin would have to be the one to approach him (highly unlikely, but I think Kevin could get desperate enough)

2. When Kevin confesses, Aaron WOULDN’T TRUST HIM IN THE SLIGHTEST. He believes Kevin is actually into Andrew instead (Andrew and Kevin are so close!! They’ve been best buds forever! Of course Kevin would fall for Andrew before ever falling for Aaron) and believes Kevin wants to use him to fill the romantic/sexual void Andrew could never give him.

3. Kevin understands Aaron’s skepticism and lets it be. This gives Aaron time to psychoanalyze every interaction Kevin has with both him and Andrew and realize that Kevin doesn’t act the same between them.

4. When they do eventually get together, Aaron is DEEPLY DISTURBED by the idea that Andrew might one day acknowledge Aaron and Kevin’s relationship. Andrew fully condones them and gave Kevin his blessing, but Aaron is so disturbed by the idea of Andrew knowing on behalf of Kevin (i.e. the thought that Kevin actually wants Andrew and Andrew knowing this) that they keep their relationship a complete secret.

5. Aaron doesn’t become fully aware that Kevin ONLY WANTS HIM until, like, five years into their relationship LMAO Which spawns their first and only MAJOR FIGHT.

6. Andrew knows better than to intervene (the fight is adjacently about him, after all) BUT NEIL DOES HAHAH HE CONFRONTS AARON IMMEDIATELY. Neil’s fights with Aaron are always 3x worse than any fight Neil has with another Fox. He punches Aaron and Aaron strangles him a little (cuz he can’t risk breaking his hand, being a surgeon and all) and Neil, barely able to speak, says “I know you’re only doing this because you care. Your sympathy is misplaced.”

7. Kevin of course went to stay with Andreil so when Neil comes back all bloody and bruised from talking to Aaron, Kevin nearly faints but Neil insists that he got through to Aaron. So when Kevin and Aaron talk again, it’s like when two toddlers are forced to apologize by their parents and then two seconds later everything is back to normal and it never gets acknowledged again HAHA THAT’S KEVAARON

8. I love the idea of kevaarlyn or whatever kevin x aaron x katelyn’s ship name is HAHA I think Aaron and Katelyn love and adore taking care of Kevin. And Kevin loves to be pampered 😌

[joanofexys]

I just think some of the stuff I've seen in fandom and "hot takes" and stuff are so fucking baffling to me. Like we're having reverse discourse. Where people are going "no no it's okay to see Andrew Minyard as skinny" "no it's okay if you think Kevin Day is straight" "It's okay if you don't want this character to be trans" "It's okay if you want andreil to get married" like these were ever fucking problems in the first place. Congratulations you've reintroduced yourself to the norm??? You've stumbled upon the unspoken yet popular/stereotypical thing? As if the people who think the opposite are the ones causing problems/in the majority

[jaywalkers]

hiii i recently finished reading sunset like survival (it was so so so fucking good. epic. amazing. is living in the most inner part of my ribs being cradled gently !!!!!!) and i was v bewitched and fascinated by how u handled andrew choking kevin and the consequences in each subsequent loop ! the guilt andrew felt and anger as well towards kevin for not like idk defending himself properly ? (sorry if that’s the wrong word) say no basically . the way kevin assumed their deal was broken bcs andrew hurt him and the betrayal suffocating him GOD ,,,,,,, and how they grew from it just wow wow wow laying at the bottom of ur feet looking up at u in wonder rn !!!!! i could FEEL the choking incident hovering above the two of them like a cloud and to see it resolved in a way that didn’t quite erase it entirely but allowed them to perhaps move on from it ? truly stunning ,,,,

did u have any specific thoughts on why u chose it to be a major focal point during the loop, ur thoughts on how it was handled in canon ( the way it was moved on from ? treated humorously) and anything else rlly that comes to mind ? also i love all ur writing sm <3 the way i’m able to immerse myself in ur fics and see the way u breathe life into these characters is beautiful. truly. ily 💖

ah! first of all thank you so much for not only reading s,ls, but also for loving it as much as you did! it's always such an honour that people took time to experience the gender-crisis fuelled monstrosity that is timeloop au even two years out.

to answer your two questions: (under a cut bcs she's LONG)

i don't like how it's handled in canon, and while i accept it and love to see other people's takes on it (how it is/isn't in character, that it proves/detracts from kevins role), i personally think it's out of character for andrew and is a point of no return for the kandreil dynamic that i love.

the baltimore scenes are the inherent breakdown of the kandreil dynamic; by the end of tkm, it's wildly different to how it was at the start of the novel and not in a way that serves kevin's character well (or even andrew, really). with andrew and kevin's deal percived to be broken and all neil's secrets out in the open, there's no need for kevin to be a part of that dynamic when it comes to the character-driven plot, only the moriyama narrative. andreil become the most prevalent dynamic, and kevin is detatched — shut out, really, right before the apex of his character arc. neil and andrew base their following opinions of him based on his choices during baltimore and give him little further choices.

during/following the choking incident, as seen in kevin and andrew's tiff on the court a few chapters later, andrew wants kevin to prove that he can stand up for himself without andrew's help — maybe to justify breaking the deal off on his end, or out of frustration with kevin. what he doesn't understand is that kevin has a formal relationship with violence, especially as a punishment. he won't — he was groomed not to. that ultimately leaves them at an impasse until kevin gets his tattoo, part of his character narrative that neil and andrew for once are not there to witness because they've excluded him from their inner dynamic by this point in the plot.

so why did i posit it as a major focal point in the loop?

first of all, i'd already decided to set it in the baltimore 'arc', and within that for kandreil in canon there are two key events that influence the rest of the plot, and in my mind the loop happens because these two events are so out of character for the universe that they warp reality. and those two events are:

neil dying (kidnapping)

andrew choking kevin

ergo — both of these things need to be fixed to fix the loop. the loop in my opinion does actually help facilitate that second one, because for kevin and andrew to help neil they cannot be at odds. kevin and andrew's pov's are first because they cannot fix neil's problem without first fixing their own, and that has always been the one of equal standing between them.

andrew wants kevin to stand up for himself and kevin wants to not be afraid. similar things but different at the core of them. the loop forces them into close proximity — kevin is always near andrew's hands and andrew is always near the reminder that he hurt someone who did not deserve it. bridging that is a way of andrew learning that he can relearn trust, and kevin learning he doesn't have to forgive to stop fearing something.

also the loop allows andrew to see that kevin wasn't withholding information because he doesn't care about neil — he was withholding it because he cares about neil. kevin sees that andrew hurt him not because he doesn't care about kevin, but because he was so blinded by fear for neil. it puts them eye to eye and forces them to put things out in the open at a pace that suits them, with a static environment they can't escape. i don't like the choking scene — but it lends well to forcing andrew and kevin to air all their other grievances alongside it.

i hope this all makes sense!!!!!! again thank you thank you thank you for reading it and loving it and engaging in it so fervently! s,ls is a fever dream of a fic but i do dearly adore it and im so glad someone wanted to hear me character dump for a few hundred words about it <333 get off anon so i can kiss you on the lips

[crazy-fangirl2524]

What I think Andrew and Neil’s personality/life/relationship will be like without ALL the trauma and so the “real” them without all the baggage

(Obviously just my opinion and interpretation)

Andrew:

He would still be a super protective person especially as those he views as family (nicky, Aaron, his parents (??), friends he knows he can trust)

Would still have gone through a goth/grunge phrase

His sweet tooth is still atrocious

The type of guy to stop people from physically bullying others (verbally he does not care if the person can’t take it its a them problem)

Tons of piercings everywhere

Doesn’t try in school because he doesn’t have to with his eidetic memory yet he is only second right behind Aaron

No one is shocked that he is gay

I can see him studying things like philosophy literature classics history or just any of the intellectual degrees (he will do double major)

Definitely got scholarships for any universities he applied to (same as Aaron)

Chooses to go to the university that Aaron chooses (“Andrew ucla’s criminology is the best in the whole world why are you choosing John Hopkins” “John Hopkins’s literature and classics is the best in the world” “Andrew-“)

Doesn’t have a lot of people he considers as friends but he does have a select fews and he is not really in a friend group more like some scattered friends but he hoard like gold

Most likely to become a university professor ? Or a baker or whatever he wants and he will be so successful in it because he will put his heart and soul into it

Had a few flings here and there (maybe one or two relationships but no one can ever be on par with him) until he meets Neil (because in every universe they are still meant to be)

Neil:

Still skeptical and doesn’t trust easily

Those he considers as friends he holds on so tight he will literally die and kill for them

Still got a smart mouth that gets him in trouble

Troublemaker in school and people either love or hate him theres no in between

Math nerd

Would have been valedictorian but he doesn’t pay attention in class and skip classes if his friends ask him to

He will be in a friend group that everyone will ride and die for each other and is the friend group that everyone is envious of because they know it is for life even if they all separate in university

Obviously he will get a maths degree

Becomes mathematician or whatever it is smart people becomes in the future

Obviously he will be successful as well

Even in university he will somehow find a friend group and once again its the best people in the world for him and now he got THREE families (or however many because everywhere he goes this attractive troublemaker just attracts and makes his own found family without meaning to)

Throughout highschool or university or work (until he meets Andrew) he would have never dated because he genuinely does not get the point and no one ever interests him that way (until he meets Andrew)

Andreil:

No matter how they meet whether its highschool or in university or meet cute or meet ugly or whatever its always Andrew that falls first and finds the troublemaker attractive and neil is just the oblivious guy

But Neil is always the one that falls harder

Its always slowburn and kills their families and friends and makes everyone wants to just kill them

Their communication skills are what every couple wishes they have

Andrew still gives neil so much nicknames

Their personality will always complement each other and Neil’s fire will always spark’s Andrew’s interest and Andrew’s steady presence will always hold up whatever Neil has

The soul deep understanding will always be there

In any universe they will still inevitably end up together because their souls are made for each other

[codename-adler]

"nothing is going to be okay" sounds like it's gonna hurt... tell me more.

It's meant to hurt. You and me both.

Adler's WiPs ~ Project: Nothing Is Going to Be Okay

Also known as Adler-toys-with-the-Major-Character-Death-tag. This is an exploration of every universe where Kevin, Andrew and/or Neil do not make it out. Sometimes Kevin dies; sometimes it's Andrew; other times it's Neil. Someone always dies. Doesn't matter if it's Kandreil, Andreil, Kandrew, Kevneil. Sometimes it's because of canon going slightly to the left. Sometimes it's because it's a totally different universe. Every variation is always merciless.

The origins of such a fun project? Music. It all stems from my personal playlist of the saddest soundtracks or instrumental pieces i religiously listen to, which i won't share until i finally get to writing this collection of grief. So far i have 96 pieces on that playlist. Will i write the boys dying 96 times? i doubt it, but each piece represents a universe with a specific scene and vision. sometimes if it's a soundtrack, i put the boys in that universe and kill 'em. sometimes it's the title of the piece that awakes something ugly in me. sometimes it's a combination of words and vibes. the possibilities are endless. the grief is infinite, a loop, inescapable. yes i got mental problems. yes i got meds for it. why do u ask.

Why the fun title? Ask Andrew.

"Your parents are dead, you are not fine, and nothing is going to be okay. This is not news to you. But from now until May you are still Neil Josten and I am still the man who said he would keep you alive. I don't care if you use this phone tomorrow. I don't care if you never use it again. But you are going to keep it on you because one day you might need it. On that day you're not going to run. You're going to think about what I promised you and you're going to make the call. Tell me you understand." (TRK)

Now! Some of the wips in the collection:

So This Is Christmas: based on Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by Gabrielle Aplin, i revisit Neil's days at the Nest and add a few more casualties. the boys take their turn kicking the bucket. this one is multi-chaptered.

fun fact: there are only 3 songs in the playlist that have lyrics: one of them is in an Arabic or Persian language that i do not speak/read, the other two are in English (Happy Xmas + my tears ricochet)

i would also like to note that Gabrielle Aplin's Happy Xmas is part of my aftg soundtrack project where i'm trying to imagine the series as a TV show and assemble music for specific scenes in multi-episodes seasons. this one i imagine playing with slow-motion scenes cutting back-and-forth between Neil's torture in the Nest over the holidays and the Foxes celebrating in NYC. my magnum opus if you will. i'm not even kidding. all my self-confidence is in that divine mission.

Andrew's Farewell: Hunger Games AU. a classic. the song? iykyk. the victim? iykyk.

On the Nature of Day(light): based on the piece by Max Richter (all variations and covers, but i do favor the original and the entropy). canon divergence AU where Kevin also intervenes at the end of TKM, when the Foxes win the Championships and there's the Riko-Neil-Andew showdown. establishing then destroying Kandreil.

Tennessee: based on the Hans Zimmer soundtrack for the film Pearl Harbor. i took inspiration from the title and the music, not the movie. totally war-unrelated. excerpt (Andreil, other Baltimore AU):

"We could go... We could go... to Tennessee..." "There's nothing in Tennessee, Abram." "Exactly..." *shaky pained smile*

Thin Orange Line: based on Journey to the Line by Hans Zimmer & Gavin Greenaway, from the film The Thin Red Line. War AU + Kandrew + Soldier Kevin Day carrying injured/unconscious Soldier Andrew Minyard to safety. only one makes it.

Other inspirations come from the soundtracks of The Last of Us (1 + 2 + HBO show), The Haunting of Bly Manor / Hill House, Max Richter, Hannibal (NBC show), House of the Dragon, Dune (Denis Villeneuve/Hans Zimmer), and many other shows, films, video games and original compositions / composers.

this project is my beloved baby. i remember it being the first push to create since a long while. i know it is very very sad, and that MCD is very rarely liked/read. i'm still invested. maybe i'll try out NaNoWriMo for a 3rd time with this project. i'm not giving up!

thank you anon, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me the opportunity to info-dump and for allowing me to see that i actually have much more figured out than i thought. i'm glad the hurt/no comfort vibe bewitched you.

[void-and-virtue]

OP I LOVED UR ANDREIL POST GOING CRAZY THINKING ABOUT IT if you have anything else in that amazing brain of yours on this take please do share because i absolutely LOVED how you articulated this aspect about andreil. its something i particularily appreciate about their dynamic and relationship with anger and Their Issues TM. your post will cross my mind whenever ill think about it from now on.

I don’t think I have ever gotten an ask and this is kind of making me go insane??? I hope you know that you made my day and also, I’m so glad people share in my endless brainrot bc when it comes to this series and these characters I simply cannot stop

It really isn’t nearly talked about enough that the thing that got Andrew to actually look at Neil and become interested was (as cited by Neil himself at some point tho I can’t remember in which book that scene is from the top of my head) Neil’s bone-deep jealousy of Kevin. It’s—it ties into that whole epiphany that Neil has at some point, when he looks at Andrew and realizes that while he is hurtling towards his own breaking point and about to burn out and shatter into something he’s not sure he’d recognize if he survived the encounter, Andrew hit that point and broke from it years ago. And that’s an understanding that goes both ways between them—in a fucked up way, it feels like Andrew might be the future that Neil has waiting for him if he doesn’t end the year six feet under: hollow and drifting, passionless after everything he had to rip away from himself to be able to survive. At the same time, Neil probably reminds Andrew of how he used to be, back when he had hope for things only to have that hope rip him apart—which is exactly where Neil seems to be headed for the majority of the story.

I think that a lot of Andrew’s understanding of Neil comes from the fact that he knows intimately what it feels like to be caught between a rock and a hard place and cut his own lifeline, only to then fail to die on impact. Neil hasn’t had to resort to that yet, but he is hanging by a thread. You’d think that watching him struggle would only serve to drive it home for Andrew that he made the right choice in closing himself off, except… well. His expectations of life and the people in it are so bleak, it’s no wonder he finds himself drawn to Neil’s messy emotions and every unexpected show of spine like a moth to a flame.

Neil, for all of his issues and scars, can still feel things—can still want something so badly it defies all logic. Can want something with such visceral, fucked-up intensity that it resonates where it shouldn’t. It’s an ability that Andrew thinks he’s either lost or cut out of himself to stay somewhat safe, sane and alive a long time ago, but that remains as the most fundamental crack in the foundation of his being. It’s a fascination that seems to come out every time he’s sober and eventually ties into him wanting Neil—wanting something worth wanting and putting a name to it once he finds it. They look at each other and don’t want a watered-down version of the person in front of them. It creates a relationship that embraces issues big and small and accepts (even values!) the messy parts of being human. It means that any space shared between them immediately becomes safe once they settle into something comfortable together. The way they handle the uglier sides of each other’s personality honestly makes me feral because it’s always done with understanding and acceptance and they even find positives or comforts there that the other can’t see and that’s probably a reason for why 1) their chemistry is so off the charts and 2) their relationship is so damn healthy (in addition to their communication being stupidly good when it comes to each other).

Andrew wants something real and Neil wants to be real. And then they get to have exactly that.

[jeanvaljeancheri]

Hi! Could you recommend any good fics you've read recently?

Of course! I would put a few more but I'm planning on including them in my next post, hope there's still something you'll like here :)

Complete fics

Winter never lasts forever

The cold is the first thing that Nathaniel notices when he wakes up. Everything is numb with it. How he ended up here or who he is, how old - none of this feels as certain as the cold filling his chest and bringing the wind down with the snow. Winter never lasts forever, but for Nathaniel it might as well.

i remember fields of flowers

Andrew has always had an overactive imagination and tendency to tell the truth. The problem is, most people tend to focus on the former, rather than the latter. When a certain runaway happens upon the small, California town of Foxvale, everyone assumes that this “Neil” is Andrew’s imaginary friend.

Bedroom Voices

Neil can’t sleep. Andrew has a podcast that deals with bedroom issues of a different kind. And Kevin thinks Neil should meet his new friend, the guy who makes their sushi at the Kroger.

Talk Shit, Get Hit. Talk Gender, Get Splendor~!

Aaron shows up to practice with his eyes blackened, his nose swollen, his chin bruised, icing a muscle in his shoulder. Andrew promises to find whoever did this and rain vengeance upon them and their family.

Neil is a math major with a limp and an attitude problem. Revenge might just be the last thing on Andrew's mind........

Only Human

Neil Josten needs a little help taking care of himself sometimes. Andrew is there to help.

Ongoing fics

a heart that's full up like landfill

Neil Josten isn’t living, but he is surviving. When he enrols himself into Millport high school, he sets 3 rules for himself:

1. He’s ready to run at any moment

2. He’ll keep his head down

3. He can’t, under any circumstances, get attached to anyone

...

Too bad he fails, quite spectacularly, at all 3

Minyard-Josten Rivalry

My take on the Minyard-Josten Rivalry/Pro Andreil! A long collection of sequential scenes throughout Andrew and Neil's lives, post books. Including, but not limited to, my interpretation of the Minyard-Josten Rivalry, the old Foxes playing with kittens for a YouTube video, so much soft and sweet Andreil you will get cavities, and headcanons I have been thinking about all year.

[nanatsuyu]

hi I looove dashboard saints your characterization is so lovely <3 also was wondering your thoughts on Nora’s kandrew-adjacent tweet

Aaah thank you!! They're a lil rough and scrungly but I care them deeply ;;

And oh boi lmao that's a loaded question innit

I'll put under the read more in case people are trying to avoid anything new content wise!

So I saw a few of tweets and they weren't necessarily a surprise to me? Surprisingly lol

Kevin being the problem child wasn't out of my realm of thinking, but I'd never put it into those words. Though there is something to be said about her mentioning Kevin has a "homoerotic what are we" effect on people which like against also isn't a major surprise? (I'm thinking distinctly of that scene where he covers Neil's eyes because I don't know it was pivotal yes but also not the straightest thing I've read a man do.)

I am glad there was no elaboration like 'Andrew had unrequited feelings because of it' because honestly I think I would have had a meltdown if that was ever confirmed or something. Apollo do not grant me your gift of prophecy I need handled with kid gloves I am fragile.

But I mean in Most of my kandrew stuff with shipping goggles on, I always imagine Andrew being the one floundering a bit while Kevin is very blasé or unaware (or uncaring that he comes across that way). So for it to be canon, I'm like yeah alright.

The choking incident with Andrew not having and regrets also makes sense. That's a very Andrew way of considering it. (I have my own issue(1) with how that event went down but that's another story.) Kevin knowing Andrew would be mad also makes sense and it does really break my heart that he had already forgiven Andrew because he knew how he would react. Heartbreak in the 'oh god he knows Andrew so well' way. I've mentioned before that I always assumed from the moment Neil made him promise not to tell, that Kevin has resigned himself to his own grave, though. There was no way he was going to come out of that unscathed. I'm really just starry eyed over the fact that he knew it would happen and he wouldn't blame Andrew because he knew Andrew had fallen for Neil. Kevin holding onto all that remorse of not being able to do anything for Neil, to then be compounded with the knowledge that he would also be more or less playing a card in taking something away from Andrew? When Andrew had tried so valiantly to say he didn't care about anything or anyone? Kevin obviously knew that was a lie before Neil, but I imagine watching Andrew's feeling unfold for a person and knowing what was going to happen was gut wrenching. Kevin aka the boy with a heart of gold he's never been given the chance to really polish.

This all is completely, lovingly, amazingly, wonderfully rectified by the joy that is if andreil got married "Andrew would choose Kevin". Like I read that and my skin healed, my crops were watered, I never wanted for again. I dunno there was a part of me after reading that never felt a certain closure with their relationship (I mean sands the tattoo thing that helped and lives rent free) but I'd always kind of wondered if they ever got on after that. And apparently it was a no brainer if the option came up so I'm :')

This was long winded to say I'm happy to agree and incorporate these into my bank of knowledge but also please god no more angst for them I need to rest my weary heart

[darkblueboxs]

Hi 💙!! I’m not sure if you’re still answering asks and I don’t want to be too much of a nuisance but i just NEEDED to let you know how much I appreciate you （╹◡╹）♡

(First of all, in advance I want to apologise for me rumbling so much, I hope what i wrote makes sense)

I have been on the internet for many years now and I can proudly say that I’ve read some of the best works in my entire life here; out of all of these incredible writers I’ve found, you are truly my favourite- I absolutely adore your writing, have read every single one of your fics and often reread my favourite ones to cheer myself up when I’m feeling down (sometimes I wish I could forget them so that I could read them for the first time again hah, I don’t know how to describe this feeling)

My absolute favourite work of yours is “The Sphinx and the Hare” (I wish it was infinitely longer simply because then it would have no end and I could read it forever and ever; I could read about andreil’s (and Lexia&Fìrinn’s) day to day lives for the rest of mine because the way you tell your stories is so compelling and phenomenal I just can’t, won’t, don’t want to stop reading). I cannot tell you how much I love love love this fic. The amount of time you spent writing this work is visible in the thought put behind even the smallest of details. From the very well written dialogue, interactions between characters (especially Andrew, Neil and their daemons), and Neil’s inner thought process to the so on point characterisation of every single one of the characters and amazing descriptions of the world in this AU, characters’ actions and their overall being. I want to call it a testament to how good of a writer you are- you make readers feel everything the character is feeling right alongside them and that shows how much of hard work you put into perfecting the skill of writing

THANK YOU for sharing your terrific works, clever and funny thoughts and memes (here on tumblr, on ao3 and twitter) for free in your own free time; you are a blessing if I can say so myself :DD

And what is there more to say- you are incredible <3333 Hope you have a great day!!

PS. If it’s okay (and of course feel free not to if you don’t want to answer) I would love to know how you think andreil and their daemons are doing now- maybe they’re in Columbia cuddled up on the sofa watching sth on the TV? Or maybe they’re on a road trip somewhere having some time to themselves? Or maybe they’re in their dorm quietly enjoying each other’s company?; either way I hope both Fìrinn and Lexia get some pats and cuddles i love them with all of my heart 🥹❤️

Hi! 💞💞💞 I am still answering asks, I'm just incredibly bad at it 😭

You're an absolute joy, you've made me want to get back to writing more than anything has in a loooong time

(one day, maybe, when the exhaustion abates)

It has been so long since I last looked over my daemon au, so forgive me if I contradict my own canon!

Lexia has discovered play fighting, which mostly means launching herself from beneath the bunk to nip Neil's toes when he swings his legs out of bed in the morning. Neil pretends to be annoyed- only for Lexia's satisfaction - but it's ticklish more than anything. (The morning Lexia trips Neil over on his way to the bathroom is the closest Andrew comes to showing signs of amusement)

Fìrinn likes to sit on Andrew's chest when he's lying on the couch and drum her feet on his sternum until Andrew shoves her off. Whenever exy comes on she gets a major case of zoomies unless Neil or Andrew can catch her- although neither consider it worth the effort. Lexia prefers to sit herself on the TV stand at inopportune moments to block everyone's view of the screen, particularly on penalties and overtime, and especially if Kevin is watching. She is still, at heart, an instigator.

More nights than not, Fìrinn falls asleep curled around Lexia or vice versa, and inevitably Neil or Andrew will follow their daemon into the others' bunk. On these nights, and only these nights, safe and surrounded, Lexia will sleep.