Neil: Back in my day, you didn’t date, you just waited until the angsty troubled guy in your sports program opened up to you and revealed his softer side and then asked to suck your dick.
I know I haven’t been that active lately but I have been reading fics, so I thought I’d make a list of my favorite fics of 2020. All of these fics were either written or finished in 2020. These are in no particular order.
1. The Morning AUs - A Compilation by scribbleb_red | E | 120k | Andreil | WIP
Summary: Your wish is my command. Here are the “Morning AUs” compiled into one space.
Come and discover a load of Andreil AUs with coffee shop, magic, ghosts and demons, Neil as a witch and Andrew as a bodyguard, or maybe a half vampire. There’s angst and fluff and plenty of domestic happy, there’s post-canon and emo music and honestly hopefully there’s one you’ll like.
2. married to my enemy series by jemejem | M | 23k | 12 works | Andreil
Butcher!Neil & cop!Andrew AU
3. Bigger Than A Hexidecimal by priorwalter | T | 11k | Andreil
Summary: The stranger was only three inches taller than Andrew and their hair was red on the shaved sides but dyed baby blue on the long, floppy top part. The blue dye brought out their stupidly sexy blue eyes. Their stupid fucking purple jean jacket was covered in pins with sayings like, Please use they/them pronouns for me! and FUCK OFF, and Andrew’s personal favourite, I fucked your dad last night.
Andrew may have a problem on his hands.
**Neil and Andrew are two of the few students left on campus during Christmas break at their tiny liberal arts college. Andrew is a gay disaster and Neil just wants to survive the Christmas break.
4. Alexithymia by Dhillarearen | T | 9k | Mattneil
Summary: Lately Neil’s been getting a funny feeling in his chest and stomach whenever Matt smiles at him. It’s kind of like how he feels around Andrew, but…not. Neil can’t explain it. He wishes it would stop.
5. progress comes in small steps series by Ominous | T/E | 148k | 9 works | Andreil & Kateaaron
6. Raise Your Spirits by Nikotheamazingspoonklepto | M | 41k | Andreil
Summary: Andrew returns to Palmetto Village after a three-year sabbatical, searching for answers to unasked questions. Neil Josten is a mysterious, beautiful witch with more secrets than anyone could ever know, and Andrew is horribly intrigued by him.
7. what if we kissed…and we met on tinder series by djhedy | T/M | 64k | 5 works | Andreil
Summary: a series where alison convinces neil to sign up to tinder, where he meets matt, and eventually andrew and…it’s cute ok
8. Pinky Promises; or MOM, Holy Fuck by youreyestheyglow | E | 18k | Andreil
Summary: There’s a couple times in the book where Neil wonders what Mary would do if she could see him. Well: The Sunday after Riko dies, she turns up on his doorstep.
9. scars by psych0midget | T | 7k | Andreil
Summary: Nathaniel knew it was coming. Or rather, he hoped it was coming. It was said that, if you had a soulmate, the marks on that person’s body would appear on your skin on your seventh birthday. Nathaniel was still a child. And he hoped for it. He expected moles and birthmarks. Maybe even bruised knees, a scar under his chin or a scar cutting his eyebrow, that sounded cool.That’s not what happened.
10. would you be mine forever? (just in case it exists) by hiraethia | T | 3k | Andreil
Summary: Neil’s voice broke in two as he whispered, “Guess this is forever, huh?”
“It doesn’t exist.” Andrew’s eyes darkened for a brief moment, and Neil swore he could see eons of fractures and vulnerabilities in them. His voice lowered to a bare breath, hands trembling slightly as he slipped the ring over Neil’s finger, betraying everything else he didn’t say. It fit perfectly. “But - just in case it does.”
(the foxes introduce neil to some floating lanterns, and andrew asks a question).
Neil: Look, if I went through a brief phase as a child where I wished Meat Loaf was my father instead of the Butcher, that's between me and my mom's cassette player.
I know I haven’t been that active lately but I have been reading fics, so I thought I’d make a list of my favorite fics of 2020. All of these fics were either written or finished in 2020. These are in no particular order.
1. The Morning AUs - A Compilation by scribbleb_red | E | 120k | Andreil | WIP
Summary: Your wish is my command. Here are the "Morning AUs" compiled into one space.
Come and discover a load of Andreil AUs with coffee shop, magic, ghosts and demons, Neil as a witch and Andrew as a bodyguard, or maybe a half vampire. There's angst and fluff and plenty of domestic happy, there's post-canon and emo music and honestly hopefully there's one you'll like.
2. married to my enemy series by jemejem | M | 23k | 12 works | Andreil
Butcher!Neil & cop!Andrew AU
3. Bigger Than A Hexidecimal by priorwalter | T | 11k | Andreil
Summary: The stranger was only three inches taller than Andrew and their hair was red on the shaved sides but dyed baby blue on the long, floppy top part. The blue dye brought out their stupidly sexy blue eyes. Their stupid fucking purple jean jacket was covered in pins with sayings like, Please use they/them pronouns for me! and FUCK OFF, and Andrew’s personal favourite, I fucked your dad last night.
Andrew may have a problem on his hands.
**Neil and Andrew are two of the few students left on campus during Christmas break at their tiny liberal arts college. Andrew is a gay disaster and Neil just wants to survive the Christmas break.
4. Alexithymia by Dhillarearen | T | 9k | Mattneil
Summary: Lately Neil’s been getting a funny feeling in his chest and stomach whenever Matt smiles at him. It’s kind of like how he feels around Andrew, but…not. Neil can’t explain it. He wishes it would stop.
5. progress comes in small steps series by Ominous | T/E | 148k | 9 works | Andreil & Kateaaron
6. Raise Your Spirits by Nikotheamazingspoonklepto | M | 41k | Andreil
Summary: Andrew returns to Palmetto Village after a three-year sabbatical, searching for answers to unasked questions. Neil Josten is a mysterious, beautiful witch with more secrets than anyone could ever know, and Andrew is horribly intrigued by him.
7. what if we kissed...and we met on tinder series by djhedy | T/M | 64k | 5 works | Andreil
Summary: a series where alison convinces neil to sign up to tinder, where he meets matt, and eventually andrew and...it's cute ok
8. Pinky Promises; or MOM, Holy Fuck by youreyestheyglow | E | 18k | Andreil
Summary: There's a couple times in the book where Neil wonders what Mary would do if she could see him. Well: The Sunday after Riko dies, she turns up on his doorstep.
9. scars by psych0midget | T | 7k | Andreil
Summary: Nathaniel knew it was coming. Or rather, he hoped it was coming. It was said that, if you had a soulmate, the marks on that person’s body would appear on your skin on your seventh birthday. Nathaniel was still a child. And he hoped for it. He expected moles and birthmarks. Maybe even bruised knees, a scar under his chin or a scar cutting his eyebrow, that sounded cool.That’s not what happened.
10. would you be mine forever? (just in case it exists) by hiraethia | T | 3k | Andreil
Summary: Neil’s voice broke in two as he whispered, “Guess this is forever, huh?”
“It doesn’t exist.” Andrew’s eyes darkened for a brief moment, and Neil swore he could see eons of fractures and vulnerabilities in them. His voice lowered to a bare breath, hands trembling slightly as he slipped the ring over Neil’s finger, betraying everything else he didn’t say. It fit perfectly. “But - just in case it does.”
(the foxes introduce neil to some floating lanterns, and andrew asks a question).
11. I’m Not Okay (I Promise) by kanekicure | T | 5k | Andreil
Summary: Neil Abram Josten hasn’t been fine since he could remember.
Neil figures that the moment he was born he was consumed with pain, he had to have been. He could never imagine being held softly, kindly and with pure intentions. It was a far cry from the reality of what growing up was. Even his mother couldn’t possibly be on that list. She may have loved him but she was never gentle with him, her love was twisted and routed in paranoia and fear. Her hands had been torn and bloodied so scabs grew over the once smoother skin.
or the day that Neil Josten finally breaks.
12. Mix & Match by Leahelisabeth | G | 3k | Andreil
Summary: Andrew has a crush on the new kid in his class and Bee is very supportive.
13. growing pains by nightquills, Ominous | T | 11k | Andreil
Summary: Stuart knows it’s perfectly normal for teenagers to have crushes. That’s why he’s not surprised in the slightest when Neil starts acting strange; lighter, happier. However, what he doesn’t expect is for the crush to leak into his everyday life—or literally take up residence in his house.
Or: five times Stuart knew Neil was hiding a nighttime guest, and one time he actually met him.
14. New Tricks series by likearecord | T/M | 28k | Andreil
Summary: Kevin, Neil, and Allison are grad students, roommates, and obviously best friends. One fortuitous day, Kevin meets a short, knife-wielding blond guy in the library and brings him home to meet the short, knife-wielding redhead he lives with.
If only Neil knew what having a crush felt like before this happened.
15. on the tip of my tongue series by Willow_bird | T/M | 175k | 9 works
Summary: A post-canon series that deals heavily with recovery. The basic premise/catalyst is Neil's anxiety manifesting as selective mutism.
But also, the boys are very soft and in love
Part 1: say something | T | 46k | Andreil
Summary: On a bad day, Neil struggles with his own mental state, and Andrew figures out how to be there for him. As they wade through this together, both young men realize its okay to lean on each other and that they are capable of both reaching out as well as hanging on. Also, Betsy has shipped them from the beginning, let's be completely honest here.
Part 4: bite your tongue | M | 52k | Andreil
Summary: A Tuesday thru Saturday chronicle of a rough week for Andrew and Neil. Sorry friends I'm really bad at summaries. The boys are super soft with each other when they aren't making me want to cry, and that's basically the whole fic.
16. Light Me Up by 1032am | T | 9k | Andreil
Summary: When Andrew woke up this morning, he did not expect to have to deal with pretty boys.
17. A Minyard That Makes Shitty Robots by iridescent_blue | T | 11k | Andreil
Summary: Andrew should never listen to Bee's advice. Or maybe he should always listen to Bee's advice.
Anyway. At her prompting, he makes a YouTube channel to direct his manic energy into. It doesn't help that he only features his shitty, shitty, robots.
18. Glencaster Lodge by puddlejumper99 | T | 51k | Andreil
Summary: Sometimes happily ever after is a long time coming.
The one where Andrew and Neil didn't meet in college. Now, in their sixties, they discover it's never too late for true love.
19. monster (in my bed) by scribbleb_red | E | 9k | Andreil
Summary: Taking a monster to bed ought to be more complicated – or at least, that’s what the sensible part of Andrew’s brain liked to tell him.
But for all that Neil was made of phantasmagoria – for all that he tasted of brimstone and fire, that his tongue was sometimes forked, that his skin sometimes shimmered black – it was remarkably easy to drag him out of the shadows, push him down on the bed, take him apart until he was hissing in a language that didn’t belong on any mortal plain. Always had been.
20. Catfish by likearecord | M | 22k | Andreil
Summary: There’s very little Andrew likes less than being tricked, but not knowing things does make the cut. He stands, throws his messenger bag over his shoulder, grabs his coffee, and stomps over to slide into the chair across from the guy. He looks up at Andrew with a flash of calculated flight or fight in his eyes, but he quickly smooths this over and affixes a look of polite interest on his face. “Can I help you?”
“Are you on Grindr?” Andrew asks. Bluntly.
“Uh,” the guy says, looking more confused. “I don’t know. What is it?”
“It’s a hookup app gay men use.”
“Oh,” he says, frowning. “No, I’m definitely not on that.”
“Because you don’t do gay men?”
The guy shrugs. “Because I don’t do hookups.”
21. Neil Loves Dinosaurs series by infernalstars | G/T | 33k | 17 works | Andreil
autistic!Neil & supportive bf!Andrew
22. sugar and smoke rings by maisy_daisy | T | 13k | Andreil
Summary: “I’m not dating anyone,” Neil says. “Andrew and I are just friends.”
“Friends that hold hands and go on dates and make lovey dovey faces at each other in public?” Allison deadpans.
"We're not dating," he insists again. He feels himself deflate in Allison’s embrace and her eyes fall at his expression.
“Trust me,” Neil says quieter. “Because you have no idea how badly I wish we were.”
Or, an extremely ooc andreil high school au! ft. a lot of pining, absolutely no mentions of trauma, and two very oblivious idiots.
23. Once More by AkemiAsh | E | 200k | Andreil | WIP
Summary: When Neil wakes up in a very familiar car sitting next to a ghost, a little more than 7 years younger, he was more than a little freaked out. Last thing he remembered was going out for Andrew's 25th birthday.
He hadn’t been sure what to expect. He hadn’t even been sure why he’d done it. He was left adrift in too tight skin, sitting for hours next to the ghost of his mother in what was apparently a jaunt into the past, but it was ingrained in him to run back to Andrew. Always he orbited around the man who stood between him and any threat. Always he found his way to the man’s side. Now was no exception.
He hadn’t really expected for Andrew to know who he was though.
As he heard Andrew’s voice say his name, he realized that he’d been expecting a ‘Who is this?’, not a ‘Neil?’. Somehow, the relief he’d felt at hearing it though, was short lived. He was panicking.
“Where the fuck are you. I woke up six hours ago in the house in Colombia with Nicky and Aaron. It’s fucking April 22nd, 2003 Neil.”
24. Playtime by Ominous | E | 7k | Andreil
Summary: There was a time when Andrew might've questioned being so into this.
Not anymore.
25. The Foxhole Kits series* by AlrightDarlin | G/T | 113k | 9 works | Gen
Summary: An AU where Wymack winds up taking on the Foxes as his littles and they learn what it means to have a dad (and a family) that loves them.
Part 6: I Do Love My Ma and Pa | G | 5k | Gen
Summary: Wymack's first Father's Day present. | Neil and Abby's big Mother's Day.
*I love the whole series but the main parts were published in 2019
26. a product of absence by Ominous | T | 8k | Andreil
Summary: It’s funny, Andrew thinks, that this would be seen as a curse in any other situation. Two people, thrown apart by time and circumstances, desperately searching for one another.
But Andrew has never doubted Neil’s return. He’s not running, he’s not worried. It’s perhaps the only waiting game that’s been worth it, that he understands, because this bond with Neil has only ever made sense to him.
In another life, Neil made this much clear: they would always find each other in the end.
27. Something, in General by 5a5b5p5 | M | 11k | Andreil
Summary: Now that they’re stuck in quarantine together, Neil knows, objectively, that they are going to have to talk about it. Andrew’s kisses are new and wonderful, but Neil still doesn’t know how to feel about the whole sex thing.
He figures that now is the time to figure it out.
or: neil and andrew’s relationship is brand new when they’re forced into quarantine together, and neil takes the time to focus on his own sexuality, and also talk out a few other bumps in their road.
28. What a Rush by Ominous | E | 2k | Andreil
Summary: It's always Andrew's goal to stretch Neil's pleasure to its limits, and he's barely begun to scratch the surface.
29. locked together by Ominous | E | 8k | Andreil
Summary: Andrew licks his lips and tugs on the tail of the beast inside him, righting it so it can point him in the direction of what he's searching for. Neil looks good on top of him, panting and giddy, and it's rare that Andrew doesn't want to flip them over and make Neil fall apart.
But...every once in a while...Well, he's relaxed today. He wants to listen, he wants orders, he wants to be controlled so long as the control comes from Neil.
30. Fencing With Reality by fuzzballsheltiepants | T | 7k | Andreil
Summary: What do you do when you're bored out of your skull during social distancing and a spider has just taken up residence in your living room? If you're Andrew Minyard, you take up fencing and end up meeting someone who you can't get out of your head - even if you've never actually seen their face.
31. Blame It on My Youth by youreyestheyglow | E | 445k | Andreil | WIP
Summary: 10 years after the end of The King's Men, Andrew and Neil have decided to foster a kid. They have low expectations for themselves--they're not exactly ideal parenting material--but at the very least, the kid will be safe with them. But neither Andrew nor Neil do temporary very well.
32. Echo by likearecord | T | 9k | Andreil
Summary: Neil gets drugged at Eden's. Again. They get him back quickly, but the parallels fuck with everyone and reveal what happened with Nicky the first time around.
33. when i’m falling (i’m at peace) by melopeya | M | 8k | Andreil
Summary: Andrew has always been the one others look to for protection, for saving, for safety. He’s made his share of deals, wielded knives for others, fought battles that weren’t his to fight. Having someone else do the same for him, to want to do the same for him, is a disturbing and frightening prospect. But maybe, just maybe, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
Or: 5 times Andrew pushed away Neil’s protection + 1 time he asked for it
34. A Different Matter by djhedy, moonix | E | 59k | Andreil
Summary: After college, Neil is drifting and a bit lost. When Matt makes him move in with him and his housemates, Neil isn't sure what to expect. Finding a family, having casual sex, and then promptly ruining that by falling not-so-casually in love is not on his agenda, though.
35. do you like scary movies? by Ominous, Stjosten | T | 23k | Andreil
Summary: To say Andrew has never seen the benefit in the make-believe would be a lie. However, he finds less and less use for it as he grows older. He especially fails to see the benefits of anything from the horror genre; he’s made plenty of his own mistakes, has seen more than enough to terrify him in his life. He doesn’t need to rely on jump scares and idiotic protagonists.
But when he meets Neil, self-proclaimed horror archivist, he finds that maybe he never gave the genre the credit it was due, and he ends up thanking the dull movies eventually…They lead him to Neil, the realest thing he’s ever known.
36. A Phantom and a Fly by 5a5b5p5 | M | 22k | Andreil
Summary: On the day of Neil’s funeral, Andrew drives north until he can’t keep his eyes open, ignoring the desperate tug in his chest pulling him back. He needs to disappear. Needs to be somewhere nothing can ever hurt him like this again.
Four weeks after his own funeral, Neil Josten wakes up in Baltimore.
or: how Neil came back from the dead and traveled thousands of miles to find his way back to Andrew, and what Andrew did in between.
37. Slinging Mozart Sideways by justadreamfox | T | 10k | Andreil
Summary: Andrew had everything he needed in life. A successful music acquisition and appraisal firm? Check. A best friend for a business partner who also happens to be a renowned concert pianist? Check. Time to play the music he wanted and cook what he wanted, and the money to afford both? Check, check, check.
An awkward enigma of an incredibly attractive, adorably awkward, overwhelmingly talented musician with a tragic backstory and a British accent?
Ah…he knew he was missing something.
38. The Nameless Monster by kanekicure | M | 109k | Andreil
Summary: Nathaniel Wesninski wants nothing more than to see his father dead and buried. But when his father promises him the title of The Butcher, Nathaniel quickly realizes that his destiny of following in his father's footsteps is closer than ever before.
So of course, when he gets forced to go undercover for the Baltimore police, he starts seeing what living could truly be.
Andrew Minyard is a newly recruited police officer for the worst precinct in Baltimore, who is dedicated on hunting down the notorious Butcher and his unnamed underling. But when Neil Josten is thrown into his midst as his civilian consultant; he starts to realize some things don't quite appear as they seem.
39. Photosynthesis series by attfna | T | 14k | 2 works | Andreil
Neil gardens as a form of therapy
40. still by Stjosten | M | 53k | Andreil
Summary: Neil's new life in New York City is loud and overwhelming. He's barely making things work with a roommate whose just on the edge of too much, a shitty apartment that can't seem to retain any heat, and a never ending job hunt that keeps coming up empty. What he doesn't expect to find in New York is something to keep him from floating away. It ends up finding him anyway.
41. Red Rabbits Universe by bloodydamnit, Jeni182, SeaBear13, windeavesdrops | M/E | 690k | Andreil, Renison, Mattdan
Part 2: Behind the Pod | T/M/E | 115k | Andreil, Renison, Mattdan, Kateaaron
Summary: Collection of One Shots taking place in the Red Rabbits Universe.
Part 3: Red Rabbits: Season 2 | E | 282k | Andreil, Renison, Mattdan
Summary: You’re listening to Season Two of Red Rabbits, the Case of the Newark 9. My name is Robin Cross. I’m number 8. And I survived.
42. Velvet and Spice by moonix | E | 9k | Andreil
Summary: In which the Foxes are a queer roller derby team coached by Kayleigh Day, Andrea is on a mission to get Nat Josten off and out of her system, and no one gives a fuck about Riko.
43. fame and infamy (you’re a fairytale to me) by jemejem | T | 19k | Andreil
Summary: When Neil, an enormous fan of A.Doe's novels, stumbles into the quaint town of Palmetto, the last thing he expects to do is stay.
And when Andrew, secretly A.Doe himself, meets the town's newest cryptid, the last thing he expects to do is fall.
44. Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy) by moonix | T | 8k | Andreil
Summary: Neil secretly writes fanfic and not-so-secretly pines over his housemate Andrew.
45. Fin Du Jeu by weicheidarling | M | 14k | Kevineil
Summary: The first thing Neil does after dropping his duffle bag at the door and tossing his keys onto the table is going up on his toes a little to throw his arms around Kevin’s neck.
Kevin bristles, eyes darting to Andrew who seems to have no interest in returning the gesture before resting his hands cautiously on Neil’s hips and pondering, how long had this been creeping up on him without him noticing.
46. into the woods series by Ominous | T | 22k | 2 works | Andreil | WIP
werewolf!Andrew (awoodrew)
47. The Mirror Of Our Beating Hearts by Anonymous | E | 7k | Andreil
Summary: He glanced up to find both Andrews still looking at him and the heat at his throat returned.
"This is a lot," he said quietly, letting out a small noise that could've been a laugh. "I don't know what to do with two boyfriends."
A recognizable look of something passed between Andrew and himself, as if they were sharing a memory or a thought Neil wasn't privy to.
"I think the better question is what will two boyfriends do with you," Second Andrew muttered so softly, Neil wasn't sure it was even meant for him to hear.
After a bizarre lightning storm, Neil Josten finds he now has two boyfriends. They make do.
48. Not a Fucking Squirrel series by justadreamfox, likearecord | T | 9k | 3 works | Andreil | WIP
Andrew: I'm not sexually attracted to the concept of baseball-
Neil: Feel free to explain to me what that question is about, then, or how the fuck we're supposed to answer it--where's Justin Timberlake, I need someone to bring sexy over here and give me the fucking rundown about what it is-
Andrew: You know, if I'd played baseball instead of exy we never would've met-
Neil: No, because you'd have been a totally different person, I could never love a baseball player.
Andrew: See, I was going to say it's a good reason to get over your prejudice.
Neil: You don't even care about baseball! You don't care about it at all and you know it, you picked this question explicitly so you could pretend that people who run in neat little circles like the rules tell them to are anything you'd ever be into just so that I'd rant about it.
Andrew: You wanted something to argue about.
Neil: There is no argument to be had here. There is only the real answer, which is that the word exy is literally in the word sexy, and the fake and wrong answer, which is baseball. Jesus. Baseball. They barely even need helmets.
A viewer: Which sport, excluding exy, is the sexiest?
Neil: Easy, none of them, all non-exy sports are horrible.
Andrew: Go ahead, get it all out.
Neil: Exy is violent and requires strategy. And, also, every other sport in the world is boring. Andrew?
Andrew: Baseball. It's baseball which is clearly the sexiest sport, with their little pinstripe uniforms. And their sportsmanship, no one is ever mean in baseball, and their strict rules--no kicking the ball, and only one person at a time gets to hit the ball--and how everyone takes turns so nicely, baseball players understand homoeroticism-
Neil: Okay, hang on, so it reiterate, that thing pitchers do where they lean over and squint behind two pairs of sunglasses and under a baseball cap while chewing tobacco and then they just spit in the dirt because they're chewing tobacco, that's sexy? That's homoerotic? I beg to differ. They run around that fucking diamond, sliding around in the dirt--what the fuck are they playing outside for? Get an indoor stadium, join us in this century, then you can talk to me about baseball being sexy--look, I always knew sexual attraction was a scam perpetrated by Big Sexy but if you're going to sit there and look me in the eye and tell me that sexy is baseball I'm going to have to take you to a deprogramming center, something is extremely wrong, I-