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Currently obsessed with OCs in the fandom. What are the best ones?
Here are some of our favourite fics with original characters. It was fun revisiting them; thanks for the ask! -A
also see:
‘Blame It On My Youth’ here (completed)
‘Fluent Freshman’ (completed) and ‘The Aidan Minyard Universe’ here
‘at least it's not never’ (updated) and ‘Paging Doctor Minyard’ series parts 4 & 5 here
‘One Last Time’ here (completed)
‘Sixteen hours’ here
‘Uncle Andy’ series here
‘Red Rabbits Universe’ series here and here
‘The Sun Still Rises’ here
‘the key to protection.’ and ‘“I think there’s someone in the house.”’ parts 1 & 2 here
‘Small Angry Gardeners’ series here
‘Learning To Feel (When You've Forgotten How)’ here
‘Wish I Had a River’ and ‘That Isn't Nothing’ here
‘The New Normal’ here (completed)
‘Walking a Tightrope’ here
‘The Nameless Monster’ here
‘Cutting Ties’ here (updated)
‘Picking Up Stitches’ and ‘The Sam Diaries’ here
‘Ghost of You’ here
‘(it's probably nothing)’ series here
‘Kevin Day takes a sabbatical’ here
‘Out of the Ashes’ series here
‘The Kids Are Alright (Now)’ series here
‘Yes, No, Knives & Stones’ here
‘Joshua fucking Minyard-Josten’ series here
‘Whose Your Daddy’ (completed), ‘We’ll Both Be Fine’ (updated), and ‘Arlo Minyard-Josten’ series here
‘Son of a Exy!’ series here
‘Smalls au’ here
‘Space In-Between’ here
‘Steve From Starbucks’ here
‘The Enemy of My Friend is My Super Enemy’ here
‘Professor’ series here
‘Professor Neil’ series here
‘Oh My God, He's Texting’ here
Stay series by KweenDay [Rated T/M, Collection, 2 complete works, Updated 2021, Locked]
Previously recced here
Part 1: Was Sorta Hopin' That You'd Stay [M, 25740 Words]
Neil and Andrew have HATED each other since an incident in college. They really, really do. The Minyard-Josten rivalry is not a sham.
But now Andrew's transferring to Neil's team and all hell is about to break loose.
tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: explicit sexual content
Part 2: Before I Hated You [T, 5974 Words]
Before the Minyard-Josten rivalry was on, there was something else entirely.
*** Andrew and Neil's first meeting in college that ended up starting the feud between them.
The Manny by orphan_account [Rated E, 57000 Words, Complete, 2018]
Previously recced here
Problem #1: Neil accidentally becomes the nanny of two adorable kids.
Problem #2: Neil somehow manages to fall in love with their father.
Fuck.
cocoa dust by djhedy [Rated T, 22319 Words, Complete, 2020]
Previously recced here
Neil had seen the guy around campus a few times. It was hard not to. The exy team stood out. Or those three did, anyway. The twins with their shock-white blond hair and perpetual resting bastard face, and Kevin Day, the number 2 arrogantly tattooed on a high cheekbone, flanked as usual by at least one of the twins.
And Neil knew their reputation. It’s why he stayed away.
-
or, neil gets a new job at the coffee shop opposite campus and guess which asshole is a regular
tw: homophobia
Paper Anniversary by likearecord [Rated E, 45168 Words, Complete, 2021]
Part 3 of the The Bachelor of Baltimore series (recced here); part 1 here
A year after Nathaniel Wesninski chooses him for a marriage of alliance, Andrew thinks the most stressful thing in his life is going to be his wedding anniversary.
He thinks wrong.
North Star by KweenDay [Rated M, 56099 Words, Complete, 2021, Locked]
Previously recced here
Two years after he broke up with Neil, Andrew hits rock bottom.
Fighting with the aftermath of nearly losing his brother, Aaron finds the cracks in Andrew's life and takes it upon himself to fix as many as he can. Starting with Neil.
Aaron has a plan (not necessarily a smart one).
The stars might align just well enough to help him pull it off.
Andrew is an asshole.
Neil is fine.
tw: suicide attempt, tw: explicit sexual content
Feels Like Falling by gluupor for broship_addict, kysprite [Rated M, 35325 Words, Complete 2020, AFTG Big Bang, Locked]
Previously recced here
After college Andrew left behind both exy and Neil. Five years later, he’s built himself a stable life with nothing wanting. Sure, he hasn’t had a meaningful relationship since college, but he hasn’t found anyone compatible and he’s not overly interested in romance, anyway. He has friends, family, and pets; he’s not missing out on anything.
Or so he thinks, until a chance encounter brings him back in contact with his unfairly attractive ex. As he and Neil get to know each other again, Andrew starts thinking that maybe, just maybe, he’s allowed to have it all.
NB: art for this fic by @broship-addict here, art by @kysprite here
Eighteen Wheels And Three Beating Hearts by Autumnalhogwarts, IKnowWhoYouAre_Damianos [Rated T, 82102 Words, Complete, AFTG Big Bang 2019]
Previously recced here
Nathaniel Wesninski had never thought he’d ever end up on a greyhound bus to Palmetto with a toddler cradled to his chest, trying to process the end of his mobster life and starting all over as a 20 year-old single dad. Creating a new life as trucker Neil Josten, he finds a new home and family in his colleagues and quirky small town inhabitants, especially growing fond of the Foxhole Diner’s grumpy owner Andrew Minyard. But what happens if Andrew finds out about his past? Will Andrew really commit his life to the son of a serial killer with a toddler?
Andrew Minyard never expected much of his life and found much more in David Wymack and his lot in Palmetto. His diner means working all day and meeting all kinds of people, but it’s his and he wouldn’t want it any different. Not as long as he can pay for his twin’s study. As one day Neil Josten stumbles into his diner for an interview for a job at Wymack’s transportation company, Andrew senses that his life will change in ways he’s never anticipated.
Take to the Wing by IceEckos12 [Rated M, 68859 Words, Complete, AFTG Reverse Big Bang 2020, Locked]
Previously recced here
Neil is not able to hold out until the end of Winter Break, and signs himself over to Edgar Allan. Trapped in the Raven's Nest, he fights for his right to exist.
The Foxes are devastated at the loss of another member of their family. Beset upon by enemies at all sides, including from within, they begin to fracture even further. But all is not yet lost. After all, that which fractures only becomes stronger when it heals.
a bicycle made for two (or three) by lazarusthefirst [Rated E, 98516 Words, Complete, 2018, Locked]
Previously recced here
The other hindrance was due to the fact that Santa had been very generous this year, which left Jean standing on a patch of sidewalk he’d kicked clear himself, holding his four year old daughter’s hand and wondering how he was going to get all of their stuff plus the Pink Unicorn Princess Dream House up four flights of stairs without something breaking.
tw: explicit sexual content
Art
NB: this is just a sampling of oc aftg character art that’s out there! Search your favorite social media or google for more!
ammi’s all for the game ocs art by @aymmidumps
oc aftg character from artfight art by @eeriethacus
oc raven vi art by @eeriethacus
my exy baby and AFTG oc: Mion ‘MiMi’ Ahn art by @sun-floweroo
oc kyo temida art by @doesephs
oc wen with the mooost 2012 tattoos art by @moncuries
aftg oc: Diana and diana, summer of 2007 art by @sirascolat
Kevin’s daughter HOPE WYMACK-BALCOM art by @exylover06
oc: Eva Josten web weaving by @codename-adler (more at #oc: eva josten)
Happy birthday Milo 7/7 art by @allfortheslay25 (more at #Miloverse)
aftg oc: SELENIUS art by @omegakevinday
Freshman backliner Rory Sokół. art by @sentient-forest-boy
Hiii do you have any Fic Rex’s where the foxes realise the extent of what kevin went through in the nest??
Kevin rarely reveals the full extent of what he endured growing up in the nest. I’ve gathered what I could find that comes closest. -A
also see:
Neil, Jean, Kevin post canon discussions here
pre canon Kevin & Andrew or kandrew here
Andrew helping Kevin through panic attack here
‘changes’ here (updated)
‘Honey, You’re Familiar’ here
‘Different Roads’ and ‘I Was Ruined From The Start’ here (both updated)
‘Shake My Tomb’ here
‘my one, my dear’ here
‘Exy Queen,’ ‘despite everything, i'm still human,’ and ‘learning to love’ here
‘and i'm hoping that you'll stay’ series, ‘fallback,’ and dance 'til you find someone to die for’ (updated) here
‘Hold the Line’ here
‘piece by piece, he restored my faith…’ here
‘Just Short Of A Fairy Tale’ here
‘To Be Certain We'll Be Tall Again’ here
‘A Falling Star’ series here
‘once more, with feeling’ (updated) here
‘stories from the last war’ and ‘Let me tell you what’s it like to be a zero’ here
‘Funeral Pyre’ (updated) and ‘Things you can tell just by looking at him’ here
‘Common Tongue’ here
‘(if you're feeling small) i'll love your shadow’ here (completed)
‘a crown’s a crown’ here
‘I'm Here (Except When You're Not)’ here
foxes sympathetic about kevin’s ptsd in general:
‘Damocles,’ ‘miscalculation,’ and ‘equilibrium’ here
‘(Pas) Peur,’ ‘My Favourite Colour Is You,’ ‘all of the things (that i'm not),’ and ‘I See You’ here
‘the life and times of kevin day,’ ‘Call it New,’ ‘Stand on your own feet’ (updated) and ‘Best of You’ (updated) here
‘Quitter le Nid’ here
‘Kevin Day appreciation hour’ series here
‘why am I like this?,’ ‘In the Blooms,’ ‘Proof of Life,’ ‘i should hate you, i feel stupid.,’ ‘Tell Me the Truth,’ ‘Kevin Day is keeping Celeste’ series, ‘You Gave Me A Key And Called It Home’ ch 31, and ‘A Series of H/C One-Shots…’ ch 4 here
‘Father’s Day, ‘08,’ ‘unexpected pride,’ ‘the lovers, the dreamers and me,’ and ‘And I wanna kiss you, make you feel alright’ here
‘Always in My Head’ here
‘It’s Just You and Me, Just Us, and Y(our) Friend Kevin’ here
‘Don't You Ever Leave Me Alone, My War Is Over (Not Really)’ here
‘All This and Heaven Too,’ ‘The Pit Within’ (both updated), and ‘A Sick Day’ here
‘Haunting Spirits’ and ‘Because, Despite, Still’ here
‘Fitting In,’ ‘a foxhole collection: on possibilities and digressions’ ch 30, and ‘Selfish’ here
‘How You Live On,’ ‘Missed Signs (accepting help),’ and ‘The Same’ here
‘Feed The Lie (That I'm Composed),’ ‘bury an enemy,’ ‘Long live the king,’ and ‘death in an egg’ here
‘Fear Can't Hurt You Anymore Than A Dream’ here
Kevin's Journey series by Dizzymixer [Rated M/E, Collection, 87634 Words, Updated Mar 2026]
Part 1: Waiting You Out [E, 15148 Words, Complete, 2025, Locked]
Renee is confronted by a very angry Kevin after she rescued Jean. This lights a fire in her to uncover more about Kevin, the biggest lingering question mark on their team. Kevin is closed off and none of them really know the man behind his latest mask. She couldn't have picked a better time. With Jean away in California and neither of them talking while he and Kevin are getting eviscerated by the press in the wake of Riko's death, Kevin isn't exactly finding it easy to keep himself together.
This has an emphasis on the growing friendship between Kevin and Renee, and the friendship dynamics between Kevin and Andrew. This is from Renee's POV.
Part 2: Kicking It In [E, 58740 Words, Incomplete, Updated Mar 2026]
Everyone has a perception of Kevin Day. Whether it was exy star, celebrity hunk, ruthless player, insufferable asshole, traitorous bitch... everyone has their take. The thing is Kevin Day doesn't even know who Kevin Day is. He's not sure he wants to know, either. Not with every part of him cracking under the weight of the Raven implosion, Jean's transition to USC, the impending court case, Riko's death and the fan backlash. Who he is, what he needs, and what he wants is irrelevant. And it always has been.
A continuation of the story in 'Waiting You Out'. This is set just before the end of that fic, where Renee gets shut out of Kevin's life. This is also set around the end of 'The Sunshine Court'. The story is now from Kevin's POV.
Part 4: The Sleepover In The Middle Of Our Dorm [M, 4829 Words, Complete, 2026]
A missing scene from my fic "Kicking It In". At the end of Chapter 3 and the start of Chapter 4 there is mention of Kevin, Andrew and Neil all falling asleep on the floor together after the big fight (and other events) of Chapter 3.
This is what happens between the fight and them waking up, told from Andrew's POV.
I wouldn't call this explicit Kandriel but there is definitely a lot of coding and implication there that it felt wrong not to tag as such.
Do not read without reading Kicking It In, it won't make sense.
Oh my Queen, we are here again by starryxdjh [Rated M, 4138 Words, Complete, 2020]
Previously recced here
Painkillers, a bottle of rum, and a dead end of a mouth.
That was all it took to land Kevin Day in the hospital.
That was what it took for Andrew to be the first one out of his chair when Kevin appeared in Wymack's living room. That was what it took for Neil to sit up straight and stare into the brokenness of Kevin Day and finally flinch in the face of it.
Kingdom Come by Minyard05 [Rated M, 82669 Words, Complete, 2026]
Kevin had been Riko's shadow for a decade and as much as he was happy and relieved to be free of him he also felt an empty ache like a chunk of himself had been removed, spliced and severed from him leaving a bloodied gash in its wake….
There were a million things Aaron could say that might actually be productive. That it made him irrationally angry that now even Andrew put him behind someone else, that he felt like Neil had stolen his family, that Neil had shown up and he and Kevin understood each other in a way he never could….
Rewrite the stars by sunndy2 [Rated M, 72569 Words, Complete 2025]
What if Kevin had never joined the Foxes and had met Aaron in a game against them, and who could have impressed him with his way of playing? What if the two of them started to have secret contact and what if more came out of it? Surely nothing bad would happen then, right?
RavenKevin x FoxAaron
to share the memory of frost by mnnyards [Rated T, 3132 Words, Complete, 2025]
Part 5 of the land is inhospitable
“It was more than once?” Abby asks.
“Uh, yes. A couple of times.” Kevin is aware that the amount of times he’s been choked is kind of a lot, but doesn't everyone get choked once or twice in their life?
“No, Kevin, it’s not normal to get strangled. Most people never get strangled at all.”
Oh.
or: everytime, kevin thinks he doesn't have any hope left. unfortunately for him, he always has more to lose.
Learn to let go by Skvaader [Rated G, 8592 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2021]
There’s a question on Kevin’s tongue, one he won’t let escape because it will lead to nothing and there’s no one to answer him. It weighs heavier each day. How do you grieve for someone who’s still alive, who might not be buried? Kevin doesn’t know how to tell Neil he’s already built him a funeral bouquet, that it’s heavy enough that the drawer won’t pry open as easily anymore. That it’s made from steel grey and rosy pink.
Their days are running out and yet here Neil is, buying fruit because Kevin doesn’t dare to ask for a midnight snack.
tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: disordered eating, tw: implied/referenced alcohol abuse/alcoholism, tw: canonical character death
All for Kevin by adiha [Rated T, 10444 Words, Complete, 2025, Locked]
Kevin was hurt. And he was alone. Kevin had never been alone until a few months ago. After Baltimore, his chains to Andrew were broken just like their deal, and he has been left by himself in the dorm, in classes, or in Court whenever Andrew and Neil wanted to have alone time.
Misuse oh by tinywoop [Rated M, 7107 Words, Incomplete, Updated Feb 2026]
Kevin wasn’t used to thinking about his feelings, much less talking about them. Previously, he had no time to dwell on something as trivial as human emotions, when there were games to win and horrors to survive. Not even the familiar taste of alcohol on his tongue seems to be able to attenuate them anymore.
Aaron is up pretty early, more usually than not, not by choice. His nightmares keep him up most nights, afraid for the future he worked so hard for, but might not be able to have anymore. Aaron doesn’t know how to be vulnerable, he doesn’t know how to ask for help, much less does he know how to be this person everyone believes him to be.
Kevin and Aaron try to navigate their lives post-canon events and end up drifting closer than they ever thought possible, finding comfort in each other’s presence.
I Don’t Know What I’m Doing So I’ll Just Keep On Cutting (It’s Worth A Little Blood To Get Your Arms Free) by Caranthirwasalesbian [Rated M, 4185 Words, Complete, 2026]
‘Lydia Shetfield.’
Andrew’s expression didn’t visibly change but his fingers paused for a moment in their ministrations and he thought he saw a spark of alertness in his eyes.
‘What about her?’ His voice was measured but Kevin could hear an edge in it. Dread, he would have called it if it hadn’t been Andrew.
Homecoming King by FicWriterFirefly [Rated T, 2665 Words, Complete, 2017]
Kevin's life was rocky to begin with. He escaped by chance, but the past haunts even the best of us. Kevin didn't realise he had a place, really. His place was by Riko's side. In Riko's shadow. But he's learning to be the most important piece on his board. He's no longer content with second place. He didn't choose this life. But perhaps he can choose his future.
from flirting to festering shame by fivescocoa [Rated M, 1840 Words, Complete, 2024]
“Nightmare,” Kevin rasped. Andrew slid down the wall to sit next to him, knees up to his chest. The silence was comfortable as Kevin tried to rein in his galloping heart and take in some meaningful breaths.
Andrew sat silently, eyes watchful, but not pushing Kevin to explain further. After the conversation they had, it was half Andrew’s fault that Riko’s hot breath and bruising hands were haunting his dreams. No harm in telling him so.
––
Or, post the mall scene in TRK where Kevin drops the “hetero for your career” line, Andrew prods an open wound and Kevin lets something slip.
Love me 'till I break my cover, I just wanna let it go (I just wanna lose myself) by allfortheBoyds [Rated E, 4664 Words, Complete, 2023, Locked]
Kevin swallows hard. “It’s my birthday,” he says eventually. “I didn’t realise.” Andrew motions for Kevin to get to the point so he does, “my birthdays in the nest weren’t good days.”
or
"The next year he gave me Jean.“
Kevin hates the memory, despises it with his entire being and still, he doesn’t stop talking. Doesn’t stop laying himself bare in front of Andrew and Neil, stripping himself off all facades and illusions. Kevin hates it but he tells them who he really is.
or
Kevin's birthday brings up a lot of unwanted memories
To Whom It May Concern by Andy_Day02 [Rated E, 4001 Words, Complete, 2025]
“It was bad sex.” Kevin shrugged. “I’d assume any sex I’d have wouldn’t feel very–”
“Did you want him to touch you.” Andrew’s voice was soft and damning.
“It’s complicated.”
“It shouldn’t be,” Andrew said. “Sex can be complicated, but wanting someone to touch you isn’t.”
“That didn’t matter to Riko.”
“I’m asking if it mattered to you.”
—
Andrew and Neil learn a new piece of Kevin's past in the Nest.
required readings by mmmmmbred [Rated M, 19540 Words, Incomplete, Updated Apr 2026]
Kevin is too busy surviving to have a chance to crash and burn. Between dating apps, liquor stores, bad haircuts, worse decisions, and therapy, he ends up in the even more dangerous position of being in love with Aaron Minyard.
tw: implied/referenced physical & emotional abuse, tw: negative self image, tw: sex as self harm
Heaven Can't Help Me Now by history11huh [Not Rated, 30126 Words, Complete, 2021]
“Please be quiet, I can’t even hear myself losing the will to live.” Kevin snapped from his hunched position over his desk. History books stacked on top of one another and notebooks full of his messy scrawl obscured the wooden surface from view.
“Did you even have one in the first place?” Aaron replied drily, hopping up onto the kitchen counter and making absolutely no effort to turn his music down.
______
Kevin and Aaron don't particularly like each other, but sometimes loneliness gets the best of people.
community service hours by wyverning [Rated M, 10376 Words, Complete, AFTG Fall Exchange 2024]
Have you acquired an anxious Kevin Day under mysterious circumstances? Well, you’re in luck. All you have to do is follow Andrew Minyard’s step-by-step guide for teaching him independence, and he’ll be back on the Exy court in no time! With a 100% success rate, this instructional manual teaches you how to utilize tools in your arsenal such as threats of bodily harm, brutally personal insults, copious amounts of alcohol, and friendly blowjobs so that you can help get your Kevin Day back to functioning in tip-top shape!
Tumblr Prompts by lipsstainedbloodred [Not Rated, Collection, 2018, Locked]
Chapter 12: Page 11: And The Illusion Shatters (Kevin, +Andreil) [T, 1841 Words]
Prompt: creation event (social media)It’s 7:56 in the morning when Neil Josten’s world comes crashing down around his feet. It’s rare for Kevin to be awake before him, even more rare for him to be up watching the news before Neil has had time to drink his morning coffee, but it’s summer break and Abby’s house is quiet except for the low murmur of the television and Kevin’s rapid breathing. It’s enough to make Neil break from his routine and wander into the living room to investigate.
tw: graphic depictions of violence
kevin talks to others about the nest:
When the war starts in my heart by adodora [Rated M, 42724 Words, Complete, 2025]
"Kevin struggles with the concept of home — he doesn't know if the image conjured from that word will ever stop being the dark and suffocating room he shared with Riko —, but he knows there must be some of it in the way his breathing comes easier when he is alongside Andrew."
--
Kevin's perspective through the end of The King's Men and after it, dealing with anxiety, trauma and being in love with his best friends.
tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced physical & emotional abuse, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: alcohol abuse/alcoholism, tw: vomit, tw: panic attacks and extreme anxiety, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: canonical character death
Lover's Rock series by latecambrian [Rated M/E, Collection, 2 complete works, Updated Dec 2025]
Part 1: i might say something stupid [M, 6078 Words]
Kevin has made too many mistakes to count, but this one? This one might take the cake – or, take the edible? Whatever he's taken, he's not so sure it's a good thing
or
being honest when you're high is still being honest, especially if you're with your lifelong crushes
Part 2: not allowed [E, 4293 Words]
They had made this plan a week ago. Kevin knows this to be true, but he is unable to remember anything concrete about any sort of plan other than he really, really wants to do it.
--
healing & drugs & sex but not in that order
Dark Rooms by bittercup [Rated E, 225909 Words, Complete, 2025]
When Riko Moriyama dies, Kevin is forced to confront his past and all the secrets he has long buried—even from himself. As his former life in the Nest seems to resurface, Kevin tries to move forward in the only way he knows how, but years of pain and abuse drag him into a downward spiral. And as his past and present begin to intertwine, Kevin must decide what will become of his future.
a lot's gonna change by neverlyxox [Rated T, 7347 Words, Complete, 2023]
Kevin started going to therapy at the beginning of the fall semester. It hadn’t been his idea, nor was he particularly happy about it. He could barely talk to the Foxes about his issues– and when he did, he definitely wasn’t sober– so how was he supposed to talk to a total stranger about it?
don't say you need me by tropicalblend [Not Rated, 5947 Words, Complete, 2024]
“We’re supposed to play Court together, remember? The three of us.” A pitiful moaned escaped Neil’s throat as he leaned down and laid his head on Kevin’s chest “You can’t leave me” Neil whispered, with a type a desperate panic Kevin is not sure he’s heard from him before “Please”
Or
Kevin has been lost to the world for long enough, and he is tired of wasting time.
Sanctuary by Trash_tzar [Rated M, 20690 Words, Incomplete, Updated May 2026]
'He cannot take you,' Jean murmurs into Kevin's hair. Jeremy rubs his cheek against Kevin's knee in agreement. 'We will not let him.'"
---
What starts as a reconciliation visit to California shatters into a make-shift psych hold for Kevin at Jean and Jeremy's when Tetsuji Moriyama announces his plan to force his godson into a conservatorship. Jean and Jeremy race to reexamine the story of Kevin Day they've been told before Kevin finds drastic means to escape returning to his own personal hell, and find that not even the son of exy could survive what went on behind closed doors alone.
beautiful crime by tropicalblend [Rated G (we say M), 48686 Words, Complete, 2022]
Kevin wanted to cry. He wanted to cry for his dad to find him. He wanted to cry for Andrew because he looked dead, slumped against the wheel. He wanted to cry because he didn't try hard enough to warn Neil, who’s now unconscious on the cement road, possibly dead too.
Or
Kevin grew up in the spotlight, he was used to fan encounters. But when he catches the eye of a certain fan that seems too watchful, Kevin doesn’t realize that he’s become prey until it's too late.
Lavender for Luck by Mercey [Rated M, 33270 Words, Complete, Daylight Savings Fest 2024]
‘There is someone whom I am fated to discover. With this spell, I entreat fate for another.’
Budding apothecary witch, Kevin Day, has always known that he has a soulmate, though he has no idea who they are. In a wild bid to protect them from the cruelty of his coven, the Ravens, Kevin decides to perform a "soulmate swap" spell and binds himself to someone who couldn't possibly exist. However, when Kevin finally escapes the Ravens years later, he manages to run into not one but two people who might just—impossibly—fit the bill.
Or is love a possibility for Kevin after all?
HII!! OMG i’m so happy you’re open!! I was wondering if you had any fics with Neil having a Polish heritage or where it is addressed in the fic? TYSMM!!
Most fics that mention Neil’s heritage or language abilities focus on his British background, learning Russian with Andrew or the languages he learnt on the run. Here are some where Polish plays a role, even if it’s just a minor one.
If other languages or backgrounds are of interest to you, check out our languages/accents tag. - S
Also see:
‘In Flanders Fields’ and ‘Front Lines’ here
‘I Was Ruined From The Start’ here
‘The bittersweet between my teeth’ here
‘Pet Names’ here
‘I Can't Read Your Mind (I've Tried)’ here
‘Not a Perfect Soldier’ here
‘Red Rabbits 2’ here (completed)
‘Shake My Tomb’ here
‘Go or Go Ahead’ here
‘Innominate’ here (updated)
Baltimore Is Calling by Anonyme007766 [Rated E, 110453 words, incomplete, last updated May 2026]
Abram and Mary were out of time. Their contact had been rotten, they were told he would be directing business at home, except he wasn't. Abram's father was on a business trip in Seattle. Abram and Mary were the business in question. Things never went as planned for them. For better or for worse. That was how they got here in the first place after all.
OR: If Nathan was less of a horrid father. The years spent of the run were the messiest fight over custody in all History. Stuart is done with their bullshit. Nathaniel "Identity/Family Issues" Wesninski still ends up with the Foxes. Everything goes to shit as usual.
AND: Columbia takes a wrong turn, Nathaniel's Unhinged Great Escape doesn't help, neither does The Butcher reclaiming answers about the mess. Andrew spirals from there, Nathaniel strikes a deal with him, and he is determined to have Andrew (+ others) see through the end of their healing journey, even if he has to drag them kicking and screaming all the way up. It only goes downhill from there.
PICK YOUR POISON, BABE (I'M POISON EITHER WAY) by AEBROSTEL [Rated E, 37621 words, incomplete, last updated May 2026]
Daniel ‘Dante’ Lisiński has simple priorities in life. His seven-year-old sister, he wants to take custody of once he graduates. Third year of pre-vet, he wants to pass. Exy season to not fuck up. Jean Moreau highlights to watch in secret. A bitchy alcoholic striker to avoid.
Everything, of course, gets ruined the moment Neil Josten joins the Foxes.
All In on a Two Pair by TrixicTigerPrint [Rated M, 13997 words, incomplete, last updated March 2026]
Celina Josten is the latest in a series of identities for one, well, you know the drill. She’s on the run from the same demons, stuck playing the same sport, and honestly, she’s comfortably nestled in her brother’s shadow.
Something starts to shift when Coach David Wymack throws them an offer of a lifetime. For once in her life, she wants something for herself, and if she plays her cards right it’ll come with no collateral damage.
That’s what a life like hers is all about, right? Playing cards.
And hoping they don't notice that she's going all in on a two pair.
Essentially, Trans!Neil has a twin sister, Celina.
BLOODLUST by MISSKOSAI [Rated M, 39802 words, incomplete, last updated Feb 2026]
Part 1 of MORS VINCIT OMNIA (DEATH CONQUERS ALL)
Nathaniel Wesninski was too young when he was covered in his mother's blood, watching her body burn to cinders on the California beachside. His father's arm rests on his shoulder; there is a cleaver in his hand, a cruel reminder of what he has done.
A decade later, he stands in a cold, dark room, cleaver in hand, staring down at the splattered body bag below him. Evermore awaits him, once his job is done. The Butcher's resemblance has never been more evident than it had been then.
Nathaniel realises, in hindsight, it had all made sense.
Fox fable fox (róka rege róka) by solkorolevaa [Rated G, 16754 words, incomplete, last updated Jan 2026]
It was around 12:32 pm when his mother came rushing into his room telling him to pack his things. He learned at a very young age that asking questions will only get you into more trouble. He didn’t know what exactly was happening but Nathaniel wasn’t a fucking idiot, he had a pretty good idea. He had been dreaming of getting out and he damn sure wasn’t going to waste his only chance. Mary ran to get something while Nathaniel ran to get Natalka.
“Neil?” She’d whispered into the dark. He came in slowly and quietly, making sure nobody else was in there. Only his little sister.
“Shhh,” The fear was already settling in. But he could not let Natalka know that. “We have to be very quiet or they’ll hear. Nat, I need you to get me some of your clothes, okay? A shirt and pants, we’ll be taking a little vacation.”
or
Neil has a little sister
Polish Neil bc I want to series by Random2002 [Rated G/T, 17107 words, 5 complete works, 2025]
Part 1 prev. rec’ed here
Part 2: Comfort Food. (T, 5247 words)
There's a new store in the neighborhood and it's dredging up a whole multitude of thoughts for Neil. He decided to give in and explore, and maybe share what he learnt with his family.
Part 3: St. Andrew's Day. (T, 3394 words)
It's St Andrew's Day and Neil wants to try to do some fortune telling. The Foxes are on board with this and naturally turn it into an opportunity for a party.
Part 4: Pisanki (G, 1460 words)
Neil is made aware of a tradition he hasn't tried yet so he decides to check it out
Part 5: The flicker of the wick. (G, 1001 words)
Now, sitting all alone with his candle, he didn’t exactly have anything better to do than to indulge himself in one little act of hope.
Neil sits in a house in Millport and reminisces.
The Gettaway by ConventionalExy (Conventionals) [Not Rated, 2204 words, complete, 2025, locked]
Part 3 of Butcher!Neil
Nathaniel takes Andrew out the night before he has to leave for Palmetto
tw: implied/referenced violence, tw: explicit sexual content
Nathaniel by ConventionalExy (Conventionals) [Not Rated, 2831 words, complete, 2025]
Part 4 of Butcher!Neil (the events of this fic take place before part 3)
Andrew has dinner at Neil’s for the first time.
tw: implied/referenced torture
streetlights and speed bumps by Sepulchralblues [Rated M, 13123 words, complete, 2025, locked]
The bones of Neil’s wrist shifted delicately against the faint scars on the back of his hand as he brought his hand up to take a drag. “Looks like you’re picking up more than one bad habit from me.”
Andrew stayed silent, but Neil wasn’t feeling cooperative anymore. He wrapped the strings of Andrew’s hoodie around his index finger and tugged until Andrew felt agreeable enough to face him.
He knew he’d fucked up as soon as he turned though. Neil was right there, close enough that Andrew found it difficult to breathe out of sheer proximity. His blue eyes were dark, the pupils blown. Andrew blamed it on the darkness, on Neil’s exhaustion, on the nicotine in his bloodstream.
It was a trick of the light that made it look like Neil was focusing Andrew’s mouth. That the look on his face wasn’t confusion, but something that resembled the heat spiking in Andrew’s gut.
~
Best friends to lovers, High School AU
Neil Josten knows too many languages by gay_panic_lizzy [Rated T, 2316 words, incomplete, last updated Oct 2025]
A handful of times that Neil knows too many languages forgets english words sometimes. and his first language is polish for plot reasons. also on wattpad! (i suck at summerys)
kiss it, kiss it by batandreil [Rated E, 3035 words, complete, 2025]
“You are a conundrum,” Andrew accuses.
or
Neil licks Andrew's biceps and they fuck.
tw: explicit sexual content
The Copper Raven by Anonyme007766 [Rated E, 2729 words, incomplete, last updated Oct 2025]
Kengo Moriyama died of kidney failure in the afternoon. Kevin, predictably, drank himself unconscious in fear of how Riko would react to the news, of what he would do to Three and Four. In the middle of the night, Renee and Andrew received a group text from Jean Moreau : Save him.
Missing Pieces by FueledByNyQuil [Rated T, 3159 words, incomplete, last updated May 2024]
In a small town in California, a new kid appears from Poland with a shady past and watchful eyes. Soon after, a family is murdered and a child goes missing. Can eight teenagers solve the mystery that continues to stump the police?
It's strange what desire will make foolish people do (Nobody loves no one) by poly_pr1nce [Rated E, 38907 words, incomplete, last updated May 2024, locked]
Andrew's Mute, and just trying to get through the next year. He's survived this long. Last year brought Neil and Nathaniel into the pit of an on-going yakuza war. The year before had brought Kevin, Riko and Ichirou, along with a living Hell. Surely this year will be uneventful in comparison.
But of course, luck isn't on his side. He's starting to think Neil had a point, that first day in the car. The only kind of luck that existed in their world was the bad kind.
Wet Monday by dzdzem [Rated G, 1152 words, complete, 2024]
“And what, that's it? Just a holiday for people to dump water onto each other?”
“Pretty much, yeah.”
“That's stupid.”
“I told you it was,” Neil said with a smile.
Anytime you want by HushedStars [Rated T, 604 words, complete, 2023]
Just Andreil hugging on a couch. Being all fluffy and soft.
Neil nuzzled his nose to Andrew’s cheek, letting out a sleepy sigh, and slowly turning his head from left to right.
Aftg character hcs:
Science in fantasy by Elysia_josten [Rated G, 2279 words, complete, 2026]
Basically, a rewrite of Aftg, which I'm using science for. I hope you come here and ask your questions in the comments; I welcome feedback!
Why Neil doesn’t speak Polish hc by @hangingthesunandthestars [tumblr, 2024]
Neil Josten is canonically ethnically Jewish and of Polish descent hc by @milocelium [tumblr, 2022]
Neil and languages meta by @13reasonstoeatthatcake [tumblr, 2020]
Neil is described/tagged as Polish in the following fics, but it is not touched on in the posted material:
Mama Don't Know What It's Like In My Mind by Hiddenwriter1028 [Rated M, 3703 words, incomplete, last updated May 2025]
When Neil has a flashback so bad he harms someone he's forced into therapy. This helps, but therapy is never easy, especially for someone who's survival hinged on hiding who he was.
*
Title from I can't carry this anymore by Anson Seabra
tw: ptsd, tw: implied/referenced violence
let me see the heat get to you by some_procrastinating_idiot [Rated E, 3546 words, incomplete, last updated March 2023]
“I take it you’re finished-” Renee’s phone interrupted her, dinging.
It dinged that ding. The ding he didn’t want to hear for at least another day. The ding that meant only one thing.
Another. Dead. Fucking. Body.
Goddamit.
He let his head fall down onto the table with a loud bang.
Or, where Neil hunts down his father's people, and Andrew is a very tired man trying to solve the mystery.
Foxholes by i-did (strawberryproblems) [Rated T, 51448 words, incomplete, last updated June 2021]
Nathaniel watches the boys pop out of the pits they dug, wondering if their foxholes provide shelter from the burning sun. Nathaniel felt the heat of the dirt through his shoe soles like asphalt. He knew he didn’t have eighteen months here, or anywhere, and Romero knew it too. Shooting fish in a barrel. Nathaniel curled his toes to redirect the restlessness pooling in his feet and looked out to the horizon.
A.K.A. AFTG “Holes” AU
The Glass Mountain by exactly13percent [Rated E, 9557 words, complete, Andreil Week 2018, locked]
Prev. rec’ed here
Andreil Week 2018 | Day 1: Fairy Tale
Based on the Polish Fairy Tale.
-
The apples from the glass mountain are all anyone cares about. Anyone but Andrew, that is. Andrew is just trying to keep Kevin alive, despite Kevin's attempts to reach those apples again.
The apples, and the captive prince at the top of the mountain.
tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced sexual assault
Hiii! I was hoping to get some recommendations for Kandreil fics where Neil takes center stage 🥹 I absolutely love that you’re finally open—I’ve been looking forward to this for so long! Thank you so much 💕
Here’s a mix of fluff, angst, peril, pining, and domesticity for all our kandreil shippers to savor. -A
previous recs:
kandreil w/taking care of Neil here
kandreil w/pining over Neil here
‘Odd Man Out’ here
‘If I Only Could,’ ‘don't follow roads paved with gold,’ and ‘not very good at this’ here
‘Four year, ten months, and twenty-nine days’ here
‘Turtle, pine and phoenix,’ ‘what a chatty creature,’ ‘Puzzle Pieces,’ ‘On this night, and in this light,’ and ‘Froyo For Three’ here
‘hold on to happiness’ here
‘The Raven that found a Fox Den’ and ‘Monsters on the Top Floor’ here
‘some wounds need more than time’ here
‘Truth Time’ here
‘Marshmallow Game’ here
‘halcyon days’ here
‘All's Fair in Love and Exy’ here
‘Kandreil ficlets because I have to write me own content’ (updated), ‘since we've no place to go,’ and ‘Foxes' Reactions to Kandreil’ here
‘A Charmed Valentine’s,’ ‘Tonight I Could Fall Too Soon,’ and ‘lover's spit left on repeat’ here
‘if this is heaven on earth, i never want to die’ here
‘Young and Menace’ here (complete)
‘Two Can Keep a Secret if One of Them is Dead’ here
‘Hold on to Me’ and ‘a little magic’ here
‘cheers to the dead mothers club’ and ‘glazed eyes empty hearts’ here
‘once more, with feeling’ (updated) and ‘sunset, like survival’ here
‘Winter Exchange Headcanon’ here
‘Figure study’ here (complete, see ch 3)
‘till the bitter end on a flat tire’ here
‘3 Cups Of Coffee’ here
‘missing pieces’ here
‘Now I See Daylight’ here (updated)
‘Never Letting This Go’ and ‘Sick of Losing Soulmates’ here
‘Coffee, Cream, and Something a Little Sweeter’ here
‘little vixen’ here
‘let's put on a show; pretty boy in a red bow’ here
‘i don't feel like me sometimes’ here
‘Dead Birds’ here
‘hand. cheek. trigger. bang.’ (marked complete; see a/n ch 3) here
‘Tumblr Headcanons - Kandreil’ ch 4 here; ch 8 and 9 here
‘deja vu,’ ‘it starts like this,’ and ‘the name of the game’ here
‘Retribution’ here (completed)
‘fox. hunt. hound.’ here (updated)
‘The Town and the Trees’ here
‘Lullaby’ here
Whether we are mended by flowerbalanced [Rated M, 41478 Words, Complete, 2026, Locked]
“Do not give him treats. No matter what he makes you think, we feed him enough,” Kevin warned Jeremy seriously. He waited for Jeremy to confirm he had understood the rule.
Jeremy turned to Neil and widened his eyes just a fraction, to which Neil smiled. This room was full of people who loved Kevin Day, but that didn’t mean they didn’t talk shit between themselves about how difficult he was sometimes.
_
It's ten years in the future. Neil is happy, and settled in both is personal and professional life - and this is a slice of his life of a weekend before a new season starts, when Jean and Jeremy come to visit to attend a league event.
Knocking Heads by masked_maj0r_007 [Rated M, 2414 Words, Complete, 2023]
When something had happened to Neil that was locked away gets brought up, it needs to be talked about
or, Neil was SA but Lola and some of his fathers men and he tells his boyfriends about it
wings above, dangers near by seeliejimin [Rated E, 83097 Words, Incomplete, Updated Apr 2026, Locked]
Neil leaves the Nest three months before he's meant to start at Edgar Allan; his only choice is to find a man he's been fated to play with since he was ten years old.
tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: blood & injury, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: flashbacks, tw: panic attacks, tw: homophobia, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: nonconsensual drug use, tw: nonconsensual kiss, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: canonical character death
My Honest Face by galmada [Rated M, 6785 Words, Complete 2022]
Andrew wasn’t looking at him in the eyes too busy staring at the emptiness beneath his feet. Neil tried so hard to read his expression but Andrew never gave anything away.
“What about Kevin ?” he repeated with a hint of mockery in his voice, rolling his eyes in front of a dumbfounded Neil. “You want him, don’t you ?l”.
Or, the summer of Neil Josten's way too many awakenings.
“Something wrong?”
Wymack looked up from the files on his desk, and his expression was calm enough that Neil felt himself relax, “Not really, Abby just told me she wanted to take a couple of tests again, something about a blood test being inconclusive or something, she told me to tell you when you got here.”
“Oh, alright. Is that it?”
“Yeah, now go bother her.”
-
Another sick fic because I can't get enough of those
Story title from Sweet Creature by Harry Styles
tw: chronic illness, tw: vomit
Thinking Of You Times Two by Crymeariversong11 [Rated M, 3897 Words, Complete, 2022]
Neil walks in on Kevin having a private moment and realizes his demisexuality may not be a cut and dry as he initially thought.
Can't Let Him Go by Demiwitchwoodwalker [Rated T, 14100 Words, Complete, 2022]
Part 4 of Someone(s) To Stay; part 1 here, part 2 here, part 6 here
“Thank you.” Emotion and honesty, more than locking down a goal and winning a game should’ve evoked, even from Neil, dripped from the words, eyes filled with a desperate sort of longing, a pain and sorrow deeper than Andrew had ever seen from him, all mixed with an odd sort of finality. “Both of you. You were amazing.”
-
Aka Baltimore but Kandreil since there aren't nearly enough
Assumed I was your favourite with no one else to choose by chronically_peach [Not Rated, 3138 Words, Complete, 2022]
After Baltimore both Kevin and Andrew have nightmares about the incident. Kevin is avoiding the dorm and the boys inside it, Andrew is desperate to fix what they had before he fucked it up. Neil just loves the two hot headed idiots.
Three Drops by Gelatofox [Rated E, 261942 Words, Incomplete, Updated May 2026]
Neil Josten has spent his life as property. A blood source promised to the Moriyama clan after a failed escape attempt with his mother, he’s been hidden behind sterile white walls, trapped between the Ravens’ cage and the world outside. At seventeen, he’s nothing more than a name on a medical file. A walking blood bag.
But when Coach Wymack walks into Millport Medical Holdings with two vampires — one with sharp eyes and a sharper temper, and the other whose voice Neil knows too well. His carefully laid escape plan shatters.
Kevin Day wants him for the Foxes.
And Neil? Well.. we’ll see but his future is Kandriel he just has to make it through everything else first.
tw: violence, tw: assault, tw: blood & injury, tw: emotional abuse, tw: power imbalance, tw: medication addiction and withdrawal, tw: homophobia, tw: recreational drug use, tw: nonconsensual drug use, tw: nonconsensual medical experimentation, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: explicit sexual content
NB: fanart: Three Drops cover art, BFF Neil and Allison, Elodie Moreau and Nathaniel Wesninski, and Kandreil on the couch by @Maplefoxx_ on x; accompanying Spotify Playlist 🦇🩸
pede poena claudo by kiwoala [Rated E, 31961 Words, Incomplete, Updated Apr 2026]
Neil Josten wants revenge.
There is a hunger in the pit of his stomach, one that has become so closely interlinked with who he is that Neil is only alive and kicking because of it.
But a single slip-up may prove fatal and when Neil is approached by two strangers with the offer to join the notoriously chaotic Foxes, he wrestles between his survival instinct and the knowledge that a freight train causes more damage to a brick wall than a weak push against it.
And Neil needs to see that wall shatter; needs to see heads fall.
tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: drug use, tw: nonconsensual drug use, tw: suicidal ideation, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: homophobia, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: torture, tw: emotional abuse, tw: murder, tw: body horror, tw: canonical character death, tw: ptsd
Rabbit by kojojam [Rated G, 3953 Words, Complete, 2026]
After Neil wakes from a nightmare, Andrew and Kevin provide comfort in their own ways.
tw: ptsd, tw: implied/referenced abuse
The Three Motif by emmy (emmy7) [Rated T, 5812 Words, Complete, AFTG Fall Exchange 2021]
Neil Josten is certain of exactly two things in his life: one, that he’s hopelessly head over heels in love with his trio partners, and two, he’s hellbent on beating Riko fucking Moriyama in the World Classical Trios Competition.
tw: violence, tw: blood & injury
Nap time by gives_you_hell [Not Rated, 801 Words, Complete, 2021]
Neil takes a nap, in the middle of target, on Kevin's back.
Me and you is all I‘ve ever known (it‘s hard to think you could ever hate me) by allfortheBoyds [Rated T, 4592 Words, Complete, 2021, Locked]
Neil never had a best friend, never thought he ever would. On the run, attachment to anything other than his mother had been deadly. But Kevin has always fascinated Neil. He was something he could reach for, something he could hold on to.
Kevin has been the one constant in Neil‘s life for nine years. And then he was even more. Kevin became Neil‘s tether. Kevin trained him, he took Neil‘s game and gave it back to him the moment he needed it.
Neil doesn‘t understand. There is no reason for Kevin to pull away from them, from him, now.
Or
Kevin avoids Neil and Neil isn‘t happy about it
Sweat Is One Form of Salt Water by Dvchene [Rated G, 899 Words, Complete, 2023]
“Most days, Neil couldn’t feel reality. Not anymore. It was all too good to be true.“
tw: ptsd, tw: implied/referenced abuse
before the first light by kiiseumi [Rated T, 2046 Words, Complete, 2023]
It’s been more than a decade since his life turned upside down for the better. Or that’s how Neil was supposed to look at it. But he couldn’t help the gnawing anxiety that he had been too complacent, too comfortable in the past years, forgetting something, or somebody, could be out there still looking to spill his blood. The pin would finally drop any time soon and his bubble would burst before he could keep the people he loved safe. Kevin and Andrew seemed unbothered. And that bothered Neil even more.
tw: implied/referenced abuse
Carved Out a Place in This World for Two by rememberednoah [Rated E, 10690 Words, Complete, 2023]
Neil was happy.
Right?
Yes. He was. Well, as close to happy as he could be.
He had Andrew. He had the rest of the Foxes. He had exy. He had a future ahead of him.
So, why did he feel like something wasn’t quite right? Why did it feel like he’d assembled the pieces of his life into a coherent picture, but it was the wrong one?
OR Neil: Am I experiencing…yearning…for KEVIN?
rewrite, ignite, restart! by makkisucks [Rated T, 1096 Words, Complete, Equinox: A Kandreil Zine, 2026]
There was a second’s hesitation before three silhouettes filled the doorway behind Hernandez. The man in front carried himself like command came as easily as breathing—his hair shot through with gray, the insignia of Ever After High stitched on his coat. Behind him came two boys—one gleaming like sunlight on glass, the other wrapped in cold shadow.
Neil’s pulse spiked. He recognized them instantly, even before the light hit their faces.
haunt (demo) by gaykevinday [Rated M, 9862 Words, Complete, Equinox: A Kandreil Zine, 2026]
"It's funny isn't it?" Neil says. Except it doesn't sound like Neil. His voice is raspy and full of hatred. The puppet stands on two feet, back straight and hands at his sides, fingers clawed. His head crooks to the side, staring at Andrew and Kevin with lifeless eyes.
"That you thought you could run from me."
tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: body horror, tw: demonic possession, tw: blood & injury, tw: implied/referenced torture
'Til our fingers decompose, Keep my hand in yours by smallcactusbigcity [Rated M, 5,024 Words, Complete, Equinox: A Kandreil Zine, 2026]
A two-narrative story, in which Neil arrives, disappears, and is found once again.
tw: temporary major character death, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced poisoning, tw: implied/referenced murder
“I could kiss you right now!” prompt fill by @peaceoutofthepieces [Tumblr, 2022]
“Where’s Neil?” hc by @viiiiliiiii [Tumblr, 2026]
just three bros staring at each other fandom fun post by @tswizzlesfan [Tumblr, 2026]
kandreil hcs pls consider a coffee shop/florist/tattoo artist au by @hollanovshane (formerly @bisexualkevinday) [Tumblr, 2016]
NB: companion art by @bluetheking, and the final two fics are followups to this hc
Forever by jostenminyard (onceuponahundred) [Rated G, 807 Words, Complete, 2016]
Previously recced here
okay but pls if you want elaborate on the coffeshop/florist/tattoo shop au again like i just want to know what kind of tattoos neil gives the boys and how the convo goes
Ends of the World by jostenminyard (onceuponahundred) [Rated G, 1014 Words, Complete, 2017]
more more more more please if u want idk please i love this what are the tattoes does andrew know how to do it before maybe kevin also gives neil a little tattoo please i'm trash for this
Art
Neil is just happy to be there it seems art by @hopefulrunaways
quiet afternoon art by @/markassus on instagram
they’re so very special to me art by @missescara-23
old camera 📸 art by @happyill
dorm life art by @manekkii-art
kandreil road trip art by @kefcioart
“don't touch my things, Riko.” art by @akuchi-nya
palmetto boys selfie!! art by @vershmer
sometimes i get a random urge to draw kandreil art by @very-small-giant
Most Aftg fics keep Riko as the villain of the piece, but you can find some where the author digs a little deeper to see ‘what if?’ What if Riko hadn’t died and had instead been given a second chance to redeem himself? What if Riko’s relationship with his perfect court had not descended into violence?
Here are some canon divergent or AU fics that address this. Hope you find something interesting here and in our previous posts. - S
Previous recs:
Riko being a good guy here
some Riko redemption here
a nice Riko here
‘who's laughing now, i'm leaving your town (again)’ here
‘Bad News From A Bad Friend’ here
‘bridges’ here
‘Quarter House’, ‘Redeeming Riko’ and ‘White’ here
‘Nest Fellows’ here
You might also like:
Riko-centric fics here
Riko character studies here
Riko Moriyama's Groundhog Life by scribbleb_red [Rated M, 5869 words, complete, 2026]
Most people don't get a second chance, let alone a third or fourth. Most people would use those second chances wisely. Riko Moriyama is not most people - but even he can only die so many times before the lessons start to stick.
Riko Moriyama, across four deaths and one last chance, figuring out if monsters can change.
AKA: It's Groundhog Day except the day is the worst years of your life and the lesson you're supposed to learn is that you are, in fact, the villain of the story (unless you do something to change it).
tw: temporary major character death, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture
One More by hypnostouched [Rated E, 9446 words, incomplete, last updated March 2026]
'It's about second chances. Second, third, fourth, whatever, as long as you get at least one more than what anyone else wanted to give you.'
--
Riko has nowhere else to go; Ichiro's cruel brand of mercy has left him alive but with nothing. Seeking out Kevin again may be a mistake, but what else is there for him if not Kevin Day?
tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: injuries
Why'd you have to go and do that? by exy-and-i-know-it (knockyasocksoff2022) [Rated M, 10600 words, incomplete, last updated Jan 2026]
"The ERC had an end-of-year meeting a few days before our winter banquet. The NCAA made a big fuss about Kevin and me, as always. They told my uncle they had some concerns about the season. They were sure Kevin was holding himself back for my benefit, which is obviously baloney. They wanted to know if it was my uncle's doing. In response, he forced us to spar against each other one-on-one for hours. I don't even know how long we were on the court. I was worried Kevin was going to collapse. In the end, I won." He lets that sink in before continuing. "My uncle threw Kevin out like he was nothing, like he was less than for losing to me when anyone would've. He was just lying on the ground… and then I saw the blood." Riko makes a choking noise that makes Kevin want to strangle him (to make it real). "But Kevin got up. He's always been the bravest of us. My uncle's always had a temper, but the idea that he could do something like this… Kevin ran, and I couldn't stay with the man who hurt the brother whom I wouldn't be half as good as I am without, so I followed. And now we're here."
But is that really what happened?
tw: major character injury, tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced abuse
home is wherever you are by chaos_1303 [Rated T, 2335 words, complete, 2026]
Being the only one home, he got up and walked to the door. By the time his eyes had caught up to what he was seeing, the boy was already inside.
Riko Moriyama was sitting on his couch, crying and covered in blood. “I’m sorry,” as he said it, his voice broke.
“You died. Neil was there.”
“No, Neil, you don’t understand. I believe him. He’s acting like he did whenever we were in private, how he was when we were younger. He showed up covered in blood; he’s got to have injuries somewhere.”
“Check his head. I watched him get shot, Day. I don’t know what kind of depression hallucination you're having, but I assure you, Riko’s dead.”
Try to break the broken by littlefox1 [Rated G, 8097 words, incomplete, last updated March 2026]
Running away from his past actions, Riko comes to Kevin as he is the last person to turn to for help after the Ravens lost in the finals, running away from his brother who told him to disappear and not play ex again and knowing that he is in the state he is now an easy victim for the people he offended.
When did you get hot? by angry_kid_with_no_money [Rated T, 1721 words, complete, 2026]
Following Riko's somewhat unwilling transfer to PSU and even more unwilling healing period on the bench, he's eager to spend as much time on the court as possible, he can't be the best if he lets himself fall behind. Unfortunately, Betsy and Wymack still think he's a mental health risk so he's required to have a glorified babysitter whenever he visits the court but practices with Kevin and his ridiculous guard dogs are unbearable. Que Aaron and his borderline non existent sleep schedule agreeing to study on the bleachers instead of in his room for a few hours a night so Riko can run himself into the ground in peace.
A series of unfortunate events find the two of them trapped in an equipment cupboard together and buried feelings force their way to the surface under tension.
The One Where They Left series by Sappho_Lovell [Rated M, 35695 words, incomplete, last updated March 2025]
Part 1: No Plan (M, 29013 words)
Nathaniel, Kevin, and Jean have finally been pushed too far. They decide to leave the Nest, first to seek refuge from Kevin's father, and then to get out from under Tetsuji's thumb. But they're not leaving without their king.
Or the one where 2, 3, and 4 kidnap 1 and make him go on a road trip with them. He'll have a good time eventually.
The Perfect Court arrived at David Wymack's door four years ago, battered and in need of help. Since then, they've fallen into relative peace. But Riko can't help but wonder if he would be better- if people would like him more- if he had never left the Nest, sacrificing himself for the sake of being the best he could be.
Meanwhile, Jean and Neil have become laughably infatuated with a certain Andrew Minyard. But Andrew is keeping secrets, and Jean and Neil can't help but feel that he may be in trouble.
twists and turns of life by yall_send_help [Rated T, 1213 words, complete, Aftg Promptober 2025]
"Nathaniel’s life has endured numerous twists and turns, none of them wanted but all withstood. From his mother dying in his arms before they even left his father’s estate, to somehow surviving what his father’s henchmen dubbed the Butcher’s most brutal torture session, to being given to the Japanese mafia far sooner than was expected, to finally being at the whims of men who attempted to make the Butcher’s work look like child’s play."
~ or ~
after raven!neil and riko leave the nest and join kevin in south carolina, they plead their case to join the foxes
tw: implied/referenced character death, tw: implied/referenced torture
Once a Raven, Always a Raven by yourfavfox_MDD [Rated E, 16346 words, incomplete, last updated June 2025]
I just got out of the hospital, barely stitched together, and was immediately summoned to East Tower. My heart pounded in my chest like a warning bell — was this it? The day I would finally be erased? The day I’d lose my title, my throne, and be discarded like every Raven who’d failed before me? I could feel the weight of it building with each step, the inevitability pressing against my ribs. I was no longer the King. No longer untouchable. Just another broken piece on Moriyama’s board, waiting to be swept off.
But instead of death, I got exile — the kind that carves deeper than any blade. My home was stripped from me, my name spat back like venom. My legacy, reduced to ashes. And when the door opened to my so-called “rescue,” it wasn’t salvation waiting on the other side. It was Nathaniel Weskinski, the bastard son of a murderer, dragging me into a new kind of purgatory. I left Evermore not with dignity, but with trembling hands and a suitcase full of Kevin’s things. The past clung to me like blood, and the future? It felt like a sentence. There was no crown left to wear — only survival, and whatever hell they were taking me to next.
End of beginning(Finding our way home) by Imwiththegayplanet [Rated E, 26459 words, incomplete, last updated May 2024]
After High school they join the ravens as they were always meant to but after Riko, Jean, and Kevin’s first year ichirou and Kengo get worse and are continuing to taunt Riko and remind him how worthless he is even after his countless wins. Riko can’t stand to keep getting torn down by his family anymore, he wanted to leave and never go back but he couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Nate there, he couldn’t bare it. His uncle would never let him stay with him. He Had to find a way to get out of here and take Nate and his brothers with him. Riko hadn’t told the others but the night of the final game he made a plan to get them out. They would go on the run and never turn back, so the group of brothers packed there things and snuck out of the nest. It worked for a few months, they were free. But one day they had been spotted by The Butcher. They did their best to get away but they had no luck against Nathan Wesninski.
Ichirou approached Riko with a deal. If Kevin, Jean, Riko, and Nate can win they will be set free. They could be a real family. If they lose it’s a death sentence for each of the runaway ravens. Riko has always wanted to prove ichirou and his father wrong and this might be his only way.
tw: violence, tw: abuse, tw: implied/referenced sexual assault, tw: implied/referenced nonconsensual drug use, tw: suicidal thoughts
Seth Gordon Isn't Drunk Enough For This by Atreuloony [Rated M, 7352 words, incomplete, last updated May 2024]
Seth Gordon is an alcoholic and an asshole. just ask his on-again-off-again girlfriend and his teammates. That said, he's not stupid enough to take pills from a stranger, or at least not drunk enough to try. So when a rando in a bar bathroom shoves suspicions pills at him, he doesn't take them.
What happens when the guy that was fated to die that night, lives instead?
What does his would-be killer do?
Will Seth ever get the drink he so badly wants?
Cause in a Sky Full of Stars, I Saw You by angry_kid_with_no_money [Rated G, 1492 words, complete, 2023]
Part 3 of Christmas Gifts 2023
This is for Niel, i love the new perspective youu've given me on a character i used to really hate and now i have two whole fics abt him. he's just a lil guy. the prompt they gave me was riko and renee exchanging presents
You Take My Hand and Drag Me Head First, Fearless by angry_kid_with_no_money [Rated G, 1791 words, complete, 2023]
Part 5 of Christmas Gifts 2023
prompt was andrew/riko and something holiday themed so i went with ice skating
There's life without exy? (it's more likely than you think) by greenJeanKirstein [Rated M, 5383 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange 2017]
When Ichirou took away exy from Riko and forced him to live in the suburbs, Riko thought his life would be dull and boring and short. Then a housekeeper who won't take his shit walks into Riko's life and he realises that life without exy may be possible after all.
Neil Josten is just about the most boring new recruit that the Foxes had ever gotten. He makes healthy breakfasts, goes on morning runs, coupons, and (worst of all) genuinely loves math.
Smalls au, in particular Transform by @jtl-fics [tumblr, 2025]
Janie Smalls was only ever supposed to be a small background character. A reason why Neil Josten could become a Fox since there was an open position. Which is why it really sucks to wake up in Janie Small's body right after she got committed to a psych ward.
Riko Moriyama is having a very stressful Summer Break. This is nothing new to him, summer breaks have been stressful for years and years for him but this is a completely different kind of stressful than what he is used to.
This summer is stressful because he woke up as Riko Moriyama a few months back.
Can you please recommend new and old fics around any of the foxes having a bad day/s and the others comforting them (e.g. Neil having a bad day due to his scars and Andrew helping, Nicky supporting Aaron after the trial etc) . Lots of hurt, lots of comfort!
Thank you in advance!!!
We’re here for the love, friendship, and found families! -A
previous recs:
Neil cries, comforted by Andrew/the foxes here
Neil’s scars revisited here
andreil comfort hugging here
Neil taking care of Andrew here
angsty Andrew & Bee or Wymack here
aftermath of Drake/Andrew-centric hurt/comfort here
Renee / Nicky break down here
Katelyn-centric hurt/comfort here
Jean learning to cope at USC here
Jeremy: hurt/comfort here, angsty here
more Aaron relapses here
Matt processes his past here
twinyards healing here
foxes revise opinion of Kevin / Nicky here
Andrew’s relationship with the foxes here
Andrew helping Kevin through panic attack here
parental Wymack here
‘won't you tell me what you said?,’ ‘for hours on empty,’ ‘Hold My Hand?,’ and ‘Fear (but not of you)’ here
‘this house (our home),’ ‘what is yours,’ ‘stretching out,’ ‘High Temperatures,’ and ‘Night drives’ here
‘there’s a love here, buried deep,’ ‘Together,’ ‘you were never nothing to me,’ ‘cracks in the game,’ ‘Running Ragged,’ ‘the mortifying ordeal of being known,’ and ‘Burned Out’ here
‘Home’ here (completed)
‘i got up finally, with a grief worthy of you, and went home’ series, ‘thinning of the veil...’ series, ‘Light,’ ‘Between Bruises,’ ‘Dream,’ and ‘The Devil I've Seen’ here
‘Drowning In Your Warmth’ here
‘why am I like this?,’ ‘Proof of Life,’ and ‘i should hate you, i feel stupid.’ here
‘One Solitary Fuck Found, More at Eleven’ and ‘A Good and Useful Hurt’ here
‘I Wish I Were Fine, I Thought I Was,’ ‘How to Disappear Completely,’ ‘The Wonder of You,’ ‘You Try Until You Can't,’ and ‘piece by piece, he restored my faith…’ here
‘it's sad but true (how much i miss you)’ and ‘proof of survival’ here
‘Shattered memories,’ ‘To understand in order to identify,’ ‘Aaron Minyard's No Good, Very Bad Day,’ and ‘Aaron minyard oneshots (sometimes two shots)’ series (updated) here
‘white soap’ here
‘splinters beneath our nails,’ ‘Rescue Me,’ and ‘I came for the safety (stayed 'cause you made me feel)’ here
‘And Then There Was One,’ ‘Wear it to Eden's,’ and ‘Just Short Of A Fairy Tale’ here
‘Bandaged knees and training wheels,’ ‘wonder if you care (i do),’ ‘with the moon ahead (and the stars above me),’ and ‘the service bought and paid for’ here
Damocles by KweenDay [Rated M, 8132 Words, Complete, 2025, Locked]
Kevin Day's on top—two championship wins back-to-back, top-striker rank. He should feel invincible. Unstoppable. But inside, he’s crumbling, and even with Andrew and Neil at his side, he can’t hold it together.
And every game he plays only sharpens the truth—Kevin’s not chasing his dream anymore. He’s trapped in it.
AKA The Kevin Day crashout fic
tw: mental breakdown/burnout
see red by TheGoliathBeetle [Rated M, 8473 Words, Complete, 2025]
After a week of being placed on suicide watch, Aaron escapes Andrew and Neil’s supervision and decides to enjoy a lovely day outdoors.
Things don’t go according to plan.
Companion fic to “Terms and Conditions” by buggybugs. (NB: recced here)
Always Second series by Anonymous [Rated M/E, Collection, 13 complete works, Updated Nov 2025, Locked]
A series featuring trans twinyards, long distance kevaaron, and secret relationships!
Part 1: Better than the Worst [M, 4233 Words]
Aaron Minyard had always been the better twin. He was given up, just as Andrew was, but he had been grabbed back by clasping and shaking hands because his mother's guilt was something so overpowering not even the drugs could erase it.
Aaron Minyard had always been the boring twin. He excelled, but never past the point of almost perfection.
Emilia Minyard was the most plain daughter.
tw: transphobia, tw: gender dysphoria, tw: homophobia, tw: child abuse, tw: implied/referenced drug addiction, tw: car accident, tw: murder, tw: canonical character death, tw: religious trauma, tw: unhealthy family dynamics
Part 6: What Lies Beneath Sourness and Blank Stares [E, 5276 Words]
Three facts, three truths. Aaron feels like he's going insane.
He still can't figure it out. Drake? Drake. Drake. Drake.
There are no truths in guesses, but no lies in hypothetical facts. He's learning, but there's no curriculum. He's taking notes that he can't remember. He's observing and researching and his head is going to explode if he can't get information soon.
tw: rape, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: transphobia, tw: homophobia, tw: religious trauma, tw: unhealthy family dynamics, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: violence, tw: canonical character death, tw: blood/gore
Part 7: By the Moonlight [E, 2903 Words]
It is not Thanksgiving at the Hemmick's when he wakes up. The door is intact. There is not a body lying on the floor, or a dead man in the bed across the room. There are no tears or blood or vomit. There are no rackets.
He's in Katelyn's dorm, asleep beside her. Single beds were not made for two college kids, but they're small enough to make it work.
tw: graphic nightmares with body horror, tw: blood/gore, tw: canonical character death, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced alcoholism, tw: implied/referenced drug addiction, tw: panic attacks, tw: vomit, tw: religious trauma, tw: transphobia
Thoughts in the Dark by tomat0head [Rated T, 1607 Words, Complete, 2021]
He’s trying to just fall asleep but his brain won’t let him, keeping him up with a cycle of thoughts.
You’re not good enough. You’re a burden. A waste of space. Pointless. Unloveable.
tw: negative self talk, tw: anxiety
Thoughts in the Dark (No questions asked/the reversed role Remix) by Lyndis [Rated T, 1608 Words, Complete, AFTG Remix 2022]
Andrew has a bad day. Bee and Neil try to help.
tw: implied/referenced self harm
sundown (tell me everything is okay) by Finding_Crows [Not Rated, 2564 Words, Complete, 2026]
Jeremy has an anxiety attack and Jean doesn't leave him alone.
you are real series by driftingsea [Rated T/M, Collection, 5 complete works, Updated 2019]
Part 3 recced here
a look into the times neil makes andrew feel like a real person
Part 1: keep me here [M, 2963 Words]
This is real.
...It’s real in the way the cold bites at his fingertips when he refuses to wear gloves for a morning cig, but insists on pulling on three pairs of socks. It’s the rush he gets on the court, closing out the goal, watching the opposing team’s strikers become angrier and angrier.
But most of all, Andrew thinks, Neil is real.
Part 2: fall with me [M, 1923 Words]
Previously recced here
Andrew’s falling.
He’s both falling falling falling into a black abyss and being pinned down. Hands he knows he doesn’t want hold his arms down, trail over his body, making him nauseous. He thrashes and thrashes, slipping further into that black place. A place he knows he can escape to, can bite his lip bloody and hide until it ends. He wants to scream, wants to yell so loud his throat is rubbed raw, wants to punch and cut and hurt and cry.
tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: nightmares
Part 4: i'm lost (but not with you) [T, 2165 Words]
Neil is late to practice.
Andrew doesn’t notice at first, too busy trying to make Kevin as angry as possible without leaving the goal. Neil had been right behind him when they left the dorms, hair mussed and face flushed but somewhere in between the dorms and the court, he had fallen behind. Andrew assumed he had just stopped to talk to someone, but the longer Neil’s missing, the more unsettled he feels.
Part 5: listen before i go [M, 7423 Words]
Previously recced here
Andrew thinks about dying, sometimes.
On days when the going gets especially difficult. On days when even the feeling of his clothes rubbing against his skin risk setting him off. On days when rage chokes up in his throat and sinks back into his stomach to clinically carve a gaping wound.
He learns he doesn’t have to go through this alone.
tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: suicide attempt
Never Enough by peachesandscenes [Rated M, 2721 Words, Complete, 2026]
Kevin comforts Jean in his bed in the Nest after Riko's abuse.
miscalculation by adiha [Rated M, 9155 Words, Incomplete, Updated April 2026, Locked]
During the summer vacation following Riko's death, Kevin attempts suicide. Unlucky for him, his careful calculations did not take into account his friends' early arrival.
tw: suicide attempt, tw: suicidal ideation
This, Us, and Everything by TheGoliathBeetle [Rated M, 11185 Words, Complete, 2026]
Part 1 of The Case Files of Dr Minyard
While dealing with a loss, Aaron and Katelyn must rely on their medical training to try and save Dan and Matt's infant son.
KateAaron twoshot with background Andreil.
tw: chronic illness, tw: medical procedures, tw: implied/referenced drug addiction, tw: implied/referenced miscarriage
equilibrium by chauves0uris [Rated E, 30491 Words, Complete, 2025]
Aaron almost snorted at Kevin's typical, haughty tone, but instead, he moved closer and gently pushed him back into a semi-sitting position.
"You can't make any sudden movements. And you definitely won't get up without assistance, so if you need to go to the bathroom—" Aaron paused and grabbed the remote with the nurse call button, "—this is your best friend."
Kevin scowled and turned his head. He tried to cross his arms over his chest, but his broken ribs wouldn't let him. "Hilarious."
-
Kevin is struggling and Aaron is thrown into his orbit after five years.
tw: alcohol poisoning, tw: alcoholism
put my heart back together by notquitepunkrock [Rated M, 9604 Words, Complete, 2025]
It had been years since she’d been home and even longer since she’d seen him. She’d carved the part of herself that needed Steve Wilds out of her chest when she was sixteen years old and hadn’t let herself look back.
Or: Dan's dad dies. She's handling it well. By some metrics.
tw: minor character death, tw: implied/referenced child negelect, tw: implied/referenced underage sex work
you have us. by makkisucks [Rated T, 1065 Word, Complete, AFTG Bingo 2025]
“What’s wrong, Kev?” Neil tried, much more gently than he would’ve ever been 10 years ago, especially with Kevin. Kevin let out a shaky breath.
“They want me to retire.”
it’s always over, but still happening by RosebudBasilton [Rated G, 838 Words, Complete, 2025]
“The impromptu interview had come and gone, and Kevin watched as every step they took away from the crowds brought on more spiralling doubt in Thea’s mind. She was elegant, yes, undeniably, but her mind was the same broken chaos as every other Raven before her.“
After the interview, in her hotel room, Kevin watches Thea.
tw: implied/referenced alcohol abuse, tw: anxiety
all your moving parts series by baby nebulousviolet (nebulousviolet) [Rated T, Collection, 2 complete works, Updated 2022]
Part 1: sometimes there’s a danger (of choking on the parts) [1293 Words]
“andrew,” she says calmly. “i need you to pick me up.”
tw: stalking, tw: ptsd, tw: anxiety
Part 2: no one gave a warning to the breaking of your heart [1190 Words]
allison watches her talk through lidded blue eyes, the same colour as shrivelled violets.
tw: ptsd, tw: suicidal thoughts
Run Away Little Boy by calamitoustide [Rated T, 3071 Words, Complete, 2025, Locked]
Neil doesn't run. He's done with that now. He's supposed to be done with it now. He doesn't want to run and his duffle bag has been left abandoned in the top of his closet for ages now. He hasn't even glanced at it. It's wrinkled and seeping into the wooden shelf it lays on, and Neil doesn't want to run. He doesn't, but there's this itch underneath his skin. It runs rampant alongside his veins and he can't get it out.
or Neil runs and Andrew brings him home
tw: ptsd, tw: anxiety, tw: dissociative running
Unspoken by calamitoustide [Rated T, 2266 Words, Complete, 2025, Locked]
Neil discovers that even if he wanted to run he doesn't think he'd be able to without his heart failing him... and he doesn't take it well
tw: agoraphobia, tw: dissociation
Andrew's no good very bad lecture by K_Cameron [Rated E, 2501 Words, Complete, 2025, Locked]
Andrew is a criminology major there is no way they don't cover a prolific modern day serial killer in any of his lectures. His professor plays a video of one of the Butcher of Baltimore's kills
More Gentle Than Any Man by sambutwithbooks [Rated T, 5765 Words, Complete, 2023]
Nicky is already having a massively bad day when he lets slip to one of the rookies which camp his parents sent him to. Unfortunately for him, that rookie recognizes the name and Nicky is forced to deal with the reality of what happened to him instead of deflecting it away.
the badlands stuck between my teeth by cyanica [Rated T, 2070 Words, Complete, 2023]
“Don’t look at your hands,” Andrew says. “Look at me.”
“I am,” Neil tells him because he is. Then, almost as an afterthought that just happens to slip past his lips like a secret, like red-stained hangnails dripping through his teeth, he tells Andrew, “It’s not even that bad this time.”
“You’re hurting yourself,” Andrew says as if it were really that simple. He isn’t looking at him when he says, something of retrospection, “It’s bad every time.”
Or biting his nails off is just something Neil does.
You still have me (you will always have me) by Marydu [Rated G, 3826 Words, Complete, 2022]
Neil is missing again
Andrew is worried
Where is Neil?
What the hell is going on?
Andrew is furious that he doesn't know
tw: panic attacks, tw: minor character death
Andriel 2020 Oneshot archive from Wattpad: Beware by chuuuyq [Not Rated, Collection, 21979 Words, Complete, 2024]
Chapter 5: We All Hurt
...Andrew knew Neil wanted a verbal answer so he muttered a confirmation, "I said yes and I mean it." His voice firm despite his state. Neil didn't question further.
Chapter 6: Youth
The hole next to Andrew's head smelled suspiciously of remorse, though the scent was unfamiliar to him. His bloody and bruised hand throbbed, there was probably blood on the drywall that he would have to deal with, but right now, he couldn't bring himself to move from the windowsill. Their landlord would have their heads if he saw the damage but Andrew knew how to fix a hole in the wall. He just hoped he could fix the one Neil and Andrew had reached as well.
Chapter 7: Youth Pt.2
Andrew had never wanted anything in his measly life. Never bothered wishing for things to be different, never bothered wishing to escape his torture — he knew it was meaningless. There was no higher power in his eyes to save him, no god above looking out for him, just himself and his own blood covered hands.
Chapter 8: Do The Dead Ever Die?
"What are you doing here?" Neil puffed, completely disregarding Andrew's snark. Turning his head over to face him and resting a hand in his own stomach, feeling as it rose and fell dramatically.
"You're not as quiet as you think," Andrew put his hands behind them and leaned back on them, shutting his eyelids.
Nicky Helps Andrew Heal series by FandomDragon16 [Rated T/M, Collection, 2 complete works, Updated Apr 2026]
Part 1: Open Wounds and Shattered Minds [M, 3294 Words]
In a fit of rage and grief, Aaron says something that sends Andrew spiraling. Thankfully, Nicky is there to put the pieces back together.
tw: graphic depictions of self harm, tw: blood, tw: panic attacks, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: canonical character death
Part 2: I'll Show You My Past if it'll Help Your Future [T, 2319 Words]
After Nicky helps Andrew through a self-harm episode and reveals he used to do the same thing, Andrew has had questions about Nicky's experience. He gets his answers and some help.
tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: religious trauma and referenced conversion camp, tw: implied/referenced suicidal thoughts
Raise the Floor by foxholebrainrot [Rated M, 3196 Words, Complete, 2026]
Andrew Minyard is no stranger to the highs and lows of bipolar disorder. That doesn’t make the starts of a crash any easier.
What could it look like if he learned to rely on his resources instead of letting it consume him?
Ft a very confused but doing his best Nicky Hemmick, Betsy Dobson being a pun legend, and Neil Josten loving Andrew very much.
this blog exists so andreil fans can help each other find lost ao3 fics.
i’m creating this because @aftgficrec is incredibly helpful and does an amazing work (pls never stop), but they get a huge amount of asks due to how organized their work is. so this blog is meant to work differently:
people help people.
you send an ask describing the fic you’re looking for and i’ll post it as its own post. other users can help in the replies, reblogs, or comments.
if you recognize a fic, please always let me know!
if you don’t, reblog anyway bc someone else might.
📜 RULES
please read before sending an ask:
1. andreil fics only
(aftg / andreil on ao3)
2. describe the fic as clearly as you can, including:
• completed or wip
• ao3 if known
• plot details you remember
• tropes, AUs, quotes, vibes, anything helps
3. one fic per ask
multiple fics = multiple asks
4. i will not privately hunt for fics
this blog works by posting asks publicly so others can help
5. be respectful in replies
6. if a fic is found, please reply on it’s post so it can be tagged as found
AFTG fandom - check out this amazing resource for finding andreil fics! Our blog has settled into a slow paced deep dive approach that is manageable and enjoyable for us, but when you're desperate to find a fic who wants to wait?? Spread the word about @andreilfics-ask! -AFTG FIC REC FAM
Do you have any long trans neil/ kevin/ any character fics? Happy endings even better
Been feeling dysphoric lately so I would really like something happy to read!
Thank you sm in advance I love you guys have a great day🤍
Some of these contain heavy themes, and we’ve done our best to carefully tag trigger warnings. For previous recs, I’m generally featuring fics we’ve labeled as fluff & angst and avoiding angst with a happy ending in hopes of those being more gentle. Take care, anon. -A
previous trans asks:
➡️ highlighting lightest longish ones, see trigger warnings
staff fave trans fics here ➡️ ‘Josten's Eight’ 11k, ‘Andrew Minyard: Tiny Gay Disaster’ 17k, and ‘Beautiful and Splendid Things’ 37k
just trans people vibin here ➡️ ‘Across the Water’ 13k
trans Neil, Andrew, Kevin here ➡️ link to previously recced ‘Fin Du Jeu’ 13k here – (kandreil); link to previously recced ‘Two Guys Bein Dudes’ series 11k here – polyamory mixing andreil and dan/matt; link to previously recced ‘The Fleet Foxes Detective Agency’ 50k here
trans Neil 1 here ➡️ ‘Growing With You’ 135k wip
trans Neil 2 here
trans fics here
trans Andrew with Neil here
previous recs:
‘We’ll Both Be Fine’ 317k wip, ‘Reckless’ 81k wip, ‘El Corazón’ 13k wip, ‘Whose Your Daddy Series,’ now 2 complete works, 115k, 'Hope Was A Dangerous, Disquieting Thing' 440k completed here
‘Happy Little Accident’ 157k wip, ‘The Monster's Gone, He's on the Run’ 54k, ‘Evidence of a Love That Transcends Hunger’ 10k wip, ‘Still After all this Time, it’s Still You’ 37k, ‘A Change Of Plans’ 67k, ‘Under the Roses’ 10k, and ‘halcyon days’ 152k here
‘innocent corruption’ series 36k wip (also featured below) and ‘Show you how to touch it, hold it like it's precious’ 15k here
‘A Flame Into Being’ 25k wip here
‘Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying’ 45k wip here
‘Fools Among the Stars: The Tale of a Human, a Goddess, and a Bull.’ 41k here
‘Andrew and Neil Family's Adventures’ series 50k here
‘trans andrew’ series 29k here
‘a runaway walks into a bar’ series 18k here
‘Colour Me in You’ 12k here
‘lovely, made from love.’ 11k and ‘The one that brings peace’ 23k wip here
‘Piece it together’ series 14k here
‘In The Forest (Burning Bright)’ 10k here
‘you take me over you're the magic in my veins’ 10k here (aaron/jean)
‘Sweet Impossible Blossom’ 16k here
‘Step By Step’ 35k wip here
‘messy’ 10k here (kandrew)
‘Stuck With U’ 21k here (kerejean)
‘laws of motion’ 37k here
‘but the monsters turned out to be just trees’ 21k here (polyamory)
‘The home we built’ 32k here (kevaaron, angst baked into the premise but otherwise fluff & angst)
‘Promises’ 19k (kevaaron) here
‘me, you, and the multiverse’ 20k (genderbent andreil + background trans aaron) here
‘I'd Never Want to Complicate Your Heart’ 38k here (Heartstopper au, background trans katelyn)
Ellipses by Pretzellover3 [Rated T, 39047 Words, Complete, 2022]
A band au fic featuring a trans drummer Andrew and rockstar Neil.
Another Silly Chat Fic (But With A Crack Ship) by chaoticas_hell [Not Rated, 33168 Words, Complete, 2025]
Andrew: milkshake
Neil: he has two milkshakes and looks adorable so no
Aaron: 🤢
Neil: dramatic much?
Aaron: go fuck yourself
Neil: your brother already did that for me
Aaron: I should finish what your father started
Neil: try me bitch
Still After all this Time, it’s Still You by pipedream_andreil [Rated T, 37746 Words, Complete, 2025, Locked]
I’m bad at summaries (NB: Kidnapped by Stuart after Baltimore and believed to be dead, Neil returns to South Carolina with a secret child and an uncertain future with Andrew.)
Saying I Love You series by chaoticas_hell [Not Rated, Collection, 2 complete works, Updated Feb 2025]
NB: part 1 is the angst with soft andreil, part 2 the angst with a happy ending
Part 1: What's The Safest Way To Say 'I Love You'? [62022 Words]
"Are you stalking me?" She asked her voice as sweet as venom infused honey. "Now why would I do that?" Andrew asked his mouth moving before his brain could catch up. This wasn't how he imagined their first conversation going but he foolishly hoped that Nathania would make it interesting nonetheless. - AKA Andrew moves to Baltimore with his new foster parents and meets Neil the stealth trans guy and they navigate hell (High school and a monster named Nathan) together and their escape as they fall in love
Part 2: Can We Say 'I Love You' Now? [62150 Words] "Hi." "Hello." "I'm Aaron." "I'm Andrew." Almost four years after running away together, Neil and Andrew, now married, start attending PSU. They've met a bunch of weird people who quickly became their friends, they were getting their degrees and living in marital bliss. Everything was good. Until Andrew runs into his long-lost twin brother and his world gets spun onto its side once more. With Neil's encouragement, Andrew decides to take the chance to get to know his brother and cousin, hoping that against the odds of his bad luck that they could be a family.
innocent corruption series by Ominous [Rated E, Collection with 4 complete works, 35946 Words, Updated May 2025]
Parts 1 & 2 previously recced here
Part 1: imagine that [4286 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2024] Andrew, on the cusp of eighteen, is sent to a religious-themed reform camp in the deep wilderness, and doesn't expect to find love with the preacher's naive, and impossibly intriguing son.
tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: religious trauma, tw: explicit sexual content
Part 2: all this and heaven too [9806 Words] Andrew and Neil start the process of carving out their new life together, and Neil makes some new friends along the way. The problem? His new friends don't exactly care for his husband.
tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: religious trauma, tw: malnourishment, tw: explicit sexual content
Part 3: prayers and proclamations [8301 Words] Andrew never thought he’d be one for such a lifelong commitment like marriage, assumed even if he found someone, he would fight tooth and nail against the emotions until the person eventually gave up. But not with Neil. He knew it had to be him. The more time they spend together, the stupider it feels to hide it. Not just stupid, infuriating. Andrew decides enough is enough. The Foxes should know about his and Neil's relationship. Unfortunately, they don't find out in the most ideal way.
tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: religious trauma, tw: explicit sexual content
Part 4: if only for a moment [13552 Words] Andrew and Neil have their first time at the camp; Andrew learns he may not want to let this go
tw: religious trauma, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: explicit sexual content
In Time We'll Be Fine by moonix [Rated M, 40483 Words, Complete, 2022, Locked]
Previously recced here
Neil's adventures in playing for the world's crappiest college Exy team, featuring highlights such as a meet-ugly of star players Kevin Day and Andrew Minyard, a tour of all three of Ohio's thrilling sights, copious amounts of shit-stirring, the mystery of an undead house plant, arguing about Pokémon with a guy he met online and sometimes hooks up with and definitely doesn't know in real life, forced team bonding, a date at the Mothman museum, charcuterie boards, and many more.
cancel my subscription by athenachild [Rated T, 10386 Words, Complete, 2022, Locked]
I’m not a girl, I’m not a girl, I’m not a girl. In retrospect, Neil should’ve known it was coming. All the signs were there: mood swings, irritability, tension, weird appetite, feeling out of control, and of course his tender chest and bloating. He’d been picking fights all week and Andrew continuously gave him that look. The one that said Neil was acting strange. In Neil’s defense, his periods had always been irregular and he had no reason to believe that one was even coming, hoping, desperately, that his T shots had finally decided to take this evidence that he could ever be considered a girl away. No such luck.
tw: gender dysphoria
Art
trans Aaron doodles art by @allfortheslay25
andrew and trans boy neil at pride art by @coldcigarettes
beefcake trans Andrew art by @i-did
M!Renee art by @maysonthecat00
Neil and Renee in pastel outfits art by @emry-stars-art
It’s about time we gave this fic a shoutout. If you haven’t read it yet, give it a try, you won’t regret it! - S
What Happened To Little Nathaniel? by athousandstoriesleftuntold [Rated M, 104265 words, incomplete, last updated Jan 2026]
Part 1 of podcast 'verse
KF: An international trail of bodies. Millions of dollars. A sealed court case.
KF: This grisly tale is not for the fainthearted.
KF: Join me, Kathy Ferdinand, on my first foray into true crime podcasting. And what better case to start with than that of the Butcher of Baltimore?
When Nathaniel Wesninski is the subject of a tell-all true crime podcast, the world latches onto the story.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Nathaniel is alive and well and living as Neil Josten. His main priority is protecting the fragile peace he's built for himself– Kevin and Jean both have a lot to lose, and Neil isn't about to be the reason their lives are ruined.
Meanwhile, Andrew Minyard is about to be alone for the first time in years: his brother's leaving for med school and Nicky's in Germany. He has no intention of starting a relationship– at least, until he meets Neil Josten at his old coach's birthday party.
It's immediately evident that both of them have secrets. And, when the clues start falling into place, each becomes more fascinated with solving the mystery of the other.
fics where andrew is clearly into neil and neil is insanely oblivious ?
THANK YOU
Y’all can’t get enough of this combo! Enjoy. -A
previous recs:
Oblivious Neil/Crushing Andrew here
Oblivious Neil here
‘Wanted: Random Guy’ here
‘Andrew’s Kill List’ here
‘I Hate Him’ and ‘Unexpected Findings’ here
‘All Of This Turbulence Wasn’t Forecasted’ here
‘Need You Now’ and ‘Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy’ here
‘I been here all along (so why can't you see?)’ here
‘The air gets thin on top of the mountain’ here
‘Witching You A Happy Holiday’ here
‘Hold each other’ ch 34 here
‘Lonely Hearts’ and ‘All For The Playlist’ here
‘A Splash of Color’ here
‘gardens /'gärd(ə)n/,’ ‘Free cigarettes,’ and ‘The New Normal’ (completed) here
‘fearing, doubting, dreaming’ here
‘Lost Cause’ and ‘Neil Josten Builds Himself a Life’ here
‘to know a man’ here
‘Can I finally stop running now?’ here
‘selbstzerstörend, nicht dumm’ and ‘"Vodka solves everything" - Kevin Day’ here
‘Pebble Brain’ here
‘Legally Yours’ series here
‘Neil Josten versus November 12th’ here (updated)
‘Lifeline’ here (updated)
‘Why do we feel alone?’ here (completed)
‘Kiss It Better?’ here (updated)
‘Insecure Neil’ series part 1 here
‘Rebel Rebel’ and ‘Disparity,’ plus ‘penchant’ and ‘There Was Only One Pumpkin’ (oblivious andrew) here
more gay disaster/piningandrew:
‘triptych’ here
‘always you’ here
‘Abram, My Dear (I’ll Find You)’ here
‘motion sickness’ here
‘I'm Addicted to the Dark’ here
‘to the moon and back’ series here
‘What's The Safest Way To Say 'I Love You'?’ and ‘We Never Go Out Of Style’ here
‘blue eyes and coffee grounds’ here
‘Do I want to know if this feeling goes both ways?’ here
‘a runaway walks into a bar’ series and ‘~Runaways and Travelers~’ series part 1 here
‘fragile’ here
‘Flavors of Fall,’ ‘swing me your bones,’ ‘Sugar & Spice (and everything... nice?),’ ‘do you like scary movies?’ and ‘Andrew Minyard Loves Fall…’ here
‘Festive FEELINGS! (Oh, and shopping)’ here
‘Okay, fine’ here
‘Your love is my drug’ here (completed)
‘System Error’ here
‘Follow You Through The Dark,’ ‘the hunger at the heart of me,’ and ‘quicksand’ here
you may also like:
Neil pines, Andrew is (varying degrees of) oblivious here
andreil roommates with mutual pining here
BFFs Andreil with pining here
Staff Recs Ace Spectrum fics here
‘Out Here in Plain Sight’ here
‘Surrounded By You: Andreil’ here
‘a whole 'nother high’ here
‘Broken promises’ here (kandreil)
‘cake and other postponed pleasures’ here
Lost in a Haze by shadowdreams [Rated G, 34277 Words, Complete, 2026]
“Hello boys.” Thea sat down beside Kevin, setting her tray on the table. “What’s up?”
Kevin didn’t miss a beat. “Andrew has lost his prowess and is asking me for advice.”
“I didn’t,” Andrew said. “And I haven’t.”
Thea blinked. “Prowess as in… performance issues?”
“Yes,” Kevin said at the same time as Andrew’s decisive “No.”
Or: Andrew hooks up with a hot guy. It doesn’t go to plan.
Tempt You (evocatio) by capoismail [Rated T, 6308 Words, Complete, Locked]
Andrew always picks Neil up in his car, because he's convinced it's the only way he's allowed to have time alone with him.
Loosely inspired by Tempt You (evocatio) by Nothing But Thieves
What A Way To Meet by P234age [Not Rated, 28083 Words, Incomplete, Updated Dec 2025]
Neil is an emergency physician and Andrew is a pro exy player who keeps finding himself in Neil's ER. Oblivious flirting ensues.
Kevin's there too. Just...being Kevin.
Nachtschwärmer by sun_litsoul [Rated T, 6928 Words, Complete, 2025]
Neil had obliviously tumbled around the topic of Andrew's attraction towards him, for quite a while, and Andrew knew that it was a matter of time that someone would point to it so bluntly that Neil would be unable to overlook it. Honestly, Andrew was surprised it had taken so long. Andrew knew Neil would demand answers eventually and judging by the tone of Neil's voice, that moment had apparently arrived.
It was no secret, and besides, it wouldn’t lead to anything anyway. Andrew decided he might as well get it over with, so he lifted his gaze up to meet Neil's glare.
or
Andrew’s POV of chapter 3 of The King’s Men
tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: recreational drug use
across the sand by SaltedKetchup [Rated M, 6805 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2026]
“It’s just,” said Allison, the ghost of a giggle still haunting her words, “After a year of fucking him, it seems kind of late to develop a celebrity crush now.”
i could talk to you all night by pipedreamaddy [Rated T, 7310 Words, Complete, 2026, Locked]
The first time that Andrew saw Neil Josten, he knew that he had fallen head over heels. He wasn’t beautiful in the way that you would expect one to be. But he was beautiful. The way that the sun seemed to highlight the auburn of his hair, and the crystal blue of his eyes…
-
Or the Monsters are in high school, and Andrew is hopelessly in love with Neil.
Red by Ren4YourLives (TheRoadtoHell) [Rated M, 4280 Words, Incomplete, Updated July 2025]
When he turns around, Andrew makes and maintains eye contact with the pretty red-haired blue-eyed bastard who had the audacity to make Andrew do his job two fucking minutes before closing, like a goddamn psychopath.
Or
Andrew is a barista and Neil comes in two minutes before closing. Andrew is very pissed and very horny about it.
In Bloom by readingnook [Rated M, 12856 Words, Complete, 2025]
Tattoo artist Neil develops Hanahaki and is very confused because he doesn’t swing. He enlists the help of the florist next door to help.
vamp Neil series by Kingfluffkinss [Rated M/E, Collection, 2 complete works, Updated 2025]
Part 1: Hungry, but I've already eaten [M, 8257 Words]
Malnourished, runaway vampire Neil gets more than he bargained for when his latest meal offers him a deal- a steady supply of blood in exchange for the guy's life. Neil can't afford to leave behind human witnesses, and Andrew's blood was repulsively sweet. Nothing good will come out of this. Despite everything, he finds himself agreeing.
Part 2: Starving, yet I'm finally eating [E, 5342 Words]
“I was promised a meal,” he said, the double meaning woven into his words. They echoed in their shared space.
The tips of Andrew’s ears were inventing a new hue of red. His lips parted slightly, but the blase expression remained. Neil had the uncontrollable urge to wipe it off his face.
“And I’m offering myself on the platter. The sacrifices we must make.” Andrew’s voice didn’t waver, but it was a near thing. Neil tilted his head just slightly, his hunting instincts thrashing against the cages of his rational mind, begging him to move and feed. The fangs elongated on their own accord.
“Far be it from me to leave you unsatisfied.”
---
Aka, Andrew wears a skirt and Neil comes to a few realizations, then does something about them.
tw: blood, tw: explicit sexual content
The Art of Petty Revenge by foxinky [Rated G, 4607 Words, Incomplete, Updated Feb 2025]
Neil’s life was perfectly fine—until Aaron started dating Kevin and decided to move into their house. Kevin and Neil's house. Without asking Neil. Betrayed and slightly furious, Neil did what any sane person would do: he got himself a fake boyfriend to make Kevin suffer.
Aaron is disgusted by the idea of Andrew with Neil.
Kevin is disgusted by the idea of Neil with Andrew, his boyfriend’s twin.
The choice is perfect. And Andrew? Andrew is bored and completely in love with Neil. Living with him doesn’t sound so bad.
bunny wabbit by bees_in_eyeliner [Rated T, 2654 Words, Complete, 2025]
It’s the hoodie that Andrew notices first, bright white and loose with a fluffy hood pulled over auburn hair. The only spots of color being the pink pocket on the belly and the pink insides of the two floppy ears attached to the hood.
Next is the thighs, lean, honey brown and peppered with freckles. Andrew’s eyes catch on a thin white scar slicing through the soft skin of his left inner thigh. Andrew can’t see any pants. Is he not wearing pants?
or
What if Neil and Kevin were one year ahead of the Monsters at Palmetto and Neil had to protect Kevin for his first year?
or
Neil puts on a rabbit hoodie and ruins freshman Andrew's day
tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: implied/referenced drug addiction
See Me Bare My Teeth For You by weeping_over_books [Rated T, 2049 Words, Complete, 2024]
Andrew's confession to Neil at Eden's Twilight from Andrew's point of view.
tw: implied/referenced abuse
corndogs? sweet! by williams_strawberries [Rated G, 8933 Words, Complete, 2024]
Neil Josten hates his job. He doesn't like candy, or kids, or parties. But Candytown USA was the only job he's managed to maintain, and he has nothing better to do.
When his only regular, a man in strange, corndog themed attire, starts asking 'personal' questions, Neil has to contend with his worst enemy; feelings. Will he be able to solve the mystery of the corndog man's interest, before he's consumed by the ghosts of his past?
tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: anxiety
ink and thorn by l_mialamia_l [Rated T, 25018 Words, Complete, AFTG Fall Exchange 2024]
Neil Josten had known Andrew Minyard for approximately two minutes and thirty seven seconds, and he already knew he’d hate him for the rest of his life. Andrew, for his part, seemed to have hated Neil before they even met, so Neil felt he was justified. He gave a wistful goodbye to his resolution not to make any enemies in his new life. He’d lasted, what, five hours? Not bad, considering his track record.
. . .
A light fantasy flower shop x tattoo parlor au, with Andreil as rival business owners and neighbors who reluctantly fall in love.
they write books about this sort of thing by kieka [Rated T, 6433 Words, Complete, 2024]
Neil turns his attention back to Andrew, watching as he fixes a jammed printer by kicking the tray with full force. “What do you know about him?”
“He went to juvie for a few years,” Matt says. “There’s a rumor that he’s killed someone, or maybe it was two people. Anyways, people call him a psychopath. He always carries at least ten knives on him at all times.”
“Ten knives,” Neil repeats blandly.
“Just telling you what I’ve heard,” Matt says with a shrug.
-
The new librarian has a reputation. Neil doesn't believe any of it.
How to say 'fuck u' in flower languageby ellaizia [Rated G, 1558 Words, Complete, 2026]
“I’m gonna murder you, right now,” Neil hissed through his teeth. “Slowly and very, very painfully."
“How exactly? By talking me to death with your magnificent accent?” Andrew deadpanned out of the blue.
OR
Neil and Andrew pretended to "hate" each other for so long no one believes it anymore.
Lonely is the night by Mummadoof [Rated E, 35606 Words, Complete, 2025]
Andrew just wanted some ice-cream, instead he gets a beautiful, feral, dumpster fire of a man. And pot plants. And some cats.
The Trials and Tribulations of the Invisible Sexuality by areadingmetaphor [Rated M, 23629 Words, Incomplete, Updated Oct 2025]
Neil joins an a-spec group. As he attends more and more meetings he starts to realize exactly where on the ace spectrum he falls. This might or might not be directly related to Andrew Minyard.
tw: recreational drug use
Neil thinks he's good at reading people… meta by @the-gay-cousin-666 [Tumblr, 2023]
Art
That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t blow you complete scene comic by @smokesontheroof
Andrew is oh so subtle art by @teomoy
That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t blow you. art by @cowboymoonking
”Why am I so gay?” art by @danzeebee
what andrew has to deal with at practice art by @oyabun-draws
Happy Late Valentine’s Day yearners comic by @zaiciart
tiny gay disaster art by @/remuslupinsmoustache on instagram
Hii!! I just wanted to share this one shot with incredible writing because it deserves more love. It basically a first meeting AU of andrew and neil on the beach with a little twist… hope you enjoy because I sure did!!
Oof, better beware the trigger warnings, this isn’t going to be for everyone! - S
On a random beach during the 4th of July weekend, Andrew takes a picture of a man sitting alone in a lifeguard chair.
From there, Andrew starts up a conversation with this mysterious stranger named Neil.
But, Andrew can tell Neil is hiding something because he clearly isn’t acting right. So, he decides to keep him company; however, the night takes a turn for a worse when Neil’s secret is revealed.
—
OR: Andrew meets Neil on a beach and is traumatized.
tw: major character death, tw: major character injuries, tw: blood
hii! thank you! begging for really angsty, sob inducing fics, neil centric preferably, whatever length, i just want sadness <3
Open the floodgates. -A
previous recs:
‘tried and true blue’ here
‘I Spy a Broken Heart’ here (completed)
‘Begin Again’ here
‘Inevitably, like a car crash’ and ‘The Broken Heart Syndrome’ here
‘This is the end for us’ here
‘Scribbles and Sticky Notes’ and ‘Run to You’ here
‘here's to the fact that i'll be sad without you’ and ‘I'll kidnap all the stars and I will keep them in your eyes’ (updated) here
‘What We Ask’ here
‘Fragments of Light Series’ here
‘Abram, My Dear (I’ll Find You)’ and ‘I hate a liar’ here
‘Tell Me How You Hate Me’ (updated), ‘but i’ll know, i’ll know’ (completed), and ‘making it harder to breathe’ here
‘The Many Deaths of Neil Josten,’ ‘the way that i live my life (undone),’ ‘cake and other postponed pleasures,’ ‘Message From a Narrator,’ and ‘thinning of the veil | decaflondonfog's halloween fics’ parts 1 & 2 here
‘Hearts In Halves,’ ‘too late.,’ ‘Am I Screaming to An Empty Sky?,’ and ‘Shadows and Monsters’ here
‘I’m More Than This Body of Mine’ (completed), ‘Things Always Gets Worse Before They Gets Better’ series (updated), ‘the upswing’ (completed), ‘please (don't bite),’ ‘If it means losing you, then no,’ ‘cause and effect,’ and ‘The Songs Around Us’ here
‘Kiss the Pavement’ and ‘Hanahaki AU’ here
‘Neil Josten is Not Fine,’ ‘i'll take anything you have (if you could throw me a line),’ ‘help, I've lost myself again (but I remember you),’ ‘keep telling me that it gets better (does it ever?),’ ‘an acquired taste the asbestos is lovely,’ and ‘Ain’t it fun’ here
more bad times for Neil:
Neil goes through hell + happy ending here
Mary & Nathan's impact on Neil here
Neil in psych. hospital/therapy here
Neil flinching away from Wymack here
Neil being cared for when incapacitated here
Neil dies/survives with amputation in Baltimore here
Andrew hurts neil emotionally/physically here
andreil mourning each other here
canon-divergent angst post-TKM here
many angsty fics in Neil as parent here
Black sand by karsastava [Rated T, 2551 Words, Complete, 2026]
Mary listened to her son's voice, wondering why didn't she do it more before. The sky was coloured red and the ocean was reflecting it. The black sand looked like the sky had burned it and left only ash behind. Mary wondered would it look the same when she ends up in hell.
or;
Canon complaint prequel of Mary's death and how Neil Josten came to be.
tw: violence, tw: blood, tw: graphic description of corpses, tw: canonical character death, tw: implied/referenced domestic and child abuse
the healing and rebirth of nathaniel wesninski series by electric_typewriter [Rated T/M, Collection, 5 complete works, Updated Feb 2025, Locked]
Part 1: euphoria take my hand [T, 13794 Words]
Nathaniel Wesninski is doing his best. He goes to therapy, although he never talks. Every Sunday in the therapist’s waiting room, he locks eyes with a blond man with an unflinching stare, and feels grounded by the connection. He plays exy professionally, he has a cat, he’s discovered he likes running outside. He’s getting better, little by little, despite everything he’s been through.
Then he gets a phone call from an old teammate, and every little victory he’s worked for since leaving the Ravens threatens to fall into dust at his feet.
Part 2: love is a doing word [M, 4789 Words]
Being close to someone and feeling safe is new for both of them, and it’s worth every thorny lesson.
Or,
Nathaniel reflects on his relationship with Andrew
Part 3 animal brisé, humain vivant [T, 3109 Words]
Previously recced here
Nathaniel and Jean begin the long and difficult road to playing together again. Perhaps, to get through it, they need each other more than they need anything else.
Part 4: the matter of kevin day [T, 3541 Words]
Nathaniel brings up the matter of Kevin Day with Jean. Sometimes, not a lot of words are needed to say a lot.
tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: ptsd
Part 5: and he didn't die [T, 3900 Words]
Nobody has hit Nathaniel in weeks. No, it must be months now. Nobody has touched a knife to him, forced him to beg, made him play with broken bones, stitched his skin together with clumsy, shaking hands.
That’s over. But there are different trials that he does not know how to face.
A look into the start of Nathaniel's journey after the Nest as he begins his recovery in New York. Prequel to euphoria take my hand
what am i supposed to do, if there's no you? by mistressregulus [Rated M, 10849 Words, Complete, 2023]
Neil’s absence is deafening; it is to everyone, really, eating away all parts of Andrew’s life like a parasite.
This tragedy ripped him apart.
This tragedy split him open and scraped him raw.
Only Neil could shed light on Andrew’s whole being with his barely felt touch, and leave him in complete darkness with his absence.
The thing is, Andrew took him for granted. Neil was so much a part of him, Andrew hadn’t realized the absence of him would be fatal. Like taking out his own voice. How is he supposed to speak, now? Who is he supposed to talk to? What is he supposed to do, if there’s no Neil?
tw: major character death, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: vomit, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon
seconds too late by pipedreamaddy [Rated G, 1105 Words, Complete, 2025]
Riko finally dragged his gaze away from the board. He stared at Neil, blank-faced and stunned, and then revulsion twisted his expression into something terrible and hateful. He gripped his racquet tight and raised it high over his head. Neil saw it coming, but it took a beat to sink in.
Riko meant to swing his racquet and hit him.
Or where Andrew wasn't fast enough at the final game in The King's Men
tw: violence, tw: assault, tw: blood, tw: major character injury
Em's Whumptober (2025) by Emthynbeloved [Rated T, Multifandom Collection, 22 complete AFTG works, Updated Nov 2025]
Part 4: No Where Left to Run, Rabbit. [1484 Words]
Neil just wanted to go for a run to clear his head. Unfortunately he would never get back from the run.
Part 22: A Crushed Pipe Dream [1450 Words]
The game versus the Ravens' were always the roughest. Neil was not able to walk off the court this time on his own two feet.
tw: violence, tw: assault, tw: major character injury
Part 25: You Will Not Die A Lier. [1627 Words]
Neil was in Baltimore. Strapped to a chair with no way to escape. He was going to die there, he would die as a liar.
The End Of "Always" by Alixxantisocialxx [Rated M, 1202 Words, Complete, 2025]
Neil, with desperate hands, tries to hold onto their “nothing”.
But what if there is nothing to hold on to?
According to Andrew, there never was.
tw: implied/referenced torture
This I Cannot Come Back From by Aksbe [Rated T, 11341 Words, Incomplete, Updated Sep 2025]
“Yes or no?” Neil is close enough for Andrew to feel his still shallow breath against his skin. Also, close enough to smell the fresh air and sweat on the man. A soft “yes” is said before Neil snakes his hand around the blond's waist from the side and presses his lips to his temple. It really is stupidly domestic, and Andrew turns to check on the eggs.
tw: major character death, tw: kidnapping, tw: gun violence, tw: murder
Nettles by telonulea [Rated M, 3916 Words, Complete, 2025]
In an ideal world, Neil and Andrew are forever. In this one, their minutes are carefully measured. Neither of them knows it’s their final goodbye, but they both feel it.
tw: major character death, tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced torture and abuse, tw: implied/referenced corpse desecration
You Were Amazing by Fortheloveofexy [Rated M, 6903 Words, Complete, 2021, Locked]
Baltimore happens a little bit differently, this time.
tw: kidnapping, tw: major character death, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: torture
NB: he didn’t make it back. accompanying art by @fortheloveofexy
i still talk to you (when i'm screaming at the sky) by Killingmeslowly_24 [Rated M, 1886 Words, Complete, 2023]
"I could have protected you. I should have protected you.
Why didn't you let me protect you?"
...
Or, Neil dies in Baltimore. Andrew tries to cope.
tw: major character death, tw: implied/referenced suicide, tw: implied/referenced murder
It's Second Nature to Love You, It's First to Die by emmywren [Rated M, 3369 Words, Complete, 2025]
Neil Josten doesn't come back from Baltimore. Andrew deals with living without him as best he can but Neil has a hard time letting go. This is a one-shot composed mainly of conversations between Andrew and Neil's ghost as they both try to find some sort of closure.
tw: major character death
REDO-REPEAT by alcego [Rated M, 1845 Words, Complete, 2024]
What happens when you're stuck in a time loop, but you're not the one whose decisions can break it? You die. A lot. Especially when you're Neil Josten, number 10 striker for the Palmetto State Foxes, and you're due for a family reunion.
tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: torture, tw: graphic description of injuries, tw: temporary major character death
Something in the Orange series by BumbleBriBird [Rated T/Not Rated, 2 complete works, Updated August 2023]
Part 1: Something in the Orange [T, 19615 Words]
A song based fic of Something in the Orange by Zach Brian. Andrew/Neil POVs.
An alternate ending to how Nathan catches up to Nathaniel, this time Neil sees it coming. This is the one where Neil runs.
tw: major character death, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: torture, tw: blood/gore, tw: alcohol abuse, tw: implied/referenced csa
Part 2: Please turn those headlights around [Not Rated, 2287 Words]
Part 2 to something in the orange where Neil is butchered and Andrew actually gets there in time
tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: graphic description of injuries
Let Down by Anonymous [Rated T, 927 Words, Complete, 2025]
Neil had a home, and he was throwing it away, letting his family down, all over some stupid, fleeting sense of discomfort.
tw: major character death, tw: anxiety, tw: murder, tw: violence, tw: blood
We Were Almost Real by 08_SMP_07 [Not Rated, 1139 Words, Complete, 2025]
Neil runs before the countdown ends, and Andrew gets one last phone call.
It all goes downhill from there.
tw: major character death, tw: self harm, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: suicide
The World is so Quiet (Without You) by scrubyummy [Rated G, 3798 Words, Complete, 2025]
The events leading up to Baltimore from Andrew’s POV, except, Neil doesn’t make it back.
tw: major character death, tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: graphic description of injuries
One Foot in Front of the Other by Artificiosus [Rated M, 1085 Words, Complete, 2024]
In which all you know is a life of running and it is coming to an end.
tw: major character death, tw: gun violence, tw: blood
Whumptober 2024 series by ifitmeanslosingyou [Rated G/T/M, Collection, 28 complete works, 2024]
Parts 14 and 20 here, part 15 here, part 28 here
Part 22: the world's a little blurry (or maybe that's my eyes) [T, 615 Words]
neil feels like he’s floating
is he in the air? underwater?
no he can, he can breathe right? you can’t breathe underwater, he can’t be underwater
but he… he doesn’t really feel much of anything
day 24: collapsed building
Part 23: is it heaven up there? (it's hell down here) [T, 1196 Words]
it takes 3 hours and 16 minutes for the firefighters to put out the fire, remove the debris on top of fox tower enough to start pulling bodies
it takes another hour and 36 minutes for them to find neil
for them to take his body out of rubble, barely breathing, eyelids fluttering from where andrew sees him
day 25: surgery | “it’s for your own good” + day 26: nightmares
tw: major character injury, tw: graphic description of injuries, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: fire
Part 24: don't hate you (but we can't save you) [T, 937 Words]
"now, specimen 127, classified high danger, eh it's not too special but we might find something useful in it"
nathaniel shivers despite himself, feeling that burning behind his eyes that always comes at 10 am every fucking day
it, it, it
as if he wasn't anyone
as if he wasn't human
day 27: voiceless | laboratory | muzzled | “i have no mouth and i must scream”
Andrew, Please by twentytwosixteen [Not Rated, 1547 Words, Complete, 2024]
A retelling of Neil and Andrew's first meeting after Neil's time at Evermore. A heavy dose of Injured!Neil and little bitch Andrew Minyard. Wymack is suitably irritated.
"Neil Josten slept for three days straight.
Every few hours he would awake from some combination of the pain and the bad dreams, and fall fitfully back into sleep. Wymack’s sofa was lumpy and rough and his body was complaining. Add to that the fact that behind his eyes was the outline of Riko’s steady unwavering hands, knife included, and his recovery period was feeling like more of a stagnation. Every time he rolled over his skin became fire."
In the mourning I'll be with you (but it will be a different kind) by I_am_tir3d [Not Rated, 3902 Words, Complete, 2024]
Andrew doesn't come back from Baltimore the same.
Neil doesn't come back at all.
tw: major character death, tw: suicide, tw: implied/referenced torture
30 minutes too late by K_Cameron [Rated T, 1488 Words, Complete, 2024, Locked]
What if uncle Stewart came to save Neil 30 minutes too late? What if Neil was dead when he got there?
"He burst through the doors, sure of what he’d find but so devastatingly unprepared for what he’d see."
Aka Andrew seeing Neil's body after Baltimore
tw: major character death
Hollywood Forever by radioleaves [Rated E, 35801 Words, Complete, 2023]
"Neil is missing, Andrew."
Maybe he shouldn't have been discharged. Maybe he hadn't recovered at all. Maybe he hallucinated with his rehab even. It felt hard now to distinguish real from lies. Except it didn't felt like anything.
(In which Andrew comes back from rehab but Neil never got to leave the Raven's Nest, and now Andrew is sure he hallucinated with Neil all this time.)
tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: nonconsensual drug use, tw: drug addiction, tw: torture, tw: major character injury, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: dissociation
I Know the End by noahblue55 [Not Rated, 5621 Words, Complete, 2024]
Neil’s eyes stung, and he placed his head on his knees, eyes glued to the car.
He wasn’t supposed to cry.
Neil didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t get his body to move, he was frozen in place watching the only thing that mattered in his life be taken away and turned into ash.
—
OR: An exploration into Neil and Mary’s relationship and what happened the night Neil’s mother died.
Once Upon a Midnight Dreary by bloodinthesnow [Not Rated, 9957 Words, Complete, 2024]
Neil signs with the Ravens during winter break in order to protect the foxes. The Ravens plan to keep his presence there a secret until finals; Neil just has to hang on until then. He can do that, right?
The foxes, meanwhile, are feeling a mixture of things: hurt, betrayal, anger, abandonment... Only Kevin knows the truth, and the guilt is eating him alive.
And Andrew? Andrew is trying his very best not to let this whole thing affect him. It's not working out too well for him.
Take my life and take my spirit (it was yours anyway) by unojonex [Rated T, 3473 Words, Complete, 2025, Locked]
Andrew has suffered. He has been picked apart into tiny pieces by grief and sewed back together by a bottle of whisky. He has had his words taken from him when he was little. He’s been beaten black and blue. But this? This might be the cruelest thing God has ever done to him.
--
or andrew is bobby and neil is karen (lmao) and they were never really going to make it, anyway
tw: major character death
Art
you will live an eternity without me animation by @w0opwo0p
stop looking at that damn mirror animation by @rafalopesart
Neil with Mary’s car edit by @romanovass
Happy Birthday Jr. art by @rafalopesart
did i tell you? how i missed you? art and song rec by @starrryking
“you don’t know fear until you know me.” art by @kiiakostet
i’m so glad you’re open - i love the work you all do!!! this might be a bit niche but do you have any recommendations for any more literary/experimental fics? i loved wishbonetea’s ‘the death of neil josten’ and wondered if there’s any other fic authors writing similar stories
Literary fiction is hard to define (and find!); experimental even harder. I settled on fics that are prose focused and apologize for missing any that fit the ask. There’s a lot of second person pov, plus some genre previous recs thrown in for good measure. Wishbonetea’s ‘The Many Deaths of Neil Josten’ is first in the recs featured below.
You may also enjoy our staff recs post where the Foxes themselves are writers of all sorts. -A
previous recs:
fics with ‘aesthetic’ here
epistolary/unconventional format here
‘House To Haunt’ here
‘we destroy everything we need’ here
‘Inevitably, like a car crash’ here
‘Before Rainfall’ here
‘fox. hunt. hound.’ (updated) and ‘eyes full of galaxies’ here
‘the colour of love,’ ‘The roots of your suffering.,’ and ‘what if i did’ here
‘TALE OF A MARTYR IN XII PARTS’ here
‘Adronitis’ series here
‘sometimes i wish i kept some of my feelings in the basement’ and ‘I sank. all. the way. down.’ here
‘In this Gemini weather’ here
‘breathe air into my lungs (a chinese whisper fic)’ here
‘Surreal But Nice [Podficast]’ here
you may also like the following....
mythology/gods/immortality/historical genre:
Greek mythology aus here
andreil non-war historical aus here
demigod aus here
immortal andreil here
‘The Reaper’ here (completed)
‘Fools Among the Stars: The Tale of a Human, a Goddess, and a Bull.’ here
‘of gods and monsters’ here
‘you're the coldest form of warm’ here
‘I’d Walk Through Hell For You’ here
‘honey don't feed me (i will come back)’ here
‘Bring him down, king with no crown’ here
‘House of Misfits’ and ‘God Plus Rabbit Fox Equals Pandemonium’ here
‘you say i'm a dreamer, but i'm not the only one’ series and ‘A Thousand Lifetimes Over’ here
‘In Flanders Fields’ here
based on books/movies/fairy tales:
please check the ‘inspired by’ tab under our AUs tag
book/movie aus here
fairy tales here
daemon aus here
Tangled aus here
‘Of Smoke & Bone’ here
‘eclipse’ here
‘The Prince and the Pea’ here
‘Where There is Magic…’ here
‘A Tragic Beauty’ here (updated)
‘keeping my fingers crossed (maybe you'll take the long way home)’ here
The Many Deaths of Neil Josten by wishbonetea [Rated T, 6401 Words, Complete, AFTG Paranormal Fest 2024, Locked]
Neil Josten has scraped through life with more near-misses than he can count. By knives, by bullets, by an Exy racquet to the skull. By all counts, he should have died years ago, and yet he did not. Death haunts him, waiting and watching and following. He is living on borrowed time, but wherever there is Life, Death is soon to follow.
⁂
The life of Neil Josten, as told from the perspective of his Death.
tw: temporary major character death, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: child abuse, tw: torture
how to make a monster: andrew minyard's collection of recipes by kieka [Rated T, 5615 Words, Complete, 2025]
You think you’ll probably never be laid open to another person this way again. This is how you feel when you’re with Neil—spread open, bare, vulnerable. Alive.
And suddenly, you find that you don’t mind it, being alive.
-
Andrew Minyard’s life, as told through recipes.
the way that i live my life (undone) by Moondal [Rated T, 5158 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2025, Locked]
/s/ Nathaniel
Number 2 pencil on a simple maths worksheet. The kind often assigned for homework in elementary school. A child’s script. Misshapen large blocky letters of inconsistent size. The “h” is written the wrong way, flipped as though mirrored. The “iel” is written so small it almost disappears off the page. As if trying to dissociate itself from the rest of the name.
-
A retrospective early portrait of Neil Josten in 12 signatures.
when you're broken like me by cake_lovin_ace [Rated G, 1015 Words, Complete, 2024]
Part 1 of light a spark and let it burn (keep the flame alive) series. Previously recced here, since updated and reordered
loving him is rage, is protectiveness, is the utter devotion of turning yourself over in the hopes that the other won’t get hurt. you love it and you hate it. hate feeling unspooled, exposed, taken apart and put together as something new.
[or, a prose poem about andrew minyard and falling in love.]
NB: ‘[podfic] cake and other postponed pleasures’ by RainScrawl (Locked) here
Message From a Narrator by QUestingQUail [Rated T, 1342 Words, Complete, 2025]
Does what it says on the tin, essentially. The narrator assigned to Neil Abram Josten reflects upon his story, his life. Mainly just me channeling how much I love Neil, doing some weird stuff with POVs because why not, and not knowing how to summarize.
your body is a blade by Moondal for foxeyed (jeserai) [Rated T, 3046 Words, Complete, AFTG Fall Exchange 2025, Locked]
You can kill your past self all you want, but that will not stop her from following at your back, from clutching at your shadow. In your dreams, Natalie Shields holds you by the throat and smiles. With her other hand, she draws your knives from their sheaths, one at a time. She counts them each with a cut on your body, re-opening old faded scars with each one, until you are weak and bloody and clawing desperately at her hands. Only then does her smile widen, pleased and sharp as the knives in her hands.
-
A chronicle of Renee Walker
[or 5 + 1 times Renee saw the body]
Quoth the Raven "Nevermore" by drpepperisthedarlingofmysoul [Not Rated, 1262 Words, Complete, 2025]
This is how it goes, you start getting more goals than the person who isn't quite your friend anymore and he is furious. You know that he is 1 and you are 2 but you didn't quite understand how important those numbers were until he shoved you into the locker so violently you felt sick.
You Like How It Feels by mattermatters [Rated E, 4744 Words, Complete, 2025]
Nicky takes your cigarette from your mouth and puts it between his own lips. Breathes in hard and exhales in your face.
Says, "You've been weird, Seth. The fucks wrong with you?"
And ain't that the question of the year.
tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: urge to self harm, tw: internalized homophobia, tw: drug use, tw: dubcon, tw: vomit, tw: explicit sexual content
Stay Nice by mattermatters [Rated T, 1328 Words, Complete, 2025]
"You are cordially invited to celebrate the union of Nicholas Hemmick and Erik Klose"
i got up finally, with a grief worthy of you, and went home series by greekphilosophress [Rated M, Collection, Complete, 2025]
Part 1: this sweetest trash, rolling [6094 Words]
You come to America fourteen and afraid.
You know how to say a few things in English; yes and no and please and thank you. You know how to say Master, and you know how to say forgive me. The tutor had stressed these in particular, while you stared in envy at the clouds passing by the window. None of the words will help you in the long run, but it’s comforting to have them.
tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: physical and emotional abuse, tw: torture including waterboarding, tw: blood & injury, tw: implied/referenced human trafficking, tw: vomit
Part 2: and a wild night and the road full of fallen branches and stones [2842 Words]
“Jean,” you moan miserably. “They know that I’m gone by now. Oh, God, they’ll kill him–” you descend into hyperventilation almost impressively rapidly.
holy ground by nanatsuyu [Rated M, 24352 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2024, Locked]
The sight of Kevin Day dead on his kitchen floor is not a surprise to Andrew, and as he's come to learn, dealing with a newly turned vampire is a full-time commitment.
Or maybe that's just Kevin.
tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon; tw: nightmares; tw: blood; tw: religious themes, guilt, and sacrilege; tw: recreational drug use; tw: implied/referenced torture; tw: violence
you know the cure by okayantigone [Rated M, 2520 Words, Complete, 2025]
the only person who seems concerned about kevin's drinking problem is a hallucination of riko that only kevin can see.
tw: alcohol abuse/alcohlism, tw: implied/referenced suicide, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: canonical character death, tw: blood/gore, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: recreational drug use
Nothing but Avocado and Orange by Moondal [Rated T, 2259 Words, Complete, AFTG Spring Exchange 2025, Locked]
CAT SAYS:
Look outside. Can’t you see that what you have has already begun to grow?
AND SO JEAN LOOKS AND SEES IT: THE FRAGILE UNFURLING OF A SEEDLING IN THE SUMMER SUN.
NB: [Podfic] Nothing but Avocado and Orange by Flowerparrish Pods (Flowerparrish) here
thinning of the veil | decaflondonfog's halloween fics by by decaflondonfog [Rated M, Collection, 4 complete works, Updated 2025]
Part 1: savage natures [6666 Words]
It starts with the now-familiar smell of blood long seeped into the fake leather of the car seats, with the stench of burning plastic, flesh and gasoline.
It starts like any good ghost story should: I am dead, and Nathaniel has come back at last.
Part 2: the fear (of living in headlights, the hunted, the deer) [2222 Words]
The first time you meet him is on the best day of your life.
It’s not until you arrive in Palmetto that you realize there were two of them all along.
tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: torture, tw: blood & injuries, tw: canonical character death
Part 3: fell from him again [8000 Words]
Kevin has spent his whole life losing Jean.
Not this time, he thinks. Not again.
tw: temporary major character death, tw: self harm, tw: blood, tw: vomit, tw: nightmares
Part 4: genesis 4: 13-14 [1000 Words]
Ichirou Moriyama knows exactly how to free himself of the hell that is living the same day over and over again. This doesn't mean he's willing to do it.
tw: gun violence, tw: suicide, tw: murder, tw: canonical character death
Sandpaper by kevindaysleftpinkytoe [Not Rated, 3257 Words, Complete, 2024]
You are fifteen and your mother is dead and you have not been okay since.
tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: dubcon, tw: violence, tw: blood & injury, tw: vomit, tw: drug use, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: murder, tw: canonical character death
Light by wesawbears [Rated T, 2803 Words, Complete, 2017]
A study of Kevin through the years, from the Nest to recovery.
The Devil I've Seen by FueledByNyQuil [Rated G (we say T), 1064 Words, Complete, 2025]
Something hit the ground. Something - someone? was touching him.
He had no energy to fight them off.
It didn't matter. So what if someone used him? He wouldn't have to live with it anymore.
30 microfics in 30 days by shortlondonfog (decaflondonfog) [Rated G/T/M, Multi-fandom Collection, 30 complete works, 2024]
50 word microfics
1 • NEW YEAR’S EVE [G] Andrew and Neil, five seconds from midnight.
2 • VOICEMAIL [G] Renee and Jean, from PSU to USC.
3 • WINTER VIBES [G] Kevin Day, Aaron Minyard, and a lesson in simping.
5 • TOWEL [M] Jean Moreau and the unfortunate echoes of the past.
8 • BEACH DAY [M] Kevin, Jean, and very poor sun safety.
10 • STUCK [T] Neil Josten, Aaron Minyard, a roadtrip and a trunkload of miscommunication.
11 • THREAD [T] Andrew Minyard and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
12 • JOURNAL [G] Andrew Minyard, on deals and love languages.
13 • MIRROR [T] Jeremy Knox: an uncomfortable mirror.
15 • CONSTANT [G] The natural tempo of staying alive vs. Renee Walker.
17 • GLUE [M] Andrew Minyard has... a crush!? (Shock. Horror, even.)
19 • GUILT [T] Kevin Day, on loving and leaving.
26 • KITTEN [G] Neil Josten, Andrew Minyard, and yet another addition to the family.
27 • MUG [T] Katelyn, on making your friends try new things.
28 • SECRET RELATIONSHIP [M] Neil Josten and the recipe for a good morning.
30 • PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT [T] Neil Josten, on recovering and night practice.
any fics where neil and andrew have a kid together but andrew doesn’t know? or just any where neil gets pregnant?
There’s plenty here, this fandom seems to enjoy seeing Neil pregnant! These fics mainly feature trans!Neil or are set in the omegaverse. Plus there are lots of fics with Andreil as parents (our single parent and parenting tags might come in helpful). - S
previous recs:
pregnant Neil here
‘Reckless’ (updated) here
‘Whose Your Daddy Series’ (now completed) and ‘Fragments of Light Series’ here
‘youngblood’ here
‘a different way in the destiny’ here
‘I'll kidnap all the stars and I will keep them in your eyes’ (updated) here
‘Just trust me, you’ll be fine’ (updated) here
you might also like:
‘Hope Was A Dangerous, Disquieting Thing’, ‘We’ll Both Be Fine’ (updated), ‘The Reality Of A Bruise’ (updated), ‘A Child’s Heart’ and ‘Running on Empty’ (updated) here (plus other recs for Neil as a parent)
‘El Corazón’ (updated) here (find many other recs for andreil w/kids fics here)
‘After You Two’ (updated) here
‘Oliver’ here
‘Sunflower, Vol. 6’ (completed) here
‘If You Play with Fire’ here
‘Eighteen wheels and three beating hearts’ here
‘Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying’ (updated) here
The Hidden Meaning Of Flowers by chaoticas_hell [Not Rated, 106860 words, complete, 2026]
"Who choked you out?"
"Going for the throat, are you?"
"I’m not a kind person."
"My husband. My husband choked me out."
"The classic. I was a foster kid. Had plenty of adults beat on me for something as stupid as breathing too loud."
"It’s always the stupidest reasons."
Or Trans Neil was in fact sold to the mafia and ended up marrying Riko and ends up hiring Andrew as a gardener and the author still can't write a summary to save their life
Happy Little Accident by sherphy24 [Rated M, 81128 words, incomplete, last updated Jan 2026]
Neil was hiding something, that much he was sure of.
It had been a while since Neil had actively tried to keep something from Andrew. Since the debacle of last spring, after they had sat together in the FBI interrogation room for what had felt like days, and Neil had laid out all his secrets and lies in front of him and the agents, there really wasn’t any reasons left to hide anything between them.
But now, almost a year later, Neil was apparently back to his old liar self.
Andrew's suspicious of Neil's recent behavior, Neil's got a big news he's definitely nervous to share, and they are going to have to deal with the fallout together.
The Monster's Gone, He's on the Run by darlingflower [Rated M, 54157 words, incomplete, last updated Nov 2025, locked]
There was a second of charged silence before Browning continued. “He wasn’t alone.” He said cryptically, as if that explained why they went out of their way to track Andrew down.
Andrew waited for him to finally get to the point. His partner beat him to it.
“He’s been traveling with a child. A little girl, aged at approximately four years old.” Browning set down his suitcase and opened it, rummaging through it as Towns talked.
Browning pulled out a photocopy of a document and tried handing it to Andrew, who remained perfectly still.
A little girl. Four years old. Abram.
He looked down and sure enough, the document said the same thing. A birth certificate.
Evidence of a Love That Transcends Hunger by Hiddenwriter1028 [Rated M, 10032 words, incomplete, last updated Nov 2025]
Andrew had known Abram two years ago. Two years ago they had met for a few months and then parted ways with memories that would never leave. Andrew had told Abram he would find him again.
Now, Andrew is running into Neil Hatford who has a daughter, Vivian. A daughter that's two. How is he going to get his daughter and his Abram to let him into their lives? Follow them to England if he must.
tw: panic attacks
(Accidentally) made with love by Andriel_4evermore [Rated E, 10790 words, incomplete, last updated Oct 2025]
“Columbia this weekend.”
Neil’s pen stilled, blue eyes flicking up. “Oh. All of us?”
“Just us,” Andrew said, stare heavy with promise.
Neil’s lips curved, a faint, knowing smile, and he nodded. That was all Andrew needed.
____
It’s Neil’s second year in PSU, he’s a vice captain and more busy than ever.
Andrew is pissy and frustrated, after not touching Neil for more than three weeks and being interrupted every time he did. He decided on taking matters into his own hands.
That means Columbia and them for the weekend, nothing can go wrong with that, right?
Except- maybe for the little surprise that’s gonna rock their world in the next few weeks.
tw: explicit sexual content, tw: vomit
Still After all this Time, it’s Still You by pipedream_andreil [Rated T, 37746 words, complete, 2025, locked]
I’m bad at summaries
Neil was shaking to say the least, his daughter was sound asleep next to him and he was staring at his new phone with Matt’s number pulled up. Tomorrow morning Neil would be leaving England with his daughter and heading for South Carolina, it had been ten years since Neil had last seen any of The Foxes and he still had almost all of their numbers memorized.
tw: assumed major character death, tw: implied/referenced kidnapping, tw: implied/referenced suicidal thoughts, tw: implied/referenced violence
I don't like living like this (like it doesn't hurt) by WitheredCarnelians [Rated M, 39724 words, complete, Aftg Big Bang 2025]
Andrew fell to his knees before he could reach the striker, agony exploding from every nerve ending in his body.
He could hear a wailing scream in the distance, but the ringing in his ears was too loud to care about it. Nails dug into the skin of his neck as he fought against his scent patches, and the noise of surprise around him at the mark present was unimportant as Andrew dug his fingers into it. His alpha screamed, tormented, as Andrew realized what this unmooring feeling meant.
Somewhere, too far away for him to reach, Neil was dead.
Or
Neil dies in Baltimore. Five years later, Andrew finds him again working as a nurse in Florida and Neil is not alone.
It's the quintesential omega verse trope folks, and I'm making it about Andreil!
tw: assumed character death, tw: injuries, tw: implied/referenced torture
NB: find art for this fic by @auroraasterie here, here, here and here as well as embedded into the fic.
never better by mmmmmbred [Rated T, 6014 words, complete, 2025]
He automatically went to answer before noticing that it wasn't Kevin calling him on his drive home, but rather Andrew.
He paused. Andrew rarely called him. Usually a text sufficed, unless there was a crisis.
God, please don't be the mafia again, he thought as he answered.
“Hello?”
“Neil’s pregnant.”
*****
8 times Andrew and Neil call Aaron, 1 time he calls them
4 Dads by zii_jam [Rated G, 4170 words, complete, 2025]
If someone asked Nicholas Hemmick which events in his life were turning points, he would name:
When his parents rejected him after finding out he was an omega.
Moving to Germany.
Taking custody of the twins.
But most likely, he would say it was Neil Josten showing up on his doorstep — with a baby in his arms.
An AU where Andrew and Neil met long before Palmetto, accidentally ended up with a child, and now the monsters are trying to piece their lives together and get used to the new member of the family.
If We Have Each Other by miauhito [Rated T, 3819 words, complete, 2025]
He would never force Andrew through something he didn't want, but he needed to admit, at least to himself, that him deciding that he didn't want to accompany Neil through his decision would break him a little bit inside, taking with him a piece of him that could never be filled again.
But he won't let himself be like them, and so, he wants him to choose for himself.
Or, where Neil is pregnant and he needs to tell Andrew.
Three Contenders series by andrewiel [Rated E, 2429 words, 2 complete works, 2025, locked]
Part 1: Mistakes (E, 1014 words)
Neil gets knocked up and has no way of knowing who the father is.
tw: explicit sexual content
Part 2: Be Mine (E, 1415 words)
Andrew finds out he may or may not be a father.
tw: explicit sexual content, tw: vomit
If You Fall, We Fall Together by LPBRICE [Not Rated, 9474 words, complete, 2025]
Part 2 of Down the Rabbit Hole
He was annoying. Reckless. Impossible to ignore. And yes, there was something fucking pure about it. Something that shouldn’t matter to him, but there it was—that thing the world had decided to forget.
Three times Andrew noticed Neil acting strange, and one time he found out why.
Okay Andrew, you can panic now.
Choices by BunnFox [Rated T, 4779 words, complete, 2025]
Part 2 of Life's Full of Choices
“She wanted to talk about my blood test results.” Neil reached behind him and held a folded piece of paper that looked like it had been crumbled tightly in a ball at one point. With shaking fingers, he smoothed out the wrinkles as best he could, before offering it over. Andrew glanced down at the blood report and then back up at Neil’s face, trying to gauge what he was feeling. He quietly spoke, but it felt almost like a plea. “Read it.”
Name, age, gender and presentation, and mated status; things Andrew already knew. Every year before the school semester started, Abby did their physicals and took blood as required by the university to play. Then at some point in the middle of each semester, she would do another randomly as a precaution. Andrew had seen enough of Neil’s results over the last few years to know what the normal range was for his mate. Most were exactly as he expected them to be until hCG and the connected explanation; Heightened levels indicating high probably of pregnancy. Neil avoided his gaze when he looked up from the results, chin practically tucked against his chest as he spoke. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t.” Pregnant. Fuck.
tw: implied/referenced abortion, tw: implied/referenced threats of violence
Heat Waves by LukaHatsune [Not Rated, 26988 words, incomplete, last updated Sept 2024]
Neil looked straight into his eyes for seconds that felt like minutes and minutes that felt like hours. Andrew breathed at the same time as he stupidly choked on his own air. He pulled his hands until they were close to Neil's face, the man didn't move away and Andrew touched a specific spot on Neil's face. In his lips, the texture was still there, from the thinner, scarred skin from the cut Mary had made. Andrew remembered it so vividly and suddenly, it was all there again, Neil's hands, Neil's sharp words, exchanged conversations, unlit cigarettes, crumpled sheets and a burnt mattress.
He left through the back door. He sat on one of the emergency stairs and felt no coherent thought running through his head.
Five years ago, Neil had looked at him that same way. But Andrew left first, when he had promised he would stay.
Neil doing this now, he thought, was nothing but fair.
Karma was a bitch, but paying for his actions was not.
And Andrew, again, waited.
Or Andrew and Neil have a summer love where Neil left and Andrew never knew. He found out, however, but Neil wasn't alone.
Lily of the Shadows by orphan_account [Rated G, 1666 words, complete, 2024]
Part 2 of Flowers from my garden
Neil Josten has always known how to deal with life's challenges with courage and determination, a skill he has honed over the years. However, when a series of strange symptoms begin to affect him - morning sickness, extreme fatigue and unusual breast tenderness - he finds himself faced with a mystery that challenges his resolve.
Fight or Flight by froggie_stars84 [Rated M, 5127 words, incomplete, last updated June 2024]
Neil Josten is twenty-four and is staring his future in the face. His future is three plastic stick telling him he’s pregnant. What the fuck is he going to do?
Andrew Minyard is a man whose mind wants to destroy itself. It always has. That’s why he finds himself in another man’s bed again and again, Neil in their apartment none the wiser. Or so he thought. What the fuck is he going to do?
Miscommunication turns to arguing turns to the truth for one but not both. Can they fix the rift created? Will it be now or will it take years for a secret someone to reunite lost love.
Liebchen by Ace_cephalopod [Rated M, 5817 words, incomplete, last updated Oct 2023]
Apparently I’m obsessed with fem andriel kid fics, so instead of finishing the one I’ve already started, here’s another one.
Basically what if pre-transition Andriel slept together and Nina got pregnant while on the run with her mother, but was unable to get back to Drew when she found out.
tw: violence, tw: minor character death
None The Wiser by rosegold_en [Rated T, 2670 words, complete, 2023]
Part 2 of Milestones (part 1 rec’ed here)
Sitting on the cold bathroom floor of a motel with a crying newborn in his arms, Neil knew his mother would beat him for this if she were alive.
tw: descriptions of birth
breakable by lonelyheartedman [Rated E, 19963 words, incomplete, last updated Sept 2023]
“I need it to be you because I can’t have it be anyone else.”
or; Neil goes into heat on the court and Andrew has to realize very, very quickly that he's meant to be with Neil.
tw: explicit sexual content
Understand and Protect, just like a Hatford. by christmasday_in_autumn [Not Rated, 1448 words, complete, 2023]
The night his mom and him were taken by some men, when they were both used for their bodies. The night they got closer and learned how hard it was to be women on the run. Neil knew he should have gotten an abortion, knew it was the smartest decision but his mom was killed that same day, and there was no one to shove a pill down his throat.
Abigail is safe, not with him, but safe. And that’s all that matters.
Neil finally feels safe enough to talk about the kid he gave birth too and gave up for both of their safety.
Under the Roses by lipstikky [Rated M, 10720 words, complete, 2023, locked]
It started with a garden.
It ended with shared cigarettes and a blond man climbing the tree that sat outside Neil’s window every night for months. It ended with understanding and the slow slide of two bodies connecting, hands fisted in hair and ankles hooked over calves, moans muffled in collarbones and the hot pulse of want between Neil’s legs. It ended with limbs tangled beneath the moonlight and the satisfied breathing of two people who had finally gotten what they wanted.
It ended with a mistake.
tw: gender dysphoria
Not leaving, never by Scape_Reality (ScapeRink) [Rated G, 4754 words, incomplete, last updated Aug 2022]
Neil finds out that he's pregnant and doesn't know what to do or what Andrew thinks about all of this, he can't ask Andrew to do this with him or to be there if he doesn't want this because he would never ask anything from him.
tw: panic attacks, tw: vomit
halcyon days by artemis_west [Rated E, 152774 words, complete, 2022]
Over the course of a year, Neil Josten's life changes in a hundred ways. He marries the love of his life. He buys a house with his new husband and their partner. He decides to have a baby.
He lives, and he loves, and he faces what comes, with the family that he made by his side and at his back.
tw: gender dysphoria, tw: car accidents, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: explicit sexual content
on the way home by orphan_account [Not Rated, 6868 words, complete, 2021]
In the end he had his two twins with him, Andrew was beside him with the boy in his lap and Neil had the little girl in his arms. Your children. Neil looked at Andrew, smiling, and Andrew… Oh, Andrew was looking at Neil and his kids like it was everything to him, and it was, Neil knew. Ever since you told Andrew you were pregnant. Andrew would do anything for them and Neil too. Neil would give anything for them. At that moment there was a silent promise between them. Family and home. Neil thought he felt the weight of a familiar key in his hand.
Pipe Dreams by orphan_account [Rated E, 23259 words, incomplete, last updated May 2020]
An a/b/o mpreg Andreil au
Enjoy Lovelies 🧡💜
tw: explicit sexual content, tw: anxiety
Heat Agreements by OneBlackCoffee [Rated T, 16951 words, Complete 2018]
“I think my heats coming up.”
Thank God they were already pulling into the underground parking lot and not in the middle of traffic because Andrew slammed on his breaks.
The pair sat in silence before Andrew broke it “You don't have heats.”
“Because I didn't have any sexual desires but now...” Neil trailed off as someone beeped behind them, Neil could see Andrew debating on whether to stay there out of spite but he decided to continue until they reached one of Neil's designated parking spots.
“I don't know much about Omega heats, Neil” Andrew pointed out getting out of the car “But I heard they're not pretty.”
“Me neither, Andrew. This is all new to me, I never took an Omega class, okay?
....
“Neil!” Abby smiled, that was of course until she saw Neil’s face. “How can I help you, Neil?”
Neil took a deep breath and stepped in, closing the door behind him. “I need to take a pregnancy test.
‘AJMICKEY56's Fanfiction Palooza!’ ch 14 and ‘Dear Santa, from AJM’ here
‘coping is a flexible term’ series here
‘We will survive to live’ here
‘Either Love is a Shrine or Else a Scar’ here
‘Doe’ here
‘hold me down (I deserve it),’ ‘Open Smother,’ and ‘If I Don't Keep Up My Light’ here
‘Arsonist's Lullabye’ here
‘Heimkehr means Homecoming’ series; parts 1 & 2 here, part 3 here
previous asks about Drake or Cass:
the aftermath of Drake/Andrew-centric hurt/comfort ask leads to recs plus many previous posts; find it here
Andrew’s childhood before Neil here
Andrew sees Cass post canon here
Neil kills Drake 1 here, 2 here, 3 here
Dream clouds, ghost ground (I’ve been looking at the sky to show me where I went wrong) by Ateiluj [Rated M, 11463 Words, Complete, AFTG Then and Now 2023]
Cass Spear deals with her son’s death, the truths that it reveals, and how it all reshapes her past with Andrew.
California Blaze by Fortheloveofexy [Rated T, 1572 Words, Complete, 2021, Locked]
The letters came unexpectedly.
Andrew ignores them, tosses each one away without reading. But still, they persist.
Until one day, Neil decides it must end.
tw: implied/referenced csa
lay my curses out to rest by Moondal [Rated T, 2628 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2025, Locked]
When Andrew’s home with the Spears burns down, Neil sweeps him away to the Foxhole Court.
Tears by TomeOfGod [Rated E, 21837 Words, Complete, 2025]
“Someone’s here to see you,” Coach grunts. Andrew glares at him, hoping that his displeasure will show.
“Tell them to fuck off.”
“You don’t even know who it is.”
Andrew rolls his eyes, “Don’t care.”
tw: rape, tw: suicide attempt, tw: self harm, tw: urge to self harm, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: murder, tw: blood, tw: ptsd, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: medication addiction, tw: vomit, tw: dubcon drug use
Nowhere. Nothing. Nobody. by AJosM86 [Rated M, 3147 Words, Complete, 2025]
Abram sinks to his knees and stares up at him, his voice low; raspy as he whispers, "Let me make him disappear."
"No. It would kill Cass."
"Andrew—"
"No, Abram. I endure. I set my boundaries, he ignores them, and I endure. I'm only here as long as she wants me. It's the price I pay."
tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: homophobia, tw: nonconsensual drug use, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: murder, tw: corpse desecration, tw: gore
Talk To Me by minyard5 [Rated T, 1769 Words, Complete, 2024, Locked]
Silence. Aaron's head doesn't buzz the way it usually does– Andrew isn't even listening to him. He tries not to visibly slump in his seat, all too familiar with the feeling of being ignored by his brother, except this time it is coupled with something else. Something he wishes was unfamiliar, that scratches at the inside of his ribcage like fingernails clawing at a locked door.
tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: blood, tw: canonical character death
Milk blood by ScarlettEnvy26 [Rated T, 1096 Words, Complete, 2025]
It’s rather simple, in the end, as most things in the world are. Andrew says “come with me” and Aaron says, “yes.”
Even the Iron Fears the Rot [Art + Fic] by arviyya, BloodyHellAndAllThatJazz, ethelcainfest [Rated E, 6010 Words, Complete, 2025]
Drake is dead. Or at least Andrew thinks.
Proust is just as scary, but Drake's the only one that ever made him bleed.
Or: Ptolemaea by Ethel Cain channeled into Andrew's trauma and experience at Easthaven as well as the famous "You are a pipedream" scene from Andrew's POV. Art + Fic.
No one knew me by Astus [Not Rated, 2626 Words, Complete, 2024, Locked]
What if Twitter was a thing in the 90s? What if the Spear household had raised police suspicions earlier? This fic attempts to answer these questions. This is a social media fic exploring if Andrew had been taken from the Spears by Oakland DCFS, while they were investigating Richard Spear for abuse.
tw: implied/referenced csa
Happy house by marjestaeso [Rated M, 3698 Words, Complete, 2024]
Finally a good family.
Cass is great.
Even though I was only here for one month and I already feel like I would stay.
But I just can't shake the feeling of something being wrong here.
My foster sister was awfully silent and cold.
I can't remember her talking to me in all the time being and she is always out late. Cass tells me I should just leave her be but I can't stop thinking about it.
tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: anxiety
Before Andrew became a Fox series by 0bsessednerd [Not Rated/G/T/M, Collection, 4 complete works, Updated Nov 2024]
Part 1 previously recced here
Part 2: In My Exile [T, 10089 Words]
Jeremy Knox makes a deal to mentor a "problem" child who is new to his juvie in exchange to leave early. When he meets Andrew Doe he realizes there is something the kid isn't sharing, and that he may be more traumatized than the others know.
Part 3: Fight Little Wolf [M, 2351 Words]
Andrew tries to hide from Drake but ends up fighting back. Things don’t go as expected and Andrew goes to the hospital.
some godly-like thing created by gay_irl [Not Rated, 45797 Words, Complete, 2025, Locked]
“Why criminology?” Neil asked. He had that quiet searching look that he only seemed to get when it was just the two of them. Like he was seeing under Andrew’s skin. Or trying to, at least. It took everything Andrew had not to squirm under the scrutiny.
No one had ever asked him that before, except for Bee and his advisor. Everyone else just assumed it was a big joke. But if it was, Andrew would have given up the bit a long time ago. It wasn’t an easy major.
“Haven’t you heard?” Andrew said. “I’m a delinquent.”
Always Second series by Anonymous [Rated M/E, Collection, 13 complete works, Updated Nov 2025, Locked]
A series featuring trans twinyards, long distance kevaaron, and secret relationships!
Part 6: What Lies Beneath Sourness and Blank Stares [E, 5276 Words]
Three facts, three truths. Aaron feels like he's going insane.
He still can't figure it out. Drake? Drake. Drake. Drake.
There are no truths in guesses, but no lies in hypothetical facts. He's learning, but there's no curriculum. He's taking notes that he can't remember. He's observing and researching and his head is going to explode if he can't get information soon.
tw: rape, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: transphobia, tw: homophobia, tw: religious trauma, tw: unhealthy family dynamics, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: violence, tw: canonical character death, tw: blood/gore
Part 7: By the Moonlight [E, 2903 Words]
It is not Thanksgiving at the Hemmick's when he wakes up. The door is intact. There is not a body lying on the floor, or a dead man in the bed across the room. There are no tears or blood or vomit. There are no rackets.
He's in Katelyn's dorm, asleep beside her. Single beds were not made for two college kids, but they're small enough to make it work.
Katelyn's breaths come out in small huffs against his cheek, differentiating themselves from how Aaron’s lungs are heaving, working overtime for air.
tw: graphic nightmares with body horror, tw: blood/gore, tw: canonical character death, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced alcoholism, tw: implied/referenced drug addiction, tw: panic attacks, tw: vomit, tw: religious trauma, tw: transphobia
“We’re the same you and I” by 0bsessednerd [Rated M, 2001 Words, Complete, 2024]
The night after Aaron killed Drake and is back at palmetto state, he has a nightmare of Andrew talking to him based off of the conversation Neil and Aaron have earlier that day.
And it takes a bit of a Greek twist.
tw: graphic nightmares with body horror, tw: blood/gore, tw: vomit, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: canonical character death
got this anxious feeling (goes away for a minute when i'm with you, breathing) by just_another_identity_crisis [Rated M, 4101 Words, Complete, 2025]
Street fighter!Neil gets to Drake first
or prt 2 to "rock your shit" (PLEASE READ PRT 1 AND THE END NOTES YOU MAY BE A LITTLE CONFUSED OTHERWISE)
Neil Josten versus November 12th by Toosoberforthisshit [Not Rated, 77873 Words, Incomplete, Updated Sep 2025]
Another time loop fic! This time instead of Neil dying it's Andrew. The dinner at Hemmick’s house goes a little different. Drake succeeds in his sick mission and Andrew doesn't make it till the ‘climax’ Aka Andrew dies and Neil. Well Neil is replaying the same few hours trying to make a difference.
tw: temporary major character death, tw: rape and attempted rape, tw: blood, tw: murder, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: religious trauma, tw: homophobia, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: medication addiction, tw: murder, tw: canonical character death
NB: accompanying spotify playlist, plus fanart by @justin4me here and here
Aftg Poetry series by Marquee [Rated G/T, Collection, 5 complete works, Updated 2023]
Part 2: The Child [T, 46 Words]
Poem about Andrew and Neil and kinda Drake and the other ass-hats before him.
Part 5: Apathy [G, 144 Words]
Previously recced here
Andrew thinking about people in his past. Including but not limited to awful foster homes, people who him on the drugs, people calling him crazy, just yucking people in general
tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon
AJ meets Margo by Ficswithcloud [Rated M, 7384 Words, Complete, 2022]
Part 1 of A Reason To Hold on
Andrew has not always been Andrew the same way Neil has not always been Neil. When they meet as children, they are AJ and Margo, one in the foster care and one on the run. Help and trust is crucial for the both of them but when the ghosts of the past come too close, Neil has to make a choice: stay with Andrew and endanger him or leave the first friend he has ever had to keep him safe.
(NB: Margo is a persona, Neil is not trans in this fic)
Copycat and #1 Minyard series by Anonymous [Rated G/M, Collection, Complete, 2021]
Aaron Minyard was put into the system as Aaron Doe as well as Andrew. Instead of Andrew being placed with the Spears, Aaron was - Andrew later being taken in by Tilda.
Part 1: Aaron Doe v. #1 Minyard [M, 1689 Words]
Aaron and Andrew Minyard both entered the system as babies. Going though home to home, it looked like everything would stay the same. A short lived regret leads to Tilda Minyard searching for the boys twelve years later, she gets one.
Aaron goes to the Spears and tries to stay quit. Andrew goes to Tilda and raises hell.
Part 3: I'm paralyzed. Where are my feelings? (I no longer feel things) [M, 2756 Words, Locked]
Reluctantly Aaron helps Nicky, and ends up being an unwitting bystander to Hemmick family drama.
Aaron just wished someone had told him his estranged “family” had something more in store.
Arguments, awkwardness, and past traumas are evoked.
tw: rape, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: homophobia, tw: blood, tw: canonical character death
Wrong twin by my_unlikely_hero [Rated E, 4952 Words, Complete, 2021]
A one-shot AU where Drake mistakes Aaron for Andrew on campus. Isn't finished and probably won't be.
tw: rape, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: blood and injuries, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: nightmares, tw: drug addiction
They let him know that they were there for him by Iron_3 [Not Rated, 2652 Words, Complete, 2025]
Cass meet Andrew but their reconciliation is disastrous. Fortunately the Foxes are there to help, because family is someone who would fight for you.
tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon
The Complex Twinyards series by Robin_Robber (Robin_Da_Birb), Toasted_Fish [Rated T/M/E, Collection, 4 complete works, Updated July 2025]
Part 2: Sharp is the Spear in my Back [E, 2356 Words]
⚠️TW: SEXUAL ASSUALT/RAPE (UNDERAGE)⚠️
What Drake did to Andrew.
tw: rape, tw: csa, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: dissociation, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: physical and emotional abuse, tw: blood and injuries
Part 3: Nightmares [M, 1460 Words]
Andrew is having nightmares about Drake again.
Never Clean Enough by rgls0blck [Not Rated, 493 Words, Complete, 2025]
"Andrew can feel the soap stinging under his fingernails before he even steps into the shower. He knows he’s already scrubbing too hard, pink skin under cracked nails, but it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters except making it stop."
Twins by poly_pr1nce [Rated E, 3790 Words, Complete, 2022, Locked]
What if instead of andrew going up stairs it was Aaron….but unlike andrew he doesn’t have drugs affecting him
tw: rape, tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: blood and injuries, tw: murder, tw: canonical character death, tw: homophobia
I'm sorry it was you... by ShadowDolphin [Rated T, 422 Words, Complete, 2022]
Aaron's thoughts a month after killing Drake as he reflects on his and Andrew's life and feels a lot of guilt
about everything that happened whilst hating himself
Cass' promises by meichuan3 [Rated M, 898 Words, Complete, 2024]
“This one is for you, Andrew” She had smiled at him. Looked at him like he was someone. Like he was more than just a foster kid who no one had ever cared enough to try and see before. “Welcome to the family”.
Drake moaned loudly in his ear one last time.
You feel nothing at all by oIdest_dream4951 [Rated G, 8161 Words, Complete, 2026]
Nathaniel has been on the run for years. He is Noah, then Philip, then Sam.
One day, he is Alex. And in his class, there is Andrew Doe, a lonely boy who manages to keep everyone else at bay. Alex would like to look away, except he can’t help but notice the details: dark circles, expressions, bruises on the wrists.
do you have any long fics focusing on mental health? thanks!
Many of these are heavy, focusing on the dark canon themes that foster mental health issues. Please read with care. -A
also see:
long mental health focus 1 here
‘It's a punch and a kiss, I'm trying to remember,’ ‘pain our brain has made’ (updated), ‘Scars Like Stars’ (updated), and ‘Isn't he the monster’ here
‘you’ve been locked in here forever…’ here (updated)
‘Ripped at Every Edge’ (featured below), 'i'd promise you anything for another shot at life' and ‘under there surface (try to pretend)’ here
‘Linger’ here
‘Stay Where I Can Reach’ here
‘An untold story’ here (updated)
‘Healing’ series here
‘A Falling Star’ series here
‘(Pas) Peur’ and ‘peu à peu’ here
‘Twilight and Daytime’ here
‘I See You’ here
‘Drown’ and ‘Staring at the Sun’ (updated) here
‘Marrow Without Bone’ here
‘Chasing the Night to See the Stars’ here
‘The Heart and the Knife’ and ‘dance 'til you find someone to die for’ here
‘An untold story’ here (updated)
‘we survived our death (did we?)’ and ‘Thought of you and all you meant’ series here
‘37 Days’ (updated), ‘Dream a little dream of me,’ and ‘Who You Were Formed to Be’ (updated) here
‘Trigger Chain,’ ‘Sedated Hysteria’ (updated), and ‘All for the Healing’ series here
‘Head Above Water’ here
‘Every Time a Bell Rings’ here
‘Firelight’ here
‘Sixteen Hours’ here
‘When To Go Next Door’ here (updated)
Ripped at Every Edge by Sohotthateveryonedied2 [Rated M, 79438 Words, Complete, 2025]
Previously recced here
Predictably, Neil’s automated voicemail message answers for him. The number you’re trying to reach is unavailable at this time. The message runs through its spiel, informing Andrew that he can leave a message after the beep.
Goodbye hovers on his tongue. It’s the least that Neil deserves from him. There are so many more things to be said.
Andrew shuts his phone without leaving a voicemail. He drops his phone onto the counter and slips a knife out of its sheath.
-
Right before spring break during his fourth year at Palmetto, Andrew Minyard attempts suicide. Now everyone has to figure out how to move forward from here.
Terms and Conditions by buggybugs [Rated M, 52518 Words, Incomplete, Updated Jan 2026]
Part 1 of The BugBeetle CanonVerse
Four years. One therapist. Two brothers trying to survive each other.
They agreed to joint sessions because they'd been coerced into it...and because walking away from the wreckage doesn't seem to be working anymore. They don't plan to fix anything. They barely plan to speak. But Bee doesn't need them to want progress. She just needs them to stay in the room.
A character study about grudges, grief, control, and the slow, uneven work of healing.
Red on the Horizon by mordax [Rated E, 115704 Words, Incomplete, Updated Jan 2026]
Neil joined the Nest shortly after Jean and has been enduring alongside him for years. After Kevin broke his hand and left for the Foxes, Neil and Jean stuck close and survived together. When Kevin makes an unprecedented return to Evermore, the equilibrium of the Nest is disrupted. Now with Kevin back but permanently sidelined as an assistant coach, Neil and Jean are faced with a new hopelessness. It drives them to extremes until they're cut and exiled from the Nest. An impromptu transfer to the Foxes secures them a team, but not without its challenges.
tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: torture, tw: abuse, tw: blood/gore, tw: major character injuries, tw: description of wounds, tw: scars, tw: gun violence, tw: death threats, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced suicide, tw: murder, tw: dissociation, tw: ptsd, tw: panic attacks, tw: homophobia, tw: animal death, tw: implied/referenced drug addiction
practicing honesty by fivescocoa [Rated M, 37760 Words, Incomplete, Updated Dec 2025]
Neil turned to look out the window, letting the smoke burn through his lungs longer than he should’ve. It hurt; it made him feel real again. He let it out slowly, afraid time might slip away with the exhale, and he’d become this smoke dissipating into the wind once more.
If it were a year ago, he would write this off as his memory being odd. It always had been. Conversations he was present for slipped away, and more than just possessions got lost between the cities they stayed in. If this were a year ago, he’d write the missing hours away because he’d been jumbled and upset, and his mind didn’t always hit the record button for the bad stuff. But he wasn’t just surviving for himself anymore.
--
No longer on the run, some inconsistencies Neil had long written off start to effect his daily life. Or, another DID!Neil fic.
as frightened as you of being alive by blueberrryink [Rated M, 38844 Words, Complete, 2025]
Andrew sinks into the couch as Neil’s warmth melts through hm.
For so long, touch had been nothing but pain. A tally of someone else’s control over his body.
But here Neil is: his pink cheek resting lazily on Andrew’s knee and his trust tucked snugly into the curve of Andrew’s lap as if there is nowhere safer for it to be.
Neil touches him – and Andrew realises that not a single trace of hurt exists within it.
Early life taught Andrew that touch and care bring nothing but pain.
Neil, however, is insistent on showing him how utterly devoid of violence it can be – to want and be wanted.
Or
Andrew and Neil learn how to redefine what touch and care mean to them
Abram, My Dear (I’ll Find You) by foxxypilotpaladin [Not Rated, 55219 Words, Incomplete, Updated June 2025]
Neil has always been good at following instructions. Speak when spoken to. Move when told. Look into the camera. Smile. Beg. He learned young that obedience meant survival. That the right words in the right tone could mean food, warmth, another day alive.
But the cameras are gone now. The doors still lock, the ghosts still whisper, and Neil is still performing—just in a different way. A patient instead of a product.
Then there’s Andrew. A locked room with no key. A sharp thing dulled by medication. A boy with too many secrets and too little interest in anything beyond his own survival. He watches Neil like he’s a puzzle not worth solving, but when Neil starts slipping, it’s Andrew who keeps pulling him back.
Neil doesn’t believe in fate. But the past has teeth, and it never lets go. And the more Neil fights it, the more he realizes—his story and Andrew’s may have already crossed long before this place. Secrets don’t stay buried forever. Not when they were built on blood
or
A Mental Hospital/Mental Institution au with a twist.
Tears Dry Better At Midnight by jetblackromance [Rated E, 55876 Words, Incomplete, Updated Jan 2026]
16-year-old Aaron and his twin brother Andrew are currently living in their 13th foster home, with the Spears. After getting caught in a fight at school, Aaron has to switch to a new school, where he meets Kevin, Riko and Jean.
As Aaron gets to know Kevin better, he's struggling with the relationship with his brother. Memories from their childhood keep coming up and he and Andrew deal vastly differently with everything that has happened to them.
Meanwhile, Andrew meets Neil, and they start talking.
-
In this AU, Aaron has DID and both he and Andrew have been in the foster system since they were nine. I kept some elements canon compliant but a lot of stuff differs or happens at a different point in their lives than it did in canon.
I hate a liar by gvint [Rated M, 21828 Words, Incomplete, Updated Dec 2025]
When Neil ended up in the psychiatric hospital, he never expected to meet the rising film star Andrew Minyard. Andrew Minyard never expected that, after everything, he could fall for a boxing fanatic like Neil Josten.
Nathaniel never expected that he could erase himself from the face of the earth.
Neil knew being with him was dangerous. Andrew knew Neil was a liar.
Smoke. Knives. And a self-destructive person. art by @/tryashaa on instagram
if renee hadn’t stolen jean from the ravens & neil hadn’t bought his safety edit by @moonspirited (tw: abuse, tw: injuries, tw: implied rape, tw: suicide ideation)
I don't smoke by Mitski and the Minyard brothers art by @eeriethacus
jerejean clutching despair art by @inkdetect
Andrew Minyard Animatic by @mini-minish (tw: drugs, self harm, blood)
