#theme: crush

[aftgficrec]

I’m still new to the fandom and I’m sure you’ve answered this ask somewhere along the way... or many times, maybe.... but Popular guy!Neil and kinda loner!andrew? High school au

We love to see new people in the fandom! Welcome, and enjoy! - A

From previous recs

bad boy andrew/pining neil here

‘SKAM Palmetto’ here

‘I Found Love Where It Wasn’t Supposed to Be’ here

‘growing pains’ here

‘you're just jealous (cause we're young and in love).’ here

‘turn around, bright eyes’ here

‘I Hate the Way I Don’t Hate You’ here

‘full offense but that is the stupidest thing’ here

‘i'll crawl home to him’ here

‘He is my Best Friend..?’ here

all i want (is love that lasts) by viridae [Rated G, 2522 Words, Complete, 2020]

By the end of the day, everyone knew that Andrew Minyard, local weirdo, had asked Neil Hatford, captain of the varsity Exy team, to the winter formal, and that Neil had said yes.

Neil, however, had no clue.

but you fit me better than my favorite sweater by clelia_satre [Not Rated, 8597 Words, Complete, 2020]

Andrew Minyard is peacefully living the summer before his Senior year when Neil Josten, the most popolar jock of Palmetto High School, is hired by his mom as a part-time gardener. Beetween books read on the front porch and 10 minutes breaks from the lawnmower, a good friendship is born between the two oblivious boys. But this thing between them was never meant to be just a friendship, and with the beginning of the school year many things are changing, growing and evolving.

Title inspired by Blue Jeans by Lana Del Rey

tw: drug use, tw: alcohol

‘Light my cigarette’ by thatsabitgay [Rated T, 5012 Words, Incomplete, Updated Oct 2020]

After a long life of abuse, Neil is saved from his twisted life when adopted by the Reynolds after the abrupt murder of his mother and arrest of his father leaves him alone. Now, nearly four months have passed and Neil is about to start his Sophomore year as a 'normal kid' at Palmetto High School. Neil has no clue what he's in for...

(A Highschool AU and a Soulmate AU merged into one! Hope you enjoy!)

tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: nightmares

[aftgficrec]

heya do you have some other fics where andreil’s in high school or else and andrew has a crush on neil?

Poor Andrew does a lot of pining for his crush Neil in his high school and college years.  We’ve got several posts worth of fics, plus a list of fics previously recommended that might suit you, as well as the fics in this post.  Enjoy! - S

Previous posts:

Andrew Minyard, hopeless gay disaster here

Teenage Andrew crush on Neil here

Pining Andrew here

Fics mentioned in previous asks:

‘lock away that winter of mine’ series here

‘Like a River’ here

‘Too Gay to Function’ here

‘High School Science’ series and ‘Mix & Match’ here

‘a list in the margins’, ‘The Morning AUs - Chapter 46: Neil is a lying liar who lies’ and ‘the run and go’  here

‘Better Late Than Never’ here

‘Treacherous’ and ‘Andrew Minyard certainly, most definitely does not have a crush’ here

‘Until Our Veins Run Red and Blue’ here

‘Banana Milk’ here

‘thinking out loud Chapter 2’ here

‘Sailor’ and ‘turn around, bright eyes’ here

‘If you must’  here

‘I’ll crawl home to him’ here

‘thursday, never looking back’ here

‘Dive in deep’ from here

‘i'm in love (and you've got me, runaway)’ here

‘i think i'm falling, i'm falling for you’ here

‘call me in the afternoon’ and ‘How to Lose an Enemy in 10 Steps’ here

‘I Found Love Where It Wasn’t Supposed to Be’ here

 ‘He is My Best Friend…?’ here

‘Sickeningly sweet’ here

‘edit the bad parts’ here

‘Taller than giants’ here

‘i'd cheer for u n me (boom, clap)’ here

Not Another Highschool AU by Moth2Flame [Rated T, 3205 words, incomplete, last updated Aug 2020] Part 1 of Highschool AU 

The four times Andrew MInyard falls for his best friend (and the one time Neil Josten caught him)

Highschool addition.

A number of miscalculations by stormageddondarklordofbuns [Rated T, 1105 words, complete, 2020]

Andrew is a smitten idiot. Neil is charmed. And they’re in high school.

tw: implied/referenced abuse

full offense but that is the stupidest thing by cranberries_dot_com [Rated T, 4578 words, incomplete, last updated Aug 2020]

In which Neil is involved in his usual dumbassery and martyrdom, and also much more. Because he's Spiderman, and he really can't help it.

Andrew absolutely does not have a crush on the new kid, the one that is far too interesting and pretty for his own good.

tw: implied/referenced abuse

all i want (is love that lasts) by viridae [Rated G, 2522 words, complete, 2020]

By the end of the day, everyone knew that Andrew Minyard, local weirdo, had asked Neil Hatford, captain of the varsity Exy team, to the winter formal, and that Neil had said yes.

Neil, however, had no clue.

Double Scoop by broship_addict [Rated T, 3733 words, complete, 2017]

Neil serves ice cream and Andrew might be addicted. There's a lot of blushing.

[aftgficrec]

June Staff Recs: Favorite Recent Reads

This month, we’re recommending some of our favorite fics posted this month.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll laugh again...it appears we all are in the mood for a bit of fluff and humour with the slightest twist of angst, so we hope you enjoy!  -AFTG Fic Rec Fam

growing pains by nightquills, Ominous [Rated T, 10688 words, complete, 2020]

Stuart knows it’s perfectly normal for teenagers to have crushes. That’s why he’s not surprised in the slightest when Neil starts acting strange; lighter, happier. However, what he doesn’t expect is for the crush to leak into his everyday life—or literally take up residence in his house.

Or: five times Stuart knew Neil was hiding a nighttime guest, and one time he actually met him.

(tw: ptsd, tw: anxiety, tw: references to past abuse)

Meow Meow Lullaby by moonix [Rated T, 11974 words, Complete 2020]

When the existence of their library is threatened, rival librarians Neil and Andrew must team up to save it.

Reputation by lemonicee [Rated M, 7729 words, complete, 2020]

The rise and fall of the Minyard-Josten Rivalry.

Usually when Neil starts shit in a post-game press interview, he does it on purpose. This time, he really just meant for it to be a joke.

“How do you feel about the possibility of ending up on a team with a former Fox teammate?” is the next question.

“Great,” Neil answers, sincere. “I would love to play with Matt or Kevin again.”

“What about Minyard? Would you sign with Atlanta?”

Neil says, “Andrew? He’s a nightmare.”

He knows it’s a joke. His team knows it’s a joke. Andrew will know it’s a joke.

The press does not seem to know that it’s a joke.

cocoa dust by djhedy [Rated T, 22319 words, complete, 2020]

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

the magic in a single word by Leahelisabeth [Rated G, 3908 words, complete, 2020, AFTG exchange]

Neil stood under the umbrella flowers, an uncertain smile pasted on his face. He looked different. Exhaustion was written in every new line on his face and the dark circles under his eyes. The scars on his cheeks were unfamiliar, straight lines on one cheek, circular blemishes on the other, likely made with magic so they could not be erased. Neil took one limping step toward Andrew, a tiny potted plant in his outstretched hands.

“Fuck off,” Andrew said.

After an attack on Hogwarts, Neil ran. Now, he's back but Andrew isn't going to just let him pick up where they left off.

(tw: references to past abuse)

[aftgficrec]

Is there anything where andreil or the foxes goes to London to meet the Hatfords? Or just them meeting anyone from the Hatford's family?

The Hatfords are fun to consider, given that we only meet Stuart in canon and then only briefly.  He pops up quite a bit in fics, and a few even introduce us to some original characters from that side of Neil’s family too.  Andrew and several other Foxes meet the Hatfords in Armies in this post here;  Neil’s Hatford cousin comes to visit in a world alone, mentioned here; Clouds and Sinister Kid, referenced here, both involve Foxes and Hatfords interacting; and You Don’t Even Know Me (it’s only a feeling), here, involves quite an intricate Fox vs. Hatford operation.  Then there’s Dancing with the Devil, a vixen!Neil AU previously recommended here in which Neil’s Hatford connections come to visit.  Hope you have fun with this assortment!  -F

Meet in London:

The Morning AUs - A Compilation by scribbleb_red [Collection Rated E/Chapter T, Completed Work in Ongoing Collection, Last Updated 2020]

(We recommended Skater Boi AU from this collection here.)

Chapter 40: The Ferry Boat AU [We would rate this T]

Neil is living with the Hatfords. He’s recovering, learning how to walk again using a prosthetic, figuring out who he is now.

Andrew is backpacking - he’s graduated, has nothing planned, isn’t really sure that he wants to live.

They meet on a ferry on the Thames.

(tw: references to past abuse, tw: references to amputation)

Neil Hatford by CasTheButler [Rated G, 4015 words, Incomplete, Last Updated July 2019]

Stuart adopts Neil - or well he kidnaps Neil for the greater good but whatever

(tw: alcohol)

I’ll Follow You (into the light) by DeyaAmaya [Rated T, 5576 words, Complete 2018, AFTG Exchange]

Neil is a paramedic in a rainy city. Andrew will be gone in a few months. And Stuart Hatford just wants Neil to find a date.

(tw: homophobia)

Meet in America:

Weight of Living by LFMH021 [Rated T, 2975 words, Complete 2019]

Neil has never trusted blood-related family. Perhaps Stuart will be the exception.

Stuart visits Neil, asking about his past selves Stuart needs to burn traces of out of Ichirou’s orders, ignoring Andrew’s obvious disapproval. Andrew’s lot find out more than they bargained for. Stuart then takes the chance, asking for the trust from the nephew he has never truly met.

Andrew will never like Stuart but he knows that if he was to burn the world for Neil, Stuart would be there with the gasoline.

(tw: knives, tw: references to past abuse)

[aftgficrec]

Hello! There was a fic I read last year, it was a foxes react fic, I’m pretty sure it was just from dans view but it could’ve changed. I remember the title having something to do with spring or chatty blossoms?? I’m rlly having trouble finding it. Thank you

So we’re not 100% sure if we’ve found the correct one here.  Our best bet is the first one, based on the title; it’s Matt’s POV but involves a lot of Dan’s reaction as well.  Just in case that’s not it, we put in a hilarious Dan POV one and one with an alternating POV where we get to see each of the Foxes’ reactions in turn.  Please let us know if we found the right one, if not we’ll keep searching!  -F

Matt’s POV:

spring bloom by cave_canem [Rated T, 3003 words, complete, Aftg votes 2018]

Matt thinks he might be starting to understand.

Dan’s POV:

when you are close to me (i shiver) by Talls [Rated T, 2040 words, Complete 2019]

Neil knows he’s definitely feeling something. Unfortunately for him, he has no idea what the feeling is.

Unfortunately for Dan, she won’t get to make out with her hot boyfriend until Neil figures it out.

Matt’s just here for the ride.

Alternating POV:

all for the foxes by pjoandaftg [Not Rated , 4180 words, complete, 2019]

5 times the foxes realised they were wrong about Andrew and Neil’s relationship

(tw: violence, tw: injury, tw: panic attack)

[aftgficrec]

Ultimate rare pair? Any Jere-Andrew fics our there? My guess is like probably 2....but maybe you miracle workers will find a few? Thanks for everything you do to keep the fics recs coming.

You’ve really found the ultimate rarepair here, anon.  We had a good look around, and we found … very little!  Check out Ch. 6 of ‘I Fall Apart With All My Heart’ in this post here for a little teenage angst, but otherwise we’ve only found the following fic (if anyone out there knows anything else, could you please let us know?). - S

wanna make a supersonic man out of you by Talls [Rated T, 2058 words, complete, 2019]

Andrew rubs the heels of his hands over his eyes, before leaning back against the brick wall behind him. It’s chilly, but he runs hot and either way, it’s easier than being stuck in that room, with the recruiters and the coach and the earnest speeches about potential and wasted opportunities.

He won’t sign to the Trojans, no two ways about it, but it would have been so much easier if they hadn’t brought in Jeremy Knox, California’s golden boy, Exy superstar and Andrew’s secret celebrity crush.

-

In which the Trojans also come to recruit Andrew, but things do not go according to plan for anyone.