HIIII!!! <3 academic rivals to lovers :p ?!?! neil “speaks 5 languages and loves math” josten vs andrew “has an eidetic memory” minyard would be the absolutely perfect pair!!
There are two fics that fit your ask – the previous recs kind of do if you squint, but I think you will like them. To round things out a bit more, I’m including some fun trivia night fics. -A
you may also like:
Neil is king of trivia here
Neil with math/language skills here
‘The Space Between Us’ here
‘So Let the Stars Fall’ here
‘Meow Meow Lullaby’ here
A lesson in rivalry by BookwormLostInWonderland [Rated T, 22828 Words, Complete, 2020]
Neil and Andrew are academics on opposing sides of a scientific argument. When a plane journey and a scientific conference throws them together, that all begins to change. Featuring rooftop conversations, Riko as a crooked researcher who gets put in his place, and a splash of domesticity at the end.
“And what makes you think I want to talk to you?”
“Because,” Neil began, glancing back at the doorway, back down to reality, “I’m slightly more interesting than the conference.”
Andrew cursed softly, barely audible above the sounds of the wind and the streets below, despite their proximity. “I already warned you not to let it go to your head. So is watching paint dry.”
Neil smirked, a cocky grin spreading across his face, twisting it into something Andrew really wanted to wipe away. “I’m starting to think I shouldn’t believe you when you say things like that.”
tw: implied/referenced abuse
me, you, and the multiverse by wishbonetea [Rated T, 20520 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange 2020]
Ray Minyard was content to finish her PhD without the drama of her undergrad years. She had two friends, a twin brother who didn't talk to her, and an office to call her own. She didn't need or want anything else.
Enter: Talia Josten
tw: panic attacks, tw: implied/referenced abuse
NB: fic moodboard and art by @wishbonetea
trivia night/quiz bowl
zero expectations by poetic_ivy [Rated T, 3573 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2022]
Andrew blinked, uncertain if the roar in his ears was his own pulse or the remnant of Kevin’s low breathing. “What the fuck?”
Neil laughed. “You’re rubbing off on him.”
Andrew turned, bewildered. “Rubbing off.”
“Or you want to be.” Neil’s eyes glittered dangerously.
“Want to be.”
“Yes. You want to rub off on Kevin.”
“No I don’t.”
“Andrew. I have eyes.”
“You’re not supposed to use them. You’ve never used them.”
-
the boys play trivia at a bar. it gets gay.
general knowledge by lolainslackss [Rated T, 6246 Words, Complete, 2022]
“What should our team name be?” Nicky asks in an excited whisper.
“It’s Ancient Quiztory,” Kevin tells him. “It’s been our name for years now.”
“No freaking way,” Nicky replies, pulling a disgusted face. “That makes us sound old.”
“We are old,” Neil points out.
Nicky looks at Neil like he feels very sorry for him. “Thirty is not old.”
-
(An AU in which Andrew, Aaron and Nicky join Neil and Kevin’s pub quiz team.)
Follow You Through The Dark by sambutwithbooks [Not Rated (we say T), 22461 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2022]
When Andrew Minyard's twin brother signs them both up to participate in the strangest trivia competition known to man, Andrew agrees to participate under the stipulation that he is the sole recipient of this year's grand prize: three hundred and sixty-five days worth of free ice cream from Sweetie's. Instead, Andrew discovers a connection of his own with fellow loner and competition participant, Neil Josten.
tw: anxiety, tw: implied/referenced abuse