#anxious neil josten

[swampthingking]

can’t study for my test because i’m having brain rot about neil accidentally getting super drunk and stumbling up to aaron like “andrew???” and aaron is like “wrong one” and neil is like “andrew.” and aaron is like “???? are you stupid” and neil goes to look for andrew but he stumbles into the table, and aaron has to catch him or he will get trampled for fucks sake, and neil just collapses into him in a drunk cuddly heap. and aaron is like “neil. you need to stand up” and neil is like “i am” and aaron is like “that’s because i’m holding you up” and they get neil to stand but neil kinda just flops into aaron’s arms again. and neil is like “i don’t hate you, i don’t, but it’s okay if you hate me” and aaron is like “ugh, ew are you really an emotional drunk???” and neil, to aaron’s horror, looks at him with tears in his eyes because you know when you’re too drunk and you kind of just get a little scared and you need help???? ya. and aaron is like … ok. and kinda holds neil until andrew comes back from the bar with more drinks. and he sees neil basically asleep on aaron’s shoulder, and aaron looking uncomfortable but accepting, so he kinda raises an eyebrow, an okay? and aaron nods and is just patting neil on his back

and tomorrow they’ll wake up and neil will toddle downstairs with his hand against his temple and aaron will have advil ready for him, and he’ll say “you’re annoying and you don’t know when to shut your mouth or mind your own business, but i don’t hate you” and the thank you for helping repair my relationship with my brother and thank you for testifying and thank you for staying goes unsaid but yeah

and that’s how aaron and neil became kind of friends

edit: vomited out a one shot for y’all (this will prob become a 5+1)

Aaron swirled his drink a few times, listening to the ice clacking against the glass.

Eden’s was packed tonight, courtesy of it being the end of the school year. College students and the regular patrons flocked to the bar, the dance floor, and all of the tables, leaving Aaron to reserve a high-top table, and his legs to dangle from the stool.

“Drew?”

Aaron ignored him in favor of the twinkling sound the ice makes in his glass. He’d already taken shots, danced, had another drink, danced again, and now Aaron’s body was heavy with alcohol and exhaustion.

“Drew,” Neil said again.

Aaron looked around their table and didn’t see Andrew. He remembered Andrew getting up and walking to the bar with their empty tray. Aaron found him a few seconds later, hands in his pockets at the bar. That and Neil, staring up at him, looking uneasy.

Before Aaron could tell Neil to get out of his face, Neil was speaking.

“Are you’nt having fun?” Neil frowned, blinking sleepy, hooded eyes at him. He leaned closer to study Aaron’s face.

“What are you doing?” Aaron grumbled, pushing Neil’s face away.

Aaron hadn’t even pushed him hard, he more removed Neil from his space rather than pushed him, but Neil wobbled like his world had tilted out of orbit. Aaron realized, quickly, that Neil was going to fall backwards. He grabbed two fistfuls of Neil’s shirt and pulled him forwards. Neil’s head lulled on his shoulders with the force, his chin hitting his chest then righting itself.

Aaron’s stomach lurched, sick with the thought that someone had put something in one of Neil’s drinks, as he would for anyone, but thankfully he’s never been put in that situation. Neil’s eyes were hooded, his face flushed. Aaron snapped once at Neil’s ear, and Neil recoiled immediately.

“Does your head hurt or anything?” Aaron asked. Neil shook his head, frowning.

“Are you dizzy? Follow my finger.” Aaron pushes Neil back so he can see his face, keeping one hand on Neil’s shoulder to hold him up. Neil follows Aaron’s finger as it moves back and forth, albeit a little labored, but not as if he’d been roofied. Aaron declares that Neil’s reaction times and responses are fine, but he still pulls the front of his shirt up and checks his belt, the button of his pants.

“What—?” Neil slapped a hand on his abdomen, stopping his shirt from being lifted any higher. Aaron didn’t need to see anything but his pants, but it was reassuring that Neil still had inhibitions.

His clothes were fine. His belt was still done, zipper up. No one had tried anything. Aaron relaxed.

“Sorry,” Aaron said. “Sorry, I just needed to…”

While racking his mind back to why Neil is this drunk, Aaron remembered Neil taking shots with Aaron, Nicky, and Kevin. Four shots. He’d seen Neil sip on another drink like the idiot had the tolerance for alcohol that the rest of them had.

“You’re a fucking idiot,” Aaron said and released Neil. Neil attempted to step back, his hands raised in surrender.

“No?” Neil asked warily. Even drunk as fuck, he still respected boundaries. Andrew’s boundaries specifically, as it still hadn’t registered that he wasn’t talking to the right twin.

“I’m not Andrew,” Aaron said.

“Where’s Andrew?” Neil asked, turning his head pathetically in search. Aaron only had a good view of Andrew because they were seated at a high-top. Over the throng of taller people coupled with strobing lights, Neil’s view was obstructed.

“At the bar,” Aaron nodded in that direction.

Neil turned towards the bar. Well, he attempted to. He pivoted, lost his balance, and toppled into the table. He tried to right himself and started to fall to the other side. Aaron caught Neil before he could bust his shit and get trampled.

“Jesus Christ, Josten,” Aaron spat, righting Neil with hands on his biceps. Neil slapped a hand on the table and leaned his weight on it. The table quaked under such abuse, but held.

Neil turned slowly, grappling against the table as if he was standing in one of those spinning fair rides. In his excursion to simply spin 180°, his hand slipped off the edge of the table as he faced Aaron once again. He reached for the table, missed, reached for it again, missed, said, “Motherfucker,” under his breath, and finally gripped onto the edge. His eyes locked on Aaron’s again, and Neil’s useless hand landed on Aaron’s shoulder.

“Andrew,” Neil said. Aaron didn’t know if it was more a request or if it was just not registering.

“Wrong,” Aaron said, tense under Neil’s hand, but he didn’t push him off. He’d rather hold Neil up than peel him off the floor. “Aaron.”

“‘m very drunk,” Neil said, looking up pleadingly at Aaron as if he had a magical cure to shitfacedness, and all Neil had to do for it was look a little scared. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?” Aaron asked.

“I’m drunk.”

Aaron snorted. “That’s kind of the point when you’re at a bar.”

“But,” Neil said, taking a labored breath, “I’m…too drunk.”

This was beginning to feel exceedingly similar to speaking to a child. Aaron was annoyed, but not completely heartless, unlike the narrative of Aaron Neil had likely concocted. “It’s okay, Neil,” Aaron said. “You should sit down.”

Neil promptly sat as if there was a chair under him, but there was not. Aaron, still holding Neil vertical, got pulled out of his chair with the momentum. To avoid toppling to the ground—which did not get mopped as often as it should—Aaron planted his feet on the floor and hauled Neil up by his armpits.

“Help,” Neil murmured. His arms dropped to his sides as he yielded his dead weight to Aaron.

“Stand up,” Aaron grunted, readjusting to wrap an arm around Neil’s back. One of Neil’s arms flopped over Aaron’s shoulder.

“I am,” Neil complained.

“No, you are not.”

“I am.”

“Neil,” Aaron said through clenched teeth, “I am holding you up. You need to lock your knees.”

“Oh,” Neil said. He looked at his feet as if he needed to check they were on the ground.

To be fair, Neil did lock his knees, but he also leaned all of his upper body on Aaron, arms still hanging limply at his sides. He tucked his head into Aaron’s neck with, what seemed, every intention to make a home there for the night.

“Neil,” Aaron said, frozen against the hair tickling his cheek. “God dammit.”

“And…ron,” Neil spoke against his shoulder.

“Yes,” Aaron said sarcastically. “That’s me.”

“Can I j’stay here?” Neil slurred.

From what Aaron had seen of Neil’s dynamic with his brother, he knew Neil would get off if he said no. He could place Neil into a stool or pull up a chair with a back so he wouldn’t fall out and concuss himself. He could shove Neil off and make him fend for himself. He could pawn him off to Andrew.

At the moment, those other options seemed like far too much work.

That, or maybe it was the med student in him, the intrinsic urge to heal and help and nurture that smarted at the thought of pushing Neil off.

Aaron didn’t push him off when Neil readjusted and tucked an arm into his chest, the other gripping Aaron for stability. He didn’t when Neil asked again, a quiet, “Aaron.”

“Okay,” Aaron conceded. He rubbed a hand up and down Neil’s back placatingly, but also because Neil seemed like he needed it. And he came to Aaron for it. Well, he came to Andrew and got Aaron. But he didn’t push Aaron off, and Aaron hasn’t done the same.

And they just…stood like that. For what seemed like a long time, but it probably was only a few minutes before Neil spoke again.

“Aaron,” Neil said.

Aaron hummed in response.

“I don’ hate you.”

“What?” Aaron asked. “What the fuck are you talking about, Neil?”

“I don’t hate you.”

“What?” Aaron said again.

“I don’wanna fight.” Neil lets out a colossal breath.

“We haven’t fought in a long time,” Aaron says, his idea of agreement. Acceptance.

Neil was quiet, because it was true. Neil seemed content to lay in Aaron’s arms, and Aaron didn’t have another stool next to him. He sure as shit wasn’t giving his up for Neil, but Neil was genuinely so unsteady on his feet that Aaron couldn’t let him go.

He trembled a bit, and Aaron was almost amused that after everything Neil had been through, being a little too drunk is what finally did it for him.

But Aaron had felt that way before. Inebriated and scared in a crowded room of strangers. Neil, however, has people he knows. How can Aaron be upset at Neil for wanting the comfort that he also craved? How can he be upset that Neil feels safe enough with Andrew to ask for help? That his brother finally feels safe with someone too?

“Aaron,” Neil said.

“What,” Aaron said.

“It’s okay if you hate me.”

“Oh God,” Aaron groaned, “Ew. Are you really an emotional drunk?”

Neil pulled back and, to Aaron’s horror, there were actual tears in his eyes. His lip trembled as he bit it, holding the tears in. Aaron hated how much of himself he was seeing in Neil tonight. The harrowing fact that maybe they are quite similar.

“Oh God,” Aaron said again, mortified. He grabbed the back of Neil’s head and shoved it back into his shoulder, effectively hiding Neil’s teary face.

He cast a desperate look to Andrew, who was finally on his way back to the table. He patted Neil on the shoulder, like one would burp a baby when they have no idea how to do so.

“Andrew.”

Andrew didn’t need prompting to look. His eyes were trained on Neil and Aaron from the moment he turned around. By the nonchalance of his movements and his lack of alarm, Aaron guessed he had been watching their interaction.

Andrew set the tray down on the table and cast a significant look between them, settling on Neil’s intoxicated form keeled over on Aaron’s shoulder.

Andrew raises one eyebrow, a silent question, an okay?

Aaron finds himself nodding, and unsure why. All he knows right now, a few drinks in, is that he doesn’t hate this. And he doesn’t hate that Neil doesn’t hate him.

-

The smell of coffee set Neil’s feet moving like a Pavlovian response. He was half awake already with a pounding headache, like his eyeballs were beating his closed lids to death.

Neil toddles down the stairs with his eyes closed, a hand pressed hard to his temple, stabilizing his brain.

Aaron was standing at the counter already, facing the sputtering coffee pot. His arms were crossed, hair ruffled from sleep. At the sound of footsteps behind him, he turned.

The memories from last night played past Neil’s mind like a sped-up movie. He grimaced in embarrassment, and felt a little sick at how drunk he was. How stupid he was, to drink that much. He should have known his tolerance isn’t matched with the rest of them. He could have gotten hurt, could have said something—

Fuck.

“Fuck,” Neil said, covering his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Aaron said. He turned back to the coffee, though his posture was rigid.

Neil grabbed a glass of water. He noticed Aaron watching from the corner of his eye, but Neil chose to ignore him, figuring that’s best. He sat on the counter with his water, sipping it slowly while he and Aaron waited for the coffee to finish brewing.

The silence was thick, but they were both too stubborn to leave the kitchen. Usually, they preferred to wait and pretend the other wasn’t there.

That’s what Neil thought, at least. After a painful few minutes, Aaron huffed and grabbed the bottle of Advil from the drawer next to the sink. He shook two pills out and sat them next to Neil.

Neil stared at them until Aaron cast a pointed look at the pills, then physically gestured to them with raised brows. Neil took them while Aaron watched.

The coffee pot beeped. Aaron made a split second decision, grabbing two mugs and pouring coffee into them. He slid Neil’s across the counter. It sloshed over the side, but Aaron wasn’t capable of caring at the moment. His mind was busy, and he knew Neil had noticed his lack of eye contact; the analytical fuck.

“Look,” Aaron said. He did not look at Neil to say it. “You’re annoying, and you never know when to shut your mouth or mind your business. Most of the time, I’m convinced you have a death wish, and a lot of the time I find myself resenting you. You complicated our lives, put us all in danger, didn’t give a shit.”

Neil’s chest hurt. He didn’t know if it was anger or guilt. Aaron started talking again before he could figure it out.

“But I don’t hate you. I can’t, really. I can’t even fault you for the shitty things you did, because it all worked out.” Aaron glanced quickly at Neil, looked away. His cheeks were red.

The thank you for helping repair my relationship with my brother and thank you for testifying and thank you for being good to Andrew went unsaid, but Aaron hoped Neil wasn’t obtuse enough to force him to say it out loud.

Neil must have understood, because he nodded. Aaron figured that was as close to a reconciliation they were going to have, so he leaned against the counter and pretended everything was normal.

For the first time, they drank their coffee in silence without animosity orchestrating it.

Neil’s mug was half empty when Andrew joined them. He paused in the doorway, squinty eyed and mussed, looking between the two. Neil on the counter, Aaron leaning against it. Their silence, but lack of tension.

“This is weird,” Andrew finally said, his voice gravely from sleep.

“Yeah,” Neil and Aaron said simultaneously.

Neil glanced over his mug at Aaron, the corner of his mouth twitching. Aaron regarded it, but looked away, because something like contentment had made its way onto Andrew’s face.

Aaron smiled at that instead.

[sadboyjacinter]

trying to be brave and get over anxiety and my friend was like "would kevin day act like this?" and actually YES, he would. he would be so anxious his stomach would hurt and he would chug as much vodka as possible but he would do it! so im gonna beat this anxiety like kevin day, hands shaking and barely breathing but im Gonna Do It.

[dysfunctionalcreature]

my kevandreil centered aftg headcanons in no particular order:

(disclaimer I have not reread the books in a while so my memory of canon is a little foggy)

Kevin has an (undiagnosed) severe anxiety disorder

Kevin scratches and picks at the skin of his hands (in particular his left hand) when he's anxious

Andrew will headbutt Neil and Kevin to show affection, and depending on Andrew's mood the headbutts will range from oh so very very gentle, to nearly migraine causing

Neil will hold Kevin's hands when he's stressed to stop him from picking at his skin

Andrew likes to pull Kevin down and cup his cheeks (in particular the cheek with the tattoo) and just stare at him

When they all share a bed and spoon, Andrew is the big spoon, Kevin is in the middle, and Neil is the little spoon

When Andrew is wanting to be affectionate but not that physical he will just hold onto the fronts of Neil's or Kevin's shirt

Andrew and Kevin have bonded over the similar traumas that they have acquired from foster care and The Nest

Neil and Kevin have bonded over they're shared traumas in The Nest

Kevin has weekly calls (in french) with Jean once he's with the Trojans, sometimes Neil will join the call for a bit to say hi to Jean

Kevin can and will do the most adorable and tragic pouts (big watery green eyes, bottom lip trembling) whenever he doesn't get what he wants, and sometimes that even works to convince Andrew to do something "boring"

Andrew and Neil are both very supportive of Kevin getting sober once he decides he wants to and they help him as much as they can

Andrew and Neil time: sitting on the roof together smoking. Neil and Kevin time: watching and analyzing and obsessing over exy games together. Andrew and Kevin time: just resting together in silence while Andrew holds onto Kevin

Andrew will often let Kevin lay his head in his lap, especially when Kevin's very stressed/upset about something

Kevin has extreme separation anxiety with Andrew

Neil and Andrew like watching true crime shows together, sometimes Kevin will sit with them but if he does he'll tune out to the show and read one of his nerdy books

Andrew will often pet Kevin's hair when he's resting his head in Andrew's lap

[sapphoherselz]

yk i see the "how do lawyers not cry when arguing" and I raise you the "how tje fuck does Neil not stutter any single time in one of his many villain dialogues/start crying on the spot" cause the amount of stress in his little rabies infected chihuahua body exceeds its limit + the fact that he has people actively listening and watching him metaphorically destroy riko's ass is just crazy to me...I would've been crying screaming and throwing up trying to get one word out

[that-vampire-loser]

Andrew hates large crowds. I feel like that’s pretty much canon. He hates how loud it is, and how everyone is so close. It’s overstimulating. But most of all, he hates how everyone touches him; people in crowds have no respect for personal space.

For the most part, he’s great at avoiding them. He doesn’t go places with huge crowds much, like conventions or parties. At Eden’s he finds his booth, and he stays there.

But at the same time, he loves music. Loud metal music. So Neil asks if he wants to go to a concert.

Neil makes it great for him. He lets Andrew hold onto his shirt in the crowd so they don’t get separated. He finds the easiest paths through the crowds. He makes in enjoyable.

Andrew still hates crowds, but he loves the concerts. And he loves Neil.

[sharksliveontrains]

andrew and neil work bc who else will be in the middle of a panic attack, hear "we were almost to the interstate," and take it as an invitation to come along.

[yrayrayra]

Broke: the black cat/golden retriever dynamic

Woke: the ferret/feral chihuahua dynamic

[runawaytraincd]

thinking of neil’s second year at palmetto coming up on christmas time and him getting more and more flighty and not quite realising why…

[theseyellowdays]

"Stay," Andrew says.

It's an odd word, one Neil thinks about often. A verb and a noun: to remain in a place or a state; to take shelter in one place for a time.

Neil has stayed in many places: hole in the wall apartments where the roof leaked, half lit motels, abandoned or emptied buildings, cars with asphalt stretching in both direction. It had always implied an eventual leaving or moving on — that later part the important bit, the part Neil learned to be very, very good at.

But kneeling on that motel floor in Baltimore, Andrew asked him to stay and said it in a way that was foreign. Neil doesn't know this language, can't begin to puzzle out its syntax, because it implies that the leaving part must be delayed — or even ignored entirely.

It's connotation sounds naive. Its permission tastes fictitious.

Stay. Remain. Don't leave. Come back. Home. Rewrite and refresh. Start with the basics and teach an old dog new tricks.

Neil stares at Andrew and breaths in the cigarette smoke, trying to rewrite his definition. Because he is here. On this rooftop, in this city. Reeling with the permanence of a legal name, new personal conviction, and things he can't bring himself to leave behind.

"Say it again," Neil finally asks and everything is so golden he has the urge to hucker down and wait for the next blow.

But it doesn't come. Andrew cups the back of his neck, pulling their faces together slowly until foreheads touch. Neil closes his eyes; cigarette smoke and whiskey have never smelled so good.

There are keys in his pocket. His keys. He can do this. He can.

"Stay."

[yunas-thoughts]

Since I'm super deep into the maurauders fandom atm but have also just read aftg here are my opinions on wich aftg chracter has wich patronus 🤌✨:

Neil Josten: Falcon - Falcons have a keen eye and are among the fastest creatures on earth. If your Patronus is a falcon, you may have been a troubled soul who decided to cast away their old, evil habits to fly down the hard, right path. Your nature pulls you to the dark, but you’ve chosen to live for the light - The falcon also represents breaking free from slavery. Now that you are free, you are flying in the light, and no one can stop you, not even Dementors!

Andrew Minyard: Hippogriff - The hippogriff is a proud and dangerous creature. They are half eagle, half horse, the offspring of a horse and griffin. If your Patronus is a hippogriff, you likely have a demeanor that commands respect or else. You’ve been known to fiercely defend those you’re loyal to and lash out at those who don’t earn your respect. At the same time, you are capable of growing to love former enemies - after a bloody battle.

Kevin Day: Heron - The heron is known for its outstanding determination and intelligence. Herons live in three elements: water, earth, and air, revealing that the animal appreciates diversity. You have a mind like no other and work on whatever you’re working on until you’ve finished it.

Nicky Hemmick: Hedgehog - Cute and loveable inside and out, those who possess a hedgehog Patronus may thrive on giving and receiving love and may feel they need more of it than others realize. While upfront about their endearment and affectionate personality, hedgehogs are also known to be anxious and overly cautious. They often worry about their own and others of their kind’s safety. Those around must approach the hedgehog with care and precision, though, because when defensive and hurt, hedgehogs are remembered not for their sweetness, but for their sharp spikes.

Renee Walker: Adder - The common European adder or common European viper is a venomous snake that can be found throughout Europe. Adders are not normally aggressive and tend to only bite when they are threatened in some way.

Dan Wilds: Orca - It’s no mistake that orcas are nicknamed “killer whales.” They are one of the most effective hunters in the ocean. Orcas use teamwork and complex communication skills to hunt and the same cunning to protect their young. With the fierce, calculated protection of an orca on your side, you can rest assured that the Dementors will be no match for you.

Matt Boyd: Black Bear - The formidable form of the black bear is often enough to scare away even the bravest of explorers, not to mention Dementors! Often mistaken as a deadly predator, the black bear mostly feasts on berries, grasses, and roots complemented with fish and carrion. This is often how people see you - a fierce opponent who will protect yourself and those close to you but who has a softer side hidden away from the world. Black bears are known for their adaptability, and this is often seen in how resourceful you can be. No matter the situation you find yourself in, when you come to call upon your Patronus, the black bear will be fully prepared to fight in your corner.

Allison Reynolds: Peacock - Peacocks are ground-dwelling birds known for their beautiful eye-shaped plumage. These birds extend their feathers not only to attract mates but more importantly, to appear more intimidating to predators. With feathers that make up over 60% of their total length, it gets the job done. Peacocks are easily irritated and would make a fierce and gorgeous Patronus.

Aaron Minyard: Lynx - The lynx is a solitary wild cat. They hunt alone, using their great sense of hearing and their stealth to move through the forests without being seen by either their prey or those who may be watching. When they do strike, they are fast enough to even catch snowshoe hares. Dementors won’t know what hit them!

Definitions are from: https://www.mugglenet.com/2017/08/patronus-say-personality/

[swampthingking]

andrew minyard listens to metal

the first time he played spiritbox (holy roller) in the car nicky was absolutely horrified. he wasn’t surprised, but seeing your headcannon come to life is jarring so i empathize with him

[jtl-fics]

I could see someone coming up to FF and flirting with him and he assumes they're saying something cryptic/insulting him and is embarrassed and afterward Nicky is like !!!!! They were flirting!!!!!

Disclaimer: FF very well might be aro. If I were to guess, from ch 15, he's either pansexual aromatic or aroace. Also, even if he's not aro, it's perfectly valid for him not wanting to date. He's definitely too anxious right now to have a healthy romantic relationship.

WITH THAT SAID--

I could see him, next year with the foxes, getting better control over his anxiety and no longer letting it run his life. At one point he meets a nonbinary person and they hit it off and FF is like "Oh" because his stomach feels weird and shit, did his ulcer come back?? But no, turns out that's just what attraction feels like.

Him and Neil are not allowed to be alone together at bars, coffee shops, or in pick-up line prone location. It's just too cruel to people who come up against the two brick walls of the Palmetto State Fox Exy team.

Neil "I won't call?" Josten and (REDACTED) "Oh god what did they MEAN by that?" Smith are a POX upon the dating scene and there's only been a solution for one of them.

When / If he gets a crush for the first time in his life since he was like 8 he's gonna be like "OH GOD I tHOUGHT I WAS DOING BETTER?" but all the internal screaming, stomach cramps, and panicking are back and XYZ isn't even known to CARRY a knife.

He would absolutely be the kind of person to make an appointment with Abby and he'd describe his issues and she'd go "Honey that's a crush." and he'd immediately demand a reference for a second opinion.

[willowbird]

If you’re still taking prompts, would you do another uncle andreil? I’ve read the one that’s up on ao3 and it’s so cuuute!! Could you maybe write about the foxes seeing Aaron and Katelyn’s kids having these two terrifying assholes that are Andrew and Neil just absolutely wrapped around their fingers?

Of course!

I think this was sent to me like... two years ago? ^_^;

Better late than never? I hope it was worth the wait!

----

Dan Wilds was not quite sure what she was seeing. It was entirely possible that she was actually hallucinating. Maybe, on the way into town, she and Matt had actually gotten in a car accident - and the bizarre apparition in front of her right now was just, like, a side effect of the anesthesia as the doctors fought to save her life.

Far fetched, sure, but that still made more sense than Andrew Minyard in a frilly, child-sized apron holding a child-sized plastic teacup daintily on its saucer.

"Uh," said Matt beside her - which at least meant she probably wasn't actively hallucinating. Unless Matt was a part of her hallucination, which, well, was still more probable than what she was actually seeing.

"Sorry," Matt continued. "Did we uh, interrupt?"

"Yes," said Andrew blandly, his expression it's usual apathetic emptiness that only made the whole scene that much more chilling. Despite this confirmation, though, Andrew still stepped back to let them into the house.

This is probably the beginning of some weird twisted horror movie, Dan thought as she stepped inside - trying but failing not to stare as she noticed that the apron said "Princess Chef" in glittery letters across the front. Six months from now they're going to find out my bones were artistically crafted into a new tea set or something.

As if he knew what she was thinking, Andrew met her eyes and - while maintaining creepily unblinking eye contact - lifted the teacup to his lips and took a sip.

Matt made a choking sound beside her that turned into anxious spluttering when Andrew turned his silent, serious gaze onto him next. It had been years since either of them were genuinely afraid of Andrew Minyard, but though they had become as close as family (closer, really, when you consider the "family" any of the Foxes came from...) there was still a sense of... apprehension that came about unbidden whenever Andrew gave anyone his full attention.

Well, other than Neil and Renee - they seemed pretty unaffected, but Neil was just as bad as Andrew and Renee was Renee so...

Matt attempted to cover up his awkwardness with a cough and a laugh that didn't help at all. Then he said, "So uh, was the tiara taken, Minyard?"

Dan's eyes went wide and she snapped her attention over to her husband, catching the very moment Matt realized what he'd just said and who he'd said it too.

There was a beat of heavy, static silence. Dan felt as though all the air in the room had suddenly become caught in her throat and it was slowly ballooning out until she would either before to release it or choke, the pressure building and building until she was too tense even to gasp.

Then Andrew said, "Yes. It was Piper's turn." He lifted his (again, and it cannot be stressed enough, child-sized) teacup, took a sip, then turned and walked away from the foyer. Just as he was about to turn down the hall, he paused and looked back. "Oh, and it's Minyard-Josten. Either get it right or use my first name."

Andrew was gone before that registered. Before any of that registered.

Two beats after he vanished, Dan wheezed, pressing one hand to her chest and grabbing onto Matt's sleeve with the other to provide additional support to her suddenly jellified knees. "What--?" she gasped, at the same time Matt squeaked, "He!?" Then, in tandem, they both looked at each other and said, "Wait."

"Tiara," said Matt.

"Teacup!" implored Dan.

Both of Matt's hands landed on her shoulders, his eyes wide. "Minyard-Josten," he whispered. Then he paused, frowned, and said more firmly and with greater awareness. "Minyard-Josten!?"

"Wow, that was... I don't know what that was, but it was definitely embarrassing. The twins can do sentences better than you and they're not even three yet."

Both Dan and Matt jumped, their yelps of surprise mingling in a jumble of inelegant noise.

Aaron Minyard stood in the entryway that led to the kitchen, drying his hands on a towel. He looked good, Dan decided as she forced her mind away from the fuckery of whatever fever dream just let her and Dan into the house. Years of practicing medicine rather than exy, of the more recent adventure of parenthood, had done a lot to change his outward appearance from his brother. Aaron was a bit rounder now, his hair longer and the curls of his blond hair full and wild in a way Andrew never would have allowed. He looked... friendly, warm - the complete opposite of his entire definition back when they were in college. Even with the bemused smirk he wore now, he had a very... fatherly vibe about him.

Of all the OG Foxes, they got to see Aaron and Katelyn the least. With both of them being doctors, and then very quickly parents only a few short years after medical school, they had a stricter schedule and much less mobility when it came to travel and visit availability. This would be the first time Matt and Dan would be seeing the twins since right after they were born, though they'd dialed in for a New Years zoom several months ago.

Matt cleared his throat, then grinned. "Aaron. Hey! C'mere man." Dan waited her turn. Then also hugged Aaron.

"Where is Katelyn?" she asked, both because she was genuinely curious and also because if she didn't ask that she was going to ask--

"What the fuck was Andrew wearing just now!?" Matt hissed in an urgent rush almost before she finished asking her own, much more reasonable question that definitely had a much less terrifying answer. "Ow!" Matt grunted with a pout as Dan smacked him in the shoulder. "I call spousal abuse! You were thinking it too!"

"I'll show you spousal abuse," she muttered darkly, then turned to Aaron. "But yeah, he's right. What the fuck?"

Aaron chuckled, then shrugged. "Go see for yourself. They're in the play room. It's tea time."

"Tea time?" Matt rasped, and now that Andrew wasn't there, the hilarity of the whole thing was finally beginning to dawn.

Dan looked at Matt, and could feel her own face stretching into a grin that matched his. "Tea time," she breathed. "With toddlers. Andrew... and Neil?" Dan made it a question, looking at Aaron.

Aaron sighed, and the familiar "oh that asshole" affectionate disdain was all Dan needed to know that Neil Josten (Minyard-Josten?) was also participating in toddler tea time. Dan met Matt's eyes, and the next second they were both half-tripping over each other as they scrambled down the hall that Andrew had disappeared down.

There was only one open door at the end of the hall, and Matt and Dan skidded to a stop right in the doorway, eyes wide and mouths in identical, open-mouthed grins - because no matter what was there it was going to be fucking once-in-a-lifetime.

And there. There they were.

Two adorable, cherubic little blonde toddlers sitting at a table that was surrounded by toddler-sized chairs, dressed up in what appeared to be a Ninja Turtles costume and an Elsa costume (both with tiaras). The Ninja Turtle was sitting on Princess Chef Andrew Minyard-Josten's lap, chattering away in mostly-unintelligible babble that Andrew appeared to completely understand. The little Elsa was sitting in her own chair, but she was turned toward the inhabitant of the seat immediately to her left, holding a tea cup up to it's large, inflatable snout.

"Neil. Josten," Dan croaked out, much louder than she meant to - startling the little girls but of course neither of the adults. In all her years knowing them she'd never been able to surprise Neil or Andrew.

That big flimsy head turned her way and Neil's voice, steady and unbothered, said, "I'm a tea-rex," as if it was the most reasonable thing in the world to say. Then, on Dan's way down to the floor, her knees giving way slow enough that she was at least able to grip the doorframe as she crumpled, he added, "Oh, and it's Minyard-Josten."

Some time later, once Dan had collected herself enough to look at them without fucking losing it (she had to leave the room twice - Matt just sat on the floor in a stupor for fifteen minutes until one of the girls brought him a teacup) she demanded to see the rings, which both tiny menaces instantly produced.

And, fuck it, she couldn't even be mad. Because here was Andrew fucking Minyard and Neil fucking Josten, married and having a tea party with a couple of toddlers - and if that wasn't the kind of personal growth and fulfillment that a Fox deserved she didn't know what was.

[foxhole-pipe-dream]

📌 24. South Carolinian. Yapper & Neil-ship enthusiast. I've been infected with Andreil brainworms for nearly 7 years now. 🤒

Always thinking about Neil Josten...

Jeaneil friendship truther!

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Commonly used tags:

#mine #hits #tsc spoilers #ask

Sorry if I don't answer messages, I'm very anxious and forgetful. But feel free to tag me in posts.

Fic prompts/requests are okay. I love asks, though I'm slow to respond! 💕

I've been asked a few times, so feel free to translate my completed fics (but ask first). I'd rather finish my fics beforehand in case of changes.

Mutuals, let's hold hands. 🫴

* For my sanity, please just block & stay faaar away from me if you ship/support incest ships. I've taken so much psychic damage. I will start throwing rocks soon.

[chronically-peach]

The Front Bottoms have some of the most Kevin/Neil/Andrew lyrics I’ve heard and I want to write fics based off of so many songs.

“But I am not a dirty God. And I don’t have a dirty body.”

Andrew and Bee work so hard on him realizing there’s nothing wrong with him. He is not ruined. He is not dirty or used. His body is not ruined and it belongs to only him. The person he chooses to give it to (Neil) is not going to see it as dirty. He is a God, but he is not a dirty one. His body is clean and pure and his. This one makes me cry every time oops.

“Nothing feels alright now, the length of my hair or the fit of my clothes”

Kevin after he joins the foxes comes to mind immediately. Kevin who needs things to go his way. Kevin who has only known the nest and Riko. Kevin who never got to make decisions for himself suddenly forced into a life he doesn’t know how to live.

“Make sure to kiss your knuckles before you punch me in the face”

Kevin, Neil and Andrew expecting love to hurt because they’ve never known true gentle touch from the people that were supposed to love them. They expect to be hurt eventually because that’s all they’ve ever known.

“It should’ve felt good but I can hear the Jaws theme song on repeat in the back of my mind”

Andrew trying to be intimate with Neil, both physically and emotionally. He knows he’s safe, that Neil isn’t a threat to him, but he can’t help but feel the anxious dread that looms every second he’s vulnerable.

“There are lessons to be learned, consequences for all the stupid things I say”

This is Neil through and through in so many ways. His smart ass remarks, his learning curve that’s just a straight line, his lack of self preservation.

“There is very little left of me and it’s never coming back”

Kevin, Neil and Andrew all come to mind. Jean actually fits this too for me. They’ve all been through so much both separately and together. The trauma they’ve faced in their lives still haunts them, they still have empty parts inside of themselves that will never be whole again. They’re healing and they’re moving forward but some things can never be put back together and the boys all have parts of themselves they lost long ago.

“I wanna contribute to the chaos. I don’t wanna watch and then complain”

Neil and Andrew 100%. I don’t think this one even needs an explanation.

“I would sleep better on your floor than I would ever in my bed and if your carpet makes my face itch, it’d still be heaven in my head”

Neil “junkie” Josten. He’s so in love with Andrew and all he wants is to be with him, no matter the circumstances.

“You say I’m changing. I’m sorry I didn’t know I had to stay the same”

This one makes me think of Andrew, especially Andrew and his interactions with the upperclassmen. When they start seeing him as a person and not as the monster they’ve painted him to be in their minds.

“But whatever I did for you last year, I cannot do again.”

I can vividly picture Andrew saying this to Kevin and it breaks me every time.

“It’s getting harder and harder and harder and harder for me to call you friend”

Kevin with Andrew and honestly Jean with Kevin too.

“And what about your friends, don’t you love them enough to stay? And I say if I don’t leave now then I will never get away”

My first thought was Neil, the king of running away no matter how much it hurts. But I also thought of Kevin, running from the nest after Riko broke his hand.

[stabbyfoxandrew]

okay, 14 cause bad writing advice always makes me giggle, and 7 <3

14. What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever come across? Honestly, writing advice (good and bad) tends to go in one ear and out the other. I don't retain shit! So I don't have any really. :')

7. Share a snippet from one of your favorite pieces of prose you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

Neil Josten has been anxious all day. Tomorrow is his birthday. His real, actual birthday and not a date chosen at random by a dude making fake IDs in a dark, creepy basement. Neil remembers accompanying his mother to those sorts of places several times. She always picked their names, then crafted their personalities and backstories and taught them to Christoper and Alex and Stefan and a couple dozen other versions of himself. After she died, Neil had to do it himself for the first time. It took him a couple months to find a reputable forger, but he became Neil Josten in the back of a seedy bar in Los Angeles. The guy had a funny look on his face when a sixteen year old walked in and demanded a new identity, but he changed his tune when Neil slapped down a pile of cash. There was an entire calendar full of dates for him to pick from, but he handed over the day his mother died— the day he burned her corpse and buried her bones in the sand— to a complete stranger. He nearly choked on it. The man simply nodded and got to work and Neil watched him like a hawk, with his bag held close to his chest the entire time.

This is from my fic, cosmic lost and found (aka that andreil soulmates fic i haven't shut up about for months). I honestly couldn't think of anything I was super proud of then I remembered this. It's not an amazing piece of writing, but having Neil use the day his mom died as a birthday... I remember being proud of that idea. And I've gotten a few compliments on it!

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