bookswrld

this is basically me writing out snippets from a documentary on the foxes later in life, what they’re up to, their reflections on the events of the aftg series, etc. these are only snippets, the whole documentary itself would be way too big for a tumblr post (and this is already very long). because i can’t make edits/gifs, i have nothing to offer but my words, so i hope this isn’t too awkward to read! 

anyways the credit for this amazing idea goes to @sixteenthirtyfour and this post that i added on the inspiration for this fic to. i also received a request for more andreil in it, which i hope i delivered on. i did completely destroy canon/timelines so renison is a thing and kevin/thea is not (ergo i literally just…made up an s.o. for kevin because he deserves love) and i also created some pro exy leagues based on the nwsl.

this may be one of my favorite things i’ve ever written, and it made me very emotional. it was also heavily (like very heavily) influenced by cheer on netflix + a billion of my side interests. the amount of time i spent researching stuff for this is…kinda ridiculous but i enjoyed it!!

what to expect: a LOT of found family feels, brief mentions of violence/injury/ scars/the murder trial, cursing, discussions of homophobia, everyone gets emotional at some point, next gen kids, neil is the biggest psu foxes fan

(Footage from the final PSU Foxes v. Edgar Allan Ravens match. The crowds are so loud the commentators can barely be heard. The Foxes, exhausted but driven by incredible determination, continue playing like their lives depend on it as the minutes tick down. Orange and black battle it out on the court. The match is nearly over.) 

Reporter #1: “-a shame but underdogs only ever win in movies-”

Reporter #2: “Looks like another trophy for the Edgar Allan Ravens, which would be their-”

(Neil Josten, #10 for the PSU Foxes, collapses to the ground as the one minute warning buzzes overhead. His teammates are dragging themselves forward and back. Even Kevin Day, exy darling and former Raven, is struggling. Suddenly, he makes a mad sprint toward the goal, and throws his racket forward in one last desperate move. The ball, streaking through the air with Kevin’s famous accuracy, flies over the Raven’s keeper’s arm by just an inch. The goal lights up red. The crowds go wild. Figures in orange, delirious with exhaustion, throw their arms up and scream, while figures in black freeze in place. The camera pans over to where Neil Josten is still on the ground, a stunned Riko Moriyama standing over him. Neil has removed his helmet and says something. Riko, face twisting, lifts his racket up with dubious intent as a Fox further down the court screams their teammate’s name, the racket comes down-)

(A deserted street in downtown Portland, 5:30 AM. Hipster restaurants and quirky shops. A small figure runs on screen, keeping a steady but surprisingly fast pace for so early in the morning. They wear a faded white-and-orange PSU Foxes sweatshirt. Neil Josten, 34 years old, captain and starting striker for the Portland Flyers and starting striker for US Court, crosses the street and keeps running. He turns around the corner and comes to a stop in a small park. He stretches by a bench and watches the sun rise. The camera zooms in slightly as the scars on his face are highlighted. He looks utterly at peace.) 

(Neil, now freshly showered, stands in the kitchen of the apartment he shares with husband and teammate Andrew Minyard, 35 years old, keeper for the Portland Flyers and US Court. Neil is making scrambled eggs while Andrew feeds their two cats, Sir and King. They’re talking and Neil snorts, Andrew looking up with the slightest tilt to his mouth.)

(A cozy living room in Brooklyn. Children’s toys are tucked away in neat piles around the IKEA furniture. Matt Boyd, 36 years old, beloved co-host of ESPN’s popular Exy Nation program and former backliner for the Red Royals, sits on the couch beside his wife, Dan Wilds, 37 years old and well-respected coach of the UNY Thunderbolts. They are clearly still stupidly in love after 13 years of marriage, and are totally at ease with the crew as they’re interviewed.)

Producer, from behind the camera: “I want to take us back a bit. What was your first impression of Neil Josten?”

(Dan laughs, and Matt smiles hugely.)

Matt: “Where do I begin?”

(A small office within Palmetto State University’s exy stadium. David Wymack, 60 years old, sits behind his desk with ten carefully maintained manila folders spread out in front of him. Each one is labeled at the top in capital letters with bold black sharpie. NEIL JOSTEN, ANDREW MINYARD, AARON MINYARD, KEVIN DAY, NICHOLAS HEMMICK, RENEE WALKER, ALLISON REYNOLDS, DANIELLE WILDS, MATTHEW BOYD, and SETH GORDON. He lets out a weary but amused sigh when asked the question by the producer.)

Wymack, crossing his arms: “When I first met Neil? Well…”

(Neil, dressed in green-and-white gear save for an orange bandana, leads a warmup around the stadium home to the Portland Flyers. He is totally in his element, and is obviously admired by his teammates. Although he stays focused, he spares the occasional smirk or snarky statement. For some of the drills, he stands off to the side and calls out tips or encouragement. Andrew lobs a ball toward him and Neil catches it swiftly with one hand, throwing it back with one brow raised. His eyes dart back and forth across the court, and he talks to Coach Barton, gesturing at players.)

(An airy townhouse in San Francisco, well lit with large windows and skylights. The lack of walls dividing common spaces makes the interior open and inviting. Kevin Day, 35 years old, starting striker for the San Francisco Spartans and starting striker and captain of US Court, sits at a table by a window overlooking a tidy garden. When asked the question by the producer, he sets his cup down.)

Kevin: “I went with my father and Andrew Minyard to sign him in Arizona. He tried to run.”

Producer: “Who stopped him?”

(Kevin sighs slightly, as if he’s still inconvenienced by the event a decade and a half later. In recent years, he has become more human in the face of the media rather than the courteous but distant figure he used to be with the Ravens.)

Kevin, sighing again: “Andrew.”