there is light on you

Fandom: AFTG

1) time and tide (might just wait for you) | 9,402 words

A fact: Andrew is biding his time until death.

He counts the hours left in a day, the minutes left in an hour, the seconds between sunrise and sunset. The world keeps turning, and with it, he wakes up, he eats, he smokes, he plays a sport he doesn’t care about, he guards his things, he keeps his promises, he breathes. Each intake of breath ticks off the time he has left - the space between him and death.

But against his will, his clock begins to run on a different schedule.

(or: Andrew versus life and Dr. Dobson, an act in eight parts)

2) thorn in my skin | 5,861 words

These days, both of them are able to sleep on the same bed without any weapons underneath their pillows and on their person, and Andrew is not sure what he wants to do with this knowledge. They have poured years into forging their armors, and now they are stripping them, piece by tattered piece.

(or: the five weapons Neil has at his disposal + the one weapon he wields without knowing it)

3) sugar, spice, and something nice | 6,258 words

Andrew appears by his side seconds later, takes one look at the charred disaster, and says, “At least you did not burn the Tower down.”

Neil sighs. Happy birthday, he thinks mockingly as he chucks the brownie into the garbage bin.

(or: Neil finds a new hobby and indulges his family with sweets, Andrew indulges Neil, and they both can't stop staring at each other)

4) just like that day | 5,600 words

Neil smiles more than he used to.

Andrew has not really thought about this, even though he’s noticed it for quite some time now. He smiles a lot more, especially around Andrew, soft-edged and tantalizing. He grins and laughs without smothering the impulse anymore, without feeling self-conscious and afraid of resembling his father, without worrying how happiness seems out of place among the ravaged skin and frayed ends.

Andrew is only thinking about this now because he hasn’t seen Neil smile in three days.

(or: in which there is a wedding, a quiet morning, a hospital trip, and a lot of kisses and blatant staring, not necessarily in that order)

5) The untitled drabble about Andrew wanting to be gentle with Neil | 542 words

Andrew didn’t tell her, there is no this. He told her, I want to try to be gentle. But I don’t think I am capable of it. She told him, you are. She told him again, Andrew, you are.

6) a world alone | 54,850 words (Multi-chaptered; Part 1 of bruising the sun)

“The drama club,” Andrew says.

“I sort of took over Renee’s position last week,” Neil explains, a folder cradled in his arm. “She has the nature club and the home economics club to supervise, and then she’s swamped with the homecoming thing this week, so I thought I could help her out a bit by taking over the drama club.”

They walk by students who are milling about the hallways, waiting for the bell to ring, with a few greeting Neil good morning and some glancing timidly at Andrew.

A giant furry blob of orange zips past them. They both blink, and turn to where Rocky Foxy, the school’s mascot, is being wheeled down the hall on a decorated dolly while the other students cheer him on.

“Welcome to Spirit Week,” Andrew deadpans without any spirit.

(or: a High School AU where only some of them are high-schoolers)

((the rest of them are high school teachers))

7) one way or another (or maybe neither) | 2,411 words

“So you are telling me that you are having a sexual crisis,” Andrew says, deadpan.

Neil sighs, looking away. “I guess you could put it that way.”

(or: Neil doesn't swing, and he talks to Andrew about it)

8) two peas (in a pandemonium) | 4,089 words

Nicky sits up straighter, legs folded underneath him on the couch, his excitement rising. “How about roller blading?”

“I still have bruises from when we went last time,” Matt says sadly.

“Miniature golf?” Nicky tries.

“We’re banned from all three mini golf courses in the city,” Aaron states bluntly.

Nicky inhales sharply, like he just realized something.

“Oh no,” Aaron says.

“What is it?” Matt inquires, sitting sideways on his chair at the desk to look at Nicky.

“Don’t,” Aaron whispers.

“Badminton,” Nicky exhales.

“Hell is empty,” Aaron says, looking up at the ceiling.

(or: the boys engage in sports in the middle of the night, Nicky makes crude jokes, Aaron loses a shoe, and the twins share a peaceful moment)

9) until our veins run red and blue | 9,211 words (Multi-chaptered; incomplete)

Andrew has heard all the rumors about Neil Josten, extrapolations that the students make from the morsels of information they could pick out ever since he moved here in the middle of the academic year. Some say that he was sold to the mafia at a young age; others insist that he is the son of a crime lord from the east coast.

One other ridiculous thing about Neil is that girls find his enigmatic aura and brooding facade irresistible, but most of the boys find the whole thing aggravating, like they think that Neil is somehow limiting their own chances of fishing girls and getting laid. The fact that a mousy and unremarkable thing like Neil opened his mouth long enough to bluntly reject the advances of a senior cheerleader has sparked a mini storm in their little high school.

Andrew deems it all banal.

(or: a high school AU where nobody has to worry about an impending mafia war)

10) wind me tighter than a wire | 4,829 words (Part 1 of maybe i'm defective, maybe i'm dumb)

The insufferable man with an incorrigible inclination for drama leans over the bar, his posture relaxed like a cat’s, and asks the woman, “What did you make him?”

“Ginger highball.”

“Hmm.” Turning towards Andrew, he says, “Now you have another ginger to appreciate.”

Andrew keeps his face carefully blank, taking inventory of the man. His eyeliner makes the ridiculous color of his eyes stand out even more, but the auburn hair is just as conspicuous. Andrew isn’t even going to think about his outrageous costume or about his outrageous legs.

“Gingers aren’t my type,” Andrew says, impassive.

(or: Kevin and Andrew are detectives, and Neil is a show boy who knows A Lot of things)

11) run away like mercury | 7,421 words (Part 2 of maybe i'm defective, maybe i'm dumb)

It’s a game, Neil reminds himself, and in a game, there is a winner and a loser. Neil has never been either of these things, because he is neutral; a non-playable character.

He isn’t going to let a cop change that.

(or: Neil is a show boy who knows Too Many things and Andrew is a detective who knows just enough)

12) not a break up fic (someone to stay on Ao3) | 1,597 words

On the first day of summer break, Andrew returns to the dorm and says, I want to break up.

(or: in which Neil and Andrew navigate through a non-break up and stay together)

13) groundswell waves | 17,730 words

By the time the plane lands, Neil has managed to shake off the memory of his mother’s protective grip and urgent hisses. The passengers deboard and the airline employees bid them all a chipper thank you, we hope to see you again.

Neil takes his time, dragging his feet across the washed-out carpets while other people move in big groups around him, talking loudly as they lug their tropical holiday paraphernalia and hop onto the travelator. It’s different, he muses derisively, than all the other times he’s been at an airport, leisurely instead of vigilant.

The airport is old and smells like coconut lotion, and some parts are closed off for renovation. The arrival hall is quiet and dreary except for the rainbow banner that says Welcome to the Aloha State!

(or: Neil moves to a small town on one of Hawaii's islands, where he works at a beachfront shop, breaks into a public swimming pool, learns how to surf, pillion-rides a motorcycle, and finds a home)

14) flour petals, sugar stitches | 11,309 words

“Thanks for coming with me,” she says, keeping her eyes trained in front of her.

“It is not like I had a choice in the matter,” Andrew says, blowing out a stream of smoke through his mouth.

Renee’s lips curl into a smile. “Maybe you’ll win our next sparring match and I’ll finally have to buy you ten cartons of Haagen-Dazs.”

“It cannot be worse than tagging along to a bridal boutique.”

“Maybe,” Renee allows, humor in her voice. “But what kind of man of honor would you be if you didn’t come with me to choose a dress?”

(or: Andrew is a baker, Renee is a bride-to-be, and Neil is a dressmaker)

15) the untitled train station AU | 2,204 words

Minyard says, “So the professor speaks Russian.”

He’s in a good mood today, ‘good’ being a very loose term. For all Neil knows, he could be feeling unbridled joy under that veneer of perpetual indifference. Neil only thinks he’s in a good mood because he’s not ignoring Neil like he does on some days, acting like he isn’t aware of Neil’s existence.

“So he does,” Neil says, propping an elbow on the counter. “Get me my usual.”

“This is not a bar,” Minyard points out, “and you are jumping in front of the line.”

16) the untitled winter 2018 post-canon fic of fluff and domesticity | 2,086 words

After rinsing the dishes and putting them in the washer, they return to the couch. Neil scrolls through the news app on his phone while Andrew stacks potato chips on Sir’s head.

“Hey,” Neil says, “look.”

He passes Andrew his phone to show the picture that Katelyn sent a few seconds ago. It’s of her twin daughters, dressed in the matching reindeer onesies that Neil sent through the mail.

Andrew tosses the phone back after a disinterested glance at the screen. Neil catches it easily, pressing his lips together to suppress a smile.

“I am surprised that my brother didn’t burn the outfits upon receiving them.”

“He’s grown soft,” Neil says, rubbing his palm over Andrew’s pudgy tummy, “like you.”

Andrew pinches his sock-clad toes, and he laughs.

17) the glow in our mouths | 12,084 words

A breeze blasts by, the leaves rustling and shaking above them. Aaron’s heart is thumping wildly in his chest, blood roaring in his ears.

“Andrew, do you think…” It takes him a while to finish the sentence. “Do you think that we might be brothers?”

Andrew blinks, slowly. His face doesn’t look quite so severe and detached anymore, with the ghost of a smile on his lips.

“Aaron,” he says, “I think we might be twins.”

(or: a Parent Trap AU where Aaron and Andrew are twins who meet at summer camp, Nathaniel is the boy next door who should not be underestimated, and Abby and Wymack are unsuspecting parents who try their best)

18) the untitled post-canon fic about Neil’s memories of his mother | 900 words

Mama, he used to call her.

Abram, she used to say.

19) sixth magnitude stars | 8,713 words

“Andrew,” Neil starts. He looks down the hallway and finds it empty. Once again, he considers his options, but decides that it’s better to just tear the bandaid off. Besides, it’s not like he’s ever been known for his tact.

“You like Kevin, right? My brother. I see you watching him in class all the time.”

Andrew freezes with the can halfway to his lips.

“Don’t worry - he hasn’t noticed.” Neil continues to observe Andrew, how he still hasn’t moved a muscle. “I can help you, if you want.”

(or: in which Neil sticks his nose into other people's business, Andrew fails to be subtle, and Kevin battles a Neil-sized headache on a regular basis)

20) my head goes forward (and my heart goes back) | 2,545 words

Nathaniel Wesninski. Alias: Neil Josten. Status: Active; extremely dangerous.

Andrew has run into him on a few missions in the past - Bucharest, Hanoi, and, most notably, Reykjavik - and the warnings had been the same: Do not engage. Avoid at all costs.

As if that had ever been possible.

(or: Andrew is a spy, Neil is a hitman, and Kevin is exasperated)

21) the untitled office AU | 1,954 words

“It was fine,” says Neil, with an air of general disinterest. “Andrew went with me to the beach for a run.”

And thus the grand debate begins.

“It’s his dog, obviously,” declares Rajesh of the terminated TV show. “Dogs like to run, right?”

“He doesn’t look like a dog person,” says Margaret from accounting skeptically.

“Maybe Andrew is his cat. Cats run too, don’t they?” inserts Susan the proud parent. “Or am I thinking of leopards?”

22) strawberry sweetness and light (doesn't taste like lies) | 6,193 words

The third time Nicky asks him about it, he says, “I am already dating someone.”

This is a lie.

Nicky’s face unfurls like a clearing sky, eyes widening and jaw dropping. “You don’t say! Who is it?”

Andrew’s mind flies in a thousand different ways, grasping for an answer, a diversion, another lie. Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpses Neil walking out of the locker room, hair damp and bag slung over his shoulder.

“Neil,” Andrew tells Nicky, and Nicky gawps, shocked and famished for more information.

“I am dating Neil,” Andrew says.

(or: in which Andrew and Neil - due to purely rational, strategical, and beneficial reasons - convince everybody that they are dating)

23) laugh until our ribs get tough | 6,537 words (Part 2 of bruising the sun)

“I’m telling you guys, there’s definitely something between them,” Matt insists for the third time that morning.

“Matt, if there was, I’d already been knew about it,” Nicky rationalizes, also for the third time that morning.

“Bitch, please.” Kyle adjusts his wig, giving himself a once-over in the mirror. “You have a shitty gay-dar.”

“And we don’t even know if Mr. Josten's gay,” Dan reminds them. “That bet still isn’t settled.”

“Well, according to my excellent gay-dar,” Nicky declares, “he’s definitely boning Mr. Moreau. I would know - I’ve seen them flirting with each other in French.”

(or: Nicky yearns to heal and be loved, and realizes that maybe he is healing and loved)

24) under the kitchen lights (you still look like dynamite) | 26,365 words

“Besides, you’re not a stranger,” Neil says.

“You did not know my name until a minute ago,” Andrew points out.

“I’ve been petting your cat everyday for the past month, though.”

“That does not make us friends.”

“I didn’t say we were.” Neil tilts his head, the hint of a smirk on his lips. “We’re neighbors.”

(Andrew's recent Google search history: ambient sounds to help you sleep, what qualifies you for a service dog, why do cats like to sit in boxes, daily horoscope scorpio, does quoting shakespeare mean you're being flirted with, buzzfeed quizzes food, how to be neighborly)

((or: in which Andrew and Neil are neighbors who do various neighborly things))

25) the untitled Pride and Prejudice AU | 3,000 words (A longer version is now available; look at 35 for link)

“Short they may be,” Jean supplies, “but poor they most certainly are not.”

“Tell me,” Neil prompts.

“Twenty thousand a year, and they own half of Columbia.”

Neil takes stock of their dull expressions, one twin’s countenance more impassive and unreadable than the other’s. “The boring half?”

26) the untitled Snow White AU 

hair the color of rubies, eyes the color of cobalt, skin the color of bronze. it is just like the rumors have said, just like the tales have painted, just like the poems have woven and spun – nathaniel is beautiful, almost enchantingly so.

27) the untitled winter 2019 post-canon fic feat. strong found family themes | 3,419 words

Neil throws away the candy wrappers and takes a seat. “What’s up, Coach?”

Wymack pinches the bridge of his nose. “My blood pressure.”  

“Splendid,” Neil says without missing a beat. He takes stock of the peeler in Wymack’s hand and the bowl of potatoes on the table. “Need any help?”

Wymack stares at him squarely in the eye and points at Kevin and Andrew. “Get those two goons out of the kitchen.”

28) the untitled post-canon fic feat. sick Andrew | 2,651 words

Andrew has never thought that he would experience loneliness, that he would come to know the meaning of the word so intimately. The separation from his family is difficult; a dull, throbbing pain at the back of his head, but the separation from Neil is sharper; a gashing stab wound in his chest, and he is bleeding and bleeding and bleeding.   

29) the untitled W Juliet AU | 2,105 words

“I would go anywhere with you,” he says to the moon, “if you asked me to.”

30) april showers, april snow storms | 7,508 words

“Do you believe in fate, Neil?” Andrew asks, blasé.

“Not really, no,” Neil answers gamely, even though Andrew had asked something very similar at the cafe.

“Luck, then.”

“Only the bad sort.”

“And yet you do not cease to ruminate over the notion of soulmates.”

“Has anybody ever told you that you speak like someone from a different time period altogether?” Neil deflects.

(or: Andrew and Neil are soulmates who are stranded at an airport during a snow storm)

31) the untitled Cat!Andrew AU | 3,700 words

Andrew wakes up one morning as a cat.

It sounds absurd even as he thinks it, but there is no mistaking it. He has whiskers, a tail, and a body covered in white fur.

He spends 10 minutes just sitting on his haunches, still as a statue. He doesn’t even know what to think of this, much less what to do about it.

He went to sleep in his own body last night - his human body - and he woke up this morning struggling to get out of the covers, his feline limbs flailing to free himself from the tangle of his bedsheets.

He spends another 10 minutes sitting on the bed, wondering what to do next. He desperately wants a cigarette, but he doesn’t even have opposable thumbs. Flexing his paws, Andrew vaults off the bed and lands gracefully on the floor.

Huh, he thinks. He has never been that agile before.

32) cotton candy skies, funnel cake eyes | 6,828 words

“Here,” Neil says, holding the panda out towards Andrew. Its head is disproportionately big for its body, and its black and white fur looks rather coarse. “For you.”

Andrew levels him an even look. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

(or: Andrew contemplates the idea of love as he and Neil spend the day together at a local carnival)

33) hell-oween | 2,926 words

Andrew and Neil pivot towards him at the same time like a pair of horror movie twins.

“Oh, it’s just you,” Neil says, tossing his hair - Aaron thinks it’s a wig? It might be an extension for all he knows - over his shoulder.  

Andrew gives him a long, unreadable stare, then takes a slow sip from the plastic cup in his hand. If he wasn’t Aaron’s twin brother, Aaron would have almost had a hard time recognizing him. The dark brown wig, the thick-framed glasses, the orange sweater, the orange knee-high socks, the fucking short red skirt -

“Hey, we got the Scooby gang here!” one party-goer hollers, raising his beer bottle towards them in a toast.

(or: Aaron and Katelyn dress up in matching couple costumes for a Halloween party. Unfortunately for Aaron, so do Neil and Andrew)

34) untitled one-shot of neil hanging out with kevin and jean | 2,244 words

Beside him, Kevin heaves a long-suffering sigh. He crouches down a little, beckoning Neil over with a jerk of his head. “Hop on.”

Neil raises an eyebrow. “Are you serious?”

“You used to let Matt do it all the time back in college.”

“Matthew still does it now,” Jean says, an amused lilt in his voice, “whenever he gets excited.”

(or: in which Neil, Kevin, and Jean visit an anime exhibition in Tokyo and actually have a nice day together)

35) fools in love | 8,032 words (Multi-chaptered; incomplete)

“Short they may be,” Jean supplies, “but poor they most certainly are not.”

“Tell me,” Neil prompts.

“Twenty thousand a year, and they own half of Columbia.”

Neil takes stock of their dull expressions, one twin’s countenance more impassive and unreadable than the other’s. “The boring half?”

(or: A Pride and Prejudice AU, where both Neil and Andrew are only slightly prejudiced and prideful)

Fandom: Haikyuu!!

1) neo black | 17,212 words (Multi-chaptered)

Akaashi doesn’t say anything as he steadies Oikawa’s hand, propping the fingers to stabilize them, dips the brush in the bottle, swirling it around a little, and pulls it out again, gently running the brush against the rim to rid of any excess. He swipes it over the nail of Oikawa’s index finger, covering the whole surface in black in a few clean strokes. He examines his work for a while. He wonders if specks of gold would look good over a background of complete blackness. He bites back a sigh.

“I can guess the subject of your reverie,” Oikawa chimes in, and Akaashi responds with a “Really now?” without looking up.

Oikawa perks up a bit at receiving a chance for conversation. Gives him a leeway to temporarily forget about his own problems perhaps, Akaashi assumes inwardly.

“Oh yes, I really can,” Oikawa straightens his back to deliver his grand conjecture, “You’re thinking about a certain owl-haired simpleton.”

(or: Akaashi overthinks, Bokuto goes out running to buy hair gel, Oikawa is initially a menace but proves to be a great senpai, and Kuroo gets stuck in the middle of Akaashi and Bokuto's mess)

2) soon you’ll be | 5,334 words

Komi smacks his palm against his forehead, Sarukui throws his head back and sighs, Washio runs a hand down his face, Onaga exhales loudly through his nostrils and shakes his head, and Konoha clicks his tongue.

Bokuto glances around curiously, discombobulated at the reactions.

Konoha slouches over and leans in closer, flicking the flashlight on and off to punctuate his words. “You,” he says, “are an idiot.”

(or: The Fukurodani VBC regulars recount the memorable instances that they've shared with Akaashi and gang up on Bokuto)

3) 101 things (and more) | 2,210 words

There were a lot of things that Bokuto didn’t know about at first.

Bokuto didn’t know that Akaashi’s fair skin would glow white in the blistering light of the sun, or that he had a mole right on his shoulder blade, and this discovery sent Bokuto on a covert mission to find and catalogue all the beauty spots that mark Akaashi’s body; freckles, blemishes, moles and all.

(or: Bokuto thinks of the things that he used to not know about Akaashi, and how he has come to know some of them and embrace them all)

4) the spaces between my fingers | 41,207 words (Multi-chaptered)

Bokuto spots the blinking red light of an airplane and his eyes trail it until it disappears out of sight, and he lies still, the ticking of the wall clock that Kenma gave as a house-warming gift rippling through the air. He reaches a hand out towards the window, the light from outside bright enough for him to make out and trace the outline of his fingers as he spreads them.

It’s lonely.

He curls the digits, and drops his hand over his eyes.

I’ll see you around, Bokuto-san.

He lies on his side, curling up and pulling the blanket over his face.

His lips are trembling, but he can feel them forming a smile.

(or: Bokuto receives hate from a cat and gripes about going to his classes, Akaashi is an Exasperated™ teaching assistant, Kuroo upholds his status as The Best Bro Friend a Guy Could Ever Ask For, and everyone makes an appearance at some point)

5) (like snow) in summer | 6,111 words

Koutarou has stopped crying by then, and he blinks back the wetness in his eyes.

“Human…? But Mister, aren’t you also a human being?”

The boy shifts a little, a hand resting on the bark of the tree next to him.

“I’m… something that lives in the forest.”

(or: Bokuto Koutarou gets lost in the forest where he meets and forms a relationship with the not-so-human Keiji over the course of ten summers)

6) all of my youth | 25,548 words (Multi-chaptered; incomplete)

He worries that he's become less of a Bokuto Koutarou without an Akaashi Keiji by his side.

(or: Bokuto graduates high school and strives to not grow apart from his best friend, Akaashi strikes terror into the hearts of both his juniors and seniors, Kuroo loses his cool, Konoha struggles to answer the question of why he's friends with Bokuto, and everybody gradually grows up)

7) 143 | 1,095 words

Bokuto, Akaashi, and the Three Words.

(hint: the words aren't "I got food.")

Fandom: Cherry Magic

1) sleepless nights and bright city lights | 4,339 words

Adachi hears a car barrelling through the streets below. It’s a quiet neighborhood in general, but in the deepest part of the night, every single noise sounds amplified.

Or maybe that’s just his insomnia speaking.

(or: Adachi and Kurosawa meander through the city on a cold winter night)

Fandom: Word of Honor RPF

1) summer weather, rest your head on my shoulder | 7,784 words

“What do you want for dinner?” Xiao Yu asks. “I’ll put the order in as soon as you’re done for the day.”

“I’m eating with Gong Jun,” Zhehan says distractedly, his eyes glued to his phone.

“You two are dining out?”

“No, he’s making me dinner.”

Xiao Yu narrows his eyes. “He’s making you dinner,” he states. “In his hotel room?”

Zhehan looks away from his phone long enough to roll his eyes. “In his trailer. How can he cook in his room?”

“And why does he suddenly want to make you dinner?”

“Because I asked him to,” Zhehan says, as if the answer should be obvious.

(or: in which Xiao Yu battles the mortifying ordeal of watching his best friend fall in love)

Fandom: Enchanté

1) wrapped around your finger, wrapped my head around | 6,418 words

“Please have these!” a girl says, bowing at a perfect 90-degree angle as she offers Theo some flowers. Akk is pretty sure that he’s seen her around campus before, stealing unsubtle glimpses of Theo.

Theo blinks. “Um, okay?”

Tentatively, he curls his fingers around the stem.

The girl raises her head. Her eyes are practically shooting out stars. “I hope you have a beautiful day. Please continue to exist.”

“I’ll… try my best.”