#anneuhken

god i can't wait to learn about the fall of america in an ancient history course

W H O A @anneuhken + @flowerparrish !!! HOW DARE YOU?!!! There I was be-bopping along, listening to [Podfic of] you looked at death in a tarot card (and you saw what you had to do) while painting the trim in my office and --BAM!-- got to the end of Ch 2 + screamed “WHAAAATTT?!!!!” 

Just started listening to Ch 3. Wanted you to know the story is FANTASTIC + the recording is TOP NOTCH!!!

holy shit??? holy shit i missed so much i haven’t been on tumblr i am so HYPED for you and like… proud??? i’m signing up right now and also i hope it shows you my email address because it’s gonna be real funny

TO BE FAIR there’s a global pandemic and restructuring of society happening so best laid plans and all, 2020 was clearly not the summer to start this

In honor of Fanfic Writers Appreciation Day, here are a few fantastic works in our favorite fandom.

Signing on the Line by andrewiel @jostenminyard | When Neil Josten is offered a position as a starting striker for a professional Exy team, he feels like all of his dreams are coming true. He signs the contract, not caring about the strict morality clause that controls who he can and can't date in the public eye. Then he meets Andrew Minyard, the top-ranked goalie of a rival team, and then Neil thinks he might just have to care after all.

This fic is ah-mazing. I read it 3 times before I could let go enough to read something else. 10/10

Something in Return by reaching_my_summit @reaching-my-summit | Andrew’s final year at Palmetto State comes to a close. His future is upon him and there are plans to be made. Years ago, Neil asked Andrew to stop smoking in exchange for something. Andrew finally knows what he wants in return.

Post canon andreil happily exploring Disney World.

light fires at night (to push back the void) by inthesea | The first time Andrew realizes he wants to hear the words, Neil isn’t even doing anything. He’s just sitting there, staring at the horizon with that stupidly dramatic faraway expression of his, and letting the cigarette burn down between his fingers all the way to the filter — an outrageous waste of good nicotine, if you asked Andrew. (Or: 20+ times Andrew and Neil say I love you, and one time they say it out loud.)

Remember that fic you read that one time when Andrew counted syllables and consonants and everything about it was just. so. good? I think everyone loves this fic. This was one I read before I read the books based on kudos, then went back and read it again.

dangerous magics by SashaSea (SHCombatalade) @anneuhken | For centuries, there was a war. Then there were the Bindings (Reposted and restricted to registered AO3 users only)

If you’ve seen many fic rec lists, you may have heard of this fic. I searched high and low...and finally it’s back! If you enjoy fantasy, this one’s for you.

Ultraviolence by lscar123 @lscar123 | Neil Josten is of the most successful songwriters in the industry but years of blocking out his own personal pain and writing mind numbing radio hits have started to wear him down so he decides to take a break from it all and return to The Fox Hole, the bar he stumbled onto years ago and helped set up an open mic night at. It's there he meets Andrew Minyard, a bartender who makes an immediate impression on him. Something about Andrew tells him to run but it's either his own stubbornness or his pension for self destruction that makes him stay. Nothing in his life will ever be the same after the first night he spends back in the place he used to call home.

I. Love. Neil. In. This. Fic.

Ohana Means Family by SensationalSunburst @sensationalsunburst | He honestly thought they were going to make it.David understood that adrenaline could make time feel like it was crawling by; make seconds turn to minutes turn to lifetimes. He’d experienced it before. But when a man to his left, up next to Andrew's lot, raised a bottle high, red flushed face contorted in a sneer, he felt time slow to molasses around him.

Part of the Return of Dad!Mack series, in this one, Wymack takes a hit meant for Andrew.

Where You Lead by gluupor @gluupor | When Neil promised Kayleigh that he'd look out for Kevin if anything ever happened to her he'd never expected to be a single teenage father hiding out in a small town. Luckily the town's residents seem keen to adopt them. A Gilmore Girls AU where Kevin's a kid, Neil's his caffeine-addict father, and Andrew's a grumpy diner owner who loves them both.

Part of a just-the-right amount of sweet series set in a small town.

Skilled by wildfrancium @lexatargaryen | Neil has a talent for deactivating sensors that tell doctors when a patient takes their medication. Andrew, a famous Exy player, has a sensor that needs deactivating.

Very cool sci fi.

Kintsugi by SensationalSunburst @sensationalsunburst | “He saw our scars and thought they'd been fixed with gold, like the pottery in the book.” Neil blinked, stunned. “Kids this age are honest.” Andrew said, “They haven't learned to lie.”

This whole series (Small Angry Gardeners) is fantastic, featuring post canon andreil playing pro exy and living in the suburbs. This piece shows Kevin’s son reacting to their scars...it’s beautiful.

Crossfire by RoseGold_En @foxhole-pipe-dream | The year is 2073. Andrew and Aaron Minyard are twins born into a world with a strict one-child policy due to overpopulation. They take on a singular identity as "Adam Minyard", with only one of them allowed outside at a time. Siblings who are discovered are separated from their families and put into an eternal cryosleep. One day, Andrew disappears. Aaron and Nicky have to find him while maintaining the twins' cover. It's up to Aaron to find out who sold them out and why a bureau agent named "Neil" knows his brother's real name.

An excellent distopian au

A Mewment Like This Series by fuzzballsheltiepants @fuzzballsheltiepants | “...will the owner of the cat with the stupid name come back here? Your cat is trying to kill the vet.” And Neil and Andrew both stand up.

A continuing series of vignettes featuring pre-relationship andreil (so far), their cats Sir and King, and various aftg characters. Andrew cooks, and Neil is grateful.

Two Bros Five Feet Apart by Leahelisabeth (fortheloveofcamelot) @leahlisabeth | Jeremy's girlfriend dumps him on the eve of a romantic vacation. Jean fills in.

She is down among the weedsDown among the thornsAnd then appeared Tam Lin againSays Lady, pull no more.

Tam Lin (Child 39), Anaïs Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer

There is something wrong in New Hawick, Maine. Stories have been shared for generations about what lurks in Carter Woods, jump-rope songs about creatures who can make bargains, but few know the truth about how hungry Folk are for human blood. Every year, the town’s founders select their sacrifices in exchange for power, but when they’re readying their ritual for the Wild Hunt, everything changes. 

Think Sawkill Girls meets Holly Black. 

An excerpt:

         “Want a drink?” he offered with his flask. Liquid sloshed inside. He stepped inside her space, his smile glimmering in the moonlight.

           In a single fluid motion, Jude leapt to her feet with a piece of wood still smoldering with flames. She brandished it like an epee in her fencing bouts.

           “Get away from her!” demanded Jude.

           Maia pulled her away by the shoulders, but Jude fought forward. The man laughed, a sound eerily similar to a bird cry. A shiver went down her spine at the predatory expression. She wasn’t sure if Jude was overreacting anymore.

y’all ever take a week to fill a prompt? don’t judge me

Phlox

Full Name: Rosario Teresa Dulce Phlox Illuminada Nova

Gender and Sexuality: Cis woman, bi, bi, bi, but mostly Liv-sexual if we're honest

Pronouns: She/her

Ethnicity/Species: Cuban, human

Birthplace and Birthdate: Orlando, FL, USA, April 24, 28 yrs pre-story (it's a nearish-future scifi story, I don't have exact dates yet :p)

Guilty Pleasures: old-time scifi memorabilia, and anything pink (rose, not dayglow or bubblegum)

Phobias: fire, abandonment, black holes

What They Would Be Famous For: first contact with an alien species, saving the galaxy

What They Would Get Arrested For: Probably mouthing off to a superior who can't get their head out of their ass

OC You Ship Them With: L I V

OC Most Likely To Murder Them: Her Tía, Izzi, who raised her and has had it with her shit, or possibly Annie, her security chief, who thinks keeping this crew safe is like herding very drunk kittens

Favorite Movie/Book Genre: Alien conspiracy

Least Favorite Movie/Book Cliche: "Oh we’ve been dating for four months to a year, guess what I love you!” “Oh shit really? That's cool. I really like you and our relationship, but I don't think I’m there yet. I’m not ready to say it back. That ok?” “Yeah, sure, except fuck you, I deserve a person who loves me now, and it doesn't matter at all what you or we have been through that would lead you to hesitate, the only thing that matters is how I feel, so we're breaking up forever, goodbye shitweed.”

Talents and/or Powers: Doctorate in astrophysics and cosmology, strong leadership skills, bilingual (English and Spanish), athletic, decent shot, mean right hook, meaner left cross, fierce latent maternal instincts.

Why Someone Might Love Them: She's curious and tenacious, grounded though visionary. She puts everyone before herself, and does what has to be done, no matter how it hurts her. She's easy to get along with, warm and witty, but she's not above kicking ass. She pushes her people to be the best versions of themselves, and works twice as hard on herself. People want to work for her, and being around her gives them hope. Also, she's a spunky little pain in the ass and she's cute as a button.

Why Someone Might Hate Them: She can be kind of stoic, which is often frustrating. That determination to do what has to be done can actually come through as stubbornness, and a refusal to see another way around a problem. She doesn't like to let people see her hurt, so she just bottles that shit up and occasionally blows up. And she's not great at expressing her feelings at all, really, which is why she suffers for years with her love for her best friend (I call it “slow burn”, you might call it “just TELL HIM GODDAMNIT”).

How They Change: Not *too* sure yet, it's a little baby of a story just now, barely started, BUT, I think I want to see her go from being uncertain of her role in the universe to feeling like she earned every bit of her place, I want her to learn to be more open and expressive, I want to see her work through her traumas, I want to see her embrace her circumstances, and also she's definitely going to tell the stupid love of her life that he's the stupid love of her life.

Why You Love Them: She's me but stronger.

_____

Liv

Full Name: Oliver “Liv” Aramis Dakota

Gender and Sexuality: Cis man, biiiiiiii

Pronouns: He/him

Ethnicity/Species: Mexican/Native American, Human

Birthplace and Birthdate: Sedona, AZ, USA, January 29, 28 yrs pre-story

Guilty Pleasures: candy that turns your tongue blue, falling asleep anywhere but his bed, pink roses (though he can't put his finger on why)

Phobias: dying before he’s tried everything once (I know people in general are afraid of that, but it literally keeps him up at night, it's a real problem), scorpions (there was a camping incident)

What They Would Be Famous For: possibly for being on the team that builds the fastest ship in human history, but probably for doing something stupid

What They Would Get Arrested For: climbing the flagpole outside the commander’s office while naked and also very drunk while sincerely bellowing his favorite 80’s bopsOC You Ship Them With: P H L O X

OC Most Likely To Murder Them: his very own brother, Ollie, even though he's been trying very hard to look after him his whole life

Favorite Movie/Book Genre: Space cowboy (he may be under the impression that he’s the Han Solo of this operation) (he may be right, but it's not really for the reasons he wishes) (he's a huge dork is what I’m trying to say)

Least Favorite Movie/Book Cliche: “Will they, won't they” He finds it frustrating, person a is attracted to person b, person b is attracted to person a, why don't they just get together ffs ??? (LITTLE DOES HE KNOW), (u best start believing in slow burn romances, mr dakota, ur in one)

Talents and/or Powers: Actual rocket scientist !!! Doctorate in aerospace engineering, can literally fix anything with a butter knife and chewing gum, also can tell with pinpoint accuracy precisely the moment someone needs to be dragged away from their work to take a break, knows the lyrics to every 80’s song ever written

Why Someone Might Love Them: Listen. We are talking about the most affable, brilliant, beautiful dumbass in the known galaxy. He loves freely and fiercely, he doesn't give a shit what anyone thinks, he wears his heart on his sleeve, and he's a fucking babe. Do you understand we’re talking about a grown man who can accurately and unironically be described was “winsome”? That's what's happening here.

Why Someone Might Hate Them: Oh my god he is so stupid. Okay, not STUPID stupid, he is a doctor, but like. Intelligence? 18, granted. Wisdom? 11. At best. He never knows what's going on, at any point in his day. His best friend is in love with him and not only does he not realize it, and not ONLY does he not realize he's in love with her, HE DOESN'T REALIZE IT because he is SO WILDLY ATTRACTED TO HER that his brain won't even let him acknowledge it. He’s the embodiment of that “I’m morosexual, I’m attracted to dumbasses and dumbasses only” post, only i have to make it realistic and not a joke, so it's possible some people will get tired of the whole “beautiful charming idiot” thing.

How They Change: I’m guessing going to space is what will make him get his head out of the clouds. He’ll become a little more grounded, though not too cynical. He’ll stop chasing the “what ifs” because what he wants is already by his side. He’ll learn patience and a little more discipline. Oh, and he’ll be disgustingly in love by the end, just you wait.

Why You Love Them: Listen, when you literally have a dream about a beautiful space boyfriend, you don't question the gift, you just cherish him.

_____

Ollie

Full Name: Apollo “Ollie” Kohana Dakota

Gender and Sexuality: Cis man, *ken jeong voice* Ha! Gaaaaaaay!!

Pronouns: he/him

Ethnicity/Species: Mexican/Native American, human

Birthplace and Birthdate: Sedona, AZ, USA, August 27, 32 yrs pre-story

Guilty Pleasures: Cheesy 80’s and 90’s fantasy movies and TV, cockpit karaoke.

Phobias: scorpions (he was also there for the camping incident), other than that, dude's pretty unflappable actually

What They Would Be Famous For: probably some shit like holding the record for flying the closest to a black hole without getting sucked in and dying

What They Would Get Arrested For: probably some shit like attempting the record for flying closest to a black hole without getting sucked in and dying

OC You Ship Them With: Hal 👀

OC Most Likely To Murder Them: If it's not Phlox, who sometimes gets in fights with him because he seems to think he should be in charge and she has to remind him that he’s a glorified helmsman and she's the captain, then it could be Geo, because he keeps pulling bullshit maneuvers with the ship that disrupt the oxygen garden

Favorite Movie/Book Genre: Flyboy bullshit. All that shit that does for pilots what Die Hard does for cops (he loves Die Hard, too, but that's beside the point). He also includes, of course, anything with space flight. Harrison Ford made him gay.

Least Favorite Movie/Book Cliche: Alluding to how “gay” a character acts and making fun of them or outright insulting them for it but it's okay because we all know the character is straight. It's a certain subset of homophobia where the joke is basically the idea that anyone there could actually be gay and offended by it is preposterous. “I’m saying this gross thing to YOU and not an ACTUAL gay person, so it's okay.” It's like saying that using a racial slur as an insult against a white person isn't somehow fundamentally racist because the word doesn't actually apply to them - newsflash, you still can't call someone the N-word even if they're not black. And you can't call a straight guy a fag and pretend that it doesn't mean you think gay men are inherently bad.

Talents and/or Powers: Doctorate in computer science and aerospace navigation (is that a degree? I don't care, he has it), extensive flight training, redonkulas fast reflexes and situation analysis and calculation, light baritone

Why Someone Might Love Them: He has the Big Brother Energy of 10 Chris Hemsworths, and the Big Dick Energy of 20. Very caring, very honest. Does anything for the people he cares about. Would seriously destroy empires for his family.

Why Someone Might Hate Them: He can be equal parts cocky bastard and overprotective dick when he's not careful. He has a problem with authority, just on principle, so he ends up butting a lot of heads. And he can be kind of closed off, which is frustrating for Hal who just wants to *clenches fist* love and appreciate him.

How They Change: He’ll probably learn to put himself out there and be a little more vulnerable with Hal, figure out how to trust Phlox (if no one else in authority), and let go of the idea of Liv as his kid brother and realize he can take care of himself and shit.

Why You Love Them: Honestly? Like tbh? Like being really truthfully really really honest? It's mainly that he's a snack and a half. Like if Blair Redford wants in, he's got it.

_____

Hal

Full Name: Dr. Henry “Hal” Cyrus Owens, M.D.

Gender and Sexuality: Somewhere in that gray area between cis man and non binary, like just a series of vague hand gestures and “eererhhhhhh???” noises, but full on Kinsey 6 gay

Pronouns: He/him or they/them

Ethnicity/Species: Pakistani/British, human

Birthplace and Birthdate: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK, July 10th, 35 yrs pre-story

Guilty Pleasures: he doesn't believe in them, the universe is too big and life is too short to go around not admitting you like the things you like, and shaming yourself or hiding parts of yourself away is no good for the soul. But cockpit karaoke, and speaking of cock-- 👉😆👉

Phobias: He has a recurring nightmare about an airborne pathogen that only he is immune to and he can't find a cure or a vaccine before he has to watch it slowly and painfully choke the life out of everyone he loves and everyone under his care.

What They Would Be Famous For: being the first doctor to study alien anatomy - he’ll probably publish a shit ton of papers on that.

What They Would Get Arrested For: probably nothing, not everyone has a problem following the rules, Apollo

OC You Ship Them With: Ollie, although he did also sleep with Liv once, it's important to me that you know that

OC Most Likely To Murder Them: Tatiana gets roped into being his assistant a lot because her biology degree is closer to a medical degree than anyone else on board (Phlox actually has a little field medic training, but she's………...usually the one on the table) (she maybe gets shot a lot), and he's maybe a little (a lot) more pushy and rude in the OR, and he may have sworn “Do No Harm”, but she didn't

Favorite Movie/Book Genre: Inspirational documentaries. Like you know those ones that are like, “check out this incredible festival this obscure culture had held every year for centuries” or “bet you didn't know about this musical instrument, here are the people who dedicate their lives to it” or “here's how these animals have learned to perfectly coincide with the people in this village”, and you watch them and they make you want to be a better person? Those ones.

Least Favorite Movie/Book Cliche: “He’s a huge fucking dick, but he's a genius and reasonably handsome, so that's fine, we let him get away with it”

Talents and/or Powers: Full medical degree and training and all that, friggin medical equipment macguyver, excellent at puzzles, almost preternatural ability to see multiple solutions to a problem, Voice of Wisdom, also can whistle like a sonuvabitch, snappy dresser

Why Someone Might Love Them: he has a calming presence and believes in treating the soul as much as the body, he's a great listener and usually knows just what a person needs to hear, he's very well learned and well traveled, and he has just this sort of magnetic personality because of it. Also, the accent is a freakin knockout.

Why Someone Might Hate Them: he occasionally likes to throw around the fact that he's a doctor even though you couldn't qualify to board the damn ship (at least, outside of the civilian class) without a doctorate in something. “As a doctor, I think--” “We’re all doctors, would you give it a rest man ??” He may seem a little condescending or pretentious sometimes. And perhaps people may find his insistently chill attitude kind of insufferable ?? Idk, tbh, he's one of the like three nicest people on the whole ship so most of this is sort of a stretch.

How They Change: He's gonna see some shit, my dudes. He’s gonna meet aliens, he's gonna have to help them when they get hurt, he's gonna have to deal with anatomy and injuries and pathogens he could never have imagined. He’ll have to learn to be quicker on his feet, lean on his creativity almost more than his logic, and to trust the instincts of others. He’ll have trouble sleeping from some of it, so he’ll definitely have to learn to let someone else take care of him for once.