#theme: dancing

There are two fics that fit your ask – the previous recs kind of do if you squint, but I think you will like them. To round things out a bit more, I’m including some fun trivia night fics. -A

you may also like:

Neil is king of trivia here

Neil with math/language skills here

‘The Space Between Us’ here

‘So Let the Stars Fall’ here

‘Meow Meow Lullaby’ here

A lesson in rivalry by BookwormLostInWonderland [Rated T, 22828 Words, Complete, 2020]

Neil and Andrew are academics on opposing sides of a scientific argument. When a plane journey and a scientific conference throws them together, that all begins to change. Featuring rooftop conversations, Riko as a crooked researcher who gets put in his place, and a splash of domesticity at the end.

“And what makes you think I want to talk to you?”

“Because,” Neil began, glancing back at the doorway, back down to reality, “I’m slightly more interesting than the conference.”

Andrew cursed softly, barely audible above the sounds of the wind and the streets below, despite their proximity. “I already warned you not to let it go to your head. So is watching paint dry.”

Neil smirked, a cocky grin spreading across his face, twisting it into something Andrew really wanted to wipe away. “I’m starting to think I shouldn’t believe you when you say things like that.”

tw: implied/referenced abuse

me, you, and the multiverse by wishbonetea [Rated T, 20520 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange 2020]

Ray Minyard was content to finish her PhD without the drama of her undergrad years. She had two friends, a twin brother who didn't talk to her, and an office to call her own. She didn't need or want anything else.

Enter: Talia Josten

tw: panic attacks, tw: implied/referenced abuse

NB: fic moodboard and art by @wishbonetea

trivia night/quiz bowl

zero expectations by poetic_ivy [Rated T, 3573 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2022]

Andrew blinked, uncertain if the roar in his ears was his own pulse or the remnant of Kevin’s low breathing. “What the fuck?”

Neil laughed. “You’re rubbing off on him.”

Andrew turned, bewildered. “Rubbing off.”

“Or you want to be.” Neil’s eyes glittered dangerously.

“Want to be.”

“Yes. You want to rub off on Kevin.”

“No I don’t.”

“Andrew. I have eyes.”

“You’re not supposed to use them. You’ve never used them.”

-

the boys play trivia at a bar. it gets gay.

general knowledge by lolainslackss [Rated T, 6246 Words, Complete, 2022]

“What should our team name be?” Nicky asks in an excited whisper.

“It’s Ancient Quiztory,” Kevin tells him. “It’s been our name for years now.”

“No freaking way,” Nicky replies, pulling a disgusted face. “That makes us sound old.”

“We are old,” Neil points out.

Nicky looks at Neil like he feels very sorry for him. “Thirty is not old.”

-

(An AU in which Andrew, Aaron and Nicky join Neil and Kevin’s pub quiz team.)

Follow You Through The Dark by sambutwithbooks [Not Rated (we say T), 22461 Words, Complete, AFTG Mixtape Exchange 2022]

When Andrew Minyard's twin brother signs them both up to participate in the strangest trivia competition known to man, Andrew agrees to participate under the stipulation that he is the sole recipient of this year's grand prize: three hundred and sixty-five days worth of free ice cream from Sweetie's. Instead, Andrew discovers a connection of his own with fellow loner and competition participant, Neil Josten.

littlebluespacemoth | Teen and Up | 2,306 words

5 Days!

The Second Yule Ball

Marie_thomas | Teen and Up | 2,638 words

Chapters: 5/5 Fandom: Shadowhunters (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood, Magnus Bane & Ragnor Fell & Catarina Loss, Alec Lightwood & Isabelle Lightwood, Minor or Background Relationship(s) Characters: Magnus Bane, Alec Lightwood, Isabelle Lightwood, Catarina Loss, Ragnor Fell, Clary Fray, Simon Lewis, Maryse Lightwood, Other Character Tags to Be Added, Maia Roberts, Jem Carstairs, Tessa Gray, Raphael Santiago Additional Tags: Fluff and Humor, Ballroom Dancing, Partnership, Friends to Lovers, this is not a serious fic but there are gays dancing and what more do you want really?, Awkward Flirting, Light Angst, there's many a little later? but barely any, Dancing Lessons, salsa dancing later you guys, Eventual Smut, Happy Ending, Communication, it's important to me to tag that lmao, competition tension, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, enjoy your cavities Summary:

When a new same-sex dancing rule gets people talking, Magnus Bane decides to take the jump from Latin to Ballroom in order to prove that change is a good thing. Looking for a new challenge, he’s determined to win the Ballroom Championships and be crowned victorious in the first same-sex partnership.

Now all he needs are the right shoes, the right music, and the right partner.

~

Alec is well on his way to securing another victory for his parents’ prestigious dance school, yet a new face, and surprising feelings, might change that. When Magnus turns up, he sweeps more than dancing traditions off their feet.

As the competition rounds heat up, and dreams hang in the balance, can the pair prove themselves to a worldwide audience of fellow dreamers, critics and cynics?