#theme: matchmaking

I gotta wonder if any of these were written from personal experience… -A

previous recs for matt & neil friendship:

Matt & Neil or Matt/Neil* here

Allison & Neil or Matt & Neil** here

Matt & Neil forehead kisses here

‘The Christmas Gift,’ ‘baby, it's cold outside,’ and ‘andreil’s christmas time with dan and matt’ here

‘it's sad but true (how much i miss you)’ here

‘My Best Friend’ here

‘Secrets’ and ‘'ah yes, my shirt will cover this'’ here

‘disarm you with a smile’ here

‘A Form Of Endearment’ here

‘work in progress’ here 

‘I'll Race You There’ here

‘when you are close to me (i shiver)’ here and ‘when you are close to me (the thumping in my chest remix)’ here

‘skylight’ here

‘Clear as Day’ here

‘I Spy’ here

‘Already Taken’ here

‘Bad Apple’ and ‘You are a Fox’ here

‘Scars Like Stars’ here (updated)

‘Someone New’ here

‘I will help you swim’ and ‘Looking in the Mirror Never Felt so Good’ here

‘Wish I Had a River’ here

‘White Hands’ here

‘if i could look past the present’ here

‘I Quit Talking Again, I Know You're Still Listening’ here

‘and when i'm a little unsteady (stay a while with me)’ here

‘Blood Spilled (But None Wasted)’ here

‘Cryptid Serial Killer Witch Man’ and ‘The endless mental math required to simply survive.’ here

‘Sent to Drain’ here

‘Do I want to know if this feeling goes both ways?’ here

‘If You Love Me, Come Clean’ here

‘A Quiet Little Seedling’ here

more shenanigans-y:

*hijinks from Matt & Neil or Matt/Neil: ‘Come Get It Now,’ ‘diet mountain dew,’ ‘tampons’ tumblr fics, ‘Breaking News, the Josten-Boyd Affair,’ ‘do some matt and neil best friend headcanons,’ and ‘a thought.’  here

**M&N hijinks from Allison & Neil or Matt & Neil: ‘chef!andrew trying (and failing) to woo picky eater neil,’ ‘Dare You,’ ‘together…Chapter 22: Too Drunk,’ ‘Matt Boyd and Neil Josten Bromance…,’ and ‘and you’re shining like the brightest stars…’ here

‘I'll be home for Christmas (You can count on me),’ ‘pointless traditions,’ and ‘Merry & Bright’ ch 14, 24 here

‘brosten being dumb and doing stupid shit’ here

‘Mis-Match’ here

‘Perennial’ and ‘Neighbours’ series here

‘Seeing Colors’ here

‘Falling in love in a...Dance Club?,’ ‘Fox magic! Thirty years of virginity can make you a wizard?!’ (updated), and ‘Proper Decorum’ here

‘Spinning Wheels’ and ‘We're A Mess’ here 

‘A Day Out with Dad’ here

‘We Used To Be Friends’ here (completed)

‘The Runaway Game’ here

‘5 times realisation struck Neil & 1 time he acted on it’ here

‘We Can Be Soft’ here

‘Seasons of memory’ here

‘sugar, sugar & everything sugar’ here

‘In the Eye of the Beholder’ and ‘Wait, Neil Has a Boyfriend?’ here

‘call it what you want’ and ‘Andrew scares the waiter’ here

‘12 Ways to Woo a Minyard’ here

‘The Rob Chronicles’ series here

Boys' Night by knoxham [Rated T, 2871 Words, Complete, AFTG Fall Exchange 2020]

Having the evening to themselves, Matt and Neil plan an awesome Boys' Night that consists of movies, a surplus amount of food, and maybe a bit too much alcohol. Everything starts off great, but when they wake up the next morning with no memories, no money, and no eyebrows, they try to retrace their steps to figure out what the hell happened last night and run into a few problems.

tw: alcohol

Neil's Bright Idea by Demi_jos10 [Rated G, 1954 Words, Complete, 2018]

Neil loses his first bet with the Upperclassmen.

I’m sorry, I said Ikea sucks (I just bought a table for 60 bucks) byAcetober (allfortheBoyds) [Rated T, 1715 Words, Complete, 2023]

“Neil,” Matt says once he gets his words back. “Buddy, no. That is an actual crime.” Neil only looks at him in confusion. “It’s just a store,” He argues and Matt does his best not to groan in despair. “It’s not just a store. It’s Ikea. It’s an experience.” or Neil has never been to ikea, Matt takes it upon himself to change that

Lost Cause by Current_hyperfixation07 [Rated T, 7108 Words, Complete, 2024]

The one where Neil Josten faces his toughest challenge yet - finding a date to Senior Prom. Or 5 times the Foxes try to find Neil a date to Prom, and the 1 time he finds a date himself. Neil is oblivious, Andrew is smitten, and the Foxes are trying their hardest to get Neil a prom date by sending him on a series of blind dates. What could go wrong?

a drunk neil josten is an honest neil josten by sam_sational [Rated T, 2574 Words, Complete, 2023]

"You should probably change your pants first, Aaron will stab you if you ruin his reputation at Eden's." After Dan, Renee, and Allison graduate, Matt gets roped into going to Eden's on a Friday night. Neil is more open than usual.

don't be afraid of the beautiful and high mountain by Leahelisabeth (fortheloveofcamelot) [Rated G, 3194 Words, Complete, 2020, Locked]

Previously recced here

It only took a second for it all to go to shit. One moment, Matt was taking in the spectacular view through the lens of his camera, capturing the way Neil’s hair glowed in the sunlight, and the next, he heard the sound of sliding rock and Neil is gone. Matt and Neil take a day to go hiking and very little of it goes to plan.

tw: serious injury, tw: blood/gore, tw: vomit

2:26 by rather__odd [Not Rated, 1537 Words, Complete, 2023]

Previously recced here

No one expected Neil to be good with kids, least of all Neil. That was before Penelope.

A Real Knock-Out by SensationalSunburst [Rated G, 1377 Words, Complete, 2018]

Matt liked being the guy that people could depend on. So, when Andrew left him on Neil Duty on Eden’s overcrowded dance floor, he took it seriously. Matt had been surprised that’d he’d been invited at all, even more so when he actually accepted, but as a man put a heavy hand on Neil’s shoulder, spinning him around, Matt was glad he came.

tw: implied/referenced racism, tw: attempted noncon

I'll Follow You (into the light) by DeyaAmaya [Rated T, 5576 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange 2018]

Previously recced here

Neil is a paramedic in a rainy city. Andrew will be gone in a few months. And Stuart Hatford just wants Neil to find a date.

tw: homophobia

Neil Josten Builds Himself a Life by tomat0head [Rated T, 9424 Words, Complete, 2021]

Previously recced here

After spending years of his life on the run, then more time under the careful watch of the FBI, Neil is finally free to live on his own and start a new, real life with his best friend and FBI supervisor, Matt, at his side. Along the way, Neil meets a five foot nothing goth wannabe Ikea builder, adopts a cat that is half demon, and makes a group of weird, somewhat annoying friends. This is the story of how one Neil Josten, after years of struggle, finally builds himself a life.

If You Ask Nicely by harvroth [Rated G, 967 Words, Complete, 2016]

"Hey, Matt, why don't you just ask Andrew if you can have a go with his boyfriend?" Dan, seemingly noticing, and not caring where her boyfriend's attention is, startles both Matt who gulps, and turns to look at Dan, blushing, and Neil who also looks up at Dan who is grinning.

Ain't Nobody's Business by jostenminyard (onceuponahundred) [Rated G, 873 Words, Complete, 2016]

Everyone mistakes our close friendship for fliting and an adult went to the director with their concern of our big age difference. For the ultimate BROTP Matt and Neil.

You learn or you die by SagaEllen [Rated T, 1387 Words, Complete, 2021]

Previously recced here

"Listen," He hoped his eyes were determined, maybe a little intimidating, but not threatening - panic won't help them now. "You trust me with that, and I will let you buy me another entire closet with my uncle's blood money." Nicky gaped. "Your uncle's-" He cut himself off with a firm shake of his head. When he met Neil's gaze again his eyes were practically shining and the redhead felt like he was going to regret that promise so very much. In other words: The Monsters plus Dan and Matt go on a trip that ends before it even started. Neil has a skillset.

tw: blood

The Boy Who Hates Movies by 0bsessednerd [Rated M, 11636 Words, Complete, 2024]

Neil didn’t enjoy movies for whatever reason. Maybe he didn’t like how fake they were? Maybe he wasn’t allowed to enjoy something so frivolous? Or maybe he was just insane? Nicky always said it was the last one. Because who didn’t like movies? He hoped this next movie night would be different! He had personally selected the movie and got everyone’s favorite snacks to make this night the best one yet. What could go wrong? ~~~ Five times Neil disliked the movies they watched and one time he loved it.

tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced drug addiction

Current Obsession: Matt hightailing it out of the dorm before The Shower Scene fandom fun post by @corvidhours [Tumblr, 2021]

boys will be boys hcs by @triquetrine [Tumblr, 2020]

aka neil josten and matt boyd doing nothing other than being besties.

neil, andrew, matt, and kevin + pro league shenanigans hc by @triquetrine [Tumblr, 2021]

matt’s the first one to go pro (because he graduates first) and he is both extremely excited and extremely nervous

Brosten hcs by @demo-whale [Tumblr, 2024]

Part 1 - Matt carries Neil everywhere they go together Part 2 - Matt and Neil can both speak Spanish 

Matt: Repeat exactly what Andrew said fandom fun post by @chai-and-cherries [Tumblr, 2022]

Neil roasts Matt in the pros hc by @eggscelsior [Tumblr, 2019]

have my jacket fandom fun post by @kevinandthepalmetthoes [Tumblr, 2021]

Art

My fav idiots art by @em-xzm

matt boyd is Not Upset meme by @sizzicus

best mate and help pick out baby supplies art by @gremlinddrawss

Neil & Matt making gains at the gym + beefy Andrew reaction art by @intradaya

0 🦊 given art by @riovgle

“Neil hit Riko” edit by @matthcwboyd

Matt and Neil’s friendship is severely underrated art by @markiehh

Author: You_must_tell_them_stories Rating: G Word Count: 5,994 Era: Marauder’s

Summary: Sirius and Remus are being oblivious idiots, and James has had enough of watching them dance around their feelings.

Luckily for them, he has a plan. Or, more accurately: he has several plans. At least one of them is bound to work, right?

Hey anon! Enjoy!

The Caveman's Guide To Romance 

For Your Information 

12 Days!

Sleepless in Selsey

Cheryl Dyson | Teen and Up | 19,344 words

Do you think you could help me find fics in which Lance sets Arthur and Merlin up/plays matchmaker or something like that? I love Lancelot as a character and I love fics in which he is a supportive presence (and the only one with brain cells).

Thank youuuu

Hey anon! Here’s some matchmaker!Lancelot fics! Hope they work for you!

Bucket up, all for Luck

commence secret mission; get these two idiots together 

The previous ask you cited was actually 3 Big Bang fics.  But we’re happy to help you find some of the great exchange fics!

First, many of the exchange fics were actually tagged, you can find that tag here.  Not everyone who participates in it does tag accordingly, so also check out @aftgexchange​ which includes the art as well.

And while we haven’t had a chance to read all of them, here are a few that we have read and adored!  -F

‘Slinging Mozart Sideways’ previously recommended here

Sugar & Spice (and everything... nice?) by Willow_bird [Rated T, 7468 words, Complete 2020, AFTG Exchange]

“I’m not going as Tombo.” He’d end up looking like Where’s Waldo if he’d been a short angry bodybuilder and no one wanted that.

Renee’s little smile hinted at her having a similar visual. “I think I may have something that would require few changes to what you’re wearing now and would be minimal hassle altogether.”

Andrew accompanies Renee to a Halloween party, allowing his best friend to dictate his costume because he really couldn’t be paid to care. Then he gets there, and yeah, his crush is wearing the exact same costume. Feelings happen.

skylight by djhedy  [Rated T, 5560 words, Complete 2020, AFTG Exchange]

Neil didn’t hate his new apartment. It was hard to hate something he hadn’t chosen. After Matt finally left, a hug and a promise to visit again soon, Neil closed the door, and tucked his hands in his pockets and turned in a small circle in the living room.

It was big.

He took his hands out and shook them, holding them up either side of him.

Really big.

neil moves to a pro team, a new apartment, in a new city, and is held up by his friends. and by a series of mysterious gifts left on his doormat.

a product of absence by Ominous [Rated T, 7808 words, Complete 2020, AFTG Exchange]

It’s funny, Andrew thinks, that this would be seen as a curse in any other situation. Two people, thrown apart by time and circumstances, desperately searching for one another.

But Andrew has never doubted Neil’s return. He’s not running, he’s not worried. It’s perhaps the only waiting game that’s been worth it, that he understands, because this bond with Neil has only ever made sense to him.

In another life, Neil made this much clear: they would always find each other in the end.

(tw: implied/referenced temporary character death)

scarier things by moonix [Rated T, 5674 words, Complete 2020, AFTG Exchange, locked]

The best I can find you is:

Hi! Here’s a few! Hopefully there’s some you haven’t read! Enjoy! :)

Best of the Best 

Lust Letters

The Nudge

So It Seems 

something more than this desperation