#theme: nonbinary character

For obvious reasons, a lot of the time we are unable to verify if fics with trans characters are written by trans people, unless something in their profile, social media, or author’s note indicates so.  I’ve picked several fics I enjoy that are not explicit, and feature trans characters living their lives, without objectification.  If people have more recs they would like to suggest, please add them! -F

Across the Water by transandrewminyard (nocturnalboys) [Rated T, 12905 words, complete, 2019]

Perhaps several years too late, or maybe right on time, Neil Josten runs away from home and tries to dream a new life for himself. How poetic that his first night out on his own would deliver him to a stranger who seems to understand everything he's been through, and then some?

(tw: implied/referenced transphobia, tw: implied/referenced abuse)

there's gotta be some butterflies somewhere. by paleromantic [Rated T, 1513 words, Complete 2018]

Andrew hummed softly, and his thumb paused where it was as he brought his arm up to rest on Neil’s rips.

Neil huffed a laugh, taking Andrew’s hand and pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “Not to ruin the moment or anything, but I kind of need to pee.”

Every Step That I Ran To You by mittamoo [Rated G, 1885 words, Complete 2019]

The sight of Neil grumbling good-naturedly as he slides into the car eases something in his chest. What Andrew wants to say is; hello, I missed you, I love you. What he says is.

“Good to see you didn’t die in transit.

Brotherhood by bigmcworm [Rated T, 892 words, Complete 2020]

Andrew and Aaron have more in common than they want to admit, and Andrew loves Neil so much it makes him look stupid. Also Nicky is awful to watch TV with.

Forgive our sins forged at the pulpit by PolzkaDotz [Rated T, 8167 words, Complete 2020]

Andrew is a detective about to retire because he was shot during a investigation. Neil is... having a career crisis. But they'll eventually get where they need to, regardless of the fact that Andrew (verbally) doesn't want to help them.

(tw: murder, tw: injury)

We All Get A Little Wrecked Sometimes by CasTheButler [Not Rated (we say T), 2992 words, Complete 2018]

“I'm fine. I'm just getting out” Neil calls out. He shuts off the water, dries himself and gets dressed. Matt is sitting on the benches when he gets out, looking down at his phone. Neil pushes their knees together to get Matt to look up.

OR

We’re going on the assumption that you don’t mean literally here, so I’m sharing a couple previous recs, a couple post-canon completed fics, some headcanons, and one recently updated AU. Hope you enjoy! -F

‘You’re the Sunflower’ here

‘Die Young’ here 

in your eyes i could be anyone (but i'm no one) by writingjunkie [Rated G, 9261 words, Incomplete, Updated November 2020]

Stopping in Palmetto was more necessity than choice. Neil’s mother had been injured for almost a month, infection getting worse, and they had almost entirely run out of money. Neil would’ve done anything to have another option, but he wasn’t one to dream. Instead, he spends his time doing more practical things, like robbing apartments to make a couple hundred dollars for food.

Andrew isn’t sure whether Nicky thought going to the police station with Police Chief Wymack would make him more likely to be a police officer or less likely to be a criminal, but it didn’t really matter anyway. It’s a boring job in a boring place and no where near as entertaining as the bar that Nicky worked at. But when a young thief gets taken into custody, investigating the mystery he presents suddenly becomes far more interesting.

AKA a super self-indulgent fic where twelve-year-old Neil is still on the run but finds himself squatting on the wrong side of the tracks of Palmetto with his injured mother. Wymack is a police chief, Andrew is curious, and the foxes slowly adopt Neil.

(tw: violence, tw: abuse)

(in all the world) there is no love for you but mine by stopeatingthepackingpeanuts [Rated T, 1699 words, Complete 2020]

“Wait. Hold on. Can we go back to what Matt said? I am not your child.” Neil scowled at Matt.

Dan jumped in. “You are our child. You’re baby.”

Neil sighed. “Matt. Dan. I’ve killed people. I am not ‘baby’.”

“No, you’re baby,” Andrew said.

“See! Even Andrew agrees with us!” Matt said with a smile. His face fell. “Oh no, even Andrew agrees with us.”

or, team bonding dinner at Abby's!!!!

(tw: ableist language)

heavy hands, heavy hearts by Willow_bird [Rated T, 6867 words, Complete 2020]

The Foxes slowly learn more about the convoluted, fucked up shit that Mary put Neil through.

or: 4 times that the foxes realize that Neil was abused by his mom and the 1 time that Neil admits it.

(tw: implied/referenced child abuse)

Kevin as a big brother to Neil by @menaceminyard [Tumblr, 2017]

you know what I think about a lot? Kevin being a total Big Brother towards Neil.

Neil & the foxes headcanons by @triquetrine [Tumblr, 2020]

the foxes have always loved neil, but now that he’s no longer carrying the burden of his true identity around and starts slowly letting them in they love him even more

Art

Day 15: Family art by @neko-kitcat

He hadn’t realized how lonely he was art by @reigzukes

He was their family. They were his. art by @beanspuds

touch starved neil with the Foxes art by @problevvatic

Anonymous said to aftgficrec:

So...Andrew in a Skirt? Is that a thing that exists??

Yes, a bit of that exists.  Enjoy! - S

Luck by infernalstars [Rated G, 1301 words, complete, 2020]

“I will not be caught dead in a skirt,” [Andrew] said, listing things off on his fingers. “If you call me [deadname], I will hurt you. You will make an appointment for me to get my hair cut. And I swear to god if you think I’m making this up you’re dead to me.”

or in which neil josten gets their boyfriend to wear a skirt :)

tw: implied/referenced rape/non con, tw: gender dysphoria

Halloween couples costumes by @nakasomethingkun [tumblr, 2020]

This is my gift for @xlady-saya as part of the Fall 2020 @aftgexchange. One of the things you asked for was ‘matching couple costumes for Halloween’ for either Andreil or Kateaaron, so here you go! I hope you like it :)

NB: art by @fornavnhere

skirt and a crop top by dil_aakhir_tu_kyun_rota_hai [Rated G, 831 words, complete, AFTG Summer 2020]

Andrew Minyard avenges his sun lotion

Art

Here’s what I found for you, and the ones in the previous recs are longer. - A

from previous recs:

‘Bigger Than A Hexadecimal’ here

‘Feeling Fine and Fancy Free,’ and ‘...The Best Of All Best Friends REMIX’ here

‘The Golden Three’ (kandreil) here 

‘forgive our sins forged at the pulpit’ here

Luck by infernalstars [Rated G, 1301 Words, Complete, 2020]

“I will not be caught dead in a skirt,” [Andrew] said, listing things off on his fingers. “If you call me [deadname], I will hurt you. You will make an appointment for me to get my hair cut. And I swear to god if you think I’m making this up you’re dead to me.”

or in which neil josten gets their boyfriend to wear a skirt :)

tw: implied/referenced rape/non con, tw: gender dysphoria

I've Been Trying To Do It Right by CasTheButler [Not Rated, 1273 Words, Incomplete, Updated Feb 2020, AFTG Valentine’s Day Exchange]

It's a fake dating au with no actual fake dating... in space

confessions (the truth is...) by maisy_daisy [Rated G, 1310 Words, Complete, 2020]

Neil Josten doesn't know who they are or where they're going. One night with a confident stranger isn't enough to find themself, but it's a start.

NB: Tumblr version by @ravens-play-exy-too​ here

Nonbinary Neil by greenJeanKirstein [Rated G, 932 Words, Complete, AFTG Secret Santa 2016]

Neil tries different pronouns under the disguise of different aliases. As Alex, she has female pronouns; Chris uses the neutral ones, and Neil is too busy trying not to die to think about the pronouns he, and others, use for him.

Oh, and Neil also tells Andrew that he's nonbinary.

NB: Nonbinary Neil edit @softproko to accompany this fic here

Non-binary Neil hc by @satanic-foxhole-court [Tumblr, 2020]

- Just chills with non-binary

- Still chill with being ID as masc

- Likes skirts and summer dresses! They do the swish swish around their legs and thinks it’s cool

Art

But of course! Married to my enemy, from this ask here, is bound to whet your appetite for more of the same.  Several of these are actually FBI AUs, but we figured that counted.  You may enjoy Qui n’avance pas, recule from this favorite rarepairs ask. There is also the delightful You Don’t Even Know Me (It’s Only a Feeling), from this ask.  -F

forgive our sins forged at the pulpit by PolzkaDotz [Rated T, 8167 words, Complete 2020]

Andrew is a detective about to retire because he was shot during a investigation. Neil is… having a career crisis. But they’ll eventually get where they need to, regardless of the fact that Andrew (verbally) doesn’t want to help them.

(tw: murder, tw: injury (gunshot))

Touch me (like i’m glass) by viridae [Rated T, 1541 words, Complete 2019]

Andrew was having a terrible day. Accidentally shooting his husband didn’t help improve matters.

(tw: injury (gunshot))

A kiss with a fist is better than none by blafard [Rated M, 4650 words, Incomplete, last updated 2019]

On the back he could see a date and a single name; Hatford.

As the most notorious crime family, right after the Moriyamas, the Hatfords were feared and envied to equal measures.

The police hated and feared them because they couldn’t pin a single crime onto the family even though everyone knew that it was their doing; other criminals envied them for their reach and uncanny ability to get away with everything.

(tw: violence)

The rooftop by princessoftheworlds (Rated G, 691 words, Complete 2018, locked]

Thanks for the rec, anon!  Happy to give both fics a mention! - S

Feeling Fine and Fancy Free by Nikotheamazingspoonklepto [Not Rated, 1336 words, complete, Aftg Summer Exchange 2019]

Neil buys their first binder. The Twinyards are supportive.

tw: mentions of body dysphoria

Feeling Fine And Fancy Free (The Best Of All Best Friends REMIX) by CasTheButler [Rated G, 1420 words, complete, Aftg Remix 2019]