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Staff Recs: (some of) Our 2021 Faves

2021 is a wrap, but it won’t feel complete until we share some of our favourite fics of the year. Here’s our 2020 roundup, and check out our random recs and staff faves tags for more of what we love. We are happy to serve from our little corner of the fandom and wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy 2022. - AFTG Fic Rec Fam

wingpeople by likearecord [Rated T, 11313 Words, Complete, 2021]

I mean, what else could Nicky have done when he spotted Andrew smiling at the hot guy making his coffee?

Not meddle?

Not get all the Foxes on board?

It’s like you don’t even know him.

FUN FACTS: Uh. By our quasi-scientific research, this little number is the FANDOM FIC OF THE YEAR. It has the most kudos of any 2021 AFTG fic on AO3, and its random rec is our most liked post to date. 

finders keepers by moonix [Rated M, 40906 Words, Complete, 2021]

Andrew meets Nathaniel through a scavenger hunt app. As their team takes part in a hunt that sends each of them to creepy, abandoned places alone to solve clues and gain points, Andrew and Nathaniel begin a little treasure hunt of their own…

tw: body image issues

FUN FACTS: YOU GUYS. It’s sort of a confirmed rumour that moonix is reworking this into an original novel! Novella. Nutella?? Anyway, please read this secret identity puzzler with all the pride of knowing it sprouted in our fandom.

Shut Up and Dance (With Me) by OfficialStarsandGutters [Rated E, 168160 Words, Complete, 2021]

….Andrew Minyard dances alone. Everyone knows this. Until a wide eyed, desperate rabbit of a boy stumbles into his path, and he breaks his self imposed rule.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: torture, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: anxiety, tw: depression, tw: panic attacks, tw: implied/referenced drug abuse, tw: explicit sexual content, tw: implied/referenced eating disorder, tw: vomit, tw: graphic injuries, tw: non-consensual drug use

FUN FACTS: While you’re burrowed under the covers squinting to finish one more chapter, remember this was meant to be a one-shot! The dancing is fun and the andreil is delicious, but wow. The interpersonal relationships between the twins—and dare we say kevaaron—are GRIPPING. 

Was Sorta Hopin’ That You’d Stay by JayJFox [Rated M, 25740 Words, Complete, 2021]

Neil and Andrew have HATED each other since an incident in college. They really, really do. The Minyard-Josten rivalry is not a sham.

But now Andrew’s transferring to Neil’s team and all hell is about to break loose.

tw: alcohol, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: explicit sexual content

FUN FACTS: An enemies-to-lovers story with so much pranking and chest heaving PINING you have to wonder how they have time to play exy! It’s now part of a series with a kissing-filled-sequel-prequel, ‘Before I Hated You.’

12 Ways to Woo a Minyard by NikNak22 [Rated M, 69292 Words, Complete, 2021]

Neil is a math nerd who, by a stroke of dumb luck, falls into a group of friends that are the closest thing to family he’s ever had. So, when he tells them about his new mysterious crush, he shouldn’t be surprised how immediately they come up with a plan to help win them over…

FUN FACTS: This fic is just pure delight. You can tell Neil has caught Andrew’s attention but poor Neil doesn’t know, and the Foxes are at their meddling (and betting) best. 

never said that i didn’t need you by incogneat_oh [Rated T, 10458 Words, Complete, 2021]

Aaron and Andrew spend an evening hanging out in the emergency department.

tw: implied/referenced abuse

FUN FACTS: Do not pass go, do not collect $200—you don’t need it, AO3 is free! But do make haste to read this excellent take on some grudging twinyards healing post canon.

that’s just something people say by nanatsuyu [Rated T, 119396 Words, Complete, AFTG Big Bang 2021]

Neil makes the mistake of stealing the wrong car. Andrew makes the mistake of offering a ride to a liar. They both make the mistake of turning the whole affair into a road trip ‘home.’

tw: violence, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: panic attacks, tw: alcohol, tw: drugs, tw: implied/referenced torture

NB: companion art by @starcrossedfates​ here

FUN FACTS: This meet ugly turned andreil road trip is jam packed with character development and memorable moments. As time passes and truths are traded, Andrew is a goner. But can he trust a runner?

Tart by justadreamfox [Rated M, 11473 Words, Complete, AFTG Summer Exchange 2021]

In which Neil likes someone, Andrew makes an assumption, and Kevin is a really good friend.

FUN FACTS: The gang vacations in Uncle Stuart’s beach house with all the sand, sun, fruity drinks, and kissing you could hope for. Andrew just met Neil, but he’s already possessive and jealous of his touch and cuddle friendship with Kevin. We are so down for this.

The Massive Continuity of Ducks by fuzzballsheltiepants [Rated T, 12280 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange Fall 2021]

Andrew Minyard had it all planned out. He’d drive home to New Hampshire for fall break, stopping to check out some law schools along the way and having his existential crisis in private. Except somehow Neil Josten ends up tagging along, and nothing ever goes quite as planned, does it?

tw: panic attacks

FUN FACTS: It was only a missed kiss—how did it end up like this?? So. Much. Pining. + Two. Clueless. Boys. + Ducks. = a fic you never knew you needed.

00:00 (Zero o'Clock) by shadowdreams [Rated G, 44364 Words, Complete, 2021]

Neil and the fail-safe 10-step plan to get the man of your dreams to fall in love with you!

FUN FACTS: It’s like…you start with this very narrow/tiny view of what’s going on and then it spirals outward and gets bigger and better as you go, and the pieces finally fall together in the last chapter with Neil’s pov. Bonus if you’re into it: Neil punches Roland in the face.

Ghost of You by Major_816 [Not Rated (we say T), 26756 Words, Complete, 2021]

After the events of Baltimore, the FBI convinces Nathaniel to join the Witness Protection Program at least until the rest of his father’s people have been arrested or found….AKA - the one where Neil hides.

tw: panic attacks, tw: self harm, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced torture

FUN FACTS: We found this imagining of Neil entering witsec instead of returning to the Foxes unputdownable. If you can handle angst with a happy ending, this one’s for you.

Before Rainfall by tsauergrass [Rated G, 2417 Words, Complete, 2021]

On his path were traces Neil had left: a dent in the couch, a mug half-full with coffee on the table. They were eleven hours apart and neither of them celebrated Christmas, but still Neil had come.

FUN FACTS: This is just stunning. Yearning for and missing each other from Andrew’s pov. Poetic. Lovely. A gem.

Inked Truths series by Paradoxolotl [Rated T/M/E, 130173 Words, Collection, Updated Sept 2021]

Part 1:  Brother of Mine (T, 11884 words)

Aaron should have known something was going on with Andrew when he had agreed to change their deal.

tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: car accident

Part 2:  Ink Stains and Paper Cuts (M, 38089 words)

….A boy with a razor tongue and secrets, Andrew can’t help but find himself interested in the stranger trading truths with him through poorly written letters.

tw: violence, tw: homophobia, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: dissociation, tw: self harm, tw: scars, tw: implied/referenced underage sex, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: drugs

Part 3: Ink Blotted Memories (E, 62353 words)

(Andrew has) already given up everything for Aaron, so he offers his twin a deal.

Besides, with Abram missing, he really has nothing left to lose. 

tw: violence, tw: nightmares, tw: blood & gore, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: child abuse, tw: drug addiction, tw: car accident, tw: minor character death, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: implied/referenced torture, tw: withdrawal

Part 4: Inked On My Skin (E, 16841 words, incomplete)

…Andrew knows it’s only a matter of time. To gain something, you must always give something up. At the end of his time at PSU, he’ll have gained a piece of paper and lost everything else he once held close.

tw: homophobia, tw: scars, tw: self harm discussion, tw: drugs, tw: drug addiction, tw: alcohol abuse, tw: non-consensual drug use, tw: vomit, tw: withdrawal, tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced suicide, tw: implied/referenced abuse, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: panic attacks, tw: car accident

Part 5: Team Minyard (T, 1006 words)

It’s Andrew’s first game as a professional exy player, and some of his fans tune in to watch.

FUN FACTS: There is so much of canon here presented in slightly divergent ways. The angst and grit, the violence and loss. The protectiveness. The love. If you crave some good canon-verse Andrew pov—LIKE OF MATT’S TRIP TO EDEN’S WITH THE MONSTERS (in part 4)—this is for you. 

prove your love by bazookajo94 [Rated T, 6537 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange Spring 2021]

To boost office morale, Andrew and Aaron’s company puts together a week-long Valentine’s Day event, complete with increasingly embarrassing activities that must be completed as a pair. The winners get two free vacation days.

Andrew picks some random man off the street. Aaron asks his long-time work crush and lunch buddy.

Guess which couple wins.

FUN FACTS: Andrew and whoever that guy is keep winning and are publicly flirting (wait, is that foreplay?) 🤔 Aaron keeps forgetting to be mad about it because his secret crush is so dang adorkable.

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kevandreil 😌

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An incredibly sappy Valentine’s Day comic for my two favorite goofballs! <3

BONUS PANEL:

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Sneaking in at the very last minute with my sole contribution to this year’s mermay 😁

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I’m sure this has been done before but here you go lmao

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i absolutely love art nouveau style so i decided to give emulating it a shot!

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On the 50th Anniversary of Scooby-Doo let us celebrate the musical group of goddesses known as the Hex Girls (x)

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The Princess Bride (1987) dir. Rob Reiner

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Capri Recs

Since I have read every single fic in the fandom, I decided to make a rec list with some of the fics that have impacted me the most. 

This process was brutal, i legit cried as I tried to narrow it down to ONLY 10 fics for every section, because there’s so many fics that I just adore, but the rules I set for myself said that it was only 10 fics for every section, so that’s what I did. 

Completed

>50k

Étude by xlydiadeetz (The grieving process and coming to terms with life)

The Oath by LaLaCat1 (Laurent throws himself between Auguste and Damen at Marlas, and the future changes)

The Veretian Flytrap by Just_Another_Day (omegaverse extra long fic set in canon :))) )

Right Now, You’re Smitten by idratherhaveyou (fake dating, one of my fave ever)

Follow the Heartlines by fakexpearls (Damen loses his memory after canon)

Touch You by SteeleStingray (Damen is hired to be Laurent’s bodyguard)

Artes Academy by onekingdomonce (high school au)

Beyond The End of the Stars by Becky_J_1022 (Canon divergence book 2)

Capture Every Minute by orphan_account (Deaf Damen set in canon time)

Astray by liesmyth (The fic where they sleep together all throughout book 2)

20k-50k

The Heir by shinchiisanakyojin (They find a baby and get an heir :)) Kid Fic)

Hey, Look Up by Ruby_Wednesday (Nicaise is alive, idk what y’all are on about)

Anything For You by DisraeliGears (Damen just wants Nik and Laurent to be friends)

Weighed and Measured by Kittendiamore (The cave fic where Laurent gets another chance with Auguste)

Summer Fruit by Kirianna_May (Omegaverse post canon, i would die for this fic)

an ocean full of change by tumsa (The social media au where they’re actors)

On a bed of white flowers by sunshiner (Laurent’s pov)

A Kansas City Shuffle by niniblack (Con artist Laurent, agent Damen)

Blood, Bones, Voice, Ghost by sunsmasher (Damen is poisoned after canon)

Ice Kings by Iggysassou (Ice skating au :)))) )

10k-20k

The Fate of the Unnamed Pet by floss (What it says on the tin)

Alone, Without Friends by NoBaggage (The time between end of kr and beginning of summer palace)

and living well by uptillthree (Nicaise is alive, idk what y’all are on about)

well I rose, and I rose by liesmyth (Theomedes is alive and unimpressed)

the Aftermath is Secondary by vicariously kingly (pelted) (The one where they have wings)

Mother, Make Me by Kittendiamore (Hennike runs away with Laurent)

A Beast Of A Burden by Kittendiamore, moridad (Laurent declares war on Akielos the moment he becomes King)

Alpha Nicaise AU by Behind_The_Hood (What it says on the tin :))) )

You spin my head (right round) by boybeaulieu (Step Up au that gives me life)

Song of Us by Winmance (Musicians au, Laurent is a faceless YouTube singer)

5k-10k

For Better, for Worse by itallends (No one believes Laurent when he says he’s married)

Breath of Life by Kittendiamore (Groundhog Day au of canon)

shivering gold by onekingdomonce (Laurent plays a pet again like in book 2)

Breaking News by mfingenius (Modern AU, Auguste takes custody of Laurent)

ask to be unbroken by marrieddorks (Modern au post breakup and finding each other again)

Lonely Boys, Sons of Men by narie (Laurent’s conversation with the regent before the trial)

a thing of cream and stars by laurxnts (soft summer palace fic)

run all the lights by Fahye (fast cars :)))) )

The Last Hunt by timelymeanwhile (15yo Laurent)

Kingdom Come by nuttinonice (Sex is complicated for Laurent)

  2k-5k

From Eden by Kittendiamore (Laurent’s isn’t doing anything with his life until Damen comes along with a gun and fun)

Business and Pleasure by VeretianStarburst (Laurent in a skirt)

Sweet Comic Valentine by covertius (Damen takes his stepmom out and Laurent  misunderstands)

Pets and Princes by mfingenius (Damen mistakes Laurent for Auguste’s pet)

Bloom by Calenderyear (Herode’s pov of Laurent post KR)

Softly, Gently by deripmaver (Omegaverse au post canon)

and we could dive in blind by sunshiner (Fraternity rivalry au)

As I Am Now by shadowsapiens (Omegaverse au in canon time)

Again by thorvaenn (Time Travel au, Laurent goes back to book 1)

What I’ve Tasted Of Desire by Holly_Golightly (Halvik’s pov in book 2)

  <2k

in the impetus of its fire by Jinxed_Ink (Hennike’s life)

First Impressions by IAmANonnieMouse (Nik’s pov of Laurent)

and your enemies closer by girlguidejones (Nik keeps Laurent company)

and kiss your fingers forevermore by uptillthree (Laurent and Damen talk)

Choices by tokaku (Three people and the fall of the regent)

tooth for an eye by Creberrime (On Damen’s scars)

By Any Other Name by Jinxed_Ink (Soulmate au)

Commit to memory by EmergencyBroadcastSystem (Damen with memory issues since childhood)

i’d take every blow without armor by uptillthree (Laurent’s trial after the execution of the regent in an Auguste lives au)

Wash the Echoes Out by Just_Another_Day (Laurent has a praise kink)

      WIP

Sunblind by Folfar (Auguste comes back to life post canon)

there are things unbearable by vannes (nurse Laurent and fbi Damen)

gold switch blade by onekingdomonce (Auguste lives and Laurent has a spy network)

The Enemy of My Enemy by fjshbones (Mafia au)

Too Fondly to be Fearful by Jinxed_Ink (Witch Laurent)

In the Absence of a King by itallends (Fake Dating au)

The Mannequin Gallery by marrieddorks (Model Laurent)

Tempered by Comatosejoy (Thief Laurent and Prince Damen)

Proof by A_Beautiful_Irony (Canon divergence book 2, Damen is trying his best to keep Laurent safe, and viceversa) 

a good heart is the sun and moon by fairy___milly (Assassin Laurent, Auguste lives au)

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Why Pacat’s Captive Prince is so ✨captivating✨ and the role of fandom in an often monotoned life.

So it’s been a few months now since I went on a whim and decided to read my copy of Captive Prince which had been sitting on my bookshelf for years, along with many novels I have yet to delve into for leisure. 

Upon devouring the series, the accompanying short-story collection, and now being neck deep in both reading and writing Capri fanfics—I decided to take a step back, in order to reflect on the aspects which I believe made Pacat’s work so distinct, and ultimately fantastic:

The blend of third-person/the unreliable narrator: I think it was clear pretty early on, that Laurent knew who Damen was. Damianos was giving very much dumb jock energy and I will admit it was sometimes frustrating to read. I will say however, that his ignorance in this respect, is reflective of how black and white his thinking is. He held a “right is right” and “wrong is wrong” type of mentality, which is the stark opposite of Laurent, whose nature is cunning as a means of survival from the regent’s abuse. And as they say, opposites attract! Unreliable narrator was definitely a literary choice, one which I found to be effective. 

The world-building. Okay, the absolute debauchery that was thrown in our faces in book one was jarring—but I think there is something to be said about the function of shock and the depictions of pleasure. Veretians were described to do everything in extreme hedonistic extravagance, from sex-rings to mentions of public consummation, I’d argue that we as readers were made to feel just as shocked as Damen was when he was first faced with it all. Indulgences like sex, which is often done in private is brought to the forefront of this fictitious world. The hidden being made into a public spectacle in such a bold fashion has a sort of twisted appeal.

The idea of a homo-normative society. The way in which Veretian custom frowns upon the opposite sex coupling up because they’d produce bastards, and the encouragement of same-sex relations is a very interesting concept. “Bastards curse the line, and sour the milk, ruin the crops, and drag the sun out of the sky” (Prince’s Gambit, 168). IM—Our often homophobic society could never.

Illicitness/opposites attract: Damen and Laurent are polar opposites. Akielos and Vere are described as rival countries, so to have two people from warring lands fall in love, already aligns with the famed trope that predates the iconic Romeo and Juliet. Throw in a pleasure slave/master dynamic and also “my lover is my brother’s killer”—whew! The illicitness is shockingly off of the charts, which makes the story so so good. 

On the significance of re-reading—now, upon re-reading Prince’s Gambit and Kings Rising, I clocked several intricacies and notable details that I did not recognize nor fully appreciate the very first time I delved into the books:

Jokaste: ugh my girl Jo—Y’ALL KNOW HOW I FEEL. Pls, when you’ve finished here, go show my fics ‘Mirrored Reptiles’ and ‘Meet Me At The Clock’ some love on AO3. Shameless plug aside, Jokaste’s switch in Kings Rising, from antagonist who betrayed Damen in book one, to it being revealed that she in fact saved him from Kastor by sending him off to Vere is such an UNDERRATED function of hers! If it wasn’t for Jokaste, Damen and Laurent would never have met! Every scene she was in during Kings Rising were so damn powerful, she was basically Laurent but scarier because she was calm about it!

The lyrics of the songs described during the parties scenes which played along with the kithara. Kill me. The poetry, I just can’t. Too good. 

Laurent’s tactical manoeuvres while fighting against his uncle. Holy crap, everything from his negotiations with Vask and meeting Nikandros, I was so caught up with the romance that at first I missed the extent of the political complexities and the sheer treacheries at play. Laurent as a character is honestly so resilient. 

The ending. People tend to say it felt rushed and at first, I thought the same. But the second time I read it over, it absolutely makes sense. It’s a full circle moment for Laurent to have killed Kastor, it made equal what Damen did to Auguste. Damen being left to nearly bleed out on the floor of the baths is honestly very fitting, considering everything that transpired prior. We are reminded that this isn’t just a love story, it is a war-centred narrative, thus a dramatic ending such as was published is appropriate.

Trigger Warning: Mentions of R*pe & Sexual Assault

Finally, a note on the regent and sexual assault. Critics deem that this story condones rape, it is clear from the early parts of book one, that it does not. Damen is described to be sickened by the sexual activities of minors from the get-go. Rape is addressed, not condoned in this work. I would have closed its bounds and threw it out if the narrative was some bullshit romanticizing a minor and a grown ass man. The Regent is disgusting and got everything coming to him by the end of it all. As for the mention of aspects like sexual assault and slavery, though unfortunate, disgusting and utterly wrong to read about or to consider, these are the realities that span global history. Though I want to say that we’ve come far, I’d argue that the atrocities detailed in this work still happen to this day, though in discreet forms, which is honestly even more alarming. If anything, Captive Prince touches on larger problems that span far greater than the fictitious world Pacat presents. 

On fandom and fanfiction:

When I finished the trilogy and ate up the short stories, it still wasn’t enough. It’s been a long while since I’ve indulged in fanfiction, haven’t shipped a couple since Larry from One Direction y’all 😂. Life just got in the way. Though after speaking with my lovely cousin who has always been involved in some type of fandom, upon her suggestion I searched Captive Prince on AO3, and the rest is history. My god, I am astounded by the sheer talent that some writers possess, truly, there are folks out here thriving in their craft who need to be published in a professional capacity. Furthermore, for me to be able to write as a way to give back to the series that has meant so much to me, in a time of my life that I chose not to detail for anonymity’s sake—has honestly been so wonderful. Even though Captive Prince was published many years ago and I am late joiner of this fandom, the beauty of fanfic is that it stands the test of time and exists in order that people will always have free access, and enjoy the labour of love that writers extend by their own genuine volition.

What a joy it is to have discovered Captive Prince, in the year that Dark Rise is being released. 

In a rather monotoned life, to have fanfic is to have a glimmer of hope.♥️

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“Do you ever miss your dad?” “What’s to miss?”

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How it started v/s how it ended.

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pink in the night

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nem sirok csak 65ezren belementek a szemembe

A crowd of 65,000 sings ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ perfectly while waiting for a Green Day concert

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butterfly fly away

Laurent was a courageous young man. It was true. He fears nothing, nothing at all. 

Well. Laurent supposes he isn’t a great fan of giant spiders. Or any spiders, really. Or insects, in general. Or rats, but only because they are filthy and nasty, and no one likes them anyway. And big storms – Laurent does not like those either. 

But other than that, he is a courageous young man. Maman told him so, and Auguste also told him so – Papa did not tell him so with so many words, but he hummed along Maman, which meant he agreed. Laurent already completed six springs, and he was almost as big as Auguste, and he feared nothing. Therefore, he mustn’t either. 

Laurent fears nothing except, perhaps, butterflies.

It is not his fault that they seem to follow him around each time he goes out to the gardens. They’re evil, so very evil, he can tell. Auguste doesn’t believe him because Auguste is mental, and he likes to hold his fingers out so the butterflies can land on them. 

“Come on, now,” Auguste calls him.

From his safe distance, Laurent shakes his head. He will not, of course. Auguste lies on his stomach on the grass, and a shape-shifter butterfly walks around his fingers, fluttering its wings. This one, Laurent knows, is incredibly evil because it changes colors. When the wings are up, they are brown and ugly, but they are so blue and bright when they are down. Laurent is not mental, and he knows better than to go anywhere near it.

“I will not.” 

“Laurent.” 

Laurent takes another step back for good measure. 

It’s terrible to stand in the summer sun, but at least he is safe there. The day is so hot, so Auguste helped to deceive Radel so Laurent could escape his lessons for the day. They would spend the hours after lunchtime in the part of the gardens where courtiers rarely came. Auguste said: “It is a waste to spend a day like this indoors,” and he also said, “You need the sun to grow up, like a flower bud, or you’ll stay small forever,” but he said that every day and Laurent paid him no mind. 

He wasn’t small; he was just the right size for his age, Maman said. 

Anyhow.

“Come, it is more scared of you than you are of it,” Auguste says, turning his wrist so the thing can walk all over the back of his hand.

“I doubt that.”

“Did I ever lie to you? Even once?”

Auguste never, not even once, lied to Laurent. “How can you know? You do not speak butterfly language.” 

Auguste quirked an eyebrow. “Don’t I?” Laurent hesitates, and Auguste sighs, but he does not look upset. “If you plan on standing there the entire day, I will simply go back inside and get Radel.”

Laurent’s blood runs cold. “You wouldn’t.” 

“Oh, but I will if I must,” and yet, in spite of his words, he makes no move to get up. He is bluffing as always. “Please? You have my word; it will not hurt you. I would not let it.”

The butterfly flutters its wings again, rapidly as though to take flight. It doesn’t. It enjoys staying on Auguste’s hand too much, and Laurent can’t blame it. “Fine,” he pouts.

Carefully, Laurent makes his way over and makes sure to take his shoes off before lying on his stomach next to Auguste. Auguste offers his arm to Laurent, and Laurent is more than glad to accept, still mostly hiding behind it. 

From near, the thing is uglier still. It has hairs all over its body, and its antlers are long long, just like its legs. Laurent flinches when it flutters its wings fast, just like it did a minute ago, but other than that, it does nothing. 

Auguste flickers his wrist once more so the butterfly can explore his palm, and it stays there, as though it lost something and now searched for it in Auguste’s hand. Laurent’s heart was beating fast.

“See, there is no reason to fear,” Auguste says, “It’s just a small creature. Part of the nature like the flowers and the threes and you and me.” 

Laurent frowns. “It’s not like you and me,” he says.

Auguste smiles. “But it is. It’s even blue like our eyes are blue.”

Laurent thinks about it. “I suppose,” he says, though he is not entirely convinced. 

The butterfly makes its way to the back of Auguste’s hand again, then to the tip of his finger. “Give me your hand.” 

Laurent turns his head to Auguste, bewildered.  “No!”

“Trust me. Do you trust me?”

Very slowly, Laurent unclenches his fist from Auguste’s sleeve, offers it out, screws his eyes tight, and holds his breath. He knew what Auguste was going to do without Auguste having to say it, and soon, something is tickling the back of his hand as he knew it would happen. Even then, Laurent squirms and whimpers.

“It’s all right, Laurent,” Auguste reassures, “I’m here with you. It won’t hurt you.”

Laurent is almost out of breath already. He allows just a little bit of air to come in so that he can remain still. “You’re too tense; it’s going to fly away,” Auguste says. Good, Laurent thinks, let it, then. “Open your eyes.” 

Laurent doesn’t want to at all, but he does it anyway because Auguste told him to, and Laurent doesn’t want Auguste to be disappointed. 

“Isn’t it so pretty?” Auguste asks. 

No, Laurent almost says, but then he looks a bit closer. The wings keep shifting colors lazily, and Auguste was right. It isn’t as scary now that it’s on the back of Laurent’s hand. In fact, it isn’t scary at all, not even a little. And it is pretty and blue, like their eyes. 

Laurent lets out his breath, and the butterfly startles. “Ops,” Laurent says. Auguste laughs beside him. 

“It tickles,” Laurent tells Auguste, with a giggle, when he ruffles Laurent’s hair. 

“It does.”

The butterfly finally has enough. Laurent can still feel it in his hand, itchy, as they watch it fly away. Laurent tries not to be too disappointed.

“It wasn’t that scary was it?” Auguste beams.

“Not at all,” Laurent says, “It was pretty. I liked it.”

Auguste sits up. “I told you it would not hurt you. I would never let anything hurt you.”

Laurent sits up, patting small bits of grass off his jacket. Mother would be unhappy if he ruined it, for it was brand new. “I know.”

Auguste stood up. “What do you want to do now?” 

“Auguste,” a voice called, and it was one Laurent knew well. He stood promptly. “Laurent? I thought you had lessons in the afternoon.” 

“Do you need something, father?” Auguste says. 

“Yes, I will have a conference with Lords Peire and Loeis about raising the taxes in the south; I wondered if you would care to join us,” Papa turns to Laurent. “Did your tutor dismiss you?” 

“It would be a waste to spend a day like this indoors,” Laurent says, precisely the way Auguste had said earlier.

Papa was not mad at him, it seemed. He turned to Auguste and tried not to smile, and then Auguste shrugged. “Please don’t tell mother?” Auguste says.

Papa shook his head; “Auguste. You must stop doing this.”

“I will. I’m sorry, father, I will not do it again.” 

“Laurent cannot get away from his lessons.”

“I know.” 

Papa is not mad, Laurent knows, because when he is mad, he frowns, and now he is only shaking his head and arching his brows. “Will you come with me? Or will you stay?”

Auguste looks at Laurent and blinks with only one eye. “I will attend the next one.”

“All right,” Papa narrows his eyes, “And you: no more escaping studies.” 

“I held a butterfly today,” Laurent blurts out before Papa turns to go, “It was blue and big, and I was not scared at all.”

“Is that so?”

“He was very courageous,” Auguste nods. 

“I am a very courageous young man.”

Papa smiles at Laurent as he very rarely does and pats Laurent on the shoulder. “It seems you are,” he says, and Laurent beams. 

“You boys have fun,” Papa tells them as he walks away. They watch him go for a bit. 

When Papa is far enough, Auguste says, “I think we should head to the stables and go for a ride.”

Laurent jumps up and down. “Yes. We should!”

“Let’s go then,” Auguste offers out a hand that Laurent takes without a second thought. 

[windchimepheonix]

hmm I think one of the best things A Series of Unfortunate Events did was establish that being nice =\= being kind, that being polite =\= being helpful, and that a lot of adults with real agency let bad things happen because they are “trying to mind their own business,” (which looks especially damning when you contrast that with our protagonists–literal children with no agency, and no choice as to whether or not they can afford to “just mind their own business”) and that’s why: 1) you get such a real sense of despair at the end of it all 2) it’s an effective statement about how nothing gets better if people go on their whole lives thinking that they can just be nice and polite to others without ever really engaging in the world around them

[windchimepheonix]

I just want my OTP to derrive meaning from each other in a way that would be incredibly unhealthy and codependent if two people did that in real life but is profoundly poetic and romantic within the context of a fictional piece of media in consuming.