Aftg Andreil - Blog Posts
killing you eating this shooting myself
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My Kink Is Karma - AFTG ANIMATIC
One of my favorite things in AFTG is how the author deals with consent, particularly between Neil and Andrew. "Please" is such an easy go-to to make something not sound like an order or demand (especially for more aggressive characters, i.e., "Let me x/Do x, please"), but she completely took that off the table in this case. It becomes even more of a challenge when you take into account how Andrew’s bluntness can be taken as rude, but it's offset so well with Neil needing it spelled out to him because romantic interest go right over his head. Also, once a boundary is set, it's set. No questions asked. No testing it. And despite Neil being dumb as bricks to most things (bless his heart), most of those boundaries aren't even verbally discussed. It's either trial and error, observation of the other, or just left for the other to initiate. And there's no question to the reader that "no" or any sign of hesitation will be taken as "no." It's kinda refreshing to see it portrayed that way in media.
I can't stop thinking about Andrew and Neil's path from fears and insecure feelings to the sincere shine of love in the eyes and trusting touches.
Imagine the development of their relationship like days spent on the roof. Minutes of smoldering cigarettes in cold palms and empty glances first; seconds of warm kisses on the lips and a smile illuminated by sunset colors then.
The road from meters between beaten bodies on cold concrete, to millimeters in the desired touches, which are now given by safety.
The most severe sunsets, overshadowed by pain and new scars, but still nearby. Another doubts and the inevitably approaching horrors of the past, but together.
Together — in the general smoke of cigarettes and changing weather.
Andrew and Neil learn humility and find peace in gusts of wind changing by the sun's rays. Allow caring amber nastures, smoothed by the enthusiasm of clear skies, to come to life.
Over time it becomes quite safe.
Warm, when Neil smoothes the knuckles of Andrew's brushes, distracting himself from watching another melodrama on movie nights. Touching the delicate skin is knocked on the heart, smoothing scratches and bruises before Minyard connects their palms into a lock, not breaking away to the very credits.
Cute, when they play with their paws, imperceptibly for others, alternately covering each other's socks under the table, relaxed listening to the conversations of the Foxes nearby.
Grateful, when Andrew lowers one palm from the steering wheel to the armrest, feeling Neil's nervous breath nearby, allowing him to gently draw patterns on his skin and asking to concentrate on caring touches and the living road ahead.
Confused, when they sit in the locker room, awkwardly touching their little fingers, hiding their palms behind the bench and losing the thread of the coach's monologue. The corners of the lips are led by a modest smile, and Neil fitters on the spot when Andrew slowly circles the line of his hands.
Relatives, when one demandingly touches the palm of the other's forehead, seriously measuring the temperature, noticing the red eyes and nose of his beloved. With excitement, stroking hot skin, putting it to bed under disgruntled grumbling.
In love, when Andrew, gently touching the tips of his pinkish ears, covers Neil's cheek, warmly lulling with his native gaze. The guy blinks in love, sticks his nose, pressing against his warm palm, and sighs very quietly, falling asleep with amber reflections in his memory.
Beloved, when they warm their hands frozen from the frost in a single breath, returning tactibility in each other's native touches.
Intimate, when Neil weaves his palms into Andrew's soft hair for careful kisses, sending impatient goosebumps on his skin. Seizing all disturbing thoughts with sensitive touches.
Over time it becomes too necessary.
just thinking that for Andrew and Neil sunsets and dawns are an infinitely significant thing. a symbol that over time has become something important for both of them. they feel and appreciate it without needing any designation.
these are their sunsets and their dawns of feelings. It is a reflection of the passing rays in the beloved eyes and the brilliance of hope in the twilight.
these are burning sun touches on the moon skin and star scattering of freckles interspersed with scars.
it's peaceful minutes until late at night and calm silence until early in the morning. It's just their seconds when the world around freezes and it doesn't matter. where their new chance begins and the pain ends.
together. from common sunsets to common sunrises — forever.