Sometimes Neil Was So Lonely And So Starving For Touches, That He Hold His Own Hand During The Night.

The more I think about the differences between how the Trojans show affection vs how the Foxes do, the more I come to the conclusion that they unwittingly created the perfect environment for Jean and Neil’s arcs respectively.

Take for example the way Cat and Laila show Jean affection. The forehead kisses, the hugs, the endless reassurance and compassion. It may go without saying but Neil would’ve hated it if he ended up in that situation. He would’ve booked it faster than you can say Wesninski. But Jean? I mean sure he was baffled at first, but the way he grows to lean into it? The way he shows affection the same way back? Jean needed that brand of affection in a way Neil won’t ever. He needed to learn that he was deserving of such love; that there are people out there now who cared about him as deeply as he does them.

Neil on the other hand needed to learn a whole different set of lessons. The Foxes showing him that they care was less such obvious displays of love and more about patience in the face of his complications. More about their willingness to stick by him when the fabricated life he clung so hard to unraveled at the seams. Jean wouldn’t have flourished as much in that environment because he didn’t need understanding as much as he needed love. He didn’t need someone to help piece his life back together as much as he needed someone to love what was already there.

Neil is like an innocent looking stray cat that the foxes still kept even when they got bit; while Jean is like an abused show dog that the Trojans nurse back to health. And good lord do I love them both for it.

"My boyfriend's a massive tease, your honor"

Do you ever cry because of a book?

Sex and/or romance aside, this is one hell of a compliment to give someone whose bathroom window you just climbed out of.

"Fireworks", Jeremy said.

"Fireworks", Jean echoed. 🎆

Cozy TV times, ft. the beanbag chairs and another bottle of whisky

"Neil had all the time in the world, and that left a heat in his gut stronger than any whisky could." (the king's men, last sentence of chapter sixteen)

Did you know the word "whisky" occurs 6 times in aftg, 5 of them being in the kings men.

andreil at the next banquet

People that complain about Aftg being corny for being “too dramatic” drive me nuts. Would you rather be bored? “It’s not realistic” no shit! It’s a book! It’s ridiculous and I love it! Would it be such a crazy thing? Is that not compelling? It’s not an exercise in reality. Do you get mad when food is seasoned? Why read it if you hate such a big portion of the story? Why read anything even slightly unrealistic if it makes you want to eat nails? Step in a puddle in your socks, you cantankerous donkey

:

this was a marriage proposal TO ME

MAP PART 5 | LIFE ITSELF | AFTG

2363744 years later throwing this out there /j this feels so old now..sobbing