#no more fucks to give

[69ottersinatrenchcoat]

My cutlery drawer is empty. I have no more spoons, nor fucks forks.

#spoonie #chronically ill #chronic illness #chronic pain #spoons #low spoons #spoon theory #spoon #disability #chronic fatigue #fatigue #chronically fatigued #no more fucks to give #mentally fucked #posted by 🔥

[pot-and-pancakes]

He’s got no more fucks to give D:

I’m so fucking proud of this. I was inspired by a shirt I saw at a Spencer’s

#gecko moria #gekko moriah #one piece #no more fucks to give #meme

[neptune-scythe]

I have decided actually that I don't care about the "correct" way to do tumbler

I'm just doing whatever the fuck i want and y'all are just gonna have to deal with it

#idgaf #no more fucks to give #new to tumbler

[demonsteapot]

i am now drawing

#agonyost playlist on #no more fucks to give #ill just fucking do it #bernadette rambles

[iamcaledonia]

I do not have the words to articulate how amazing this fic is. My new favourite AU. Please go and read this immediately and join me in my adoration.

#merthur #fiction #merthur fan fiction #merlin x arthur #merlin #merlin bbc #merlioske #when I say I dont have the words #i mean it #i fell apart completely leaving a comment #no more fucks to give

[pseudomicrothoraxdubius]

My twin and I did an escape room game today

They lost their marbles about the game while I sat there just vibing to this song

#twin #exit games #no more fucks to give #Spotify

[aftgsucks]

NMFTG ch 23

Operation Easthaven (it's not actually that complicated)

THe team scrambles to get Andrew out of easthaven under the cut: ao3

Coach took Neil at his word and ushered the Foxes down the hallway and out of the building. Neil ignored everyone’s continued questions in favor of continuing to bleed out of his face and freak the fuck out. 

What the hell could he even do? What could Renee do? Burn the place down? A bomb threat maybe, something to get everyone evacuated, but it wasn’t like Neil knew which doctor Riko had paid off. And there was no telling what protocols the place had for that sort of situation. Or what would happen to Andrew if the law decided he was breaking the terms of his parole. Everything could just get worse if Neil ran off half-cocked. 

Neil was in possession of a varied criminal career that covered a lot of areas, rehab centers and consequently breaking a guy out of a rehab center to protect him from evil rapist doctors were not covered in any of those aforementioned areas. 

If only he could still ask Mary for advice. As if she’d say any anything other than Abram what the fuck do you think you’re doing, you’re name is now Mitch Blanc and you’re moving to Siberia. Forget about the goalie. You suicidal wretch. 

Coach unlocked the bus and Neil pulled Renee away to the side to explain everything to just her. Except no one got on the bus and everyone just kept talking. 

“Neil, please let me look at your nose.”

“What did Riko say about my brother?”

“Those fucking Ravens.”

“What did Kevin mean by if?”

“Jesus Christ Neil could you explain just one thing for once.”

“I swear to god Kevin I don’t care if Andrew stabs me.”

“Let’s just beat the shit out of Riko, who even cares why.”

“Nathaniel--” Kevin was so quiet, no one but Neil even heard him. But Neil heard it like a gunshot.

“DON’T CALL ME THAT,” Neil slapped a hand against the side of the bus. Everyone shut up. Neil wrestled with his lungs. “I’m Neil,” he managed to get out. Neil turned to Kevin. Kevin was pale and terrified and Neil could not find an ounce of care for his feelings. Not on this. “I’m Neil,” he repeated. 

Kevin nodded. His right hand was wrapped around his left, both pulled close to his chest as if waiting for a rebreak. Already flinching from what he thought the son of the Butcher would do to him. And Neil found an ounce. 

Neil dragged in a full breath. “Kevin, I’m not going to hurt you.” 

“I know,” Kevin said, his voice still too quiet. “I’m sorry.” 

“What the hell did he even call you?” Seth asked. 

“Who cares about that,” Nicky yelled. “I couldn’t give less of a fuck whatever weird slur Kevin called Neil to make him snap! One of you two is telling me right now what Kevin meant by ‘if Andrew comes back,’ or I am hitting the both of you with Coach’s bus.” 

“No, you will not be doing that,” Coach said. “All of you get on the bus right now and Neil will explain on the way back to Palmetto. And I swear to God if you all keep squawking at each other you will all be running back.” 

Everyone got on the bus. 

Abby made Neil sit next to her so she could look at his nose. Everyone else dead silent as she set it and tapped it and then offered Neil pain meds that he immediately refused. Once she was done Wymack started the bus and pulled onto the road. 

“Okay, what happened?” Dan asked in her authoritative, do not disobey me captain’s voice. 

Even if he had to say this in front of everyone, Neil still stood up and looked directly at Renee. “Riko bought one of the doctors at Easthaven, we need to get Andrew out before he ends up dead.” 

Everyone lost their collective minds. A discordant chorus of “elaborate,” and “Coach turn this bus around right now.” And Neil struggled to ignore it. Especially as Aaron actively grabbed him by the suit collar, hissing and shaking like a feral cat. 

“I’ll call Betsy,” Renee said, already pulling out her phone. 

“Didn’t she sign over care or something,” Neil asked, leaning around Aaron to talk to her. Nicky had very loudly complained about that, that not even Dobson could get a message to Andrew. 

“She’s still the best place to start,” Renee got up and went to the back of the bus. 

“Aaron, you need to calm down,” Neil pulled Aaron’s hands off of him. 

“Are you seriously telling me to calm down right now?” 

“What part of shaking me do think will help Andrew?” 

“Well, clearly Kevin thought hitting you would fix something,” Allison so very helpfully said. 

“Riko said if Neil went to Evermore Andrew would be safe,” Kevin said, his voice flat with a bottle of vodka in his lap. 

“That’s bullshit and we all fucking know it. All Riko wants is to fucking kill one of us, drugging Seth, sending that moron after Renee, Drake ending up across the country to surprise Andrew. This is just another goddamned hairbrained scheme to put one of us in the ground. If Andrew hadn’t gone to rehab he would have just tried to blackmail me into spending my break getting poorly tortured to death in his goth fucking torture room. If we leave Andrew in Easthaven he will die. If I go to Evermore I will die and Riko can still do whatever the fuck he wants to Andrew. And you know as jazzed as I am at the prospect of not having to deal with any of this shit anymore. I refuse to have Riko fucking Moriyama be the one to actually kill me. So no, I am not going to Evermore Kevin, Riko is a lying manipulative piece of shit and nothing short of actually getting Andrew out of that place is going to make him safe.” 

“Neil, you need to breathe,” Abby said right behind him. 

And yeah, actually the world was kinda fading out at the edges. Neil sat down. Katelyn was suddenly right next to him, knelt on the floor of the bus, asking him those inane questions about what he could see and hear. Inane because they worked and he hated that. 

When Neil tuned back into the conversation Aaron was talking. “How the fuck do we get him out of there? You idiots barely got him in.” 

“Wouldn’t it be easier to figure out who Riko paid and report them,” Katelyn suggested, one hand still on Neil’s shoulder. “Or break their legs maybe? I don’t know, whatever it takes to stop them from hurting him. Getting the one without the court order out of the court ordered building sounds easier than getting Andrew out.” 

“Holy shit,” Allison awed. “And I was confused about what you were doing with a Minyard. Break some doctor’s legs, what are you a fucking New York City gangster? You gonna tell Riko to sleep with the fishes?” 

“Stop flirting,” Seth complained. 

“How do we even figure that out? Poll the employees, hi have you ever taken money from famed exy star Riko Moriyama,” Matt asked. 

“There has to be something about the doctor that made Riko offer, it’s not like he could have polled the employees to figure out which one would take the money.” Dan said. 

“Easthaven’s supposed to be a good facility, Betsy said it was good. A good place wouldn’t just hire someone with that kind of history.” Nicky said. “Right? She wouldn’t, she wouldn’t have put. She wouldn’t put Andrew in a place--” 

“Nicky, if I have to keep breathing so do you,” Neil said. He just wanted to hit something and have everything be fixed. He wanted a nap or to jump out of the moving bus. He wanted a gun. He was about to suggest the arson, evacuate, grab Andrew plan. Deal with the legal consequences whenever they happened. They didn’t have time to stalk all the employees, not thoroughly enough for whatever thread of depravity had managed to escape the center's background check but not Riko’s.   

“I got an anonymous threat,” Wymack started, loud and final. “From some rival team while we were at the banquet that said a doctor was going to hurt Andrew. With everything that’s happened in the last two years it’s enough to at least get him on the phone. If not get Andrew moved someplace else. Walker,” he called out louder, “give me the phone when you’re done. Betsy and I will get Andrew out of Easthaven and you will all curb your violent criminal thoughts.” 

“Can it be that simple?” Neil asked. “Will anyone take you seriously?” 

“I’ll make them,” Wymack promised. 

And that was good enough. 

If nothing else, Neil was willing to let Coach try first. There was always arson if he failed. 

Renee handed Wymack the phone and Wymack talked to Dobson. Dobson would drive out to Easthaven and Wymack would call ahead to whoever was in charge on his own phone. 

No one pretended to not eavesdrop as Wymack called up the rehab center and started talking about dangerous fans. About how the team had gotten Swatted last year. All of the dead animals and vandalism that came along with the attention of “Raven’s fans,” he spun a good yarn. Wymack did. It helped that all of that was mostly true, with the exception of a lot of it being perpetrated by the Raven’s themselves. 

The whole time he kept the bus at a steady calm pace. Ending with the explanation that Dr. Betsy Dobson needed to speak with the head of Easthaven and Andrew himself to ensure his safety in the face of these threats. 

Quietly, while Coach was still talking, Kevin moved to sit near Neil. He still had that bottle of vodka, unopened, white knuckled in his grip. 

“He wasn’t lying,” Kevin said in low French. 

“No,” Neil admitted in the same language. “He wasn’t.” 

“You’re gonna die,” Kevin said, knowing, solemn, without question. 

“Yeah, I am.” 

“You-- Fuck, Neil you’ve been saying that all year.” Kevin turned to Neil, “have you really been trying to get Andrew to kill you?” He asked. 

“Eh, I could’ve been trying harder.” 

“You’re gonna die,” he repeated, twisting his hands around the bottle. 

“Kevin, enough. I know, there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Trust me, if I could…” Neil trailed off, would he? Really? If he could stop this, magically end everyone who wanted him dead. Erase Nathanial Wesninski from existence, make Neil Josten real and separate and alive. If Neil could do any of that, would he? Or would he just make the end not hurt. It was going to hurt. It was going to hurt so bad, he knew that, he had the proof of concept carved into his skin before he could properly remember it. 

Neil looked at Kevin, “will you still teach me?” He asked. 

“Every night.” 

Neil debated the next question for half a moment before deciding maybe he needed an answer for this one thing. “What did he mean by owning me?” 

“You don’t know?” 

“Assume I’m an idiot.” 

“Shit,” Kevin was wide-eyed. “Uh, when your mother took you, that was your audition. You were supposed to be a Raven. The money you took was the family's money. Your father sold you and then you ran.” 

Well, all things considered his father literally selling him to a homicidal sports cult wasn’t exactly out of character for him. “I didn’t know, she never explained why we left. I never asked.” 

“Why did you think you were there? Why did you think they made us watch your father kill someone?”

“Little league practice,” Neil shrugged. “He made me watch him kill people all the time, it was only strange that you and the other were there.” They were both avoiding names, speaking in French only disguised the conversation so much. 

“If you failed the next day we would have watched him kill you.” Kevin said. 

“He would have killed me for Exy?” Sure, Neil’s father would have stabbed him because it was a little too sunny outside. But disposing of his only son wholesale just for being bad at sports seemed wasteful even for him. 

“You weren’t supposed to exist,” Kevin said. “None of the branches are supposed to have heirs, it would dilute the family’s power.” 

No. No, absolutely not. 

“He works for them?” 

“How stupid are you?” Kevin asked. 

“I was ten when I left, it’s not like anyone sat me down and explained the intricacies of it!” God fucking damn it, everything came back to the Moriyamas. 

“What the hell are you two even arguing about?” Aaron asked. “Kevin, we’ve all wanted to hit Neil but this is just not his fault.”

Neil lost it. He laughed so hard his eyes teared up. Maybe Riko Moriyama would kill him, all he had to do was put in a phone call to his estranged family about where Neil was and that would do it. “C’mon Aaron, give it your best shot. I know you’re still miffed about Halloween.” He said in English, already anticipating the easy no Aaron would give but wanting someone to put him out of his misery nonetheless. 

“You should run,” Kevin said in French. 

“I’m sick of it, Kevin, I’m sick of all of it. I’m here, it’s fine.” Neil told him in French. 

By the time they made it back to the dorms, the sun just peaking out over the skyline. Andrew had been moved to a new facility, strong armed by the combined powers of Wymack, Dobson, and a well documented history of Exy related harassment. The new place let Dobson see him and she reported that Andrew was tired, recovering from his meds, but otherwise unharmed. 

Neil watched Nicky and Aaron be shocked at the degree of relief on the other Foxes. Andrew was safe, they’d gotten him out in time. He’d be back in the new year threatening to stab people and being dramatic. 

But before then, the Monsters were going to New York and Neil needed to pack. 

#no more fucks to give #aftg #all for the game #fanfiction #nmftg

[feelmyroarrrr]

This lovely chap is better known on here for having no more fucks to give, but i think this song encapsulates how I feel right now even more so

#too bloody hot #tom b wilde esq #no more fucks to give

[beatrice-otter]

Listen/purchase: I've No More Fucks To Give (Electric Timebomb Remix) by Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq and Victor Ghastly

#bandcamp #music #no more fucks to give #remix

[chickensarentcheap]

It’s cold out here. And rainy. And all I want to do is go back to sleep even though I slept the day away.

#no more fucks to give

[squeaks-reactions]

Nope, none to spare, sorry.

#no more fucks to give #no fucks given #idgaf

[mycollectioncloud]

Embrace It.

Most of this life spent Trying to become smaller A wild card A church mouse

My personality makes this difficult sometimes I am no longer entertaining Being anyone or anything That is not my true self

#new poets on tumblr #new poets community #new poets society #new poetry #new poets club #new poets corner #poets on life #poets on mental health #poets on tumblr #original poem #original poetry #original poets on tumblr #short poem #short poetry #daily poetry #daily poem #poetry #poem #poets community #no more fucks to give

[seagiri]

when she draw on my pile

#my art #more doodles on main. i may start to just not give a fuck #<- i say while not tagging anything because i feel annoying #shoutout to cabinet!!!!! #Senshi #Chilchuck tims #chilshi #dungeon meshi

[payasita]

being a manager sucks balls half the time but the cashier kids im in charge of trust me enough to dick around in front of me so ive been keeping a running list of the shit they say that makes me laugh randomly: -"guys, is it cheating if you play fortnite with your ex" [4 seperate others, immediately]: "YES" -"there must be like… infinite sentences" -"bro what bro what the fuck bro what's that mean bro why'd you say that bro what" <distraught response to a girl randomly greeting him with 'hey there big boy' in an old timey transatlantic news reporter accent

#personal #text #gonna miss these kids lol #theres more i cant remember rn but i swear to god some of them do it just to make me crack up when im the only one in charge #infinite sentences kid and bro what the fuck kid are the same kid #he could not give less of a shit about this job it's so fucking funny

[stil-lindigo]

SPREADSHEET OF PALESTINIAN ESCAPE FUNDS‼️TIME SENSITIVE

Operation Olive Branch is a continuously updating spreadsheet of Palestinian escape funds where progress towards their goals is being tracked. As of right now, there are over 100 funds listed there.

Any amount of money can make a difference. With their recent decision to bomb Rafah, the only remaining “safe” territory in Gaza, Israel has forced Palestinians into a corner by giving them nowhere else to go. The international community has given Israel the ability to act with impunity - it is long past the point in time to rely on those in power to hold Israel to any standard of compassion.

Today, I want you to look at this document, choose a fund, contribute to it, and share it. The people in Rafah are living on borrowed time. Free Palestine.

#there a few funds that have met their goal which is heartening #I can’t express in words how fucking disgusted I am that it’s come to this #the average joe will always have more compassion than those in power #but in a cost of living crisis the fact that it comes down to the general populace to give a single shit about Palestinian lives #the fury is paralysing and cold #free palestine #free Gaza #save rafah #palestine #mutual aid #fundraising

[aftgsucks]

NMFTG 19

Mr and Mrs Hemmick Cause a Scene

ao3: chapter below the cut

Neil was being subjected to some movie called “Austin Powers,” when Nicky flung open the door in theatrical despair. He immediately made for Neil with a wild look in his eyes. 

“Help, please, help.” Nicky begged. “I’m gonna die.” 

Neil was standing halfway across the room before he could think. “What happened?” he asked. 

“Mom just called to wish Andrew and Aaron a happy birthday,” Nicky answered. 

Neil tried to gauge how actually serious this was. 

“And that’s a bad thing?” Matt asked. 

“Oh, Boyd look at him, I’ve only ever seen Hemmick quake like this when his cousin’s got his knives out.” Seth said, lazily gesturing with the tv remote. 

“They uh, well,” Nicky shifted around, looking down at the sleeves of his sweater. “Dad hasn’t said a word to me since Erik and my mom calls on Christmas to ask if I’ve returned to God and disconnects when I say no.” He never looks this shamed. Not even back when Seth and Aaron were constantly on him about being gay, Nicky never looked like this. “I don’t think Aaron’s spoken to them since Aunt Tilda’s funeral, and Andrew avoids them like they’re a contagious disease. He and dad didn’t hit it off too well when they met at juvie.” 

“It couldn’t have gone that badly,” Matt said. “I mean, your dad supported his early release, right?” 

“Yeah, but-” Nicky started. 

“He ever hit you?” Seth asked, cutting him off, much to Neil and Matt’s surprise. 

“What? No, he just thinks I’m an affront to God and his reputation.” Nicky answered. 

“Hemmick,” Seth groaned. “Fuck your parents, my dad used to regularly beat the shit out of me and he still came to my games until I threatened to call the cops. I’ve never even heard you talk about yours before.” 

“Why did she call, really?” Neil asked, not wanting to go near Seth’s issues with a ten foot exy stick. 

“To invite us home for Thanksgiving dinner.” 

“Absolutely not,” Seth pointed the remote at Nicky. “That reeks of bullshit.” 

“What if she had a change of heart? C’mon Seth, it’s his mom.” Matt argued. 

“What did you tell her?” Neil asked. 

“Nothing! I hung up, she said it was contingent on Aaron and Andrew going too. Mom made that crystal clear and there’s no way Andrew will agree.” 

“You never know until you try,” Matt said, still trying to be supportive. 

“Don’t, dude, take it as a sign or some shit.” Seth said. 

“Wait, why are you here telling us?” Neil asked. Nicky had come in asking for help, what exactly Neil, Matt, and Seth were supposed to do about this was beyond him. 

“You and Seth got Andrew to do Halloween and night practices, just, help? Please?” Nicky begged. 

Neil would like to go one day without getting roped into someone else’s shit. “This is not our business--” he starts to say. 

“Tell them to come here,” is what Seth says over him. Okay, whatever, it can be Seth’s business then. They all look at him. Seth continues, “tell your parents if they want to see the twins they can come to a game. Andrew can duck out on them after but they’ll have come all the way here so you can at least talk to them.” 

It wasn’t a bad plan, per say, although it did rely on the conceit of Andrew not killing Nicky’s parents for whatever it was they did that he hates them for. Arguably it was better for Nicky’s parents to come here where the whole team could keep an eye on them then just Nicky and the cousins going to Columbia, with likely only Kevin for back up. 

If Nicky surprised Andrew with this, though, Andrew would kill his parents and then Neil. Was it time to die? To be done with the tedious march of dying and get it over with? “Don’t surprise Andrew with them. Warn him they're coming, if they say yes.” Neil said, deciding he didn’t want to just be another body in Andrew’s theoretical killing spree. 

“What if they don’t come?” Nicky asked. His voice was still small and uncomfortable. 

“Then they don’t come Hemmick, but you said it yourself Andrew’s never going to agree. Just take it as a dodged bullet, they need to make the effort.” 

Apparently, they agreed to come, at least Nicky was expecting them. The day of the game Nicky didn’t say a word unless prompted to. When Neil was in Millport, Coach Hernadez and the team were constantly bugging Neil about his parents coming to a game. As if it were some big thing. And then Seth too had shared that opinion. Looking at Nicky-- 

Look Neil got it, there was some desperate thing he tried to smother everyday that was still mourning his Mother. Neil knew that if Mary walked in through the stadium doors she’d be doing it to beat Neil’s skull in. But if she were alive to do it-- 

Neil got it. He did. He understood that combination of fear and hope splintered across Nicky’s face. He kept an eye on Nicky the whole game, as every time there was a time out or a reset, Nicky searched the stands and became smaller and smaller. Nicky was a tall guy, he was lanky sure, but built enough to be a backliner on a collegiate exy team. Small was an absurd thing for Nicky to be. But that’s the only word to describe the way all personality just vanished how timid he became as more and more time went by and he didn’t see his parents in the seats he’d set aside for them. 

Neil understood it a little too well, which is why the second the game ended he changed out and rushed for the doors. He wanted to get back to the dorms, he wanted to avoid the walking mirror of his own grief that was sulking in the locker room. 

He’d avoid everyone, if he left right then. He knew that. The other Foxes were gonna take their sweet time and Andrew, who was still recovering from his withdrawals, wouldn’t bother to make them hurry up when his lot had already agreed to stay in Palmetto for the weekend. 

Neil pushed open the door to the parking lot thinking of the field behind the dorms and his half-full pack of cigarettes. And then watched his night go up in flames as he looked at the three people waiting in the parking lot.  

“Hello, young man, you’re with the Foxes right?” A dire looking older man asked. 

Neil studied the trio. The older man and woman were standing close, the woman was a borderline clone of Nicky-- both dressed nice. Very preacher and his wife, Luther and Maria Hemmick were exactly how he pictured, if a bit taller.  

It was the second man that Neil couldn’t place. He bore no resemblance to Nicky or the twins. Not to mention Neil had never heard of any other family member existing. 

“Who’s asking?” Neil asked, shutting the door behind him and listening for the automatic lock. 

“We’re Nichloas’s parents,” Maria said with a soft smile. 

“I’m AJ’s old foster brother,” the second man said, stretching out a hand, “Drake.” 

Neil only recognized one of those words and the last time it was said it had come out of a cop’s mouth, so he just glanced at the offered hand before ignoring it and looking directly into Luther Hemmick’s eyes. 

“You’re too late, they all left for some bar downtown,” he lied. 

Luther narrowed his eyes, “really? Because I can see the boy’s ridiculous car parked right over there and the game only just ended. So, why don’t you go and get Nicky and the boys before we have a problem.” 

He was so authoritative, Luther had all the assurance of someone used to getting their way. 

“I’m surprised you’re so confident about what time the game was, considering how late you got here. They left, maybe go try your luck down by the bars or actually show up on time for your son's game.” 

“You sure can back talk, can’t you?” Drake whistled. 

Neil wanted these people out of his parking lot. He wanted them out of his parking lot more then he wanted to keep out of prison. 

“We know they haven’t left,” Luther said. 

“You should leave.” Neil was done attempting to be slick about this. “Shoo,” he took a page from Andrew’s book and tried to usher them out of the parking lot without giving up his post at the door. 

“We’re not leaving until we see them.” Luther said. 

Neil just crossed his arms and stared at them. Short of beating the shit out of one of them, he didn’t know how to make them leave. He could definitely take Luther and Maria in a fight. But Drake had some muscles on him, was stood in a forced relaxed sort of way that suggested he was both here expecting conflict and knew how to handle it. 

Engaging in a hand to hand with more than one person was always a no-no in Neil’s book. Both by order of his mom and common sense. He didn’t think it was likely that Luther would interfere if he went for Drake first, but Neil also didn’t think he’d win that fight. Which made the whole thing a non starter. 

“So, how was the game?” Drake asked after a long minute of silence.

Neil did not answer. Another minute lapsed before Drake tried again. 

“I’m the reason they were late,” he apologized. “I wanted to surprise AJ, so I called them up. They had to pick me up at the airport. They wanted to be on time but it’s cute that you’re so angry for Nicky.” 

Neil continued to stare. 

“Would it kill you to make conversation?” Luther asked. 

Neil opened his mouth to answer but the door opening cut him off. Neil glanced over his shoulder to see the upperclassmen, Nicky and Aaron, all flood out of the doors around him. Andrew must still be washing down his pills with whiskey. Neil didn’t know if that were a good thing or not. 

“Mom? Dad?” Nicky asked in that quiet way he’d said everything all day. 

“AJ!” Drake cheered, moving forward with his hands outstretched as if to touch Aaron. 

Neil side-stepped between them and pushed Aaron back with his shoulder. There were too many things about this that Neil didn’t know. 

Nicky started to introduce the other’s to his parents, one flitting glance showed his mood hadn’t improved. 

Aaron stepped out from behind Neil and raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know you.” Aaron said to Drake. 

“Ah, the twin, Aaron, right?” Drake asked, putting his hand out for a shake. 

Neil shifted in front of Aaron again and took Drake’s hand, grasping as hard as he could. “Neil Josten,” Neil introduced himself. 

“That’s one hell of a grip you got there.” Drake said. 

“I’m sure it is,” here’s what Neil knew: Drake was the name Higgins had said when he came asking Andrew about a case. A case that had to do with children. Drake was the name that had Andrew storming out of the dorms. This case had Andrew pissed enough to break a phone and almost his own hand. 

Neil didn’t know nearly enough, but he did know enough to not let Drake near Aaron. Nel didn’t look back at Aaron, he just let go of Drake’s hand and kept his eyes on him.

“You know,” Drake said after another too long moment of silence. “If you just open that door for me, I’ll go and get AJ myself so we can head to dinner.” He took another step to the side, already going for the door.

“No,” Neil got in his way again. “Aaron will go get everyone. Let’s chat, I’m curious, you know Andrew’s never mentioned you?” 

Aaron left without another word and Neil let himself take a glance at the others-- all preoccupied with the Hemmicks still, although Neil caught Renee in a curious glance at Neil and Drake. 

“Really? I’m surprised, we almost adopted him. Mom was even gonna give him part of my college fund.” 

“Not a word,” Neil answered. “You must not have been that important.” 

The door slammed open before Drake could answer. Everyone jumped at the noise as a grinning Andrew stepped out of the Foxhole Court. Andrew took one look at Drake and then started laughing. Neil grit his teeth at the noise, he had no idea what Andrew was going to do.

There were other people in the parking lot. A few too many stragglers were left still going to their cars for Andrew to commit murder. Neil didn’t know what Drake did, but he figured the Foxes would back Andrew if push came to shrug. Strangers couldn’t be trusted. 

Andrew straightened up and strode forward. 

“AJ,” Drake said, a tense smile on his face. Neil realized he’d probably never seen Andrew on his meds. “Long time no see,” Drake stuck out his hand again, once more trying to get past Neil. 

It wasn’t happening. Neil stepped inbetween the two of them, grabbing Drake’s hand again to use it as a stress ball.

“Neil,” Andrew tried to warn before laughter overtook him again. Neil felt Andrew grab onto the back of his shirt. 

“What’s so funny?” Drake asked. 

Neil dug his nails into the back of his hand a little before he dropped it. Neil could tell Drake was unsettled, he’d been tense before standing beside Mr and Mrs Upright and Holy. Maria had told Nicky to bring the twins for Thanksgiving to their house in Columbia. A private residence an hour away from everyone. Now, they were in public with the entire team plus bystanders. Whatever the plan had been had gone to shit the second Nicky had listened to Seth. 

Neil didn’t smile much, but this felt like a special occasion, besides the grin that creeped up onto Neil’s face wasn’t his own. “I think you getting all the way to South Carolina when you’re wanted by the police in California is a little funny. Don’t you?” 

“Excuse me?” Drake floundered. 

Andrew’s laughing got louder. The door opened again and out came Aaron, Kevin, Wymack and Abby. Everyone was finally in the parking lot, they were a full circus. Nicky drowning as his parents made small talk with the upperclassmen. Andrew in hysterics as Neil tried to figure out how to get Drake to leave before Andrew caught his breath and stabbed someone. 

“Hey Coach,” Neil called, “you gotta come meet this clown.” 

“Josten, what in the fuck is going on?” Coach asked as he made a beeline directly for them, Aaron and Kevin at either side. 

“I don’t know what AJ told you, but it’s all a misunderstanding.” Drake tried. 

Andrew’s laughter cut off and he tugged on the back of Neil’s shirt. 

“Too many witnesses,” Neil murmured. 

Andrew stepped around Neil without a word, Neil let him. 

“What is this? Some ploy to get Higgins to drop the case? Did some little birdy make a call?” Andrew asked, he hadn’t drawn a knife yet but he might as well have. All conversation stopped the second Andrew started talking, all eyes on him. 

“Now, Andrew--” Luther started. 

“No, you don’t get to talk. Not after you brought him here. Around Nicky? Aaron? After all I did to make sure they never met.” Andrew didn’t look away from Drake. “You said you would talk to Cass, Luther, you said there would be no more kids in that house.” Andrew started laughing again. 

Drake opened his mouth as if to speak and Andrew hit him before he could get a word out. Drake only barely managed to stay standing, but when Andrew hit him again he hit the floor. 

Coach pulled Andrew back before he could in a third swing, But Neil figures the third probably would have knocked Drake out cold. 

“What the hell is going on?!” Coach yelled. 

“He’s wanted by the state of California for hurting children,” Neil pointed out. . 

“Those charges--” Luther starts. 

“I’ll hit you next,” Andrew promised and Luther shut his mouth. 

Drake managed to pull himself up off the ground, a smart man would have left then, after getting knocked on his ass in a parking lot full of athletes and witnesses. But Drake lunged for Andrew, who was still being held back by Wymack, instead. 

Neil shoved Drake back before he could reach Andrew. Drake cursed and swung at Neil, a little too fast for Neil to dodge. Neil took the hit, he could, Neil was built for taking hits. Neil drove his fist into Drake’s stomach and then made a tactical retreat. 

“Back the fuck up,” Neil said, still smiling, tasting blood in his teeth. 

Drake lurched but then visibly noticed how everyone had gotten closer. This wasn’t a one on one fight, it was ten on one, twelve if Wymack let go of that vice grip on Andrew’s arm. 

“You--” Nicky was the first to speak. His eyes glassy and his breath quick. “This man hurt Andrew and you knew?” He asked Luther without looking at him.

“I’m going to have to ask the three of you to leave before I have to call security, I don’t appreciate you coming here and harassing my players.” 

“We were invited?” Maria tried to argue. 

“Aw, Drake,” Andrew giggled. “Was this worth breaking your bail? You know crossing state lines is a felony, not that that is anything new.” 

“Dan has Higgin’s number,” Neil added, and then looking at Luther and Maria, “aiding and abetting? I wonder what your church will think?” 

Dan pulled out her phone.

The three of them scrambled off to their car. Only after the Hemmick’s car had pulled out of the parking lot did Wymack let go of a laughing Andrew. 

“Neil, your face,” Abby worried when Neil turned around. 

“It’s just a split lip, I’m fine.” 

“Who was that?” Aaron asked. “What the fuck just happened?” 

Andrew was still laughing too hard to answer, he flapped a hand at Neil. As if Neil would be able to answer anything. 

“Oh, I’ve got no fucking idea who that was,” Neil argued. “We should go back to the dorms.” It was less likely Drake or Luther knew where Abby lived, but there were more locks between the outside world and any of their dorms. Also it was closer. 

“What did that guy even do?” Allison asked. 

“Drake likes little kids,” Andrew answered between laughs. “He was my foster brother before I went to juvie.” 

“You knew about this Josten?” Aaron asked. 

“No,” Neil spit blood out of his mouth. “I made an educated guess. Dorms, let’s go, we need to hunker down and call Higgins.” 

“Talk about a fucking guess!” Seth exclaimed. 

“This whole thing was just--” Nicky’s voice hitched. “They knew?” 

“Shhhh, of course they knew,” Andrew said, “let’s go before Nicky starts crying. Neil can drive.” Andrew pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and threw them at Neil. 

“Dan give me the number,” Wymack said, holding out his hand. “Abby’ll grab the first aid kit and we’ll meet you all over there.” 

“I’m fine,” Neil said again, spitting out more blood and unlocking the cousin’s car. 

They all managed to get to the dorms without a major incident, although Nicky did in fact cry the entire five minute drive. Dan, Wymack, and Abby would get there soon enough, but everyone else pulled into the parking lot at the same time.

“You drive exactly the speed limit,” Andrew noted as they all got out of the car. 

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Neil asked. 

“One.” Andrew said, heading inside.

“Andrew--” Aaron started as they went after him.

“I do not want to talk to any of you.” 

“Andrew plea-” Neil started. 

“I do not like that word.” Andrew jammed his thumb into the elevator call. 

Neil blanched as it occurred to him why that might be. 

Andrew seemed to think better of waiting for the elevator and went directly to the emergency staircase. “Don’t follow me,” he said. 

“Just wait a second,” Neil tried again, coming to stand just in front of where Andrew already had the stairwell door open.

The elevator arrived and the upperclassmen got on, but Aaron, Nicky and Kevin didn’t. 

“What Neil?” Andrew asked. 

Neil lowered his voice. “Can I borrow a knife?” he asked. 

“Can you?” Andrew mocked. 

“May I borrow a knife?” 

“I don’t want or need your protection.” 

“I didn’t ask.”

“Neil.”

“Andrew.”

Andrew stared at Neil, reached a hand up to where Neil’s lip was still bleeding and pressed into the broken skin. “You are a dumbass.” Andrew said. 

“Okay,” Neil said. He could barely feel it, still running on adrenaline. Besides, a split lip might as well have been a paper cut compared to the rest of Neil. 

Andrew pulled a knife out of his wrist band and handed it blade first to Neil. Neil took it without cutting himself and Andrew went up the stairs. 

Neil took one look at the knife, four inch blade, decent balance, he slipped it into his hoodie pocket and went to rejoin the others. Kevin was quiet, Nicky was still sobbing, and Aaron was pissed. 

“What the fuck was that?” Aaron asked. 

“We don’t know where they went,” Neil told him. “Nicky, give me your phone.”

The second elevator opened and Neil shoved the three of them on and then just reached into Nicky’s pocket and pulled out his phone. 

“You seem to know a lot of shit Josten,” Aaron said. 

“Yes, despite my best efforts.” Neil agreed, because really. He’d been doing everything to avoid knowing. To avoid this. Neil slammed the button for their floor and then turned on Nicky’s phone. 

By the time they reached their floor, Neil had found the contact on Nicky’s phone. ‘Baby’ with an absurd amount of hearts before and after. Neil hit dial and handed the phone to Nicky when the line connected. Renee was waiting in the hall in front of her dorm room.

“Aaron, if the upperclassmen say something stupid will you hit them?” Neil asked, as soon as he did he knew the answer. “Can you take Nicky and Kevin to your room?”

Aaron stopped Neil from continuing on down the hall. He just stared at Neil for a long moment and then shook his head and pulled Nicky and Kevin into their dorm. Neil went to Renee but listened for the door as it opened and shut behind him. 

“Where’s Andrew?” Renee asked. 

“He took the stairs,” Neil said. 

“Ah, I'll go check on him then.” She made for the stairs. 

Neil went directly into the girl’s dorm and took a second to observe. 

“How the hell was he laughing?” Allison asked, not looking at the door. 

Neil immediately understood what he had walked into. “Because he’s drugged out of his mind,” Neil answered. “Are you actually that dense or just willfully stupid when it comes to Andrew? He laughs at everything because he’s on court ordered medication and cannot help himself.” 

“Where is everyone?” Matt asked when Allison just stood there blank. 

“Nicky’s talking to Eric, Aaron’s watching him and Kevin. Renee went to check on Andrew,” Neil reported. 

“Are you okay?” Matt asked. 

“It’s gonna take a lot more than one punch to kill me,” Neil told him. 

The door opened and Renee slipped inside, “Andrew’s taking some time,” she told them. 

As long as someone knew where he was, Neil thought. 

“It had to be the Ravens,” Seth said. “There was only one way for that guy to get to the otherside of the country when he wasn’t supposed to leave the state. It was Riko.” 

“Is he gonna send everyone’s demons back at them?” Matt asked. 

At the very least, Tilda was already dead, so Aaron would be fine. 

“Riko only has so many moves he can make,” Renee said quietly. “Even with his amount of resources, he’s the second son and everything he’s done so far has made a lot of noise.” 

Neil considered telling them that if anyone came looking for him they should throw Neil under the bus and run in the opposite direction. But Neil knew they wouldn’t give him the answer he wanted. 

“I’m gonna--” Neil made a vague gesture and left the room. He went into his dorm and grabbed his desk chair and dragged it out into the hall. He positioned it so he could watch the elevators and the stairwell and still keep an eye on the hall itself. 

He sat down and put his hand in his sweatshirt pocket. Held the knife. 

Even for eating purposes Neil typically tried to not hold the knife too much. It instantly brought on a wave of things he did not want to think about. But Neil was still in that shifty space of adrenaline were bad ideas seemed good if they worked. They were in an emergency situation and the math turned out to be incredibly simple. 

Neil could use a knife. It was unlikely that Drake or Luther would come to the dorms, but if Riko was really the puppet behind this he didn't want to take the risk. Not with his foxes, not with Andrew.

#nmftg #no more fucks to give #aftg #fanfic #fanfiction